Many bands start out great but falter soon after. Others grow and learn as their music gets better and are able to keep things in perspective and achieve a balance. "Live" is one of the latter. Formed back in middle school in York, PA in the 80's as "Public Affection," they worked themselves up to a contract with Radioactive Records and released their first record with the label "Mental Jewelry" in 1991. The music world was put on notice that they were a band to be reckoned with. Their second release "Throwing Copper" went six times platinum with three memorable songs, "Selling Drama," "I Alone," and "Lightning Crashes."

They were Readers' Poll Artist of the Year in '94 in "Rolling Stone" and Rock Artist of the Year at the 1995 Billboard Awards. Their latest album "Secret Samadhi" has already gone platinum and spawned the hit singles "Lakini's Juice," "Freaks," and their latest "Turn My Head."

Known for their superb live shows they also have written some of the best rock music lyrics to come along since the inundation of grunge. Nor are they afraid to step out in new directions with their music. Unlike a number of bands, their songs each have their own personality and you don't get that feeling of 'heard one heard them all' from this group. People listen and respond to the words not just the music.

The group also gives back to its fans. Their current tour is selling a commissioned poster by rock artist Dave Fremont of which 100% of the proceeds are going to AMFAR, T. J. Martell, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. They have also designated a number of cities on their tour where a 25 cent surcharge on tickets will be given to local AIDS service organizations.

Quotes:
(From various interviews in print publications)

Chad Taylor: "For me, music is all about losing yourself. I play my guitar best after a hundred shows, when the technical aspect of playing becomes second nature and I can let myself wander and go where I need to go. The best shows I've ever had, I don't remember playing. You come out of yourself . . ."

Ed Kowalczyk: "I've gotten many letters from people telling me that this song or this lyric helped him through something in their lives, so it ultimately works on a one-to-one basis.....There's a possibility for transcandence in this music."
From: Request Magazine - May '97

Ed Kowalczyk: "Lyrically one of the goals is to suggest something is going on beyond what you can see."
From: Philadelphia Inquirer

Ed Kowalczyk: " ...That's the thing you can't forget --- that music is fun.
From: Chicago Sun Times 8-17-97

As a kid who grew up on the "Stones," "The Who," "Yes," etc., I have often wondered where the next generation of rock & roll is coming from. Well never fear, I have seen the future and the future is "Live." Tonight, this band showed they know how to rock & roll.