3 Doors Down is an American rock band formed in 1994 in Escatawpa, Mississippi by Brad Arnold (vocals and drums), Matt Roberts (guitar) and Todd Harrell (bass). The band signed to Universal Records after the success of their song "Kryptonite". The band has since sold well over 15 million albums worldwide since their debut album, The Better Life, which was released in 2000. They also perform more than 300 concerts a year and have shared the stage with other artists such as Tantric, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Staind, Nickelback, Alter Bridge, Breaking Benjamin, Hinder, Seether, Shinedown and Daughtry.
Early years (1996-2000)
3 Doors Down was formed by then-drummer Brad Arnold, guitarist Matt Roberts and bassist Todd Harrell. The three were friends who had grown up together in Escatawpa, and who all shared a common interest in rock music. The band began playing locally around the city, playing a mix of both cover songs and original songs that would eventually be recorded on their first release. Brad Arnold eventually ended up not only drumming, but also acting as the group's singer, mainly because, as he puts it, "nobody else would do it, but I did and enjoyed it."[cite this quote]
The band eventually began to tour outside of their city, and it was during a trip to Foley, Alabama that they came up with their official name. When the three men were walking through the town, they saw a building where some letters had fallen off of its sign, and it read "Doors Down." Since at the time they consisted of three people, they added the "3" to create "3 Doors Down."
A couple years after performing together, Todd Harrell asked guitarist Chris Henderson to join the band in order to make the sound more full. They recorded a demo CD of their original songs, which brought them both great publicity and a larger audience, as well as caught the attention of Universal Records, who eventually signed the band.
The Better Life (2000-2001)
3 Doors Down's first album, The Better Life was released on February 2 , 2000, and went on to become the 11th best-selling album of that year, selling over 3 million copies. It has since been certified 6x platinum, thanks in large part to the international hit singles, "Kryptonite", "Loser", and "Duck and Run". A fourth single, "Be Like That", also did well and was actually re-recorded for the 2001 film American Pie 2, with alternate lyrics for the first 2 lines. This version is known as "The American Pie 2 Edit".
For recording the album, Brad Arnold recorded both the vocal and drum parts. However, when touring to support The Better Life, the band hired a drummer so that Brad Arnold could perform at the front of the stage.
Away from the Sun and Another 700 Miles (2002-2004)
The band's second studio album, Away from the Sun, was released in 2002 and since been certified 4x platinum in the United States and platinum in Australia. "Here Without You" and "When I'm Gone" proved to be the most successful singles from that album. "The Road I'm On" and "Away from the Sun" also charted, but with less success.
Session drummer Josh Freese was hired to record drums for Away from the Sun. Also, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson produced and performed on 3 tracks for the record, "Dangerous Game", "Dead Love", and "Wasted Me", but only "Dangerous Game" would appear on the finished product. The band hired Canadian Daniel Adair to play drums for the Away From the Sun tour. He would go on to record the drums for the band's next studio release with his son "Alistair Gray".
In 2003, 3 Doors Down released a live E.P. entitled Another 700 Miles consisting of recordings from a live performance by the band in Chicago, Illinois. Another 700 Miles has since been certified Gold in the United States. Besides featuring some of 3 Doors Down's hit singles from their previous two albums, the E.P. also contains a version of the popular Lynyrd Skynyrd song "That Smell".
In 2003, the band began hosting the annual "3 Doors Down and Friends" benefit concert, through the band's own charity The Better Life Foundation. In 2006, this event was held at the Mobile Convention Center, with proceeds benefiting Hurricane Katrina survivors. As residents of Escawtawpa, the members of the band saw the effects of the hurricane's devastation.
Seventeen Days (2005-2007)
The band's third studio album, 2005's Seventeen Days, has since been certified platinum. "Let Me Go" and "Behind Those Eyes" charted with the most success. "Live for Today", "Landing in London" (on which Bob Seger provided back-up vocals and guitar), and "Here by Me" were also released as singles. During the Seventeen Days tour, the band appeared alongside southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as headlined many shows of their own.
Also in 2005, the band released a live DVD entitled Away from the Sun: Live from Houston, Texas. The DVD was produced and directed by Academy Award nominated Alex Gibney and Doug Biro. It features songs from both The Better Life and Away from the Sun, and even some early sketches of "It's Not Me" and "Father's Son", both of which were eventually released on Seventeen Days.
Greg Upchurch, formerly of Puddle of Mudd, replaced Daniel Adair in 2005, when Adair left to accept the position as drummer and contributing member of Nickelback.
3 Doors Down (2008-Present)
3 Doors Down released their self-titled fourth album on May 20, 2008. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, selling 154,000 copies in its first week. It is the band's second consecutive #1 album on the chart after Seventeen Days, as well their fourth album to reach the Top Ten. The album contains the singles "It's Not My Time" and Citizen/Soldier, a song written as a tribute to the National Guard.
On May 23, 2008, 3 Doors Down announced on their website and MySpace that they were postponing their upcoming European tour until a later date. The tour was scheduled to kick off the U.K. on May 30 and run through mid-June.
On May 17, 2008, 3 Doors Down performed in the infield of Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.
On June 12, 2008 3 Doors Down was part of a special "In the Round" PBS taping with Kenny Loggins and Richard Marx. The show will air on PBS in December of 2008.
On July 5, 2008 3 Doors Down performed at Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base, on Oahu, HI, as part of Bayfest.
On July 14, 2008 they performed Kryptonite and It's Not My Time at Yankee Stadium prior to the 2008 Home Run Derby in The Bronx.
3 Doors Down is currently touring with Staind, Hinder, and Jet Black Stare.
Members
Current members
Brad Arnold - lead vocals
Matt Roberts - guitar
Chris Henderson - guitar
Todd Harrell - bass guitar
Greg Upchurch - drums, percussion
Former members
Daniel Adair - drums, percussion
