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Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
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South African vocalist/guitarist Dave Matthews formed the Dave Matthews Band in Virginia in the early '90s. Featuring Matthews, Stefan Lessard, Leroi Moore, Boyd Tinsley, and Carter Beauford, the group's music presents a more pop-oriented version of the Grateful Dead crossed with the worldbeat explorations of Paul Simon and Sting. The band built up a strong word-of-mouth following in the early '90s by touring the country constantly, concentrating on college campuses. In addition to amassing a sizable following, their self-released album Remember Two Things sold well for an independent release; soon, they were attracting the attention of majors. Signing with RCA, the Dave Matthews Band released their major-label debut, Under the Table and Dreaming, in the fall of 1994. By spring of 1995, the record had launched the hit single "What Would You Say" and sold over a million copies.

A year and a half after the release of Under the Table and Dreaming, the record had sold over four million copies in the U.S. alone. In April of 1996, the Dave Matthews Band released Crash, which entered the charts at number two and quickly went platinum. Throughout 1996, the group toured behind Crash, sending it to double-platinum status. Also in 1996, Matthews launched an attack on bootleggers in conjunction with the Federal Government, targeting stores that were selling semi-legal discs of live performances. The efforts of Matthews, his band, and his management resulted in an unprecedented crackdown on bootleggers in early 1997 -- with nearly all of the major foreign bootlegging companies placed under arrest by the United States -- thereby putting a moratorium on the entire underground industry.

To further combat the bootleggers, Dave Matthews released an official double-disc live album, Live at Red Rocks 8.15.95, in the fall of 1997. It was an unexpected success, debuting at number three on the charts and selling a million copies within the first five months of its release. The live record paved the way for the April 1998 release of Before These Crowded Streets, the group's most ambitious album to date. Another live effort, Listener Supported, followed a year later. Summer tours also packed the late '90s, with sold-out shows across the U.S. The new millennium, however, saw the band back in the studio with Glen Ballard to record its fourth studio album -- Everyday, issued in February 2001. Although popular, it was overshadowed by rumors of a darker album recorded with Steve Lillywhite in 2000 but ultimately rejected; the band eventually chose songs from the session, did some re-recording of others, and released the results in July 2002 as Busted Stuff. Its debut single, "Where Are You Going," was also featured on the soundtrack to the Adam Sandler flick Mr. Deeds.

In 2003, Matthews released his first solo album, the moody and brooding Some Devil. A "Dave Matthews and Friends" tour followed -- his "friends" being Trey Anastasio, Brady Blade, Tony Hall, Ray Paczkowski, and Tim Reynolds -- and the album's single, "Gravedigger," earned Matthews the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The Dave Matthews Band was back on the road in 2004, and also released more live material. They also joined Bruce Springsteen's Vote for Change tour toward the end of the year, just as their mail-order-only DMB Live Trax series debuted. In early 2005, they launched a website that featured progress reports on their next album in the form of video footage, diaries, and soundbites. When the flawed Stand Up finally appeared in May, it was the band's first album of all-new material since 2001's Everyday. Weekend on the Rocks, another live set, followed Stand Up at the end of the year. In 2006 the two-disc compilation The Best of What's Around, Vol. 1 presented one disc of previously released studio material and one of unreleased live recordings. The year 2007 found Matthews and Tim Reynolds touring Europe and then America, a performance from which was captured on the album Live at Radio City Music Hall. Work had also begun on a new Dave Matthews Band studio album. Yet another concert release, Live at the Mile High Music Festival, a three-disc set, appeared in 2008. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music GuideMore

Official Profile

Dave Matthews Band
South African vocalist/guitarist Dave Matthews formed the Dave Matthews Band in Virginia in the earl...
Songs: 13, Videos: 2, Playlists: 1, Blog Posts: 0, Polls: 0, Battles: 0

Most Popular Music Videos (15)

Where Are You Going
(Duration: 3:53)
Jun 23rd, 7:34pm
Crash Into Me
(Duration: 4:17)
Jun 23rd, 7:36pm
Ants Marching
(Duration: 4:28)
Jun 23rd, 7:38pm
Crush
(Duration: 4:28)
Jun 23rd, 7:47pm
Everyday
(Duration: 4:50)
Jun 28th, 10:25pm
The Space Between
(Duration: 3:58)
Jun 23rd, 7:45pm
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Fan Comments

Oct 20th, 10:45pm
Check out the live performance of the Dave Matthews Band at Austin City Limits!! If you want to see more live performances and exclusive interviews get the Rock on Altitude application on your iPhone, Blackberry or Android today!! http://www.rockonaltitude.com/?page_id=2311
Oct 12th, 2:56pm
I just became a big fan of DMB. sorry it took so long. :)
Aug 28th, 5:38pm
dmb is one of my all-time faves! Them or The Used!! I pre-ordered ARTWORK and I can't wait for the new CD this monday!!! They're doing a twitter listening party on release date; check out theused.net for info people!!
Aug 26th, 5:08am
I actually think its damn good! Not usually a country fan, but the song is absolutely beautiful and it's really awesome when two artists like this get together to make something good :) ...so, yes, thumbs way up hehe...went to get it off itunes =]
Aug 25th, 5:26am
what do you guys think of the song dave just did with kenny chesney? http://www.hearsomethingcountry.com/bna/kennychesney/imalive/
Jul 25th, 5:28pm
hey guys thanks for the concert last night at hershey! :D it was very Chocolately :P
Jun 14th, 6:10am
I think you are a gifted artist Dave. Loved your guest star roll on House, you really should take on more acting roles. Thanks for the entertainment
Jun 8th, 4:55am
@ C Wizelle, the 7" is so awesome! So glad I bought the new record at my local shop.
Jun 8th, 2:47am
jeez, I love the new album. I haven't stopped listening to it since i got it! Anyone else get the free 7"? It pays to buy stuff at local record stores, lemme tell ya :)
Jun 3rd, 3:48pm
We love you guys. We are planning our whole vacation around your tour! We can't wait.
You guys have an amazing impact on us and we thank you so much for a new album!