Originally known as the Chiodos Bros., the sextet better known as simply Chiodos (pronounced "chee-OH-dose") -- named after an obscure '80s horror movie term -- came together during high school in their hometown of Davison, MI, located just outside of Flint. Citing influences like Saves the Day, At the Drive-In, and Queen, the band's sound was a melting pot of punk energy, metal riffing, melodic instincts, piano tinkering, and occasional electronic beats that prevented an easy genre classification. Comprised of vocalist Craig Owens, keyboardist/vocalist Bradley Bell, guitarists Pat McManaman and Jason Hale, bassist Matt Goddard, and drummer Derrick Frost, the band recorded a demo, The Best Way to Ruin Your Life, in June 2002. The release, along with the band's energetic and powerful live show, helped bolster a notable local following.
They next self-recorded and produced the seven-song The Heartless Control Everything in McManaman's bedroom, which was subsequently issued by Ann Arbor-based indie Search and Rescue in January 2003. Following the release, the guys hit the road hard, trekking across the nation seven times over, including shows with Yellowcard and Coheed & Cambria. All this activity and buzz eventually led to a 2004 signing with Equal Vision, which then released All's Well That Ends Well in July 2005. Chiodos stayed on the road and spent early 2006 playing Sub City's Take Action Tour and a successful spot at Bamboozle. A full summer's worth of shows got underway that May, including a handful of Warped Tour dates, before spending fall opening for heavy-hitters Atreyu. (Owens was also involved for a time in the rotating cast of musicians that made up the Sound of Animals Fighting.)
Returning to the studio, this time with producer Casey Bates, the band titled their second full album Bone Palace Ballet after a book of poems by Charles Bukowski and released it in September 2007. It reached number five on the album charts, but Owens and Frost left the band shortly after. Third album Illuminaudio from 2010 featured vocals from Brandon Bolmer of Yesterdays Rising, and drumwork from Tanner Wayne of Underminded. Both were in the lineup only briefly, however, and by early 2012, Owens and Frost were back in the band.
At the end of 2012, guitarist Hale announced he was leaving; his replacement was Thomas Erak, previously guitarist and vocalist for the Fall of Troy. Chiodos toured often during 2013, including signal spots on Great Britain's Kerrang! Tour and the Warped Tour across America. The band's fourth album Devil appeared in the spring of 2014, their first for Razor & Tie. It gained positive reviews, and debuted inside the Top 15 of the album charts.
Corey Apar
AllMusic.com
