Bullet For My Valentine
Members: Matthew Tuck, Michael Paget, Jason James, Michael Thomas
Active: 2003-present
HISTORY
Bullet For My Valentine (sometimes shortened to "Bullet" or "BFMV") is a British metalcore band from Bridgend, Wales. Formed in 2003 under the name "Jeff Killed John", they originally played Metallica and Nirvana covers. The band are currently touring Europe with Guns N' Roses.
EARLY DAYS
They initially struggled to find success, and tensions arose when other Welsh bands such as Lostprophets and Funeral For A Friend were getting noticed and became more popular. When it came to the band recording a demo, things didn't go as well as planned and the original bass player, Nik Cradle, quit the band a day before they were due to record. The band couldn't get it together to record a demo, and subsequently split up. But despite this, they did get back together and they found a new bassist in the shape of Jason James. They changed their name from "Jeff Killed John" to "Bullet For My Valentine" to accompany Matthews new dark lyrics. The band later signed a deal with Sony Records via Visible Noise in October 2004.
RISE TO FAME
They released their first 5 track EP, Hand of Blood, on November 15, 2004, on UK label Visible Noise. The mini-album was later released in the US on Trustkill records including an extra track - "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" - as well as the 5 songs on the UK album.
The song "Hand Of Blood", from their EP of the same name, landed itself onto a Trustkill compilation record entitled Trustkill Takeover.
The band also released "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" on March 28, 2005. The Vinyl was limited to 1000 copies. The CD/Vinyl was deleted on day of release, so no new copies are available.
Their debut album 'The Poison' was released in the UK on October 3, 2005. The first single from "The Poison", called "Suffocating Under Words Of Sorrow (What Can I Do)", was released on September 19, 2005. Trustkill Records (the US label for the band) released The Poison in the United States on February 14, 2006.
They won the 2005 Kerrang! award for 'Best British Newcomer', and decided to accept an offer from Kerrang! to headline their 25th anniversary tour of the UK.
The song "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" is used in NHL 06 and Madden NFL 06 by EA Sports and "Hand of Blood" is used in Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Burnout Revenge.
The band recently completed a headline run on the Kerrang XXV tour at which on the final night in Brixton Academy they filmed footage for their new DVD.
Bullet For My Valentine played at the Download Festival in Donington Park alongside hugely popular bands including Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Tool. They will also be opening up for Guns N' Roses at 4 shows in NYC, at the Hammerstein Ballroom, on May 12th, 14th, 15th, and 17th. And The Band also were the warmup band for Metallica on 13.06.2006
Matt Tuck (frontman) has told Kerrang! Magazine "We've written eight new songs already, we're going to be recording the new record at the end of the year so we're just trying to get a big head start." Their next album is loosely scheduled for an early 2007 release.
It has been confirmed that Bullet for my Valentine will be performing at the 2006 Van's Warped Tour.
The band has recently covered the song "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne, for a free CD by Kerrang!
ALBUMS
2005 - The Poison (2006 US)
EP'S
2004 - Bullet For My Valentine
2005 - Bullet For My Valentine (Japan Import)
2005 - Hand Of Blood
VINYL
2005 - Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do) (Part 1)
2005 - Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do) (Part 2)
2005 - The Poison
2005 - Four Words (to Choke Upon)
2006 - All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)
2006 - All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me) (UK Limited Edition)
SINGLES
2005 - "Hand of Blood" - Hand of Blood (EP)
2005 - "4 Words (To Choke Upon)" - The Poison
2005 - "Suffocating Under Words Of Sorrow" - The Poison
2006 - "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)" - The Poison
2006 - "Tears Don't Fall" - The Poison