Cold was an American post-grunge band that rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s during the height of the nu metal movement. The band was formed in 1996 in Jacksonville, Florida by singer Scooter Ward and guitarist Terry Balsamo. They released their debut album 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage in 2000, which was a commercial success and helped launch the band into the mainstream rock scene.
How did Cold get started?
Cold originally formed under the name Grundig in 1996 in Jacksonville, Florida. The initial lineup consisted of vocalist Scooter Ward, guitarist Matt Loughran, bassist Jeremy Marshall, and drummer Sam McCandless. The band went through several lineup changes over the next few years, with guitarist Terry Balsamo joining in 1998. He would become a key member and songwriter for the group. In 1999, they changed their name to Cold and signed with A&M Records to release their debut album.
What was Cold’s musical style?
Cold’s music is often described as post-grunge or nu metal, blending influences from metal, hard rock, alternative rock and even pop. Their sound features crunchy guitars, angry vocals and brooding lyrics from Scooter Ward, raw energy, and plenty of hooks. While nu metal was known for rapping and hip hop elements, Cold stood out for Ward’s more traditional rock vocals. The band cited influences ranging from Pearl Jam and Soundgarden to Pantera and Metallica. Despite the nu metal label, Cold had a more alternative rock and post-grunge sound compared to many of their peers in the genre.
What was Cold’s breakthrough album?
Cold’s breakthrough came with their debut album, 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage, released in 2000 through A&M Records. Fueled by singles like “Just Got Wicked” and “Ugly,” the album was certified Gold by the RIAA and established Cold as one of the leading new bands in nu metal. It peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Ward’s confessional lyrics tackled issues like addiction and mental illness, tapping into the angst of many nu metal fans. The album balanced heavy guitars and angst with big melodies on tracks like “End of the World.” Cold supported the album by touring with major nu metal acts like Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock in 2000 and 2001.
What were some of Cold’s most popular songs?
Here are some of Cold’s biggest hit songs from their albums:
- “Ugly” – This breakthrough single from 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage featured an aggressive riff by Terry Balsamo and angsty lyrics by Scooter Ward. Its music video received heavy airplay on MTV.
- “Just Got Wicked” – Another hit single from their debut, it showed off Ward’s knack for catchy melodies during the verses.
- “Stupid Girl” – Appearing on their second album Year of the Spider in 2003, it became one of their most recognizable songs with its acoustic guitar intro and radio-friendly chorus.
- “Wasted Years” – A moody ballad driven by an emotional vocal performance from Ward, it appeared on Year of the Spider.
- “A Different Kind of Pain” – The lead single from their 2011 comeback album Superfiction, it returned the band to radio airplay after nearly a decade away.
What albums did Cold release?
Here is a rundown of Cold’s complete studio discography:
Album | Release Date |
---|---|
13 Ways to Bleed on Stage | August 22, 2000 |
Year of the Spider | August 19, 2003 |
A Different Kind of Pain | August 30, 2005 |
Superfiction | July 19, 2011 |
The Things We Can’t Stop | September 13, 2019 |
13 Ways to Bleed on Stage stands out as their breakthrough, going Gold on the strength of multiple hit singles. 2003’s Year of the Spider also fared well commercially thanks to songs like “Stupid Girl” and “Wasted Years.” After their third album in 2005, the band went on hiatus for several years before reuniting for 2011’s Superfiction. Their most recent release was 2019’s The Things We Can’t Stop.
Who were the band members of Cold?
Here’s a look at the key members of the band Cold over the years:
- Scooter Ward – Lead vocals
- Terry Balsamo – Guitar
- Jeremy Marshall – Bass
- Sam McCandless – Drums
- Kelly Hayes – Guitar
- Lindsay Manfredi – Bass
Frontman Scooter Ward was the face of the band, known for his distinctive voice and introspective lyrics. Terry Balsamo handled most of the guitar duties and songwriting, giving Cold many of their signature riffs. Longtime members included bassist Jeremy Marshall and drummer Sam McCandless. Later additions like guitarist Kelly Hayes and bassist Lindsay Manfredi also contributed to albums like Superfiction.
Why did Cold go on hiatus in 2006?
After releasing the album A Different Kind of Pain in 2005, Cold entered an extended hiatus starting in 2006. There were a couple of key factors that led to the band temporarily breaking up and going inactive:
- Infighting and tension between band members, reportedly due to substance abuse issues.
- Frontman Scooter Ward entered rehab treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.
- Guitarist Terry Balsamo left the band in 2004 to join Evanescence.
- Cold’s record label went out of business, leaving them without a recording contract.
Between line-up changes, label issues, and Ward’s personal struggles, Cold decided to go on hiatus in 2006 rather than try to continue touring and recording at that point. Ward focused on getting sober during the band’s break. The hiatus would ultimately last around five years before Cold reformed.
When and why did Cold reunite?
In 2011, Cold announced they had officially reunited after being on hiatus since 2006. There were a few key factors that went into the band reuniting after several years apart:
- Scooter Ward had gotten sober after rehab and was ready to record music again.
- Terry Balsamo was unavailable, so the band recruited new guitarist Kelly Hayes.
- They signed a new record deal with Eleven Seven Music to release a comeback album.
- Interest from fans remained strong during their hiatus period.
Cold found they still had an audience for their music and a new group of fans had also discovered their catalog. With Ward back in good health, Cold was able to tour and record again, releasing the album Superfiction in 2011. They have since put out two more albums and continue to maintain an active touring schedule as a reunited band.
How has Cold changed since reuniting?
Here are some of the key ways Cold has evolved since reforming in 2011 after their five-year hiatus:
- Their music has showcased more alt-rock influences while moving away from nu metal.
- Ward’s vocals and lyrics have become more introspective and mature.
- Longtime guitarist Terry Balsamo has not returned, with Kelly Hayes taking over guitar duties.
- Their albums are self-released following struggles with record labels.
- They use more acoustic textures alongside their traditional heavy rock sound.
- The band has focused on touring consistently rather than aiming for radio hits.
While their musical foundation remains rooted in post-grunge and alt-rock, Cold has evolved their sound in a more organic direction since reuniting. Ward’s journey back to sobriety is reflected in the band’s new music. Cold seems content as a touring act with a loyal fanbase these days rather than chasing mainstream success.
What is Cold’s status today?
As of 2023, Cold remains active as a reunited band:
- They continue to tour regularly on the rock concert circuit.
- In 2019 they released their sixth studio album The Things We Can’t Stop.
- While not charting hits like their early days, they maintain a consistent audience at shows.
- No upcoming album has been announced yet.
- The band engages fans actively through social media during touring breaks.
While no longer grabbing headlines like during the nu metal boom, Cold has settled into a steadier career as a veteran rock act with a cult following. Nearly 25 years removed from forming, the band seems content releasing new music occasionally and spending much of their time on the road playing live shows.
Conclusion
Cold rode the wave of nu metal’s popularity in the early 2000s to mainstream rock success behind songs like “Stupid Girl” and “Just Got Wicked.” But the band’s career also reflects the volatility of that era’s rock bands, with substance abuse issues and infighting leading to an extended hiatus from 2006 to 2011. After reuniting and getting sober, frontman Scooter Ward has led a more mature Cold that balances their heavy rock roots with warmer acoustic textures. Though no longer grabbing headlines, Cold sustains an active touring schedule and connection to their small but loyal fanbase. Their longevity speaks to the underlying strength of their songs and performance over the trends of any era.