DROPBOX
Biography 2005
Dropbox formed in 2002 after Godsmack mastermind Sully Erna introduced vocalist John Kosco to ex-Godsmack guitarist Lee Richards. The songwriters hit it off and released there self titled debut effort on Universal Records. "I'm a big fan of Dropbox," says Erna, who plays drums on 8 of the album's 11 tracks. "Their sound is a great blend of modern and classic rock with a very heavy and soulful bluesy vibe. At a time when everyone's jumping on bandwagons and following the latest trends, these guys are sticking to the basics. As a result, I think they're gonna do really well. They've got a style that's built to last."
The magnitude of Dropbox's monster talent reveals itself in their thrilling self-titled debut, an unrestrained outpouring of iron-fisted backbeats, sprawling melodies, and monolithic, Led Zep-like bombast. Produced by Dave Jerden (Alice In Chains, Jane's Addiction, The Offspring, Social Distortion) and Dropbox, the record captures the timeless feel of vintage rock, complete with the whiskey-soaked croon of a vocalist who can actually sing.
"John (Kosco-Dropbox's frontman) really separates us from the pack," says Richards. "Where the majority of today's rock frontmen are rappers and screamers, he has a gritty, emotional delivery that allows us to write and record pretty much anything we want."
Free from creative constraints, the quartet lets loose with dynamic arrangements and electrifying performances. The result is an album with a big, meaty sound, propelled by a tightly drilled rhythm section. They provide the backdrop for Kosco, who brings each song to life with passionate melodies and lyrics that elevate the personal to the universal. Kosco and Richards blend voices to thrilling effect, their stunning harmonies adding emotional range and depth.
The band sets the album's breakneck pace with the blistering kickoff track and lead single "Wishbone," a dense, dark song that churns with a grinding rhythm and lava-flow riff. Wishbone also appears as soundtrack for Atari’s 2004 release of the Transformers video game. "Dave Jerden told me that 'Wishbone' could be our 'Mississippi Queen' and that's a huge compliment because I'm a big Mountain fan," says Kosco. That's the kind of stuff I grew up on. My father also sings in a rock band and Leslie West is one of his idols. When I was a kid, I'd go see my dad play in clubs and bars, singing Joe Cocker and Stones songs and was just blown away by it all. I remember hearing my father sing for the first time; the smell of the bar, what the people in the crowd were wearing-it was all so amazing. He's had a huge influence on me.
Metal diehards will remember Richards as the original guitarist in Godsmack. He returned to music a few years later and dabbled in various projects, before Erna called in 2002 to tell him about Kosco.
"I met John backstage at a Godsmack show in New York," recalls Erna. "He gave me his demo and I was just floored by his voice. I introduced him to Lee and he brought in some great players that he was already working with. They took off from there and together wrote some amazing stuff."
"I remember the first time we all went to the studio," says Richards. "After the first few minutes of playing together, I knew we had something special. A couple of days later, I moved from Massachusetts to Jersey, where the rest of the band lived. We all moved into one place-like some sort of rock commune-and just wrote non-stop. Fast-forward 18 months and we're back in a studio with Sully, which was pretty surreal. We were in between drummers and he offered to sit in. He's an amazing musician and the chance to play alongside him again felt great. On top of that, John and I went into the studio with Godsmack and co-wrote, Touche, a song on their new acoustic album, THE OTHER SIDE. Touche peeked at 6 on active rock.
Dropbox has toured most of 2004 with Godsmack and breaking up the year with Drowning Pool. John and Lee also traveled with the Godsmack Metallica tour performing on dozens of radio stations across the country. “We’re a working band. We are constantly writing songs and recording.” Says Kosco”. Dropbox has also recorded a video for Wishbone with producer Nigel Dick (Guns N Roses, Green Day, Nickelback) and Co written by John Kosco. The steaming hot reverse Peepshow theme received play on MTV2 and Fuse along with personal appearances and live performances.
Official Dropbox site
WWW.DROPBOXMUSIC.COM
Official Dropbox Fan site
WWW.DROPBOXBAND.COM
Management
Global Artist Management has moved to
Los Angeles to join Frontline Mgmt Group.
Paul Geary
Frontline Mgmt Group
1100 Glendon Avenue
Suite 2000
Los Angeles CA 90024
310-209-3100 PH
paul.geary@azoffmusic.com
