Saving Abel

Saving Abel is an American rock band from Corinth, Mississippi, founded in 2004 by Jared Weeks and Jason Null. The band is named after the biblical story of Cain and Abel, in which a man named Cain kills his brother Abel. Band member Jason Null thought up the band title saying "I Googled the story of Cain and Abel and found a line about 'there was no saving Abel,' which just jumped out at me."[1]

Saving Abel
Saving Abel performing in 2010
Background information
OriginCorinth, Mississippi, U.S.
Genres
Years active2004–present
Labels
Websitesavingabelnation.com
Members
  • Scott Austin
  • Jason Null
  • Scott Bartlett
  • Scott Wilson
  • Steven Pulley
Past members
  • Jared Weeks
  • Michael McManus
  • Blake Dixon
  • Eric Taylor
  • Daniel Dwight

Original lead singer Jared Weeks left the band at the end of 2013 to pursue a solo career.[2] Scott Austin of Trash the Brand was chosen as his replacement.

History

Lead singer Jared Weeks and lead guitarist Jason Null began forming Saving Abel in the small town of Corinth, Mississippi in 2004. Weeks was learning to play the guitar at his best friend's house and Null, who was in a competing rock band in the same town, walked in to rehearse, hit it off, and several days later were writing songs together. Early in 2005, their songs caught the ear of noted producer Skidd Mills, who brought the two into his 747 Studio in Memphis, Tennessee to record some of the songs.[1]

The band gradually came together with the addition of rhythm guitarist Scott Bartlett, bassist Daniel Dwight, and drummer Blake Dixon. Weeks would throw demo CDs onto the stages of bigger bands that toured through Corinth.[1] After shopping the album around for almost a year, and a member change as original bassist Daniel Dwight left the group, they picked up bassist and long time friend Eric Taylor.

"Addicted" was heard by former Virgin A&R consultant Scott Frazier, President of Overtone Music Group. Scott e-mailed the song to CEO of Virgin Music Company Jason Flom who liked what he heard and sent Kim Stephens to watch the band perform in Jackson, Tennessee.[3] "Addicted" was released in March 2008 as a single followed by their major label debut, Saving Abel, on March 11, 2008. "Addicted", which rose to No. 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart. On January 15, 2009 the album peaked at No. 49 on the Billboard 200.[3] The album received the certification of Gold in the week of March 16, 2009, because of the lead single.[4]

In mid-2009, the band embarked on a tour with Canadian rock band Nickelback during their Dark Horse Tour, along with Hinder and Papa Roach, bringing the band through Live Nation outdoor amphitheaters. In April 2009, the band struck down allegations that there was a rivalry with fellow tour-mates Hinder.[4]

Virgin released the Saving Abel EP, 18 Days Tour, on April 7, 2009, that contained an acoustic version of the song "18 Days" along with two new songs.[5] In the latter part of 2009, Saving Abel headlined a U.S. tour with the bands Red, Pop Evil and Taddy Porter in supporting slots.[6]

The band worked on their second studio album Miss America throughout late 2009 and early 2010. During the making of the record, the song "The Sex Is Good" was somehow leaked onto YouTube. The new album, which offered a download-able only acoustic version of the song "The Sex Is Good", was released via Virgin Records on June 8, 2010. The first single from the CD, "Stupid Girl (Only In Hollywood)", was released earlier that year on April 8 and hit radio on April 26. The song went to No. 7 on the Mainstream Rock Song chart. "The Sex Is Good" was later issued as the second single, reaching the No. 1 spot on the same chart in January 2011. The third single was "Miss America".

In 2011, they embarked on a tour where they played at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, as well as many barbecues, chili cook-offs, motorcycle rallies and state fairs. They also played for the American military in Kuwait.

On May 14, 2012, the band debuted "Bringing Down the Giant". Their third album, Bringing Down the Giant, was released on July 17, 2012.[7] They went on a tour to promote their new album.[8]

On April 20, 2013, Saving Abel performed in Waterloo, Iowa to raise funds for a community healing project to raise funds for the creation of Angel's Park in Evansdale, Iowa. The park was inspired by Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook. The girls vanished in July 2012, and were found deceased in December. No arrests have been made. The park is to serve as sanctuary to residents of the Cedar Valley, to remember their own Angels.[9]

On May 21, 2013, Saving Abel released information on their website regarding Cracking the Safe, which was set to be released on August 6, 2013.[10] On December 26, 2013, Weeks posted on the band's Facebook that he would be leaving the band to pursue a solo career.[11] Scott Austin, frontman for Trash The Brand, was announced as Weeks' permanent replacement as lead singer. The same day drummer Michael McManus announced his departure from the band via Twitter. No reason was given, and the band did not comment on his departure.

On November 11, 2014, they released their latest album, Blood Stained Revolution.[12] The final single off the album, "15 Minutes of Fame", was released on February 22, 2015.

On May 17, 2016 the band announced that they would be taking part in the Make America Rock Again super tour throughout 2016. The tour featured other bands who had success throughout the 2000s including Trapt, Saliva, Alien Ant Farm, Crazy Town, 12 Stones, Tantric, Drowning Pool, Puddle of Mudd, P.O.D. and Fuel.[13]

On June 14, 2017 the band announced that Scott Wilson would be joining and replacing Eric Taylor and Blake Dixon would be replacing Steven Pulley on drums.[14]

Band members

Current members

  • Scott Austin – lead vocals (2013–present)
  • Jason Null – lead guitar, backing vocals (2004–present)
  • Scott Bartlett – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2004–present)
  • Scott Wilson – bass (2017–present)
  • Steven Pulley – drums (2013–2017, 2018-present)

Former members

  • Jared Weeks – lead vocals (2004–2013)
  • Daniel Dwight – bass (2004–2007)
  • Eric Taylor – bass, backing vocals (2007–2017)
  • Michael McManus – drums (2011–2013)
  • Blake Dixon – drums (2004–2011, 2017–2018)

Timeline

Discography
Main article: Saving Abel discography

References
  1. "Biography". Saving Abel Official website. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  2. "Saving Abel". Facebook.com. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  3. Leeuwis, Jermy (December 9, 2008). "Saving Abel to release self-titled". MusicRemedy. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  4. Cruz, Rafaela (April 2009). "Interview With Saving Abel". Shave Magazine. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  5. "18 Days Tour - EP by Saving Abel on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  6. "CLASS OF 2009: NEW SAVING ABEL HEADLINE TOUR!". Saving Abel MySpace blog. August 27, 2009. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  7. "Saving Abel, 'Bringing Down the Giant' – Exclusive Song Premiere". Loudwire. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  8. "Fall From Grace and Saving Abel Summer Tour | RadioContraband". radiocontraband.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  9. Corless, Michelle (April 21, 2013). "Concert for the Angels remembers Lyric and Elizabeth". KWWL (TV). Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  10. "Saving Abel Release "Cracking the Safe" EP". ARTISTdirect. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  11. "Saving Abel - A MESSAGE FROM JARED WEEKS--". www.facebook.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  12. "REVIEW: Saving Abel – Blood Stained Revolution". New-Transcendence. November 6, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  13. "Make America Rock Again! – Official website for the Make America Rock Again tour". Make America Rock Again!. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  14. "Saving Abel". Facebook.com. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
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