Stereomud

Most of the members of Stereomud (vocalist Eric Rogers, bassist Corey Lowery, drummer Dan Richardson, plus guitarists John Fattoruso and Joey Z) aren't newcomers to heavy rock — Richardson is veteran of both the Crumbsuckers and Pro-Pain, Joey Z was in Life of Agony, while Lowery used to be in Stuck Mojo. Since the members hail from either New York or Georgia, the quintet split their time between the two states, as they honed their heavy yet melodic sound by playing shows and appearing on the now-defunct TV show Farmclub. Soon after, the band was signed to Loud Records (a subsidiary of Columbia), and 2001 saw the release of their debut, Perfect Self. The debut album employed the services of three different big-name producers: Don Gilmore (Lit, Linkin Park, Eve 6), Rick Parashar (Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Blind Melon), and Howie Beno (Ministry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sister Soleil) and was mixed by Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Godsmack, Orgy).