Richard Patrick (vocals, guitars, bass, programming, drums) and
Brian Liesegang (programming, guitars, keyboards, drums) both experimented with
electronics early in their careers.
Patrick was a member of the original touring incarnation of
Nine Inch Nails. After
NIN finished their lengthy first tour in the early '90s,
Patrick and
Liesegang met through a mutual friend and began to record
industrial rock together. Their debut album, Short Bus, released on Reprise in 1995, was recorded by the two at a small house on the outskirts of Cleveland. Short Bus became a surprise hit, thanks to the MTV and alternative radio hit "Hey Man, Nice Shot"; by the end of the summer, the album had reached gold status. In order to tour behind the record, the duo recruited guitarist
Geno Lenardo, bassist
Frank Cavanaugh, and drummer
Matt Walker.
Liesegang departed in 1997 over creative differences, but
Patrick retained the
Filter name for 1999's Title of Record, which eventually went platinum and spawned another radio/MTV hit in the single "Take a Picture." The album also included new drummer
Steve Gillis after
Walker left to work with
the Smashing Pumpkins.
Filter's third album, The Amalgamut, followed three years later, after which the band went on a bit of a hiatus. Around 2005,
Patrick announced the formation of a new band,
Army of Anyone, which he created with former members of
Stone Temple Pilots and
David Lee Roth's touring band. However,
Patrick did not abandon his original band --
Filter returned in 2008 with Anthems for the Damned. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Green links represent an available CD.
Red links represent a CD that is not currently available.
Filter: The Very Best Things (1995-2008)
Take a Picture [US CD/Vinyl]