Vertical Horizon biography
Vertical Horizon is an American alternative rock band formed at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in 1991. The band is best known for a string of hits in 1999 and early 2000s, including "You're a God", "Everything You Want", and "Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)". Their most recent album, Burning the Days, was released in late 2009. "Save Me From Myself" was the first single.
Early history
Vertical Horizon was formed in 1991 by Georgetown University undergrads Matthew Scannell and Keith Kane. Early performances included well-received cover sets (Simon & Garfunkel, etc.) in the campus' Leavey Center food court. In 1992, after graduation from Georgetown, the duo relocated to Boston and self-released their debut album
There and Back Again, which was recorded in Matt's old high school, Deerfield Academy, over a period of a few weeks. Scannell and Kane split songwriting and lead vocal duties.
Scannell and Kane toured as a duo for the next few years, mostly appearing with similar bands, such as Jackopierce. Their next album was 1995's, Running on Ice, produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer), Doug Derryberry and Scannell. Though still largely acoustic based, Running on Ice also incorporated other musicians and guests, including Derryberry, Jackopierce, and Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band on drums, giving the album more of a full band sound. Two songs, Kane's "Wash Away" and Scannell's "The Man Who Would Be Santa", were featured on the 2nd Aware Records Compilation.
More touring followed through 1996 as Vertical Horizon became a four piece band, joined by drummer Ed Toth. Live Stages, was released in early 1997, and featured four new songs and more of an emphasis on electric guitar. By this time, the band was explicit in their intent to find a major record label; band members have said that it was no accident that the first track of Live Stages opens with the sounds of a large cheering audience. Their wishes came true, and the band was signed to Sony BMG Music Entertainment/RCA Records. In early 1998 the band held auditions for a permanent bassist. Sean Hurley, a student at the Berklee College of Music, impressed all and was officially invited to join Vertical Horizon.
Everything You Want
Vertical Horizon's indie albums began to attract record executives from several record labels during the late 1990s. The band signed with RCA Records in 1998.
RCA re-released Vertical Horizon's independent albums, with new packaging and graphics. Before the RCA re-release, the band's first three albums had sold 70,000 combined units.
The band's first effort with RCA Records was 1999's Everything You Want, with producers Ben Grosse, Mark Endert, and David Bendeth (Paramore, Your Vegas. The first single, "We Are", was mildly successful on Modern Rock stations. A third single, "You're a God", also did very well and was released as a live performance on the charity album Live in the X Lounge III. It became the 12th most played song on the radio in 2000. It was also featured in the movie Bruce Almighty. The fourth single, "Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)", received moderate airplay. In 2005, a remake of the song would become a top 10 country hit for Gary Allan. The band, which had been touring constantly since the album was released, continued touring until well into 2001. They then took a break, then came back to the studio to record their follow-up, which they hoped would be released soon enough to take advantage of the huge popularity of Everything You Want. Since 2001, the album is certified double Platinum by the RIAA, having sold 2,000,000 copies in the US.
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