Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind is an alternative rock band from San Francisco, United States, active from 1993 to the present. Their sound is associated with alternative rock, pop punk, pop rock, post-grunge and power pop.

Formation and early line-up

The band forms in San Francisco in the mid-1990s and records its first demo in 1993. The original line-up includes Stephan Jenkins on vocals, songwriting and electric guitar, Kevin Cadogan on guitar, Adrian Burley on drums, and Jason Slater on bass guitar. The group’s membership changes several times before the release of its debut album.

Breakthrough and label history

In 1996, Third Eye Blind plays an opening slot for Oasis and is invited back for an encore after Oasis performs, a show that becomes part of the band’s early reputation. The group later enters a bidding war among record labels and signs with Elektra, choosing it because of the artistic freedom it offers. It is also associated with Mega Collider Records.

Line-up changes and later members

After the release of the second album Blue, Kevin Cadogan leaves the band under circumstances that remain controversial among fans. Over time, the line-up includes Brad Hargreaves on drums, Abe Millett on bass, and Kryz Reid on electric guitar. Arion Salazar also plays bass with the group at different points, while Leo Kremer fills in for him in concerts. Michael Urbano and Tim “Curveball” Wright also feature with the band for periods.

Recorded material and unreleased songs

The band’s fourth album is titled Ursa Major. A follow-up album, Ursa Minor, is also slated, with Jenkins’ lyrics and vocals still to be completed at that point and the instrumental work described as finished. Live performances feature several tracks under consideration, including “Don’t Believe a Word,” “Lay Back (and the Water Will Hold You),” “In the Skin,” “Summer Town,” “Second Born,” “(You Really) Don’t Like Me Now” or “Campfire,” “Monotov’s Private Opera,” “Break Me,” “Stevie Ray Vaughan,” “Red Star,” and “Standing Up For You.” Other titles mentioned for the album include “Away,” “A Sharp Knife,” “Captain of Emo,” “Swimming,” and “Jesse 2k.” “Lay Back” is later scrapped. Previously unreleased recordings also include “Persephone,” “Carnival Barker” and several instrumental sessions not chosen for the fourth album.

Public profile

Stephan Jenkins becomes known for outspoken comments after the band signs its record deal, and critics describe him as “the biggest mouth in music.” He also speaks publicly against other artists, including Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty.