Halestorm

A

merican rock band Halestorm hails from Red Lion, Pennsylvania, and was founded by siblings lead vocalist and guitarist Elizabeth "Lzzy" Hale and drummer Arejay Hale in 1997. Along with Joe Hottinger (guitar/backing vocals) and Josh Smith (bass/keyboards/backing vocals) who joined for the debut recording and have been the consistent membership. The personnel has also featured Leo Nessinger (lead guitar (1999-2000)), Nate Myotte (lead guitar (2001-2003)), Matt Grisco (lead guitar (2003)), Roger Hale (bass (1998-2002)), Scootch Frenchek (bass (2002)), Phil Connolly (bass (2003)) and Dave Hartley (bass (2003-2004)).

In its earliest days, Halestorm was referred to as a Christian rock band, and the theme of their tours focused on encouraging teens to avoid drugs, sex, and violence. The teen siblings were joined on stage with their father, Roger Hale, playing bass, and their shows included Arejay playing a rotating drum kit that would flip upside down. In this formation, they released two EPs titled Forecast for the Future (1997) and (Don't Mess With The) Time Man (1999).

The group's self-titled debut album was released in 2009 through 'Atlantic Records' with the expanded line-up of Joe Hottinger (guitar/backing vocals) and Josh Smith (bass guitar/backing vocals). Their second album, The Strange Case Of... (2012), followed. On October 29, 2012, they were announced as the support for Bullet for My Valentine on their UK tour in March 2013. Also in 2013, the album's lead single Love Bites (So Do I) won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance on February 10, 2013.

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