Artist:Oleander
Song:Why I'm Here
Album:February Son
The post grunge band Oleander probably came around a little late to have the success of bands from the early 90s. They got a major label deal and had modest success with the 1999 album February Son and then were dropped by the label. That was the end though a version of the band is still around. Oleander is from Sacramento. The band name is a flowering shrub that lines Northern California highways. They were formed in 1989 by lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Thomas Flowers and bassist Doug Eldridge. They worked together at a Sacramento restaurant. They knew each other from other bands. They started working with guitarist Ric Ivanisevich and with fellow restaurant employee Fred Nelson Jr. They started playing gigs in 1995 and released a 1996 EP followed by the 1997 album Shrinking the Blob on their own label. They gave the CD to a friend who worked at Sacramento radio station 98-Rock KRXQ. Down When I'm Loaded became a local hit. It got Oleander a chance to open for Sugar Ray. They were approached by Republic/Universal and signed a record deal. The album was rereleased and Oleander went on tour. They recorded the 1999 album February Son with recording engineer Stephen Haigler credited as producer. Flowers wrote all the songs. Nelson was replaced by Scott Devours after the album was finished. The single Why I'm Here reached #3 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and the song appeared on the TV series Dawson's Creek. The album was certified Gold. They also appeared on Woodstock '99. When the 2001 album Unwind didn't do as well as the first album, Oleander left Universal and released the 2003 album Joyride on the British label Sanctuary. Then they split up and Flowers started the band Black Summer Crush. Flowers reformed Oleander in 2008 and released a 2013 album. Though they still have a website, Twitter and Facebook, they don't seem to be active right now. Oleander is recommended to post grunge fans and February Son is available as a budget CD. But as I said, Oleander came about five years too late to be really successful. Here's the video for Why I'm Here by Oleander.
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