Shinedown vocalist Brent Smith (second from left) says the band hopes fans can set aside their economic woes for the Stimulate This! Tour, which promotes affordability. DAVID BERGMAN Visit the Photo Place

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Cover Story

Shinedown achieves remarkable fame, but stays down-to-earth

Date published: 7/3/2009

BY JIM SWING

If you've been listening to the radio or watching your music channel of choice lately, chances are that you have experienced rock band Shinedown's hit single "Second Chance."

The ballad peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 singles chart and catapulted Shinedown to stardom.

The four-piece rock outfit originated in 2001 and has since released three studio albums. It brings a style of rock that is reminiscent of classic metal bands such as Metallica and Alice in Chains. And its success--each of Shinedown's 10 singles has been included in the Top 5 of Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks--has put it in a place that a group of any genre would kill to be in.

In fact, with the release of its latest album, "The Sound of Madness," a little more than a year ago, Shinedown has found itself in a tier containing some of the top rock bands of the decade.

"The Sound of Madness" reached No. 8 on the Billboard charts in its first week and has produced three hit singles.

"We're just in a very good spot right now, but you know what, you can't ever get comfortable where you have to outdo what you've already done," said lead vocalist Brent Smith in a recent teleconference.

"This album has given us the freedom to be able to tour a lot," he added.

The group is doing just that by following up a headlining tour with the Stimulate This! Tour alongside bands such as Staind, Halestorm and Chevelle.

"The reality of it is this tour is the big deal right now," said Smith.

Created by Staind frontman Aaron Lewis, the tour is geared toward promoting affordability in seeing a good show. It features tickets starting at under $10 for some shows, as well as discounted concessions and a price cut on venue parking.

"We definitely relate with the people and what they're going through--and that's why we wanted to do this tour and be part of this tour, is to go out there and, if it's just for a night, forget about the problems," Smith said. "This is our way of saying that we appreciate them for allowing us to do what we do."

In live shows, Shinedown has been known to not only play its music, but also add a special touch of enthusiasm that makes that particular night's crowd feel special.

Whether it's the band's unforgettable show tactics or its record-setting hits, Shinedown has set high standards in the rock music industry.

Jim Swing is a student at Germanna Community College.

What: Shinedown shares the bill with Halestorm, Chevelle and Staind on the Stimulate This! Tour. Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Md. When: Thursday, July 9, 7 p.m. Cost: $25-$39.50 Info: 410/715-5550 Web: merriweathermusic .com

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Date published: 7/3/2009