Flaw (band)

Formation and early independent releases (1996–2000)

Flaw was formed in 1996 when lead vocalist Chris Volz answered an ad in a local paper placed by guitarist Jason Daunt, looking for a lead vocalist for a band. Volz met with Daunt shortly after, with Volz bringing a demo tape containining some examples of his recorded vocals. The meeting went well, with the two starting the writing process for Flaw material that night, and completing their first song, "Inner Strength", the next day. The band's rhythm section progressed through several line-ups but solidified with the addition of bassist Ryan Jurhs in 1997. That same year the band recorded their first release, the independent American Arrogance. Because they were low on money, the band ordered everything they needed to record from the Musician's Friend catalog, then returned it using the 30-day return policy. Their album gave them the opportunity to open for acts including Fear Factory and Econoline Crush. A local radio station, The Fox, broadcast the songs from Flaw's indie disc, giving them further publicity. Two more independent releases, 1998's self-titled album Flaw and 2000's Drama EP, were later produced as well, while the band's first stable line-up, including Lance Arny as a second guitarist, and Chris Ballinger on drums, was established in 1999.

Through the Eyes and Endangered Species (2001–04)

Flaw showcased at CBGB in New York City and were heard by Republic/Universal Records. Flaw signed to the label in 2000, and began recording their first studio album in early 2001 at Sound City with music producer David Bottrill. The finished product, Through the Eyes, released in October 2001. The album topped the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, and peaked at #119 on the Billboard 200 chart. In promotion of the album, the band released two singles, "Payback" and "Whole", and played the 2002 iteration of Ozzfest. Another track, "Only the Strong," was also featured on The Scorpion King soundtrack.

In 2004, Flaw returned to the studio to begin recording their second studio album, Endangered Species. The band had parted ways with Daunt and Ballinger and added a replacement drummer, Micah Havertape. The band stated that Daunt was fired due to "personal and creative differences", including issues with undisclosed physical violence. The band continued on as a four-piece, finding it easier to manage the band's internal issues and creative process with fewer members. The album, released in May 2004, debuted at No. 42 on the Billboard Top 200, selling 27,527 copies in its first week. The album spawned one single, "Recognize", which peaked at no. 25 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The band toured some in promotion of the album, though a later tour with Ill Niño and Drowning Pool was cancelled due to problems with the tour's promoters. Both albums were deemed commercial disappointments by their record label, Universal Records. Flaw was subsequently dropped from Universal in late 2004 and eventually broke up.

Breakups, side-projects, and internal strife (2005–12)

After the band broke up, band members moved onto new projects, Most notably, Volz, formed Five Bolt Main with drummer Ivan Arnold, who was one of the rotating members during Flaw's early independent years. They signed with Rock Ridge Records and released a studio album Venting, in 2005, before breaking up. Flaw reformed again in late 2006, with core members Volz, Daunt, and Ballinger. The band played a reunion show in March 2007, playing a previously unreleased track entitled "Do You Remember", and toured through April of the same years with a lineup of Volz, Daunt, Arny, Ballinger, and new bassist Van Avery.

While the band initially had intentions on recording new material and releasing it, internal issues among members lead to many delays and hurdles. Progress slowed as Volz's focus turned to his solo work, recording and touring in support of his studio album Redemption across September and October 2007. Additional complications occurred by the start of 2008, with Volz and Daunt breaking off to form a new band called Foundation. The offshoot played a number of shows through 2008, but eventually returned to just performing as Flaw, as people became confused between the two considering the similar members and setlists. Still, the band continued to struggle with lineup changes, including short term stints with guitarist Nathan McDaniel, bassist Jimmie Stalings, and drummer Terry Harper.

By January 2009, the band had reconvened its efforts to record a new album and attract label support. While the band failed to find label support, in November 2009, they still released a third studio album, completely independently, titled Home Grown Studio Sessions. The lineup included Volz, Arny, Juhrs, and two more newcomers, Andy Russ on guitar and Sean Rued on drums. The band toured in support of the album through the rest of the year, though the album did not sell well, with even Arny conceding that "a lot of people don't know it's out yet" 9 months after its release. The band continued to tour into 2010, with Chris Marple filling in on bass and guitar as the band needed replacements to the lineup. The band played shows with Tantric, Burn Halo, and Adema in September 2010. However, by the end of the year, internal conflict had again lead to the cancellation of shows and inactivity within the band.

Divided We Fall (2013–present)

On July 16, 2013, it was announced that the band had reformed, and returned to the Through The Eyes line-up of Jason Daunt, Chris Volz, Lance Arny, Ryan Jurhs and Chris Ballinger. The band was reforming to both tour, and record a new studio album. By February 2014, the band announced they had demoed 14 to 15 new songs, 3 of which were updated versions of older songs. Despite the progress, the band needed to procure more funds to continue. In July, Flaw started an Indiegogo campaign to raise money for a full US tour with a new album to be released sometime in 2015, but only acquired 1/4 of the requested funds. Additionally, in September, Arny left the band due to internal conflicts with the rest of the members, The touring continued despite this, playing the "Louder Than Life" festival in October 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky, with Korn, Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach. In December, Ballinger was fired due to "personal and creative differences". The band replaced only Ballinger, with new drummer Corey Sturgill, and opted to once again work as a quartet.

In March 2015, Volz announced that the band had been spending the last few months in the studio working with music producer Skidd Mills on their fourth studio album. He also announced they would be doing "The Reawakening Tour" along with Seasons After between May and June and would then release their next studio album sometime afterward. In April 2015, a new song titled "Bleed Red" was released exclusively to SirusXM Octane to test-market new material in hopes to gain a broader appeal and a wide release. As of March 2015, Volz estimated a late 2015 release for the album. In September 2015, Daunt stated that the album was completely written, so the band was focusing on finding record label backing again. At an October concert, the band stated that the new album's release period had now shifted to the first quarter of 2016. In November 2015, it was announced that the band had signed to Pavement Entertainment with plans on releasing their fourth studio album on April 29, 2016.

It was announced in early May 2016, that the new album title would be Divided We Fall and would be officially released on August 19, 2016, with a single titled "Live and Breathe" scheduled for release in July. A release party was held on the night prior to the album's release, at Diamond's Pub in Louisville, Kentucky, with the album going on sale at midnight. To promote the album, the band announced they would be participating in a reunion tour with Dope and Motograter.

Musical style and influences

Both Volz and Jurhs cited the work of Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Korn as influences. Critics noted that the band's sound, especially the sound of the band's album Through the Eyes, sounded as if it had been influenced by rock band Tool. The band's sound has been described as nu metal, alternative metal and hard rock.

Members

Discography