They've sold nearly five million copies of their second album, "Throwing Copper," they're on a sold out concert tour, and they're only in their early twenties. They're Live and they're coming to Wolf Mountain on Monday, Aug. 21.
PJ Harvey and Veruca Salt will open for concert.The band came together over a decade ago in York, a small working-class town in southern Pennsylvania. There, four young men in junior high had a band called Public Affection. Ed Kowalczyk (vocals), Chad Taylor (guitar), Patrick Dahlheimer (bass) and Chad Gracey (drums), now known as Live, had no way of knowing that they would make it this big.
Drummer Chad Gracey said in an interview that the band changed its name to Live while recording "Mental Jewelry," its first album, released in 1991.
"We just decided the name Public Affection was stupid," said Gracey. "But when you pick a name for a band, and then really think about it, everything you choose will sound stupid. Live is the closest thing we came to that doesn't really mean anything."
The name Live, however, has come to mean a lot to their fans. And who knows, Gracey could be an inspiration to many young drummers.
"I always wanted to play the drums, but I started out on the saxophone and played that until I was a senior in high school. But I think I was always really a drummer," said Gracey.
He bought his first drum set in the 8th grade and the band formed not long after that. The three other guys (Kowalczyk, Taylor and Dahlheimer) were the only reason Gracey even wanted to be in a band.
And that band from Pennsylvania has now been on the road for 17 months promoting "Throwing Copper." That doen't give the four much time to have a personal life. They get a week off here and there and had four weeks at Christmas, but their rigorous schedule has definitely been worth it. Live has had three hit singles from "Throwing Copper" and the album has been ranked on Billboard and Album Networks' alternative and album rock charts.
"This is definitely our last tour promoting `Throwing Copper,"' Gracey said. The band is going to take a little time off when the tour ends in September and work on its next album.
"We don't want to get too much exposure all at once. You might see something new out as soon as next summer, but maybe not. We'll just see how things go."
The band has been working on some new songs throughout the tour. Gracey said it's usually Kowalczyk, Taylor and sometimes Dahlheimer that come up with an idea for a song. Most often it starts out as an idea on the guitar.
"We plan to just naturally progress as a band," Gracey said. "We've moved in steps ever since our first demo. Those steps being to become better musicians and to grow as people."
Live is definitely growing as a band. And it makes music that people obviously love.
"You really can't experience the band until you come see us play," said guitarist Taylor. Those who attended the Live concert at the Utah State Fairpark this past winter can definitely relate to that. The band's show made everyone forget that they had waited outside in the freezing cold for two hours. Don't worry, though - it's highly doubtful snow will delay this concert.
And it's not too late to get tickets. They are still available at all Smith'sTix locations. So head on up to Wolf Mountain on Monday and experience Live in concert.