This US post-grunge rock act was one of a number of bands to follow in the footsteps of scene leaders Creed and enjoy commercial success in the early years of the new millennium. 12 Stones was formed in 2000 by teenagers Paul McCoy (vocals), Eric Weaver (guitar), Kevin Dorr (bass) and Aaron Gainer (drums), all friends from the Mandeville district of New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite having only played a handful of live dates, the quartet was snapped up by the Wind-up Records label who quickly installed them in the studio with leading alt rock producer Jay Baumgardner. Released in 2002, the band's self-titled debut album was tailor-made for US rock radio and went on to sell over a quarter of a million copies. McCoy subsequently recorded a guest vocal for Evanescence's transatlantic hit "Bring Me To Life'. The exposure helped boost awareness of the singer's own band, and 12 Stones" second album, Potter's Field, duly broke into the US Top 30 in autumn 2004.
DISCOGRAPHY: 12 Stones (Wind-up 2002)***, Potter's Field (Wind-up 2004)***, Anthem For The Underdog (Wind-up 2007)***.

Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Copyright 2008 by Muze Inc.; all rights reserved.