DIFFUSER signed to Hollywood Records in XXX of XXXX following the success of two independent releases and four years of relentless touring under the moniker FLU THIRTEEN. With a major label deal and name change to DIFFUSER, a more polished emo/punk sound evolved in the vain of The Foo Fighters, The All American Rejects, and Fall Out Boy.
With every great ending signaling a great beginning, DIFFUSER got to work immediately with producer Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Dashboard Confessional, Good Charlotte,) to guide them to the next level on their major label debut. Excited about a new sound, and drummer Anthony Cangelosi moving from drums to guitar/backup vocals, DIFFUSER finished recording their debut CD "Injury Loves Melody" with much surrounded hype.
In 2000, the band released a teaser of one new song entitled Karma, which appeared on the Mission Impossible 2 Soundtrack. With a bigger, more structured, melodic sound, Karma made the Top 20 on Billboard’s Active Rock chart, while still retaining the trademark FLU THIRTEEN dissonance and aggression, but fans would have to wait patiently over a year for Diffuser’s full-length major label debut. Released in 2001, "Injury Loves Melody" showcased a clash of classic hard-driving post-punk/emo style guitars with poppy melodies and lyrics about confusion, angst, and loss. If there were ever a CD that mixed the elements that we love about the conviction of emo, the energy of punk rock, and the universal appeal of pop, this is it. The band toured in support of "Injury Loves Melody" for approximately 18 months, opening for The Toadies, SR-71, and Simple Plan. Additionally, the band appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn and performed the song Karma.
Taking some much needed rest in 2002, DIFFUSER began writing again and was ready for a new sonic challenge…more melodies and pop elements thrown into the mix. Ten months and sixty songs later, Tomas Costanza and Anthony Cangelosi had a box set of new tracks to pick from as well as some additional changes to their lineup (Dan Leo of Action Action on drums, and Pete Schojan of Stopwatch on bass). At this point, the band called on producer Mark Trombino, (Jimmy Eat World, Finch, Blink 182) to help them sift through the new tunes and help cultivate a new style for their follow-up release entitled "Making The Grade". Their goal was to evolve even further into the bubble-gum side of their hooks and melodies while trying to anchor their dissonant edge.
Based on a rough breakup experienced by lead singer/guitarist Tomas Costanza, "Making The Grade" powers through hook-filled pop-punk songs about love gone bad and other juvenile situations. "All the lyrics on MTG were rewritten after I got dumped." Tomas laughs, "She actually broke it off as I was getting into a cab that was taking me to the airport to record the CD. After spending ten months consciously writing lyrics that were more uplifting than "Injury Loves Melody" I trashed everything when we hit the studio. I just felt like I had so much more to say."
The band explored their penchant for the lighter side of emo songs with the addition of strings, keyboards and loud bursting melodies (on “Why”) and a slow building, epic ending filled with emotion (on “Long Way From Home”) as a nod to the beauty and power of well-crafted ballads in the genre of emo and punk a-la Sunny Day Real Estate, Failure and Jimmy Eat World. In support of Making The Grade in 2003, the band toured nationwide with additional dates overseas first opening for Hoobastank and The All American Rejects on the Nokia Unwired Tour, and also playing shows with New Found Glory, Simple Plan, and Silverstein. Tracks from "Making The Grade" also appeared on soundtracks for the movies Freaky Friday, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Zathura, and Summer Catch.
With a mutual decision by the band in 2004 to part ways, Tomas Costanza was hired by Hollywood Records to work A&R while starting The Killingsworth Recording Company where he is a producer/writer of un-signed, indie, and major label music artists. Drummer, Dan Leo continues his career with Action Action, Anthony Cangelosi leads a successful career as the host of Discovery's "Deadliest Catch" and Pete Schojen is a race car driver.
Based on overwhelming support and interest from a small but loyal following, Diffuser re-united in the Fall of 2007 to record songs for an upcoming release on Chamberlain Records entitled "Sincerely Wasting Away" (available August 2008). Recently cited in BLENDER Magazine as "The first emo band to ever sign to a major label thus setting the tone for new millenia indie rockers. The only reason DIFFUSER's first CD did not execute an early end to the lame Adidas Rap/Rock movement is that they were 5 years ahead of their time. Victory Records should bow to the credible DIFFUSER'S for paving the way for their neo-emo sludge fest."
No stranger to the oversaturated power chord, DIFFUSER recorded a well rounded, guitar savvy, melodically robust CD that differs from bands both from the mid-'90s and now in the application of extraordinary minor-key harmonies along with fiercely joyous and creative lyrical subjects. These sit easily atop the silver-electric guitarage of Tomas Costanza and Anthony "The Los" Cangelosi. Pete Schojan's huge bass moves give space and counterpoint to the shattering ANTI-rock drumming of Dan "I'm on the wagon" Leo. Indeed, the band claimed Orson Welles as a major influence, and it is not hard to think of the Long Island quartet as the reincarnation of 19th-century romanticism via incredible chops and a musical upbringing soaked in atonality. Abrasively rocking with a tazer, DIFFUSER is the shite and the new CD does not suck!!!!!!! Or at least Pete Wentz doesn't think so.
Select tour dates in the USA and overseas will be scheduled in support of the release. The band is also re-mastering, and re-releasing its early Flu Thirteen material in the near future on Chamberlain Records. This material was previously only available on Interplanetary Trucker’s Union (ITU) and The Medicine Label with limited distribution, and has been out of production/pressing for over 6 years. Flu Thirteen and Diffuser would like to thank its fans for their support over the past 13 years. Rock on!
Diffuser (Hollywood Records)
"Get It On"
Making The Grade 2003
Diffuser (Mitallic Records)
"Karma"
Live on The Craig Kilborne Show 2003
"Karma" video
Diffuser's Friend Space (Top 12)
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