Flyleaf

Flyleaf is an American rock band from Belton, Texas, United States. The group forms in 2000 and remains active. Its current and past members include Lacey Sturm, Sameer Bhattacharya, James Culpepper, Jared Hartmann, Pat Seals and Kristen May.

Formation and name

The band begins as Listen, then changes its name to Passerby before adopting Flyleaf after signing to a record label, because another group already uses the Passerby name. The name refers to the blank page at the front of a book, used for a dedication or personal message.

Style and influences

Flyleaf plays hard rock and is also classified as alternative rock, alternative and hard rock, with further association to Christian metal and Christian rock. The band says its faith informs its music, while Lacey Sturm describes the group as more than simply a Christian band in genre terms. Their influences include Rage Against the Machine, Foo Fighters, Incubus, The Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana.

Line-up and early activity

Lacey Mosley, later known as Lacey Sturm, begins playing with drummer James Culpepper before guitarists Jared Hartmann and Sameer Bhattacharya join. At an earlier stage, while the group is still called Listen, bassists Josh C. and Jonathan B. play with the band. Pat Seals, also referred to as Kirkpatrick Seals in the text, joins on bass in 2002 after leaving The Grove.

Albums and songs

Flyleaf releases its first full-length album, Flyleaf, in 2005. The album is reissued in 2007 with additional acoustic tracks, alongside the digital EP Much Like Falling. The band’s second album, Memento Mori, follows in 2009 and is described as less heavy than its debut. Before that album appears, the songs “Beautiful Bride” and “Again” are issued in advance. The title track from New Horizons premieres in 2012, and the album follows later that year.

Lyrical themes

The song “Cassie” is written about the shootings of Cassie Bernall and Rachel Scott and reflects the band’s interest in events that shape and are reflected by its music.

Later developments

Lacey Sturm leaves the band in 2012, shortly before New Horizons is issued. She returns in 2022, when the band announces that it is performing as Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm.