spoken

Spoken
Spoken (Current line-up)
Background information
Origin	Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Genres	Alternative rock Post-hardcore Rapcore (Early) Rap metal (Early)
Years active	1996-present
Labels	Metro 1 Music(1996-2003) Tooth & Nail Records(2003-2008) ECI/The Alien Patrol Records/Fidelity Entertainment Group (2008-present)
Associated acts	VersaEmerge
Website	http://spokenmusic.com
Members
Matt Baird - Lead vocals Jef Cunningham - Guitars Jon Allen - Bass Oliver Crumpton - Drums, Percussion
Former members
Ryan Jordan - Drums Aaron Wiese - Guitar Travis Pierce - Bass Roy Elam - Guitar Brandon Thigpen - Bass

Spoken is a Christian alternative rock / post-hardcore band from Fayetteville, Arkansas. They are currently signed to The Alien Patrol/Fidelity Entertainment Group.

Band history

Beginnings

Starting in 1996, Spoken quickly became a mainstay in their local music scene due to a relentless work ethic and performance schedule. Shortly after forming, Spoken was signed to their first record deal with Metro 1 Music, on which they released 3 LPs and a greatest hits compilation. With the release of their first album, On Your Feet (1997), and continuing through their second record, …What Remains (1999), the Spoken sound was a combination of rap meets metal and a bit of melodic rock. The third full-length release, Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell (2000) contained a heavier, more melodic approach to song writing, with songs like "Forevermore" and "This Path" generating repeated rotations on various modern rock radio and video programs across the country.

A Moment of Imperfect Clarity

Spoken signed to Tooth and Nail Records to release their next album, titled A Moment of Imperfect Clarity. This, and their subsequent albums on Tooth and Nail, highlighted an evolving sound in which first melody and then a post-hardcore sound were introduced and stressed. The band shot music videos for "Promise"^[1] and "Falling Further"^[2]

The Last Chance to Breathe

In 2005, Spoken released Last Chance to Breathe. The style changed even more, becoming more based on screams than heavy guitar work. A music video was shot for "Bitter Taste", a single from the album, featuring Cory Brandon Putman of Norma Jean.^[3]

Spoken

On September 25, 2007, Spoken released their self titled album, Spoken. The sound was heavier and more mature, with both heavy vocals and heavy guitar work. Matt Baird, the lead vocalist for Spoken, said this about their sound: "Our new record has a lot of diversity. There are songs that are heavier than anything we've done before, and there is a song that is mostly piano. The songs are really all over the place as far as a similar style or genre, but it works. I think the record is extremely cohesive. I can't wait for people to hear it."^[4]

With such drastic changes in style, bands often tend to lose a majority of their original audience. Spoken's fan base, on the other hand, increased. With each album the band widened their overall appeal, while gaining more and more fans in the process.

Spoken has made multiple trips across the United States as well Japan and Germany. Averaging over 100 shows a year, they regularly see attendance into the hundreds, filling venues to capacity throughout the U.S.

Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell re-release

In late 2008, Spoken disappeared off of the Tooth & Nail Roster at Tooth & Nail Records.com, several months later the band announced that they had left Tooth & Nail and had signed a record deal with the small digital Christian label ECI/The Alien Patrol Records. Spoken then announced the label was to release a digital re-release of "Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell", a album that the band put out early in their career under extremely limited release. The band continues to tour and has plans to release another album, but when that album is to come out is still unknown.

Discography

Studio Albums

• On Your Feet (September 22, 1997) (Metro 1 Music)
• ...What Remains (February 2, 1999) (Metro 1 Music)
• Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell (October 3, 2000) (Metro 1 Music)
• A Moment of Imperfect Clarity (September 2, 2003) (Tooth and Nail Records)
• Last Chance to Breathe (August 30, 2005) (Tooth and Nail Records)
• Spoken (September 25, 2007) (Tooth and Nail Records)
• Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell Digital re-release (September 15, 2008) (ECI/The Alien Patrol Records/Fidelity Entertainment Group)

Compilations

• Spoken Greatest Hits (January 19, 2001)

Music videos

• Forevermore
• Falling Further
• Promise
• Bitter Taste

References

External links

• Official site
• Spoken at PureVolume
• Spoken at MySpace