COLD
After the dawn of Alternative Rock, dozens of bands began focusing their negative energy to create spiteful songs with crashing guitars and howling, pain-stricken vocals. Depression and frustration became the emotional conditions of the hour, and the music scene became glutted with groups that either feigned despair, or were so bleak they became inextricably tangled in their own gloom.
Today, in a era where angst and volume have become passé, there are still a handful of bands that choose to internalize anguish and regurgitate it as a visceral, deeply moving melody. One of those is Jacksonville, Florida's COLD, but COLD aren't your average self-immolating neo-grunge outfit.
The roots of COLD go back to the mid '80's, when Ward and drummer Sam McCandless met in high school and started jamming. They formed several garage bands before hooking up with bassist Jeremy Marshall. When they turned 21, the trio moved to Atlanta, where they abducted guitarist Kelly Hayes, who fleshed out their sound. The band name themselves Grundig, and over the next three years, booked numerous gigs throughout the city. At the time, the group was playing a more metallic style of music that didn't sit well with Ward, so he moved back to Jacksonville in 1996 and started writing songs on his own.
With a debut album that has already been well received across the U.K. and Europe, and a second tour over seas planned for May with Max Cavalera, COLD is well on its way.
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