Blue October : iSOUND.COM™


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Blue October Alt. Pop-Rock

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Alt. Pop-Rock
Post Grunge

Featured Album

	Argue With a TreeNot Rated Released: 2005

Biography

Blue October isn’t just your average, everyday rock band from Texas. The group was formed in Houston in the late ‘90s by lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Justin Furstenfeld, his brother, drummer Jeremy, multi-instrumentalist Ryan Delahoussaye, later joined by guitarist/vocalist CB Hudson and bassist Matt Noveskey. The group’s epic live shows and exploration of subjects like mental depression, drug use, love, betrayal, forgiveness and cathartic transcendence have helped them amass a strong, loyal following through five albums, three of which have been released by Universal Records.

Blue October released their first album, The Answers, in 1998. The group was signed to Universal for their August 2000 major label debut, Consent to Treatment, but with Rock radio non-responsive, they were soon dropped. The band then signed with Brando Records and released History for Sale in July 2003. When “Calling You,” which was also included on the American Wedding soundtrack, began picking up airplay in Dallas and other Texas cities, Universal offered to re-sign the group. After considering several other major label offers, Blue October decided to return to the very label that dropped them.

“We’re not an easy band to understand,” says Justin about the decision to return to their major label home. “I just felt at Universal, we had a team of people who understood us, and who loved us for all the right reasons. I wasn’t about to walk through life with people who didn’t really know me.”

That Blue October hasn’t followed the ordinary path to success is clear from the first single from Foiled, “Hate Me,” a song that recalls such aching rock anthems as Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” or Jane’s Addiction’s “Jane Says” for songwriter Justin Furstenfeld’s unflinching look at himself. It’s a song portraying a man’s selfishness in a relationship, then coming to terms with it, and admitting the mistakes.

“I have to block out thoughts of you/So I don’t lose my head/They crawl in like a cockroach/Leaving babies in my bed,” he sings, the images underlined by the matter-of-fact sing-song way in which they’re delivered. “It’s like, let me just kind of clue you in on what it feels like in my own brain,” he offers.

That brand of intensity is welded to wide screen sound that evokes an array of eclectic influences such as prog-rockers Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, Flaming Lips, U2 and Coldplay, attracting a hardcore following who not only relate, but ardently sing along with the band’s songs.

“Our fans really make us what we are,” says Justin’s older (by 14 months) brother, drummer Jeremy. “We have a tight bond with them. Many have become our friends through the years. To see them sing these songs right back at us as we play them is amazing. It blows me away every time.”

“Into the Ocean,” with Delahoussaye’s seductive violin siren call and plucked mandolin, openly contemplates a death wish with so much honesty, fans write to the band, claiming tracks like this have prevented their own suicidal impulses.

“I love Justin’s lyrics,” says guitarist Hudson, whose early influences include such players as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and Stevie Ray Vaughan. “He speaks the truth. It’s all real-life experiences everyone can relate to. Being able to work with someone like that is special. Our music touches people in the heart. I’m really proud of that.”

“If I have saved others, I don’t know what to say,” admits Justin. “But if I can do that for them, why the fuck can’t I do that for myself?”

It’s a reasonable question to ask for Furstenfeld, whose first musical memory as a child was hearing fellow Texan Roy Orbison’s plaintive “Crying.” That led to an interest in other melancholy groups like The Smiths, The Cure, Red House Painters and Idaho. Having been in therapy since he was 14, Justin turned to music to get away from his problems. Songs like “What If We Could,” about the longing of a true love that is seemingly doomed by distance and circumstance, or the apocalyptic “Sound of Pulling Heaven Down” and “Let It Go”, with its mournful Neil Young harmonica line halfway through, deal with that self-doubt in no uncertain terms, as Justin asks in the latter: “Why do I feel this way?/Why do I kneel?/How could I let it go?/Why do I feel?”

“I don’t remember writing these songs,” he says. “They just come out when it’s getting too much for me. It’s like getting closure. Now, I’m not so hurt about that relationship. I’m actually in a better place now. I’m just waiting to write that happy song. I welcome it with open arms.

After eighteen months of touring on History for Sale, a double-live CD/DVD, Argue with a Tree, which captured the amazingly symbiotic live relationship between the band and its fans, was released in February 2005.

Without any radio airplay or press, and after being off the road for more than a year, a fall ’05 tour was booked, resulting in sold-out shows in Houston, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Tulsa, Little Rock, Omaha, Chicago, Lawrence/Kansas City and Des Moines, proving the band’s audience was growing even stronger.

“I really wanted to be part of this,” says bassist Noveskey, a Michigan native who worships at the altar of Motown’s Jamie Jamerson and Sly and the Family Stone’s Larry Graham. He briefly left the band, only to return in time to record the new album. “It was an amazing process. Everything worked out the way it was supposed to.”

Foiled isn’t just about despair, delusion and dementia. “X Amount of Words” is “Subterranean Homesick Blues” with a lively New Order/Depeche Mode dance beat. On the other hand, “Drill a Wire Through My Cheek” is a harrowing glimpse into Justin’s Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde, a devil on one shoulder, an angel on the other, connected by the titular “wire through my cheek,” which Justin is willing to pull to defeat his dark side.

“That’s me at home, when nobody’s around,” he says sarcastically.

There’s an element of light at the end of the tunnel, a hopeful optimism that comes out in the album’s final two songs—the sweet soul of “Everlasting Friend” and the idyllic love of the sweeping “18th Floor Balcony,” for which Hudson wrote the music.

“That’s the first love song I’ve ever written without doubt,” admits Justin. “At least I know in my head I’m capable of loving. It’s great to know that my heart still works.”

“This really is our best record yet,” says multi-instrumentalist Delahoussaye, classically trained on piano at the age of four, violin at six and viola at nine. “We’re more accomplished in fine-tuning the way we want things to sound and what our mission is.”

You can hear Blue October’s collective heart pumping—alternately breaking, healing and breaking again—on Foiled. It is a sound you won’t soon forget.

Bio written by: magicofeet

Artist Forum


Discussion Topic	Creator
What are you listening to? Yeah yeah, Blizzoc Fans, you knew this was coming. How to play: For those unfamiliar with how this game goes, post the artist and the name of the last song you can remember listening to. If you're more honest, the results are better / lead to better conversation. I'll start! Blink 182 - I Miss You	chrisgregory

Replys	Listener
I really liked Blink 182's last album. It had a solid rotation in my player when they first released it. You can tell that they have matured as a band as well as individuals. Now for the last song I can honestly remember hearing.... Don Mclean - American Pie an oldie but a goodie!	tattoo_of_a_ring
"Somebody Told Me" by The Killers	bluefreak
You DO realize that this could change every 3 and a half minutes or so however....I mean...because I intend to listen to tunes all day long cuz I have to....ugh....clean (that awful five letter word!)...and I can't do it without a good beat, ya know! Already was out in my car and of course Blue is the only music I have out there besides the radio...and given the choice...what would YOU do?!	bluefreak
Just a sample...don't ya think this station ought to play Blue? I do...been buggin em on and off all day long....all week...all year long! ha ha!!!! Fixx - "One Thing Leads To Another" at 2:39:28 PM Star Sailer - "Good Souls" at 2:08:42 PM The Killers - "Somebody Told Me" at 2:05:02 PM Clash - "Train In Vain" at 2:02:06 PM Grandaddy - "Now It's On" at 1:48:57 PM Dave Matthews Band - "Crush" at 1:38:21 PM	bluefreak
I bought the Grandaddy cd Sumday when it was first released. I liked their music. I listen to it when I want to be mellow. I just came home from the store and had to turn the volume up and sing along to: Toadies ~ Backslider If you haven't heard of them they are another great Texas band. But they broke up. :( Todd Lewis, the Toadies lead singer, has a new band The Burden Brothers. I love his voice and was so happy to see that he's still putting out his music.	tattoo_of_a_ring
Last two songs I remember listening to... George Michael - Flawless (Go To The City) 6:51 Placebo - Burger Queen (French Version) 6:10 ! Interesting question!!! I would have to go with Blue October SLIGHTLY... if not because of the commercials but because I think a lot of "Consent to Treatment" makes terrific driving music... yeah... ...So I drive to the edge of my considerate plane...	chrisgregory
Ha ha...great "pun" there....I hate to drive anyways...but listening to Blue in my car will probably cause me to get my first ticket! I've never had a ticket in my life except one for parking....but I tend to get a bit bolder when they're playing on my stereo...oops! Just got a new stereo in there after not having music for a long time.....now I'm thinkin' about bigger speakers...sounds like I really do want trouble, eh?!!! Uh oh! Oh well! Yes...they're terrific to drive to!	bluefreak
Oh, and the last song I listened to was Finger Eleven with "One Thing" which is pretty good, but it's getting WAY too overplayed around here.	bluefreak
Went on a little road trip with friends this weekend and we listened to a lot of music along the way. The one song that really sticks out in my head is by Frou Frou ~ Let Go I think I'm going to have to go out and find the cd! I can't get it out of my head. That song is also on the soundtrack for the new indie movie Garden State (which I really want to see). *cheers!	tattoo_of_a_ring
Ah, i love that sound by Frou Frou too! I'm hoping to get the album for my bday and I got the Garden State soundtrack right after seeing the movie. Both of which kick ass. Oddly enough, "Let Go" is the last song I heard.	wickedbubbler03
"Black" - Pearl Jam	bluefreak
oddly enough, Blink 182 - I Miss You was the last song I heard. My friend burned it to a CD of songs we could sing in the car. It came while we were driving back from a BBQ today.	chrisgregory
The last song I listened to was the accoustic version of Calling You. I just love that version. But before that I had to listen to Amazing and Come in Closer each twice.	tattoo_of_a_ring
mmmm... I love the acoustic version of Calling You... :) Siouxsie & The Banshees - Dear Prudence	chrisgregory
Right now at this very moment I'm listening to Bjork ~ Pagan Poetry. But I'm listening to the whole cd, it's called Vespertine.	tattoo_of_a_ring
Stone Temple Pilots--Interstate Love Song	bluefreak
What a coincidence! I just head a track off Bjork's new album Medulla - the one she sang during the olympics opening ceremonies. ~Submarine~ "Your sweat is saalllty"	chrisgregory
I missed her performace for the opening ceremony! I didn't even know that she had performed until my friend told me about it. Her dress turned into all the flags, right? I would have liked to watch it. I saw that she has a new album coming out at the end of the month. I can't wait to pick up Medulla! I just picked up an old cd for her, Gling Glo. It's in her native language and is a jazz album. Definately interesting! I was listening to it and thought it would be the perfect cd to listen to on a Sunday drive in a convertible with the top down. Last song I heard: The National Anthem from the Olympics.	tattoo_of_a_ring
I was listening to the cd Mass Romantic by ~ New Pornographers ~ this afternoon when I went to the store.	tattoo_of_a_ring
George Michael - Amazing	chrisgregory
The Dandy Warhols ~ Pete International Airport	tattoo_of_a_ring
"Don't Lets Start" - They May Be Giants	bluefreak
Oooohhhh...Black Crowes - "She Talks to Angels"...love this song!!!!!!	bluefreak
Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy	chrisgregory
Futureshock - Late At Night (which has crazy dancing in the video... hehe)	chrisgregory
"Accidentally In Love" - Counting Crows	bluefreak
Morrissey - I Have Forgiven Jesus	chrisgregory
Katrina & The Waves - I'm walking on sunshine	chrisgregory
Paper on a Tuesday ~ iSOLA	tattoo_of_a_ring
Nelly - Hot in Herre The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations	chrisgregory
Psychobabble ~ Frou Frou	tattoo_of_a_ring
Modest Mouse - Float On	chrisgregory
Gun Metal Blue ~ Blue October But many prints I’ve come across this way I hope to find her soon But now my star has faded away And I wish upon the moon Just beautiful.	stungmonkey
Oasis ~ Wonderwall	tattoo_of_a_ring
The Mamas & the Papas ~ Dedicated to the One I Love	tattoo_of_a_ring
I really like the Mamas & the Papas... especially California Dreamin' & Dream a Little Dream of Me. Adam Sandler's album "They're all going to laugh at you!!" the whole thing makes me crack up.	chrisgregory
A group called Third Person. It just a 3 man abnd of friends that gets together and makes cds and gives them out for free. ANd they are not bad at all.	magicofeet
Now I am listening to teh Self Titled Days of the New CD :)	magicofeet
now... Seal's original 1991 album =) Track currently playing? Deep Water.	chrisgregory
Jem ~ Finally Woken	tattoo_of_a_ring
Skindred - Nobody THIS SONG is AWESOME. it's like a mixture of reggae metal and punk but all done tastefully. Everybody should hear it. This song is the future of music ppl.	chrisgregory
Velvet Goldmine SDTRK. - Paul Kimble & Andy Mackay - Bitter End	chrisgregory
Dora the Explorer singing the Backpack song! (ha ha!)	bluefreak
DORA THE EXPLORER!!!! when that show comes on LITERALLY i stop whatever the hell I'm doing and my eyes get glued to the television	chrisgregory
You would SO get along with my granddaughter!!!	bluefreak
The new Green Day cd. Its just alright.	magicofeet
Just "alright"? Seriously??? It's gotta be better than Shenanigans....and the title track is killer....just "alright", eh? Hmmm.....can't wait to check it out myself...they're a fave for sure!	bluefreak
iSOLA ~ Don't Walk Run Special Edition I cannot get enough of this cd. I'm so happy that I was able to see them open for Blue October 4 times in a row. They'll be back here in Dallas soon so I will be able to check them out live again. Can't wait!!!	tattoo_of_a_ring
Scissor Sisters - "Take Your Momma Out"....I like this song so much...I want the cd!!!!!!	bluefreak
Counting Crows - "Rain King" live version....ummmm....nice.....	bluefreak
The ENTIRE Scissor Sisters CD is SO SENSUOUSLY SEXXXY I SO can't SELL mine to you ;) "I just want to sleeeeeeep... sleep with you.... my babe, where are you... come to me... where are you please..." that fucking song (and take your momma) is stuck in my head	chrisgregory
haha too bad they are all gay! Wait that might be good for you haha	magicofeet
Okay...sooo...I still like that song and want the cd....I didn't think a preference had anything to do with musical ability....does it? Sheesh...ya learn something new every day, eh?! Probably why I also really loved Queen and Elton John....back in the day, ya know....geniuses!	bluefreak
OH!!! I love Freddie Mercury... Don't get me even started on him...	chrisgregory
Ahhhh....Freddie Mercury...sigh....yes, yes...went to go them back in the 70's.....those leotards he used to wear were...uh..shall we say rather "revealing"! My friends and I couldn't help but stare...for Pete's Sake!!! Made me think of the old Lucky Strike ad....okay...we won't go into that...but yes....he was a true genius! But man...their music is hard to play on the piano....forever long fingers can stretch really far....Always felt more comfy to play the Elton John tunes just cuz my fingers are rather short! ha ha!	bluefreak
every time a queen song comes on the radio, everybody stops whatever they're doing and immediately gets into the song. It never fails. Whether I'm with old ladies or kidz boppers... I remember during elementary school in gym class my coaches would play these mixtapes of real relaxing music. And she took some tapes from students too! I would bring yanni and beach sounds and stuff - well, eventually she got her trust up on me so much that she never screened the tape before she played it for the class. Then I snuck a Queen mixtape marked "Ocean Sounds" to gym class. As the students were stretching, out Bohemian Rhapsody screams, "Basmillah NOO!!! I will not let you go! Let him go! I will not let you go!" It was one of the first musical things I can remember about my childhood :)	chrisgregory
Oh cool! lol! Did your teacher let it play? I find their tunes really relaxing.....I had my first usical experience very early in my childhood...my mom was an alcoholic and when I was around two or three she was in bed all the time...so..my dad bought me a little suitcase record player and a whole ton of 45's and taught me how to use it! Then he bought me soundtrack albums....ha ha~! I had a blast!!!!	bluefreak
m-flo featuring dragon ash - "The Way You Move"	chrisgregory
"Razorblade"....hmmm...who could that be?	bluefreak
hmmm! Good song! Argue with a tree - disc 2 - Weight of the World (gone wrong)	chrisgregory
Pavement - Baptist Blacktick	chrisgregory
John Mayer- Stay inside the lines Or wahetver its called, its on the radio	magicofeet
Pink Floyd `~ "Mother" from "The Wall" (listening to the entire album...cd...whatever...)	bluefreak
Co-workers talking about buttons. Oh wait you ment music. Currently none :)	magicofeet
Outkast (Mob) - The Whole World Romantically Clashed	chrisgregory
Calling you accoustic version	magicofeet
Cibo Matto - Working for Vacation	chrisgregory
Hmmm.....hmm......I think it's....hmm...something to do with...ummm...uh...Amnesia......	bluefreak
Let's see...it's Monday....a little after ten am and I was just listening to a hippopotamus singing about she loves being a princess.....	bluefreak
ohh I love hippopotamuseseseses. I am listening to Princessa- I won't forget you	magicofeet
"Beautiful Thing" ~ Sister Hazel....yeah...one of my fave songs...	bluefreak
Candlebox ~ "Far Behind"...killer tune...	bluefreak
1000 miles by the proclaimsers i believe. Its on some guys radio behind me.	magicofeet
Green Day's latest cd "American Idiot"...hmmmm...I like it...a little different, but definately Green Day...they just keep getting better and better I think...but that's just my humble opinion.	bluefreak
Beck - All In Your Mind	chrisgregory