News
The Fallen / Official Press Photo
Evanescence Members Reform with 'American Idol' Star
Three booted members of the goth rock band recruit Idol's Carly Smithson as lead singer.
By William Goodman 06.19.09 9:26 AM
The Fallen / Official Press Photo
Old band, new singer: It's potentially a recipe for disaster -- just ask the boys in defunct groups like Velvet Revolver and Audioslave.
But three former members of goth rock stars Evanescence, all booted from the group over the years by frontwoman Amy Lee, are joining forces for a new band -- and they've tapped American Idol finalist Carly Smithson to contribute lead vocals.
Dublin-born Smithson, who finished sixth in the 2008 season of American Idol, joins ex-Evanescence guitarist/songwriter Ben Moody, guitarist John Lecompt, and drummer Rocky Gray in their new band, We Are the Fallen -- cheeky, considering Evanescence's 2003 breakthrough album was titled Fallen. Bass player Marty O'Brien rounds out the lineup.
The new group will debut their first song, "Bury Me Alive," on June 22 via the band's website, wearethefallen.com. A fall tour is already in the works, according to band spokesperson.
Lee, who is currently working on material for a solo release, previously told SPIN.com about the messy Evanescence split:
"It's a difficult situation, as is every dramatic situation our band has gone through. John [LeCompt], Rocky [Gray] -- we outgrew each other. When they joined the band, [2003's seven times platinum album] Fallen was just completed and they were excited to be a part of something really big. From the beginning, their musical styles were very different from Evanescence. I think to a degree they got bored or frustrated. They weren't part of the creative process and were like, 'Why are we doing this?' Their writing just didn't work for Evanescence, and I have to do what's best for the band. I've had a little bit of contact with John since and it was positive. Very few bands have been able to maintain their original members forever."
Read the entire interview with Lee here.
The Fallen: Do they have a chance? Tell us what you think in the comment section!
no chance.....
I think if they picked a different name besides The Fallen they may have a chance. The Fallen sounds so cliché. Even more so since it came from an Evanescence album.
unfortunately...mainstream radio will probably eat it up....sick world isnt it?
I agree with IDOLHANDS, it will unfortunately be embraced big time by Evanescence Fans. Especially since it's goth rock with female vocals.
Carly and The Fallen will be performing LIVE tomorrow at SIR Studios (6465 Sunset Blvd) in L.A. at noon. I hope everyone in L.A. and surroundng areas can come out and support them!
The Fallen...
Sounds like what I would of named my band when I was thirteen years old...in 1992. They should have just named themselves "Mediocrity" or really go for the gusto and name the band something like "Too Dark Park". I mean, you're not fooling anybody, guys.
Why are bands still rocking photo shoots where they look like rejects from Mad Max? Have you come to entertain me, or rape/destroy me? Nice black leather...everything, Neo. Kids are way smarter now. I don't know if they can be tricked into liking this stuff anymore. But what the Hell. Good luck to these apocalyptic DBs. May they sell 500,000 albums and land sync deals in all the dozens of Twilight films that are sure to plague us for years to come.
Three things I predict we will see from these guys:
1. Drop D distorted guitars contrasted against a sonic backdrop of synth-strings and "spooky" sounds.
2. One heartfelt ballad about loss of innocence or being a fat kid or...something involving vampires and high school.
3. Lots of slow motion close-ups and gratuitous use of dissolves.
If you were offended by this comment, you probably listen to really terrible music and that simply isn't my fault.
I predict Carly Smithson will be the first female to successfully imitate Chad Kroeger's voice. Soon, every band, regardless of gender or race, will sound exactly like Chad Kroeger.
Why don`t you take a break you guys (so called commentators)...at least let`s give them a chance to show us what they`ve got. And soon after you`ll be allowed to provide gibberish :)
It's stupid...you have to give your name, email, cell number, and date of birth, and probably the song isn't worth it.
Isn't there already a band called The Fallen?
Look on iTunes.
i think it is gonna be huge! and if you don't agree then you don't know what your talking about. it is gonna be alot like the old band and people miss it
When i read this i wanted to scream..i was in school so i couldn't get your own band>=(
POSERS!
Ben your such a retard honestly,Amy is probably one of the best people anyone could ever work with!And then you go and you do this!No one is going to listen to this band because it's a bunch of posers singing this song.EVANESCENCE FOREVER!I LOVE YOU AMY!..You arn't getting my support that's for sure.:)
The song isn't bad.
With that being said, this appears to be the biggest attempt to stick it to Amy Lee imaginable. It sounds like a Fallen b-side and they've dolled their singer up to look similar to Amy Lee. The biggest weakness of this band is going to be that it's already been done. I can't imagine many new tricks being pulled out of the bag. We've all heard Evanescence music and if that's what We Are the Fallen's going to sound like, they're not going to get very far.
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