Days of the New Rocks Out, With Captivating Sound!

Days Of The New was formed in Louisville, Kentucky, by singer/guitarist/songwriter/leader Travis Meeks, as he recruited fellow teens Jesse Vast (bass), Matt Taul (drums), and Todd Whitener (guitar) to carry the torch of acoustic-based grunge rock into the late-'90s. The group was signed to Outpost Records and released their self-titled debut album (also known as Orange) in 1997. That album proved to be their biggest hit so far, as it spawned the hits "Touch, Peel, and Stand" and "The Down Town." A tour opening for Metallica followed, but tensions within the band caused Meeks to clean house and jettison the entire band. He assembled new group for another self-titled album (or Green) in 1999 that failed to generate the excitement of the previous effort. Jumping to Interscope, Meeks assembled yet another different band for another self-titled album (Red) in 2001. Having recently overcome a well-publicized crystal meth addiction, Meeks is currently working on another album, tentatively titled Purple.
Travis Meeks spearheads what is easily the hardest sounding acoustic band around, hearkening back to Alice In Chains' quieter acoustic stuff, but with more edge. "The Shelf In The Room," off their debut album, keeps a menacing acoustic riff creeping along with quiet menace, but is augmented by heavy bass, haunting backing vocals, and distorted vocals in the chorus. Meeks is rightfully lauded for his skillful guitar picking. And his voice can send chills up your spine, as in the chorus to "The Down Town" where he implores (dares?) you to "bring me down!"