Days of the New
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Days of the New is a post-grunge rock band from Charlestown, Indiana (later relocated to Louisville, Kentucky), formed in 1995. The band consists of Vocalist/Guitarist Travis Meeks, and a variety of supporting musicians. They are best known for the hit singles "Touch, Peel and Stand" and "The Down Town," both from their self-titled debut album.
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[edit] Early years
The first Days of the New album, titled "Days of the New" but frequently called "Orange" after the color of the disc and liner notes, was released in 1997, selling 1.5 million copies worldwide. Three songs from this album were hits: "Touch, Peel and Stand", "The Down Town", and "Shelf in the Room". "Touch, Peel and Stand" was number one on Billboard's Rock Chart for 17 weeks; "The Down Town" and "Shelf in the Room" were each top 40 hits.
Shortly after releasing the album, the band went on tour with Metallica and Jerry Cantrell in 1998. Soon after concluding the tour, however, the band split up. Todd Whitener, Matt Taul and Jesse Vest would go on to form Tantric while Meeks formed a new band under the Days of the New name.
[edit] Days of the New II
Just one year after the original band's breakup, Meeks had assembled a new Days of the New and recorded a second album. Titled "Days of the New II", and often referred to as Green, this album was released in 1999 and had a variety of different styles of music. Many of the album's songs contained intros and codas to seamlessly carry into the next song.
Critics were fairly enthusiastic, but the album sold poorly compared to the first, selling around 450,000 copies. Only one song, "Enemy," was a major hit, and the 2nd single "Weapon and the Wound" failed to match its predecessor.
[edit] Days of the New III
After touring to support the band's second album, Meeks returned to the studio with a new band. Still using the Days of the New name, the third album incorporated aspects of the previous two; much of the energy from the first album had returned, combined with orchestral interludes similar to the second album. In keeping with the previous albums' names, the third album is called "Days of the New III", or Red.
The first single "Hang On To This" charted fairly, however, the album was released two weeks after 9/11, and with very little promotion, only sold 90,000 copies.
[edit] Today
Travis Meeks has gone on to many individual projects; he contributed to the Doors tribute album Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors as lead vocalist on a cover of "The End". After appearing on an episode of A&E's Intervention, where his family and friends convinced him to seek help for his addiction to crystal meth, Meeks entered rehab. Now sober, Meeks is currently looking for a new record label, and is likely to begin the recording process for a fourth Days of the New record, Purple. Tentatively scheduled to be released in 2007, Purple is said to have a stripped-down sound, returning to the style found on Orange. Some of the songs likely to be tracked for the record include "Sanctuary", "One Foot Ahead", "Crying In A Bucket", and "Eating Crow".
[edit] Members
- Travis Meeks - vocals, guitar (1997-present)
- Ray Rizzo - drums, percussion (1999-present)
- Michael Dufresne - bass (2004-present)
[edit] Past members
- Michael Huettig - bass (2000-2003)
- Chuck Mingis - guitar (2001-2003)
- Nicole Scherzinger - vocals (1999-2000)
- Brian Vinson - bass (1999-2000)
- Doug Florio - guitar (1999-2000)
- Kimmet Cantwell - keyboards (1999-2000)
- Craig Wagner - guitar (1999-2000)
- Todd Whitener - guitar (1997-1999)
- Jesse Vest - bass (1997-1999)
- Matt Taul - drums (1997-1999)
[edit] Albums
| Year | Title | Label | US Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Days of the New I (Orange) | Outpost | #40 |
| 1999 | Days of the New II (Green) | Outpost | #40 |
| 2001 | Days of the New III (Red) | Interscope Records | #91 |
[edit] Singles
- Touch, Peel and Stand, 1997
- Shelf in the Room, 1998
- The Down Town, 1998
- Enemy, 1999
- Weapon & The Wound, 1999
- Hang on to This, 2001
- Die Born (was also featured in "Black Hawk Down"), 2002
[edit] External links
- Travis Meeks
- All Music Guide entry for Days of the New
- Days of the New fan club
- Days of the New Lyrics
| Days of the New |
| Travis Meeks • Ray Rizzo • Michael Dufresne |
| Michael Huettig • Chuck Mingis • Nicole Scherzinger • Brian Vinson • Doug Florio • Kimmet Cantwell • Craig Wagner • Todd Whitener • Jesse Vest • Matt Taul |
| Discography |
| Studio albums: Days of the New I (1997) • Days of the New II (1999) • Days of the New III (2001) |
| Singles: Touch, Peel and Stand • Shelf in the Room • The Down Town • Enemy • Weapon & The Wound • Weapon & The Wound • Hang on to This • Die Born |
