This Texas, USA-based modern rock band endured several years of knock-backs before crossing over to mainstream success in 2006 with the album Foiled. Justin Furstenfeld (b. 14 December 1975, Houston, Texas, USA; vocals/guitar, ex-Last Wish), his brother Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums), Ryan Delahoussaye (violin, keyboards, vocals) and Liz Mullally (bass) formed the band in 1996. Their debut album The Answers proved to be a sleeper hit in the band’s native Dallas and led to a major label contract with Universal Records. Lead guitarist Brant Coulter joined the line-up and Matt Noveskey was drafted in to replace original bass player Liz Mullally, but the band’s hopes were dealt a serious blow when Consent To Treatment was subject to extensive interference during the production process and then died a slow and painful commercial death.
The band parted ways with Universal shortly after the release of Consent To Treatment, with the experience proving too much for Coulter who was replaced by new guitarist CB Hudson. They then signed a contract with the Dallas-based independent Brando Records. The 2003 album History For Sale was fêted as a return to the true Blue October sound by their extensive fanbase.
A long overdue slice of good fortune then befell the band, when the single ‘Calling You’ was included on the soundtrack to the hit movie American Wedding. The single gained a new lease of life and helped promote the band’s music to a national audience. Ironically, they then signed a new recording conctract with Universal, but the label’s renewed faith was rewarded when the repackaged version of History For Sale quickly became the band’s bestselling release. The subsequent live CD/DVD release Argue With A Tree … featured bass player Piper Dagnino standing in for the temporarily indisposed Noveskey. The band’s new studio album Foiled was another major hit, with the single ‘Hate Me’ even crossing over to the US Hot 100 at the start of 2006.
