Minneapolis, MN’s modern rock band Strange Daze released its first national album, Shine Through, on November 11, 2013, via Rock Ridge Music LLC/ Warner. Shine Through is an anthemic collection of modern rock forged in fiery emotional urgency.
The band’s fateful career moment came when engineer/producer Brian Johnson—who helmed the sessions for the band’s first two albums—passed along a CD to .38 Special keyboardist Bobby Capps. Impressed, Capps shared it with 3 Doors Down guitarist Chris Henderson, his partner in Nashville, TN-based Rivergate Studios. Capps immediately signed on to produce Strange Daze with Henderson’s and Johnson’s help.
Says Henderson of Strange Daze: “They’re a refreshing band! Love the vibe and the songwriting. Scott's vocals are very powerful.” Capps concurs, adding, “Strange Daze was a pleasant surprise in the studio! It's been a while since I've come across a band that has such a tight grip on straightforward rock music. Lyrically and musically, they do not try to over complicate the listener. They are a truly talented band and prove it live every time they hit the stage.”
The album has a crisp and punchy production aesthetic, highlighting the group’s expansive dynamic range. “The biggest thing I loved about the producers is that they gave their opinion, but they never forced their hand on who we are. They just made our music come alive,” Strange Daze guitarist/vocalist Eric Moudry says. Kirk Kelsey, best known for co-producing/engineering landmark albums for Creed and 3 Doors Down, stokes the album’s burning potency with his richly dimensional mix engineering.
Strange Daze has gigged extensively throughout Minnesota and the Midwest, averaging 100-plus shows a year and selling out of its first two CDs, exceeding 10,000 in sales with no label involvement or formal distribution outlet. The quartet reached #9 on CMJ's Top 200, beating out superstar artists like No Doubt and OutKast. Additionally, Strange Daze has charted on 30-plus stations. The band has been played on more than 250 stations nationwide and several stations across Europe. Strange Daze has shared the stage or toured with such acts as Aerosmith, 3 Doors Down, The Winery Dogs, Cheap Trick, King’s X, Live, Pop Evil, Hinder, Fuel, Black Stone Cherry, Saliva, Trapt, The Pretty Reckless, Eve To Adam, Tantric, Saving Abel, Days Of The New, Lita Ford, Tesla, Warrant, L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat, .38 Special, Jackyl, Enuff z Nuff, Hairball and more.
In addition to Moudry, who also serves as the band’s primary songwriter, Strange Daze includes Scott Knudson (vocals/co-lyricist), Derrick "Pixx" Russell (bass/vocals), and Spencer Knefelkamp (drums).
