Artist description Stride's lyrics are full of human emotion and lifes dealings combined into slow harmonious songs as well as upbeat alternative pop.

Music Style Alternative/Pop/Rock

Artist History Stride was started by Shane Hebert [drums], Mike Cockerham [bass], and Chad WhiteStevens [lead vocals] in 1998. Shane, born in Lafayette, LA March 6th, 1980. Moved to Dallas in 1985. At five years old, Shane had his first drum kit that consisted of a slinky and a crayon box. Years passed and at thirteen years old, Shane had discovered his fathers 1970 Epiphone guitar and quickly taught himself how to play by ear, started writing and fell in true love. Soon after, he started singing as well. It all came naturally. He never had any kind of musicial lesson, still to this day. Shane at thirteen years old, met bassist Mike Cockerhan, who also played guitar. Shane and Mike jammed together for a long time creating an ESP. Mike played guitar and Shane was on the drums. The sound created was distinctively original with influences from Neal Peart (Rush) to John "Sib" Hashian (Boston). Shane, playing drums since he was five, started SubReality at age seventeen with Mike and his friend Davin who also played guitar. Davin had more of a heavier influence. Shane played drums with SubReality starting February 14, 1998, but soon after, singer Jeremy Mart had left. Shane, trapped in his apartment, began writing and singing again. He says "After Jeremy left SubReality, I really thought it was a sign, that I needed to get something going for my music. Mike agreed, so I isolated myself most of the time and really focused on my songs and writing more. With the exception of Mike's bass lines and of course the songs in which Chad has written lyrics, when writing these songs, being trapped in my apartment alone and in silence plays a big part in being able to concentrate and really get back into the vibe of that moment in my life that I happen to be writing about at the time." Davin, knowing Chad for years, brought him over and everyone loved Shane's songs and the idea of mellowing out, thus Stride was formed. Soon after, Davin was let go because of his heavier influence. Shane, although the drummer for Stride, playing guitar, singing and his songs helped Stride create a full, versatile sound and still does. When playing guitar and singing you can hear influences from Rob Thomas, Adam Duritz, and Emerson Hart. Shane puts his heart and soul into the music itself, he says "Music moves me like nothing else can. Every moment of composing or performing I experience an overwhelming sense of bliss. I feel that I am wholly myself when composing or performing and when I am happy with my music, I am happy with my life. Music is the only true love I have ever known." Mike was born in Plano and moved to Allen in 1984. Mike's father booked bands at the local American Legion hall, so Mike was greatly influenced and encouraged by the musicians that he came into contact with. As the years passed, Mike fooled around at home with rubber bands, cardboard boxes copper pipe, etc. making homemade musical instruments. In 1992 a close friend gave him an old Harmony electric guitar and he proceeded to teach himself to play, and eventually switched to bass. He never went back, and the only bassist I know that plays a right handed Bass with the left. I mean completely upside down, strings and all! Mike met Shane in grade school, and met Davin a couple of years later. They formed a band called SubReality where he acquired the nickname "Great White Mike". After a while, Davin introduced Chad, a long time friend of his, and we decided to tone it down and start another band: Stride. Mike's influences, in his own words are, "Every musical sound I've ever heard in my life, ranging from the Dave Bruebeck Quartet to Meshuggah." I asked Mike why he does what he does. He says, "I believe music comes from the soul, so when you hear this music, you hear an unspoken part of me … there's nothing like it. I wouldn't have it any other way". Chad started off early in life as a young singer in a very renowned choir in Adelaide Australia where he grew up. Constant operas kept Chad in the spotlight through his childhood as a very active member in the Australian Actors Equity. In major operas ranging from "Sound Of Music" to "LaBoheme", Chad's strong musical interest and devotion won him the Music Scholarship at the private school "Pulteney Grammar" as early as 7th grade. Where he attended until 10th grade before moving to America. Upon Chad's arrival he immediately got involved in his school's (Allen High) show choir and accappella choir taking them by surprise with his will to sing out and his hefty part carrying abilities. During this time is when Chad started to develop an interest towards singing with a slightly coarser tone and taking the role of a front man for several different area bands. Finally in his senior year at high school Chad got the chance to show off his increasingly growing musical abilities. At an end of year show where he opened with a beautiful show choir number, and ended in a hot sweaty mess with his four other band members producing one hell of a show and being offered a couple of future gigs. However the soon break up of the band rendered Chad on his own again off to find his dream, life and love in music. Chad then got a little involved in the Jazz choir at CCCC (Dallas) but was cut short by his enlistment in the military. The legend in Chad's mind still lived on with his nickname "radio man" founded by his buddies for they never needed a radio if Chad was around, they would just name the tune. Chad charmed ladies on the beaches in many different ports before he then returned home to find a real job and establish his way of life. It was at this point that he ran into his long time friend and ex-band member Davin Box. Davin invited Chad to join him at his band practice of SubReality where their vocalist was indisposed at that time. It was this night that music of a different sound bellowed out from this Heavy band matching Chad's Harmonic sound. Thus creating an all new band "on the other side" of SubReality which they now call Stride. Chad has many role models such as Steven Tyler, Edward Kowalczyk, Rob Thomas and even band mate Shane Hebert, but yet continues to host his own sound and styles that the world has yet to hear. "I admire these guys for their absolute talent and accomplishments and take a many notes watching them, however I must continue in discovering my own, all original character," say's Chad with serious determination. "I'll be there with them one day". When he writes, Chad's lyrics tell of real life issues such as love, loss, life and how to live it. "Tune into Stride and learn about the things in life that we've noticed and experienced. Stride is what you have to do to get by in this world of confusion."

Group Members CHAD WHITESTEVENS: Lead vocals, Lyrics, Clarinet /Sax SHANE HEBERT: Drums/Percussion, Lyrics, Piano/Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals MIKE COCKERHAM: Bass Guitar

Press Reviews "Stride has dispelled my belief of "alternative" music. Most acts I have encountered labeled as alternative have created a noisy track, sloppily recorded, and expect their lack of musicianship to be considered genius. With a new found hope for the 'alternative' genre, I can honestly recommend Stride." -- Thomas James, Gods of Music

Additional Info Concept and WebDesign by Shane Hebert

Location Dallas, TX - USA

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