Chiodos

Chiodos is an American post-hardcore group from Davison, Michigan, formed in 2001. The band also uses the name The Chiodos Bros., a reference to the filmmakers Stephen, Charles and Edward Chiodo, whose film Killer Klowns from Outer Space gives the group its name.

Origins and early activity

Chiodos forms at the Flint Local 432 in downtown Flint, Michigan, and at Olde Jamestowne Hall in Saginaw, Michigan. The group becomes known for its live performances and for the controlled, high-pitched vocals of former singer Craig Owens. Owens cites Mike Patton, known for Faith No More and Mr. Bungle, as one of his main influences.

Recordings and releases

The band’s debut album, All’s Well That Ends Well, comes out on Equal Vision Records in 2005. It reaches number 3 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart and number 164 on the Billboard 200. A reissue follows in 2006 with a DVD and three acoustic tracks, and includes the video for “Baby, You Wouldn’t Last a Minute on the Creek”.

The second full-length album, Bone Palace Ballet, appears in North America in 2007 and reaches number 5 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on Top Independent Albums. The album later receives a UK release through Warner Bros. Records as part of a new distribution deal. The single “Lexington (Joey Pea-Pot With A Monkey Face)” premieres on MySpace in 2008 and is the first single from the album.

Other videos made by the band include “All Nereids Beware” and “One Day Women Will All Become Monsters”. In 2008, Chiodos also shoots a video for “The Undertaker’s Thirst For Revenge Is Unquenchable (The Final Battle)”.

Line-up changes and later work

Chiodos later changes lead singers. Craig Owens is no longer the singer in 2010, and Brandon Bolmer becomes the new frontman that same year. Bolmer handles vocals on the third studio album, Illuminaudio. Owens later returns for the fourth studio album, Devil.

The group’s members across its history include Crosby Clark, Chip Kelly, Craig Owens, Matt Goddard, Bradley Bell, Patrick McManaman, Derrick Frost, Jason Hale, Brandon Bolmer, Tanner Wayne, Thomas Erak, Thomas Pridgen, Joseph Troy, Sergio Medina, Joseph Arrington and Chad Crawford.

Tours and related activity

Chiodos headlines some shows before joining Alternative Press’s 2006 “Invisible Sideshow” tour, led by Armor for Sleep. The band then supports Matchbook Romance on the Sub City “Take Action” tour in spring 2006, tours with Fear Before the March of Flames, appears on Warped Tour, and later joins Atreyu’s World Championship Tour alongside From First to Last, Every Time I Die, 3 and 36 Crazyfists.

Style and label associations

The group is associated with emo, pop screamo and post-hardcore, and its labels include Team Chiodos, Equal Vision Records and Razor & Tie.