Third Eye Blind's blog

Fronted by singer/guitarist Stephan Jenkins, the San Francisco-based Third Eye Blind signed with Elektra in 1996 after a major label bidding war inspired by the band’s hook-laden demos, as well as by Jenkins’s production of The Braids’ internationally successful cover version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

When Third Eye Blind was released in 1997, its shiny, arena-sized pop/rock stood out in the post-grunge era and tracks like “Jumper,” “How It’s Going To Be,” and the #1 Modern Rock blockbuster, “Semi-Charmed Life,” were ever-present at a range of pop and rock radio formats. The latter single – written by Jenkins as a San Francisco response to Lou Reed’s “Walk On The Wild Side” – was one of the defining hits of the ‘90s, reaching the top 5 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” and appearing on a number of major motion picture soundtracks.

Third Eye Blind ultimately went on to six-times-platinum certification by the RIAA, 3eb’s biggest-seller by far. 1999 saw the release of the platinum-certified Blue, but during the band’s subsequent tour, founding lead guitarist/co-songwriter Kevin Cadogan asked to leave the group. Third Eye Blind’s third and final Elektra release, Out On The Vein, followed in 2003, now featuring lead guitarist Tony Fredianelli. After a six-year hiatus, 3eb returned in 2009 with a new album, released on the band’s own Mega Collider label.