Disturbed

Members: David Draiman (Vocals), Dan Donegan (Guitar), John Moyer (Bass), Mike Wengren (Drums)

Active: 1996 - Present

HISTORY

Disturbed is a band, formed in 1996 when musicians Dan Donegan, Steve "Fuzz" Kmak, and Mike Wengren joined up with singer David Draiman in Chicago, Illinois. Although generally regarded as part of the metal genre by the industry, some fans and the band alike are of the opinion that Disturbed is actually a hard rock band.

The band was first formed when Draiman responded to an ad in a local paper for a vocalist and was auditioned successfully by the existing band members. Draiman suggested the band's name.

The band worked very hard in the early years, recording two separate demo EPs which they then sent out to record companies. They sent two to show the record companies that they were dedicated to their music and that the first EP wasn't a fluke. The band broke out in 2000 with their single "Stupify" and subsequent album The Sickness. The album launched them in to stardom. They also released a completely revamped cover version of Stone Cold Steve Austin's theme music for the WWE, called "Glass Shatters." After participating in Ozzy Osbourne's Ozzfest tour in 2001, the band started the "Music as a Weapon" Tour.

In October 2002, their second album Believe debuted at #1, and in 2003, the band participated again in the Ozzfest tour.

They are currently touring with 10 Years and Ill Ni?o in support of their third album Ten Thousand Fists, released worldwide on September 20th, 2005. It debuted at #1 in the U.S. In addition to Ten Thousand Fists the band has released the tracks Hell and Monster although Monster is currently unavailable because the itunes offer it came with expired. But Hell is currently streamed on their myspace website. Both of these songs are in high demand and illustrate the band's extremely loyal fan base. In the future, the band is considering to create a "B-side" compilation including those two tracks as well as others. They are also scheduled to headline the J?germeister tour this November and will headline "Music as a Weapon III" in 2006.

The band's singer recently became embroiled in the music filesharing controversy by publicly speaking out against the RIAA's lawsuits against filesharing individuals, despite the fact his record label is a member of the RIAA.

"This is not rocket science. Instead of spending all this money litigating against kids who are the people they're trying to sell things to in the first place, they have to learn how to effectively use the Internet. For the artists, my ass... I didn't ask them to protect me, and I don't want their protection." - David Draiman

The WWE used Disturbed's single "Stricken" as the official theme of New Year's Revolution in 2006.

On January 7, Draiman said, on a radio show in Seattle, that it "looks" like Disturbed would be on this year's Ozzfest. However, he later said in an interview on January 30 that he never said anything like that to anyone, contradicting his previous statement. Draiman's conflicting statements led to an uproar of criticism from a few fans on Disturbed's offical messageboard. This resulted in the shut down of the online community by the band and their management. Although no official statement from the band or management has been made, it is reported by such sources as Blabbermouth.net that Draiman feels that the online community, which had grown to 8,000 has become a source of frustration for the band due to ongoing criticism and quarreling.

STUDIO ALBUMS:

2000 - The Sickness

2002 - Believe

2005 - Ten Thousand Fists

LIVE ALBUMS:

2004 - Music as a Weapon II

OTHER APPEARANCES:

2005 - Prayer- House Of Wax

2005 -Decadence- Need For Speed Most Wanted

2005 -10,000 Fists- Madden 06

2004 -Down With The Sickness- Dawn of the Dead (remake)

2004 -Liberate- Tony Hawk's Underground 2

2002 -Forsaken- Queen of the Damned

2002 -Down With The Sickness- Queen of the Damned

2001 -Down With The Sickness- The One

2001 -Welcome burden- Dracula 2000

2001 -The Game- Cooler's Revenge (Dragon Ball Z Movie 5)

2001 -Stupify- Little Nicky

2001 -God Of The Mind- Valentine

2001 -Stupify- Lord Slug (Dragon Ball Z Movie 4)

2001 -Fear- Lord Slug (Dragon Ball Z Movie 4)