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Bullet for My Valentine is a Welsh emo/hardcore band from Bridgend, Wales, formed in 1998. The band started their music career by covering songs by Metallica and Nirvana under the band name "Jeff Killed John". Jeff Killed John recorded six songs which were unreleased on as a record. Two of these songs were later re-made for their debut album as Bullet for My Valentine. The song title "Eye Spy" was changed to "Hit the Floor" and "Nation to Nation" was changed to "Turn to Despair". There were lyric changes and changes in tempo, guitar, drums, bass, and overall sound as well. Financial difficulties marked a change in music direction and name for the band and so the band went through numerous name changes, until deciding on "Bullet for My Valentine". In 2002 the band was offered a record deal by Roadrunner Records. That offer was turned down, and the band later secured a five-album deal with Sony BMG.

Bullet for My Valentine's debut album The Poison was released on October 3, 2005 in the United Kingdom and on Valentine's Day in America in 2006 to represent their band name "Bullet for My Valentine", the album was dedicated to long time friend Simon Roy Denning, and entered the Billboard 200 at number 128, and the Top Heatseekers chart at number 1, and has sold 375,000 copies in the U.S. as of February 6, 2008. The band made appearances at the Download Festival, Kerrang! XXV, and a United States tour with Rob Zombie, which the band were ultimately kicked off due to vocalist Matthew Tuck's comments on the band's message board. Bullet for My Valentine's second studio album Scream Aim Fire debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, with first week sales of 53,000 copies.

History

As Jeff Killed John (1998 - 2002)

Jeff Killed John was the forerunner band for BFMV and was formed in 1998 by Matthew "Matt" Tuck (rhythm guitar and vocals), Michael Paget (lead guitar), Nick Crandle (bass guitar) and Michael "Moose" Thomas (drums) while studying music at Bridgend College. Playing Nirvana and Metallica covers, the band released a two-track release in compact disc format in 2002 produced by Greg Haver, and was called You/Play With Me. It was financed through the Pynci scheme for new Welsh musicians and the release garnered the band radio airplay on live Radio 1's broadcast at Newport's T.J.'s.

Jeff Killed John's members wanted to follow the nu metal trend set by bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit — playing what they thought would get them far and what record labels wanted to hear. Bassist Crandle left the band on the eve of entering the recording studio and was replaced by Jason "Jay" James. As nu metal had started to become less popular, the band gave it one final shot by changing their name to Bullet for My Valentine, a name which refers to the "loving lyrical content". A change in music direction was agreed on, and the band played what they wanted to rather than follow the influential bands at the time.

Record label signing (2002 - 2005)

For six-to-ten months, Bullet for My Valentine played at concerts to attract the interest of record labels. At a show in London, Roadrunner Records showed interest and offered the band a deal. The label was ultimately turned down, and the band signed a five year record deal with Sony BMG, and a United Kingdom licensing deal with Visible Noise. The choice to choose Sony as said by frontman Tuck was "We thought that a lot more doors would be open to us with the Sony deal".

A self-titled EP was released on November 15, 2004 in the U.K., and November 30, 2004 in the United States. Produced by Colin Richardson and mixed by Andy Sneap, the EP featured five tracks and marked the band's first official release. A second EP, titled Hand of Blood was released on August 22, 2005 through Trustkill Records, and was only available in the United States. The EP contained one extra track than the self-titled EP, "4 Words (To Choke Upon)". Decibel Magazine contributor Daniel Lukes responded to the EP negatively stating "The worst part is that the music itself isn’t all that bad, for the genre. 'Cries In Vain' even threatens to kick some major butt before drowning in vocal sub-Incubusisms"; commenting the band should be embarrassed about the release. Zeromag.com editor Josh Joyce complimented the band on "how technical they can get without confusing the kids".

The Poison (2005 - 2006)

Bullet for My Valentine's debut album, The Poison, was released in the UK on October 3, 2005 and February 14, 2006 in the U.S. It entered the Billboard 200 at number 128, attained a peak of number 3 on the Top Heatseekers, and number 11 on the Top Independent albums. As of February 6, 2008, the album has sold 375,000 copies in the U.S. Template:Sound sample box align left Template:Sample box end Critical response to the album was mixed. Stylus Magazine editor Dom Passantino commented the band's contribution to the world of music is "basically a slightly uglier, yet similarly polished take on their genre than Lostprophets", awarding a C- grade. Blabbermouth.net reviewer Scott Alisoglu stated Bullet for My Valentine "is fairly good at what it does and at least half of the songs are better than average", although commented that the album "follows with several 'hey, it's predictable, but pretty rocking' moments". Decibel Magazine contributor Kirk Miller commented "There’s zero in the originality department here", although praised the band's synchronised song structures compared to other bands.

Four singles were released from The Poison including "4 Words (To Choke Upon)", the band's first single, followed by "Suffocating Under Words of Sorrow (What Can I Do)". "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)" peaked on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks at number 13 and number 30 on the Modern Rock Tracks. "Tears Don't Fall" peaked at number 24 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and number 32 on the Modern Rock Tracks.

Bullet for My Valentine played at the Download Festival in Donington Park for three consecutive years, first appearing at the 2004 festival on the Barfly stage. The following year with increased popularity, Bullet for My Valentine played on the larger Snickers stage, and in 2006 the band were moved to near the top of the main stage bill, playing on Sunday night below Guns N' Roses and Funeral for a Friend. Other tours the band embarked on included opening for Metallica and Guns N' Roses for six weeks of the summer in 2006, the Vans Warped Tour, Kerrang! tour, and Earthday Birthday on April 28, 2007. The band's performance at the Brixton Academy in London was filmed for the band's first DVD, The Poison: Live at Brixton.

Bullet for My Valentine were removed as a supporting act on a 2006 tour with Rob Zombie after 17 shows. Tuck posted a message on the band's official message board, stating the band were not being treated well on the tour in response to fans who complained about t-shirt prices and sound quality. Zombie made the band price match his merchandise ($40 a shirt), and were only allowed two pieces. Because the band was unable to use a dressing room, could not perform a sound check, Tuck referred to the headliner as "money-grabbing jerks" and "does not want to be associated with that old man". Tuck commented "Basically, we are nothing to him, but screw it — if this is what it takes to get a name over here, then it's gotta be done". A few hours later, Tuck posted a message apologizing for his comments claiming they were "out of line and totally exaggerated". However, the band were kicked off the tour the following day for the comments. Vocalist of fellow support act Lacuna Coil, Andrea Ferro, attributed the behaviour due to inexperience; "Probably they got some different kind of success in the U.K. in the beginning and they think that they paid their dues, but I believe that they still have to pay their dues, like everybody".

During June 2007, Tuck suffered from laryngitis which led to a number of shows being postponed until early January. A tonsillectomy was scheduled in mid July, although it was brought forward at the last minute at the advice of Tuck's doctor. Advised a minimum recovery period of four weeks, the band were forced to cancel several shows. This included supporting Metallica for three dates on their Sick of the Studio '07 tour on June 29 in Bilbao, Spain, July 5 in Vienna, Austria, and July 8 at the recently completed Wembley Stadium in London. Machine Head replaced the band as supporting act. Although unable to speak, Tuck wrote that as soon as doctors cleared him he would be in the studio working on the band's next album.

Scream Aim Fire (2007 - present)

Bullet for My Valentine's second studio album, entitled Scream Aim Fire, was recorded at Sonic Ranch Studios with production duties handled by Colin Richardson. The album was released on January 28, 2008 and January 29 in the US. Tuck commented; "The biggest difference is probably the tempo and the aggression. It's a lot more up tempo, a lot more aggressive". The album hit number 4 on the Billboard 200, with first week sales of about 53,000. The band has finished touring North America and Australia for the 2008 Taste of Chaos tour with the bands Atreyu,True Metal Conspiracy (TMC) Idiot Pilot, Blessthefall and Avenged Sevenfold. They also performed at Rock am Ring and Rock im Park and the Download Festival in June 2008. They also played the Reading & Leeds festivals in August 2008. Their new single "Waking the Demon" has now hit U.S. radio airways.

It was announced on April 14, 2008 that the band would cut short their Canada tour in order to fly back home in support of bassist Jason 'Jay' James whose daughter has been hospitalized.

They are currently on tour as part of the No Fear Music Tour across North America with Bleeding Through, Cancer Bats and Black Tide.

In November and December, the band will tour Europe with main support Lacuna Coil, with Bleeding Through and Black Tide also supporting. During the November 15th gig of the Scream Aim Fire tour, at the Alexandra Palace, London, the band announced the gig was being filmed for their next live DVD, supporting Scream Aim Fire.

It's also been announced that they will be performing at Big Day Out in Australia and New Zealand early 2009 in January and February. The album's title track "Scream Aim Fire" is featured in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour.

A new EP called "Road to Nowhere" was released December 9th, including 3 new tracks and 1 rare track (Ashes of the Innocent). The same tracks were also released on the Deluxe Edition of "Scream Aim Fire"

In 2009 Bullet for My Valentine will be headlining the first ever Hammerfest in their hometown of Wales. The setlist is not yet finished for the event.

Style and influences

Bullet for My Valentine have cited being influenced by bands such as Metallica, Annihilator, Pantera, Machine Head, Iron Maiden, Testament, Slayer, Stuck Mojo, Judas Priest and Megadeth. These bands inspire Bullet for My Valentine's "catchy vocals, aggressive riffs and melodies." Reviewing The Poison, Scott Alisoglu of Blabbermouth.net described the band's sound as "predictable" and the album as a "made-for-MTV breakout hit," comparing the harmonies to Swedish metal band In Flames. However, Alisoglu praised songs such as "Tears Don't Fall" for incorporating "twin lead work, thrashy romps, galloping tempos, and a hot solo."Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

Later that year, while touring with As I Lay Dying and Protest The Hero, Matt suffered from laryngitis which led to a number of Bullet for My Valentine's shows being postponed until early January. He had his tonsils removed and took a four-week break for recovery.

Musical Influences

Tuck stated that Metallica is "the reason picked up a guitar". In fact, he was excited that on the first day of their tour with Metallica, Lars Ulrich knocked on the band's and introduce himself and saying how much he likes the band's “Sanitarium” cover from Master of Puppets.
He has also mentioned Annihilator, Mötley Crüe, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Machine Head, Pantera and Megadeth as his musical influences.

Gear

Matt Tuck usually plays a Jackson Randy Rhoads RR1T with a reverse head stock in snow white with black painted bevels as well as a standard black model. For live performances he has used Mesa/Boogie, Peavey 6505 and 5150 and Fender heads through Mesa/Boogie Rectifier cabinets. He also uses a Morley Bad Horsie Wah pedal and an Ibanez Tube Screamer.

Tuck also owns a Gibson Flying V, which he can be seen using during the live performance of Hand of Blood on a 2005 episode of Die Sarah Kuttner Show.

Very recently in the Scream Aim Fire 2008 tour he has been seen using a white Gibson Les Paul Raw Power Standard fitted with EMG 81s.

Guitars

• Jackson Randy Rhoads RR1T (white w/black bevels, reverse head)
• Jackson RR5 Pro seriesCite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).
• Jackson Kevin Bond Signature (Blood Red Bevels)Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).
• Gibson Les Paul Raw Power Standard
• Fender Stratocaster American white with maple neck

Specifications (both guitars)

• Rotosound Rotoblues Strings (.010, .013, .017, .030, .042, .052).052 replaced with a 56
• Dropped C (low to high: C G C F A D)
• D Standard (low to high: D G C F A D)
• Seymour Duncan Blackout pickups
• Uses Dunlop Tortex picks(.50mm), red colored

Guitar Effects, Controllers and Processors

• Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer
• 2 Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressors
• Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner
• Peavey Channel Switcher
• Morley Bad Horsie Wah

Amplifiers

• Two Mesa Engineering 4X12 Standard Rectifier Cab-Straight
• Two Peavey 6505 Heads in Rack Case (Extra Head is for backup)

Units and Tuners

• Sennheiser EW300 Wireless Unit

References

1. allmusic ((( Bullet for My Valentine > Overview )))
2. BBC - Wales - Bullet for My Valentine - The Poison: Live At Brixton DVD
3. Drowned in Sound - Bullet for My Valentine: Scream Aim Fire review
4. Absolute Radio - Bullet for My Valentine pull out of Metallica Wembley show
5. Sputnik
6. Roxwel
7. metalinjection
8. ^ Hasty, Katie (2008-02-06). "Keys Notches Fourth Week At No. 1". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2008-02-08. Retrieved 2008-02-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
9. "Bullet for My Valentine biography". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
10. |title=Bullet for My Valentine Interview |publisher=Roomthirteen.com |date=2005-07-08 |url=http://www.roomthirteen.com/cgi-bin/feature_view.cgi?FeatureID=185 |accessdate=2007-10-30}}
11. "Bullet for My Valentine". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
12. Lukes, Daniel what?. "Screamocore takes a dump where it eats". Decibel Magazine. Archived from the original on 2006-05-06. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
13. Joyce, Josh. "Bullet For My Valentine - Hand of Blood EP". Zeromag.com. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
14. "Chart Listing for the week of Mar 04 2006:". Billboard.com. 2006-03-04. Retrieved 2007-11-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
15. "Bullet for My Valentine - Albums". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
16. "New Bullet for My Valentine Single A 'Benchmark' For Band". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-01-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
17. "Bullet for My Valentine frontman says new album is 'a lot more uptempo, a lot more aggressive". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-11-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
18. ^ Cite error: The named reference The Poison was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
19. Passantino, Dom (2005-11-01). "Bullet for My Valentine Stylus Magazine". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2007-11-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
20. Cite error: The named reference Bullet For My Valentine - The Poison was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
21. "Bullet for My Valentine - Singles". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
22. "Download Festival 2004 line-up". Downloadfestival.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
23. "Download Festival 2005 line-up". Downloadfestival.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
24. "Download Festival 2006 line-up". Downloadfestival.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
25. "Bullet for My Valentine - Matt Tuck, Vocals/Guitars". smnews.com. 2006-04-01. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
26. Arto (2006-01-03). "Bullet for My Valentine interview - Moose". HardcoreSounds. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
27. Sirius Satellite Radio's Hard Attack interview with Matt Tuck and Michael Thomas. June 7, 2006
28. "Bullet for My Valentine Frontman Slams Headliner Rob Zombie: 'We Are Nothing To Him'". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-04-06. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
29. "Interview with Lacuna Coil's Andrea Ferro". HeavyMetalSource.com. 2006-05-08. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
30. "Machine Head Added To Metallica's Wembley Bill". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
31. Chris (2007-06-21). "Bullet update". bulletformyvalentine1.com. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
32. Graff, Gary (2007-04-12). "Bullet for My Valentine in the thick of new album". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on 2007-04-25. Retrieved 2007-11-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
33. "Bullet for My Valentine: New Album Details Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-11-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
34. "Bullet for My Valentine frontman says new album is 'More commercial than the last one, we're all gonna cut our hair and wear more makeup'". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-10-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
35. "Bullet for My Valentine Cancels Seattle, Canada Dates - Apr. 14, 2008". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-04-14. Retrieved 2008-04-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
36. Pollstar (2008). ""Pollstar -- Lacuna Coil Concert Dates"". Retrieved 2008-08-30. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)
37. "Bullet for My Valentine Interview - Ultimate Guitar". Ultimate-Guitar. 2005-10-20. Retrieved 2007-11-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
38. "Bullet for My Valentine - Confident aiming at being the next classic metal band". metalrage.com. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
39. http://www.nme.com/news/bullet-for-my-valentine/25171
40. http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2008/02/qa_with_matt_tuck_of_bullet_fo.php
41. Cite error: The named reference as used live on Scream, Aim, Fire 2008 tours was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
42. Cite error: The named reference used in Bullet For My Valentine EP, The Poison (Album), Waking the Demon, and Hearts Burst Into Fire was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
43. Cite error: The named reference used in Scream, Aim, Fire Album was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

• Bullet for My Valentine
• Metalcore musical groups
• Musical groups established in 2003
• Musical quartets
• Welsh musical groups