Artist description Indianapolis Metal

Music Style metal, grindcore, metalcore, hardcore influenced metal, heavy metal, rapcore metal

Musical Influences Sepultura, Pantera, Living Sacrifice, Candiria, Spitfire, Meshugga, Wu-Tang Clan, Burn It Down, Earth Crisis, God Forbid, Disembodied, Crowbar, The Police, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Lamb of God, anything heavy!!!

Similar Artists For the listener to decide.

Artist History The music of PARADOX 44 is an entity in and of itself. It is a living, breathing force of emotion and aggression that refuses to go unnoticed. " When I step up on this stage, I’m living my dreams… " This line (from the song, Traitor) defines the spirit and raw energy of PARADOX 44, whose constant dedication to their music and their fans has proven them to be one of the most dominating and influential forces to grace the Midwest hardcore/metal scene in decades. PARADOX 44 is pure emotion in all its forms, combining eclectic melodies with raw, brutal rhythms that not only capture the listener's full attention, but also become a permanent part of their psyche. The band’s music investigates musical styles ranging from straight ahead brutal metal to intellectual hip-hop to the most beautiful anthematic vocal choruses of our time. PARADOX 44 was founded in 1993 as ‘PARADOX’ by guitarist John Phillips and vocalist/bassist Michael V on the foundation of writing and performing music that aims to shift paradigms--the foundation on which the band still stands today. The ‘44’ moniker, which stands for ‘Indianapolis, IN” (the ‘4’ key on a phone is ‘GHI’), was later added to differentiate themselves from other bands that were using the name PARADOX. The line-up as it stands today was completed in 1997 with the addition of drummer T-Bag and vocalist/auxiliary percussionist Eric Davis. PARADOX 44 has built a massive and loyal following from the ground up through their intense live shows (a must see!), two self-released full-length CD’s: Victim of Society (1999) and the current Triumph Through Self-Empowerment (2000), continuous radio play and press coverage, and a comprehensive website which enables them to communicate with all corners of the world. The response has been amazing. So amazing, in fact, that Bobby Burns of PRIMER 55 (Island/Def Jam) personally invited PARADOX 44 to play the band’s “Going Away To Ozzfest Show” before their departure for the Ozzfest 2000 tour, and expressed an extreme interest in collaborating with the band on future projects. PARADOX 44 has also had the opportunity to share the stage with such notable acts as The Dillinger Escape Plan (Relapse), CANDIRIA (M.I.A.), THE STEP KINGS (Roadrunner), and BURN IT DOWN (Escape Artist), as well as playing events sponsored by such notorious companies as PEVEY™ MUSIC EQUIPMENT, and having their music featured on numerous compilation CD's and videos, including the infamous "Bad Ideas," an extreme-stunt sport bike video available through Twisted Grip, Inc™. Their latest album and sophomore effort entitled Triumph Through Self-Empowerment is an explosive journey into the future of heavy music. The album continues to sell-out of music stores and its singles continually spend weeks at a time at the top of the mp3.com metal charts. The title of the disc itself is an encapsulated version of the band’s philosophy. They believe in creating their own opportunities and success. They are a band willing to work to achieve their brightest dream—the dream of performing their music for fans around the world. The future of PARADOX 44 looks to be very strong. They will continue to dedicate their lives to their music and their fans, and always contribute to—and support the rising force of heavy music worldwide.

Group Members ERIC - vocals, auxiliary percussion; John - guitar; MIKE V - vocals, bass; T-BAG - drums

Instruments 2 vocals, bass, guitar, drums, auxiliary percussion

Albums No Mercy For The Undeserving - CD EP (July 19, 2003), My Mind: The Weapon (Dec. 2, 2001), Triumph Through Self-Empowerment (July 7, 2000), Victim of Society (March 6, 1999)

Press Reviews "Best hardcore/metal band of 2001" - Nuvo Newsweekly. "...If you like hardcore, you'll love these guys.  They're everything a hardcore band should be -- rough, loud, abrasive and truthful. My choice for the anthem of the new millennium is [their song] "1 Second to War."  Why aren't these guys being played on every radio station in existence?  Because, as my man Elvis C. noted years ago, radio sucks. (On the other hand, maybe it's also because they use the word "f**k" a lot.)  Anyway, check out Paradox 44's Web site at http://come.to/paradox44." -Steve Hammer, Nuvo Newsweekly, Sept. 30 - Oct. 7, 1999. Pg. 50 ------------------------------------ "Paradox 44 is on its way up." -Blitz Magazine June/July/August 1999. Indie Releases: 'Inside "Victim of Society."' pg. 26----------------"****" -Loudnet"---------------"Paradox 44 is definately one of the best hardcore bands we have ever met. Paradox 44 is gonna be the next band to explode out of the Midwest..."-Bliss Magazine.-----------"Like many other up-and-coming musicians, the members of Paradox 44 look forward to the prospect of getting signed. But unlike other bands, where the pursuit for a record deal is of utmost importance, Paradox 44 cohorts vocalist Eric Davis, guitarist John Phillips, bassist Mike V, and drummer T-Bag feel the quest for fame and fortune is not nearly as inspirational as simply writing a good song. "Just like any other band, we'd love to have a record deal," says Davis, who also plays auxiliary percussion. "That's the ideal. (But) as far as on a daily basis, we'd (just like) to continue doing what we're doing - writing music that we love. Mike V. agrees. "I think our approach to things is different," he says. "I mean, there's a lot of bands out there that are kind of trying to latch on to the groove that one band has going, and we're not really trying to do that. We admit very openly that we are influenced by certain things, but we never, ever try to rip anything off. We never try to sound like somebody else." And in fact, Phillips even admits they "don't even try to sound like (them)selves." "We're not like, 'Well, we've got to sound like this,"' he says. "We're willing to branch out." This willingness to try new things - both musically and artistically - has given Paradox 44 a huge advantage in the songwriting department. Inspiration for new tunes comes from a variety of sources and can progress in a variety of ways. "We never really (sit down) and map out an entire song," says T-Bag. "We just map out one part, and then, at practice, (we see what riff fits with that). And eventually, (the process just) ends." In addition to the tried and true formulas of songwriting success, Phillips admits he and his cohorts have tried several unconventional methods as well. "We've written songs on the couch with no instruments," he quips. "(And) when we're in the garage with just us four, we're in there like we're up onstage. We're feeling it, we're getting into it, just like we would onstage, and that's when we know we're onto something." The ultimate culmination of the band's songwriting efforts has come in the form of two full-length CD's - "Victim of Society," released under the name Paradox in 1999, and "Triumph Through Self-Empowerment," an album hot off the press. "Triumph Through Self-Empowerment," says V., "is kind of like just channeling all (of) those everyday events and life-changing events and turning them into positives." And like many of their local counterparts, the members Paradox 44 have had to work hard to keep their heads above water in the local music scene. Still, Phillips is quick to point out that Indianapolis is really not such a bad place to be an all-original band. "I think we're alright," he says matter-of-factly. "You can be in New York, or L.A., or even Chicago, where everyone wants to hear a certain sound and everyone buys into it. One band comes out, and the next 20 bands are going to sound just like that. (But) here, we don't have those pressures, and we don't have 10 million bands to compete with. I've heard from a lot of people that New York and those places aren't all they're cracked up to be. And we've got a lot more venues here that are willing to let local bands play and give new bands a chance." But still, Phillips also admits that the local scene is not without its challenges, especially when it comes to getting other bands to work together. But, he says, teamwork is of vital importance. If one band succeeds, everyone wins. What we understand is just like what happened in Seattle," he continues. "One band (made) it, and now Seattle is a big music scene, and it never was before. Putting everybody down and trying to hold someone else back always screws ourselves. If someone makes it, no matter who it is, that's going to open the door to Indianapolis, and people are going to look." So, while dedication to the local scene as a whole is an important part of Paradox 44's approach to the music business, so to is their desire to write good music and remain true to themselves. "One thing we all have in common is we're all really dedicated," says Davis. "Everybody's in it because this is what we want to do. Everybody is really willing to collaberate. "(When we're jamming), if I look over while I'm banging my head and jumping around, and John is doing the same thing, I know (the song we're jamming on is) a keeper." Phillips agrees. "I think the biggest strength of the band is no one tells anybody what to do. We totally trust each other's (judgement)," he says. "(And) basically the title (of the new CD) sums up the whole band. Basically, that's what we're about. And ultimately, he says, the true test of Paradox 44's success will come sometime down the line, long after their last CD is recorded, and long after their last gig is played. "In the long run," he concludes, "it all comes down to, someday, when I'm an old man, (whether or not) I can listen to these (songs) and be proud of the growing process of each CD and just know that we did our 100 percent."-Blitz Magazine from Triumph Through Self-Empowerment with PARADOX 44. pg. 9-11 "PARADOX 44 is going to be the next band to explode out of the midwest." -Bliss Magazine. April, 2000. Fopr all the latest press, visit http://www.paradox44.com

Location Indianapolis, IN - USA

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