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By Linda Laban
CDNOW Contributing Writer
From www.cdnow.com
When the psychedelic alternative rockers of Blind Melon disbanded in the fall of 1995, following singer Shannon Hoon's tragic death, there was no question of carrying on with a replacement singer. Guitarist Christopher Thorn, understandably, felt not only the loss of his bandmate, but also his career. Not ready to jump into another band and equally unable to stop making music, Thorn busied himself with his studio, working as a producer and engineer, but always with Melon's bassist Brad Smith -- who, like Thorn had moved to Seattle early in Blind Melon's career -- close by.
"Whatever I was working on, I was including Brad," says Thorn. "I was having a great time and thought that production was something that I could do for a long time." But after a few stints playing with other bands -- including Live -- Thorn got the itch. "I just felt like I wanted to be in a band. That's what made me move back to L.A. to try to find a great singer."
Through a mutual friend at A&M Records, Thorn and Smith hooked up with Celia Green vocalist Chris Shinn, enlisted ex-Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen, and began playing together as Luma. "We knew we'd have to change the name; it was too close to Luna, people couldn't distinguish the m and the n," says Thorn.
Now called Unified Theory, the band recently released its self-titled debut album on Universal Records. Straddling alternative and progressive rock, Unified Theory's opening track, "Cessna," introduces the band's heavy sound -- Shinn's voice an aching, pensive foil to soaring guitars and rhythm. The first single, "California," slowly cruises with deep buzzing guitar, bustling rhythm, and Shinn's Geddy Lee-like vocals. The melodically dynamic "Instead of Running" is equally unforgettable.
Unified Theory will be on the road supporting the record well into next year, planning to follow its club tour with an opening spot on September's Counting Crows/Live joint bill. The quartet intends to tour for the next year and has already spent considerable time on the road, something that Thorn couldn't be happier about. "Everyday I wake up, I am so thankful to be in a band. I am thankful to be in a van on five hours of sleep and having to drive 500 miles to the next show. That sounds absurd, but I am," he says.
"Every day I wake up, I am so thankful to be in a band." -- Thorn
While enjoying the camaraderie of his bandmates and playing once again, Thorn is well aware that now that the band is signed to a major label, he and Smith are back in business in more ways than one. Famous pedigree or not, Unified Theory is under the same pressure as any other band releasing a debut album.
"Every single band that has just been signed and is putting out a record has incredible pressure to have success," he says. "Unfortunately the business is business. We make records; we're artists. But the moment we sign on the dotted line for the record company, it's business. And we signed."