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<artist>
  <name>Evanescence</name>
  <mbid>f4a31f0a-51dd-4fa7-986d-3095c40c5ed9</mbid>
  <url>http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence</url>
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  <streamable>1</streamable>
  <stats>
    <listeners>967680</listeners>
    <playcount>36588935</playcount>
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  <similar>
	    <artist>
	  <name>Amy Lee</name>
	  <url>http://www.last.fm/music/Amy+Lee</url>
	  <image size="small">http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/34/295731.jpg</image>
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	  <url>http://www.last.fm/music/Lacuna+Coil</url>
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	  <name>Seether (Feat. Amy Lee)</name>
	  <url>http://www.last.fm/music/Seether+%28Feat.+Amy+Lee%29</url>
	  <image size="small">http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/34/22951195.jpg</image>
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	  <url>http://www.last.fm/music/Flyleaf</url>
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	  <image size="large">http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/126/334410.jpg</image>
	</artist>
  </similar>
      <bio>
    <published>Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:22 +0000</published>
    <summary><![CDATA[Evanescence is a Grammy-winning <a href="http://www.last.fm/tag/alternative%20rock" class="bbcode_tag" rel="tag">alternative rock</a> band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, <a href="http://www.last.fm/place/United+States" class="bbcode_place">United States</a> in 1995 by singer/pianist <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Amy+Lee" class="bbcode_artist">Amy Lee</a> and guitarist <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Ben+Moody" class="bbcode_artist">Ben Moody</a>. The band currently consists of <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Amy+Lee" class="bbcode_artist">Amy Lee</a> (lead vocals, piano, keyboards), <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Terry+Balsamo" class="bbcode_artist">Terry Balsamo</a> (guitars), and <span title="Unknown artist" class="bbcode_unknown">Tim McCord</span> (bass). Former members include <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/David+Hodges" class="bbcode_artist">David Hodges</a> (piano, keyboards, backing vocals; left in 2002), <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Ben+Moody" class="bbcode_artist">Ben Moody</a> (guitars; left in 2003), <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/William+Boyd" class="bbcode_artist">William Boyd</a> (bass; left in 2006), <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/John+LeCompt" class="bbcode_artist">John LeCompt</a> (guitars, backing vocals; left in 2007), and <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Rocky+Gray" class="bbcode_artist">Rocky Gray</a> (drums; left in 2007).]]></summary>
    <content><![CDATA[<strong>Evanescence</strong> is a Grammy-winning <a href="http://www.last.fm/tag/alternative%20rock" class="bbcode_tag" rel="tag">alternative rock</a> band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, <a href="http://www.last.fm/place/United+States" class="bbcode_place">United States</a> in 1995 by singer/pianist <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Amy+Lee" class="bbcode_artist">Amy Lee</a> and guitarist <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Ben+Moody" class="bbcode_artist">Ben Moody</a>. The band currently consists of <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Amy+Lee" class="bbcode_artist">Amy Lee</a> (lead vocals, piano, keyboards), <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Terry+Balsamo" class="bbcode_artist">Terry Balsamo</a> (guitars), and <span title="Unknown artist" class="bbcode_unknown">Tim McCord</span> (bass). Former members include <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/David+Hodges" class="bbcode_artist">David Hodges</a> (piano, keyboards, backing vocals; left in 2002), <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Ben+Moody" class="bbcode_artist">Ben Moody</a> (guitars; left in 2003), <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/William+Boyd" class="bbcode_artist">William Boyd</a> (bass; left in 2006), <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/John+LeCompt" class="bbcode_artist">John LeCompt</a> (guitars, backing vocals; left in 2007), and <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Rocky+Gray" class="bbcode_artist">Rocky Gray</a> (drums; left in 2007). Session members include <span title="Unknown artist" class="bbcode_unknown">Troy McLawhorn</span> (guitars) and <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Will+Hunt" class="bbcode_artist">Will Hunt</a> (drums), both are from <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Dark+New+Day" class="bbcode_artist">Dark New Day</a>, they were &quot;borrowed&quot; to replace LeCompt and Gray during 2007 tours.
 
 <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Amy+Lee" class="bbcode_artist">Amy Lee</a> and <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Ben+Moody" class="bbcode_artist">Ben Moody</a> met in 1994 at a youth camp in Little Rock, where Moody heard Lee playing <a title="Meat Loaf &ndash; I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Meat+Loaf/_/I%27d+Do+Anything+for+Love+%28But+I+Won%27t+Do+That%29" class="bbcode_track">I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)</a> by <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Meat+Loaf" class="bbcode_artist">Meat Loaf</a> on the piano. Their first songs were <a title="Evanescence &ndash; Solitude" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/Solitude" class="bbcode_track">Solitude</a> and <a title="Evanescence &ndash; Give Unto Me" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/Give+Unto+Me" class="bbcode_track">Give Unto Me</a>, written by Lee, and <a title="Evanescence &ndash; Understanding" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/Understanding" class="bbcode_track">Understanding</a> and <a title="Evanescence &ndash; My Immortal" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/My+Immortal" class="bbcode_track">My Immortal</a>, written by Moody. The songs were edited by both artists, and they shared equal credit.
 
 Two of Lee and Moody's songs found playtime on local radio stations, raising local awareness of the group and demand for a show. The band eventually appeared live, and became one of the most popular acts in the area. After experimenting with band names, such as <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Childish+Intentions" class="bbcode_artist">Childish Intentions</a> and <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Stricken" class="bbcode_artist">Stricken</a>, they decided on Evanescence, which means &quot;disappearance&quot; or &quot;fading away&quot; (from the word evanesce, which means &quot;to disappear&quot;). Lee has stated she loves the name because &quot;it is mysterious and dark, and places a picture in the listeners' mind.&quot;.
 
 Their first full-length demo CD, <a title="Evanescence - Origin" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Origin" class="bbcode_album">Origin</a> (released in 2000), is relatively unknown. The band also released two EPs. First, the self-titled <a title="Evanescence - Evanescence EP" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Evanescence+EP" class="bbcode_album">Evanescence EP</a> (1998) of which about 100 copies were made, and second the <a title="Evanescence - Sound Asleep EP" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Sound+Asleep+EP" class="bbcode_album">Sound Asleep EP</a>, also known as the <a title="Evanescence - Whisper EP" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Whisper+EP" class="bbcode_album">Whisper EP</a> (1999), limited to 50 copies. <a title="Evanescence - Origin" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Origin" class="bbcode_album">Origin</a> and the EPs contain demo versions of some of the songs on their debut album, <a title="Evanescence - Fallen" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Fallen" class="bbcode_album">Fallen</a>. For example, the recording of <a title="Evanescence &ndash; My Immortal" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/My+Immortal" class="bbcode_track">My Immortal</a> found on <a title="Evanescence - Fallen" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Fallen" class="bbcode_album">Fallen</a> can also be found on <a title="Evanescence - Origin" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Origin" class="bbcode_album">Origin</a>, minus a handful of additional string accompaniments. Only 2,500 copies of this record were produced; in response, Lee and Moody encouraged fans to download the band's older songs from the Internet.
 
 In several interviews Amy has said that '<a title="Evanescence - Origin" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Origin" class="bbcode_album">Origin</a>' was not an album, it was merely meant to be a demo. While appearing to be an official CD, it was never meant to be officially released.  According to Amy Lee &quot;Origin is not an album.  Should I say that clearer?  'Origin' is not an album.  We recorded its demos, we recorded it a long time ago, in Ben's apartment or in my parent's attic with an 8-track recorder that cost $300.  It sounds like crap. Don't feel bad that you don't have it, just download it.  It looks kind of like an album because we had an artist make us this cool album cover because we were shopping it to record labels.  We put everything we had on there, and some songs that are on there are on 'Fallen', just done right&quot;. The video of this interview can be seen <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=6W-smQalL7M" rel="nofollow">here</a>.
 
 The band sent '<a title="Evanescence - Origin" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Origin" class="bbcode_album">Origin</a>' to several record labels, and eventually <a href="http://www.last.fm/label/Wind-up/" class="bbcode_label">Wind-up</a> Records signed them. The band then recorded a large collection of demos throughout 2001 and 2002. Afterwards, the band began work on their second full-length album. However, after the album had been finished, Hodges left the band in December of 2002.
 
 The album, entitled '<a title="Evanescence - Fallen" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Fallen" class="bbcode_album">Fallen</a>', was then released in March 2003. It brought the band international fame, selling 14 millions of copies worldwide. '<a title="Evanescence - Fallen" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Fallen" class="bbcode_album">Fallen</a>' has since gone 6 times platinum in the <a href="http://www.last.fm/place/United+States" class="bbcode_place">United States</a> and has sold more than 15 million copies altogether worldwide.
 
 However, shortly after, Moody left the band on October 22 of 2003 due to internal struggles with the band members. He was then replaced by guitarist Terry Balsamo from the band <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Cold" class="bbcode_artist">Cold</a>. Before Moody's departure, Gray, LeCompt, and Boyd had been session members, but afterwards they became full-time members.
 
 At the 2004 Grammy Awards, Evanescence won Best New Artist and Best Hard Rock Performance for their single <a title="Evanescence &ndash; Bring Me to Life" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/Bring+Me+to+Life" class="bbcode_track">Bring Me to Life</a>, known worldwide from the <a title="Various Artists - Daredevil" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Various+Artists/Daredevil" class="bbcode_album">Daredevil</a> soundtrack. That same year, the band released a live CD/DVD entitled '<a title="Evanescence - Anywhere but Home" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Anywhere+but+Home" class="bbcode_album">Anywhere but Home</a>', which also sold 1 million of copies worldwide and has since gone platinum in the <a href="http://www.last.fm/place/United+States" class="bbcode_place">United States</a>.
 
 Afterwards, the band began work on their next release. Many things set the release back, including the health problems of Terry. He was unfortunately affected by a stroke, but is recovering successfully. Amy also fired their old manager which they had relations with during '<a title="Evanescence - Fallen" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Fallen" class="bbcode_album">Fallen</a>', and brought him to court. In 2006, they finished recording their second album, titled '<a title="Evanescence - The Open Door" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/The+Open+Door" class="bbcode_album">The Open Door</a>', as well as shooting a video for the single <a title="Evanescence &ndash; Call Me When You're Sober" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/Call+Me+When+You%27re+Sober" class="bbcode_track">Call Me When You're Sober</a>. On July 13th, 2006, Lee announced through Evanescence's online message board that bassist Boyd has decided to leave the band in order to make time for his personal life and family. Tim McCord was announced as Will Boyd's replacement in August 2006.
 
 '<a title="Evanescence - The Open Door" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/The+Open+Door" class="bbcode_album">The Open Door</a>' debuted at number 1 in <a href="http://www.last.fm/place/Australia" class="bbcode_place">Australia</a>, <a href="http://www.last.fm/place/United+States" class="bbcode_place">United States</a>, <a href="http://www.last.fm/place/Greece" class="bbcode_place">Greece</a>, <a href="http://www.last.fm/place/Germany" class="bbcode_place">Germany</a>, and <a href="http://www.last.fm/place/Switzerland" class="bbcode_place">Switzerland</a>. It sold over 1 million copies worldwide within the first week of its release.
 
 The second single of '<a title="Evanescence - The Open Door" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/The+Open+Door" class="bbcode_album">The Open Door</a>' was <a title="Evanescence &ndash; Lithium" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/Lithium" class="bbcode_track">Lithium</a>. A video was shot for the single - directed by Paul Fedor (who has worked with <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Marilyn+Manson" class="bbcode_artist">Marilyn Manson</a>, <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Seether" class="bbcode_artist">Seether</a>, and <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Deftones" class="bbcode_artist">Deftones</a>). It took 2 days to film, October 31 and November 1, 2006.
 
 The third single off '<a title="Evanescence - The Open Door" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/The+Open+Door" class="bbcode_album">The Open Door</a>' was <a title="Evanescence &ndash; Sweet Sacrifice" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/Sweet+Sacrifice" class="bbcode_track">Sweet Sacrifice</a>.  The label, <a href="http://www.last.fm/label/Wind-up/" class="bbcode_label">Wind-up</a>, had originally chosen <a title="Evanescence &ndash; All That I'm Living For" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/All+That+I%27m+Living+For" class="bbcode_track">All That I'm Living For</a> to be the third single, but was met with opposition from the fans.  The video was shot on March 9th and 10th, 2007.  Directed by Paul Brown.
 
 On May 4, 2007, <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/John+LeCompt" class="bbcode_artist">John LeCompt</a> announced that he had been fired from Evanescence, and also stated that drummer <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Rocky+Gray" class="bbcode_artist">Rocky Gray</a> had decided to quit as well. Both musicians posted on their personal MySpace pages to confirm the news report, however, neither elaborated about the circumstances surrounding their departures, and no official statement has yet been released by the band or label.
 
 On his MySpace blog, LeCompt stated that Lee called his cellphone to fire him, and that no warning had previously been given nor were any negotiations made available. No replacements have been named as of yet, but Evanescence says they will continue touring and producing music.
 
 Lee revealed during the taping of MuchMusic's January 9, 2007 episode of Live @ Much that she had become engaged the previous evening. She later confirmed on EvThreads.com that she was proposed to by Josh Hartzler, a 29-year-old therapist and long time friend. She noted in an interview that the songs <a title="Evanescence &ndash; Good Enough" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/Good+Enough" class="bbcode_track">Good Enough</a> and <a title="Evanescence &ndash; Bring Me to Life" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/_/Bring+Me+to+Life" class="bbcode_track">Bring Me to Life</a> were inspired by him. The couple were married on May 6, 2007, and honeymooned near The Bahamas. She has posted on EvThreads that she is &quot;now officially Mrs. Amy Hartzler.&quot;
 
 <strong>Discography</strong>
 1998: <a title="Evanescence - Evanescence EP" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Evanescence+EP" class="bbcode_album">Evanescence EP</a>
 1999: <a title="Evanescence - Sound Asleep EP" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Sound+Asleep+EP" class="bbcode_album">Sound Asleep EP</a>
 2000: <a title="Evanescence - Origin" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Origin" class="bbcode_album">Origin</a>
 2003: <a title="Evanescence - Mystary EP" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Mystary+EP" class="bbcode_album">Mystary EP</a> and <a title="Evanescence - Fallen" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Fallen" class="bbcode_album">Fallen</a> (first official studio album)
 2004: <a title="Evanescence - Anywhere but Home" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/Anywhere+but+Home" class="bbcode_album">Anywhere but Home</a>
 2006: <a title="Evanescence - The Open Door" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Evanescence/The+Open+Door" class="bbcode_album">The Open Door</a>
 
 Official site: <a href="http://www.evanescence.com" rel="nofollow">www.evanescence.com</a>]]></content>
  </bio>
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