The self-titled Third Eye Blind was released in the spring of 1997 by that summer, the introductory single “Semi-Charmed Life” had become a chart-topping modern rock hit. With Jenkins handling production studies, the band recorded their eponymous debut in San Francisco with the assistance of Eric Valentine, an engineer who had also worked on their early demos. Jenkins was tapped as the band's producer and received a production deal to help develop new groups, but his top priority remained Third Eye Blind. Cadogan subsequently joined Third Eye Blind in late 1995, bringing along former Counting Crows drummer Brad Hargreaves as well. At one of the band's early shows, guitarist Kevin Cadogan - a former student of Joe Satriani who later became involved in the northern California ska and punk scenes - introduced himself to Jenkins. After several lineups failed to gel, former Fungo Mungo bassist Arion Salazar joined the group, which Jenkins had named Third Eye Blind (in reference to the metaphysical concept of a mind's eye). Jenkins soon decided to piece a band together. Third Eye Blind hails from San Francisco, where singer Stephan Jenkins made his name as a solo musician after earning an English degree from the University of California at Berkeley. After taking a break during the early 2000s, the band returned in 2009 with its fourth studio album, Ursa Major.
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Third Eye Blind built upon that success throughout the following three years, releasing a number of singles (three of which cracked the Top 10) while touring with the likes of U2 and Oasis. The group scored its first hit in 1997, when their debut single “Semi-Charmed Life” cracked the Top 10. Although they have since come back into the fold, this remains a slice of post grunge and rock history, as Third Eye Blind before the problems – Third Eye Blind at their absolute best, long before the music industry could get to them.Although often lumped into the post-grunge category, Third Eye Blind sported a brighter sound than many of their late-'90s peers, taking as much influence from classic pop/rock traditions as the angst-ridden music that dominated the decade. It came before the band was mired in various controversies, line-up changes, record label disputes and numerous other issues which clouded their career from then on. This was their first album, and by far the most successful, both commercially and critically. But looking beneath the surface of engaging hooks and melodies, there are great depths to be plunged. It can be easily appreciated by fans of grunge, but opens it up just enough that pretty much anyone can get drawn in and sing along. The fact that it’s much catchier and playful than your average post-grunge band meant it went down a storm, allowing a fairly difficult genre to become that little bit more accessible.Īs entry-level post-grunge goes, you can’t get much better. And if the chart positioning is anything to go by, the fans loved it – as did the critics.
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As this was the debut of the San Francisco rockers, it is them at their absolute rawest. Spanning the genres of alt rock and post grunge with just enough pop rock catchiness, this is an album steeped in pain, elation and hidden meaning. the success of these singles led to the album selling over 12 million copies.
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Of course, there are many exceptions to that rule, one of the many being Third Eye Blind and their Eponymous début album which, upon its release in 1997, propelled the band to major chart success, owed in part to the chart successes of the singles Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, and How’s It Going to Be, all of which enjoyed time within the Top 10. The world of alternative rock is wide and varied, but the vast majority of the albums and singles tend not to stray too far from the rock charts – preferring to stay in the safe confines of the alternative community’s repertoire.