Something to Burn

Named as a jab at the music industry — specifically, to poke fun at its inability to restrain consumers from burning CDs — alternative metal band Something to Burn originally started with guitarist Jimmy Norman and twin brothers Shawn Ballard (drums) and Jeff Ballard (bass.) After stints with a few lead singers (including Toryn Green, who went on to replace Bret Scallions in Fuel, and Vinnie Lombardo, who departed to front Building a Better Spaceship) the group went through an auditioning process, eventually deciding on vocalist Greg Wayne. Performing regularly at Hollywood clubs on the Sunset Strip, the band built up their status to a professional level, so to speak. After representing the U.S. in the Hong Kong finals of the "World Battle of the Bands" they entered and became finalists in Guitar Center's "Tour with Mötley Crüe" contest, making the top six out of 8,000 bands. It was at this point, however, that they were disqualified when it was found that they already had a recording contract, signed to Scott Weiland's label Softdrive Records. Content with the idea of playing shows with their heroes Stone Temple Pilots instead of the Crüe, Something to Burn pressed on unfazed, and amidst dates with Weiland, STP, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Transitions was recorded in 2009.