Halestorm

Halestorm is a rock band from Pennsylvania, formed around siblings Lzzy Hale and Arejay Hale, who begin writing and performing original music in the mid-1990s. Lzzy and Arejay start learning piano at the age of five; Lzzy later moves on to keytar and guitar, while Arejay takes up drums. The group also includes guitarist Joe Hottinger, who joins in 2003, and Josh Smith, who joins on bass in 2004. In the earliest line-up, the Hales’ father plays bass before Josh Smith joins.

Career and releases

The band signs a recording contract with Atlantic Records in 2005 and releases a live EP, One and Done, featuring an early live version of “It’s Not You”. Its self-titled debut album follows in 2009, with “I Get Off” as the lead single and “It’s Not You” issued as the second single. The band also releases “Love/Hate Heartbreak” as a promotional video and “Familiar Taste of Poison” as a single in 2010. In 2011, Halestorm issues the cover EP ReAnimate, which includes versions of songs by Guns N’ Roses, Lady Gaga and Skid Row. In 2012, it releases Hello, It’s Mz. Hyde as a four-song preview before the studio album The Strange Case Of..., which appears the same year.

Later albums and recognition

Halestorm releases Into the Wild Life in 2015 and Vicious in 2018, both on Atlantic Records. The band wins a Grammy for “Love Bites (So Do I)”. It also charts three number-one singles on Mainstream Rock.

Touring and activity

The band remains active from the mid-1990s onward and becomes known for extensive touring, often playing around 200 to 250 shows a year. In 2006 it tours nationally in the United States on the Winterfresh Sno-Core Tour with Seether, Shinedown and Flyleaf. Since then it tours with acts including Chevelle, Seether, Staind, Papa Roach, Trapt, Three Days Grace, Theory of a Deadman, Buckcherry, Disturbed, Shinedown, Megadeth and Heaven & Hell. It also appears on the first Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival, and plays the Loud Park Festival in Japan and the Taste of Chaos tour.

Media appearances and members’ equipment

Halestorm is featured on the cover of Pennsylvania Musician magazine three times, in August 1999, March 2000 and February 2003. The band also receives international airplay, including on the Lord Litter show in Germany. Lzzy Hale is associated with Gibson guitars, including the Tribal Flying V, Explorer, Les Paul Custom, Firebird and Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker. Arejay Hale appears in Modern Drummer in 2010 and is endorsed by Ludwig Drums, Zildjian Cymbals and Pro-Mark Drumsticks.