Ryan McCombs - Vocals Shaun Glass - Guitar Adam Zadel - Guitar & Vocals Tim King - Bass Tom Schofield - Drums
In Chicago's post-Pumpkins aftermath, an electrifying new surge of hard music is escalating. It is out of this groundswell that the rock band Soil emerges with a roar, spreading rock across America and throughout the music industry. On a seemingly fast acting, yet organic ascent, Soil recently became the first hard rock band signed to Clive Davis' J Records. They are currently in the studio, writing and recording with producer Johnny K. for a September album release. Meanwhile, a ferocious single named "Halo" is spreading like wildfire to major rock radio stations in cities across America.
Soil's success story is the quintessential rock dream come true. The band's song "Halo" was noticed by radio programmer Pat Lynch of Orlando, FL. Lynch propelled it to hit proportions on his active rock station WJRR. This fired off a shot heard throughout the industry, sparking a label battle that was ultimately won by J Records. Jumping right in to help the buzz grow, J Records blasted "Halo" to a new level on Orlando radio while pressing up free Soil samplers for hungry Orlando Soil fans. In less than 10 days, over 2000 fans poured into local retail stores to get a free sampler. Word has now reached other major rock radio stations in Tampa, Sacramento, Madison, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Miami, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Kansas City and more.
Pat Lynch of WJRR comments, "Here's the bottom line: 'Halo' is a hit. I have the research, the phones, and local concert attendance to prove it! The JRR audience gobbled up the sampler that J Records put into the market, and are eagerly awaiting the full length. The band performed two standing room only shows that just completely blew everyone in attendance away. Soil has the goods and is the real deal. 'Halo' just scratches the surface of what lies beneath the Soil!"
Soil, piloted by five extremely driven and talented musicians, plotted their own course starting first with their hometown Chicago. Quickly embraced by the Chicago rock scene with explosive and memorable live shows, the band began recording a full-length album in 1998 with influential producer Steve Albini. "It seemed groundbreaking at the time to be writing rock songs when rap and alternative were the thing," recalls Soil member Tim King.
That album was released on an independent label and the band toured throughout the U.S. and Canada opening for acts such as Stuck Mojo and Incubus. In August 2000, they entered the studio with producer Johnny K. (Disturbed, Machine Head) to record three new songs, "Need To Feel," "My Own" and "Halo." This three-song demo - commanded by a truly unique lead singer in Ryan McCombs and a cohesively fierce outfit of real musicians -- became a hot commodity in Chicago with over 6,000 Soil samplers given out to fans. And it was this three-song demo that ultimately sparked the record company feeding frenzy.
Currently, Soil - comprised of lead vocalist Ryan McCombs, guitar/vocalist Adam Zadel, guitarist Shaun Glass, bass player Tim King and drummer Tom Schofield - are planning to be in the studio until August. Ryan comments, "Recording this record has been the experience of a lifetime." Shaun adds, "The sessions for this album are going really great, really strong. We never forget who we are writing our music for and what kind of sound they expect from us - without that we don't exist. At the end of the day, this is why we do what we do."
