Seether finished with problems, back to music

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Apr 4, 2008 by Scott Iwasaki Deseret Morning News

The band Seether was in a dark place two years ago. The band's lead guitarist/vocalist Shaun Morgan entered rehab and guitarist Pat Callahan quit. The band canceled a tour with Staind and drummer Johnny Humphrey had back surgery.

"But through it all, there was never a point when we felt the band would break up," Humphrey said during a telephone interview from Davenport, Iowa. "We had been on the road for something like four years, and we needed to take care of some personal stuff before we recorded the new album.

"We all felt the same, though," he said. "We knew the band and the music was more important than any of our individual problems. The one thing we all have in common is the band, and we have a passion for what we do. It was just a matter of time before we kicked the demons and got back to making music."

After the drama, the band -- Humphrey, Morgan and bassist Dale Stewart -- reconvened and recorded "Finding Security in Negative Places," which was released last September on Wind-Up Records. (Joining the band on tour is second guitarist Troy McLawhorn.)

During the recording, the band fought more issues.

"We decided at the 11th hour that we needed to switch producers from Bob Marlette, who produced our previous album 'Karma and Effect,' to our new producer Howard Bensen," Humphrey said. "It was a good switch and we were able to feel like it was a fresh start."

Another devastating blow came when lead singer Morgan's brother died. So, the album's release date was pushed back a few weeks.

"We've been through it all and I think it has made the band stronger," Humphrey said.

As of March, the album's first single "Fake It" is an alternative- rock hit and the album peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.

Humphrey said the band was surprised at the success.

"We had a lot of pressure following up 'Karma,'" he said. "And we weren't really sure that 'Fake It' was a good song for a single. In fact, we had reservations about recording it. But we look out in the audience and see people singing it and see the reaction when we start playing it and it blows us away.

"So, if you want to know what a good hit single is, don't ask the guys in Seether," he said with a laugh.

If you go ...

What: Seether, Flyleaf

Where: Saltair, 12408 W. Salt Air Drive

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

How much: $28

Phone: 467-8499, 800-888-8499

Web: www.smithstix.com

E-mail: scott@desnews.com