Third Eye Blind Overview:

Third Eye Blind were one of the most popular rock bands of the late ‘90s to emerge in the wake of the grunge backlash. Marrying vaguely modern-rock tendencies to melodic hooks, Third Eye Blind banged out a series of successful singles that were hits on the rock and pop charts. The band (known to their fans as 3EB) faded from view near the turn of the century, but they regrouped in 2008 to attempt a comeback.

Third Eye Blind's Origins:

Third Eye Blind began as a quartet in the mid-‘90s in San Francisco, California. Fronted by singer Stephan Jenkins, the group also included drummer Brad Hargreaves, bassist Arion Salazar and guitarist Kevin Cadogan. After recording a 14-song demo, Third Eye Blind managed to land a spot opening for Oasis at a local show in 1996. Label bidding wars soon ensued, with Third Eye Blind eventually going with Elektra.

A Smash Debut:

Third Eye Blind’s 1997 debut, simply entitled Third Eye Blind, remains the band’s biggest seller, being certified quadruple-platinum within four years of its release. Stoked by the breakaway success of the single “Semi-Charmed Life,” the album immediately established the band as hitmakers capable of writing empathetic, sing-along songs about far-from-perfect relationships. “Graduate” and “How’s It Going to Be” soon followed, targeting, respectively, the modern-rock and pop audiences. Critics may have dismissed Third Eye Blind as well-polished mainstream rock, but audiences fell in love with it.

Feeling 'Blue':

Third Eye Blind returned two years later with Blue. Though the album went platinum, Blue did not have quite as many radio-friendly hits as Third Eye Blind possessed, although “Never Let You Go” was a sizable smash. Smart and efficient, Blue couldn’t help but feel like a sequel to their debut – and like many sequels, it had its built-in charms but lacked some of the magic of the first go-round.

A Long Delay:

It wouldn’t be until 2003 when Third Eye Blind released another record. By that point, Kevin Cadogan had left the group. In his place, Tony Fredianelli became the new lead guitarist. The resulting album, Out of the Vein, suffered in two regards. The first was that it wasn’t quite as skilled as the band’s two previous records. The second was that because of shifting musical tastes, the group’s pop-leaning rock sound just wasn’t as fashionable as it had been in the late ‘90s. It appeared that the once-popular band’s moment in the sun had long passed.

The 'Ursa Major' Comeback:

After years of diminished activity – and the departure of bassist Arion Salazar – Third Eye Blind released an EP in 2008 called Red Star, which included the single “Non Dairy Creamer.” Then on August 18, 2009, the band put out Ursa Major, the group’s first new studio full-length in six years. A follow-up, Ursa Minor, is already being discussed.

Third Eye Blind Lineup:

Tony Fredianelli – guitar
Brad Hargreaves – drums
Stephan Jenkins – vocals, guitar

Essential Third Eye Blind Songs:

“Semi-Charmed Life” (Purchase/Download)
“Graduate” (Purchase/Download)
“How’s It Going to Be” (Purchase/Download)
“Never Let You Go” (Purchase/Download)

Third Eye Blind Discography:

Third Eye Blind (1997)
Blue (1999)
Out of the Vein (2003)
A Collection (greatest-hits album) (2006)
Red Star (EP) (2008)
Ursa Major (2009)
Ursa Minor (unknown)

Third Eye Blind Quotes:

Stephan Jenkins, on the impact of writing personal songs.
“I would sit on the bed with my guitar, write these really personal songs, and then take them around the world. It can be seductive and overwhelming, and that really caught up with me on [Blue]. I was overwhelmed by everything, and it was hard for me to smile.” (Interview, June 2003)

Stephan Jenkins, on his ambitions.
“I’m trying to make classic albums. I’m trying to make great albums. Not that I’ve achieved it, but I try.” (The Review, April 10, 2006)

Stephen Jenkins, presumably in jest, describing Third Eye Blind’s sound.
“Edie Brickell meets Suicidal Tendencies.” (San Francisco Chronicle, April 13, 1996)

Third Eye Blind Trivia:

• Stephan Jenkins dated actress Charlize Theron for three years.
• Stephan Jenkins was valedictorian of his graduating class at the University of California, Berkeley.
• During the band’s first shows, they would lift a piñata over the crowd and then break it open so that fans could have the candy inside.