Taproot (band)

Formation and independent releases (1997–1999)

In 1997, Taproot sent their demo to Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst. Impressed with their material, he offered to get them a recording contract through Interscope Records. However, after extended negotiations, Taproot looked elsewhere, where they finally landed a lucrative record deal with Atlantic Records. Durst heavily cursed the band on vocalist Stephen Richards' answering machine. He also put some blame on System of a Down, who assisted Taproot in securing the Atlantic deal. In retaliation, Durst also kicked System of a Down off the 1999 Family Values Tour. Taproot later went on to independently release three albums: ...Something More Than Nothing (1998), Mentobe (1998) and Upon Us (1999).

Gift and Welcome (2000–2004)

The band released their debut album Gift on June 27, 2000. With the album's lead single "Again & Again" gaining heavy exposure through MTV2, the band's mainstream rise gained momentum. With the help of Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack, Taproot landed a spot on the second stage of the 2000 and 2001 Ozzfest tour.

After spending seven months in Los Angeles, the band released their second album Welcome on October 15, 2002. Considered to be a more melodic effort, the album debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200, selling over 51,000 copies in its first week of release. Much of this was due to the success of the album's first single, "Poem", which shot to No. 5 on the Mainstream Rock charts. "Poem" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 6 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which acts as a 25-song extension to the Hot 100. The album's second single, "Mine", followed with more moderate success. Welcome is Taproot's most successful album to date, almost achieving gold status, with approximately 475,000 copies sold.

After touring across the country on Disturbed's Music as a Weapon Tour, as well as a European tour, the band took a two-year break.

Blue-Sky Research (2005–2006)

Returning from their hiatus, the band released their third major album Blue-Sky Research on August 16, 2005. Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins frontman) assisted in songwriting on the album, which was produced by Toby Wright. It debuted at No. 33 on the Billboard 200, with approximately 28,000 first week sales. The band's single "Calling" (written with Jonah Matranga, who wrote the bulk of the lyric and melody thinking of Far) was used by WWE as the theme song for the 2005 pay-per-view "Unforgiven."

The band headlined a major tour with Evans Blue and From Satellite to promote its release. Prior to the headline tour, Taproot acted as direct support to Chevelle on their tour alongside Thirty Seconds to Mars. They also participated in the Fall Brawl Tour, which featured Staind and P.O.D. as headliners, and is notable for taking the then-unknown Flyleaf along as the opening act for the three bands.

On May 23, 2006, it was reported that Taproot had parted ways with Atlantic Records, after disappointing sales of Blue-Sky Research. At the time, the album had sold 112,000 copies since its release. On June 13, 2006, drummer Jarrod Montague, via Taproot's MySpace blog, confirmed the news.

Our Long Road Home (2008–2009)

On March 5, 2007, the band confirmed that they were in the process of recording their new album, Our Long Road Home, with producer Tim Patalan.

On March 2, 2008, the band released a song from Our Long Road Home entitled "You're Not Home Tonight" on their website. The song received airtime on XM Satellite Radio, Squizz 48 Indicent Exposure with Grant Random Sirius Satellite Radio on Octane.

A teaser trailer for Our Long Road Home was added to the Taproot YouTube page on April 28, 2008. At the end of the video, it was stated that the album would be released on August 5, 2008.

According to the Taproot website, the band decided to forgo signing to a major label. Their new album Our Long Road Home would be released independently through their management firm Velvet Hammer Music in a 50/50 partnership with the band themselves. Distribution was handled with Sony-owned RED Distribution.

Our Long Road Home was released on September 16, 2008. The disc was distributed in a cardboard sleeve and shipped to all major outlets.

Just over a week after the album's release, it was announced that long-time drummer Jarrod Montague would be leaving the band and replaced by Nick Fredell. The band released a statement regarding the change in lineup:

"After 10 years of touring, our drummer and good friend Jarrod will be sitting out this cycle and we will be replacing him with our long time friend Nick Fredell. We'll miss Jarrod's presence out on the road, but Nick has fit in perfectly and we're excited for all of our fans to meet him. Jarrod's still very much a part of our family, so you'll be seeing him in press and the 'Wherever I Stand' video which is out now on Youtube..."

In spring 2009, Taproot went on the road with Dear Enemy and Adakain for the Take It! tour. Later that year, they co-headlined a U.S. tour with Cold, in addition to releasing the following statement: "Taproot has a few upcoming shows in November and December and will start writing their new record in January/ February 2010. We hope to get into the studio sometime in February and March. We will be looking at a release date sometime in the late spring possibly early summer of 2010!"

Plead the Fifth (2010–2011)

After a brief period without a record label, Taproot signed with Victory Records. On April 1, 2010, at midnight, the band released the lead single for their upcoming album. The song was "Fractured (Everything I Said Was True)". A video for the song followed the release soon after debuting on the band's YouTube channel on April 16. Soon after, the band released their fifth studio album Plead The Fifth.

Taproot supported Plead the Fifth with a headlining run in the summer of 2010 with support from Ice Nine Kills and label mates Destrophy.

The Episodes (2011–2012)

On September 14, 2011 Taproot announced they are preparing to record their sixth studio album in fall 2011. They will once again be working with producer Tim Patalan and will be recording at The Loft Studios in Saline, Michigan. On December 15, the band announced that the album was recorded and should be released in spring 2012. On January 8, 2012, the band's official website was closed and re-launched as a brand new one on February 7, 2012. In addition to the new site, the band also revealed that The Episodes will be released on April 10, 2012. Every Tuesday, Taproot offers a video about their upcoming album. On March 2, 2012, Taproot released the first single of the album: No Surrender.

On April 9, 2012 they were interviewed by Freak & performed live on WYKT-105.5fm The Kat from Freakster's Roadhouse in Wilmington Illinois. The 3-song set featured "No Surrender" which was the first time it was played live before a crowd.

Taproot supported The Episodes with a headlining Winter Riot Tour (with support from 12 Stones, Digital Summer, 3 Pill Morning and Prospect Hill).

Gift's 13th anniversary, Fredell and DeWolf's departure (2013-2015)

The first half of 2013 saw Taproot touring celebrating the 13th anniversary of their debut album, Gift, by playing it in its entirety on tour.

On June 16, 2013, drummer Nick Fredell announced on his Twitter account that he had departed from the band, only citing "some bad blood." He has since been replaced by new drummer Dave Coughlin. There has not yet been an official statement by the band addressing this.

On July 9, 2015, an official statement was released by Phil Lipscomb stating Mike DeWolf was not interested in continuing with the band, and that he and Stephen would be proceeding without him.

On August 8, 2015, Taproot played at Dirtfest in Birch Run Michigan with Dave Lizzio, formerly of Nonpoint, as the bands guitarist. The performance was also notable for its guest appearance of founding member Jarrod Montague, as well as being their first show since the departure of Mike DeWolf.

Besides and Welcome's 15th anniversary (2016-present)

On September 6, 2016, the band announced that they will be releasing rarities collection entitled Besides.As of February 2017, the compilation album has been delayed.

On February 27, 2017, the band announced on Banana 101.5 that they will play "Welcome" in its entirety on May 13, 2017

Discography

Band members