Three Doors Down

Formed in Escatawpa, Mississippi, the resilient fivesome has blazed a trail as the quintessential rock band, attaining massive mainstream success but somehow never losing that small town identity that has branded them rock’s truest underdogs. They’ve reigned as a genuine force of nature, boasting rock n’ roll’s most earnest work ethic – ‘The thoroughly modern American band’ - crows Billboard, one part swagger/one part tireless road warriors, brandishing an arsenal of battle-tested radio gems like their breakthrough anthem, “Kryptonite.” Unleashed at the beginning of the decade, the song seemed to capture the band’s heroic climb and steadfast refusal to be pigeonholed as just another rock band. Now, on the cusp of releasing their first self-titled album (their fourth studio album and what some have appraised as ‘their most definitive,’) the group weighs in on what it took to refresh their innate sense of ‘place’ and deliver what just might be their masterwork - a blistering, both-barrels approach etched in the grain of brand new hits like the wistful wakeup call of “It’s Not My Time,” the contemplative “Pages,” and the stem-winding lure of “Train,” among others. “What it took, was for us to take some real time off, go home, and then gather again as the band we know how to be,” says lead singer/songwriter Brad Arnold. “It was so appropriate to self-title the album, because after taking what amounted to almost a year-long break, we were hungry for each other’s company. A song like ‘It’s Not My Time,’ kind of sets the stage for what we’ve been through. I’ve known Matt and Todd and Chris since grade school. With a foundation like that, we were secure enough to take the time necessary, to make us want it.” Adds newest member, drummer Greg Upchurch, who joined the band after the recording of the 2005 release, Seventeen Days (this self-titled album is the first 3DD album on which he appears) “This truly is our defining moment as musicians. The writing, the recording, the level of collaboration was truly an all-around band effort. This CD is living proof of how good this band can be.” And that’s saying something. Because when you tally the notches accrued during 3 Doors Down’s decade-plus ascension (the original group formed in ’95) you realize they’ve earned a wall-full of accolades that are also firmly cemented into rock’s record books: 13 million albums sold, 3 multi-platinum albums (their first album, 2000’s The Better Life sold an astounding 6 million copies, with their 2002 follow-up, Away From The Sun selling 4 million) six #1 hits, multiple Billboard and other awards, and a relentless road itinerary that saw them hit 32 countries in a six year roll-up with ‘nary a break in between. You don’t rack up that kind of ‘hall-of-fame’ mileage without putting a fair share of dents in the armor.