Finger Eleven

Originally formed under the moniker Rainbow Butt Monkeys, the funk fusion band generated significant local buzz and a devoted following during their early years. Having played an early show at Lester B. Pearson High School’s Christmas concert in 1990, the band won a rock contest for 97.7 CHTZ, and used the money to record a debut album “Letters from Chutney” in 1995. In 1996 the group began to be managed by Coalition Entertainment, and opted to take their music in a more serious direction, later changing the name to Finger Eleven.

Formed of vocalist Scott Anderson, bassist Sean Anderson, drummer Rich Beddoe, and a pair of guitarists James Black and Rick Jackett, the band released their sophomore album “Tip” in 1997. Markedly far-removed from their earlier releases the album features a hard rock sound and resulted in Finger Eleven touring alongside Creed and Fuel in support of the record. The full-length “The Greyest of Blue Skies”, like its predecessor was produced by Our Lady Peace’s Arnold Lanni, and released in July 2000. Whilst failing to cause a stir in the U.S, “The Greyest of Blue Skies” represented their biggest Canadian release to date with over 50,000 units sold. Peaking at No. 17 on the Canadian Albums Chart, the record earned positive reviews aided by the singles “First Time”, “Drag You Down”, and “Bones + Joints”.

The band’s subsequent album, 2003’s “Finger Eleven” represented the band’s mainstream breakthrough with over 500,000 albums sold in the U.S. alone. Aided by appearances on the TV series “Scrubs”, “Smallville”, and “Third Watch” the record significantly increased Finger Eleven’s international exposure, later peaking at No. 4 on the Canadian Albums Chart. Following an extensive touring period which included parts of Europe, Australia, and North America, the group issued their fifth studio album “Them vs. You vs. Me” in March 2007. Led by the single “Paralyzer”, which topped the Canadian Single Chart, the record cemented the group’s popularity, and later won the 2008 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. The studio album “Life Turns Electric” appeared in 2010, after which drummer Rich Beddoe left the group and was replaced by Chris Powell.