job for a cowboy

History

Formation and Doom (2003–2006)

Job for a Cowboy was formed in Glendale, Arizona in December 2003.[3] The group was founded by vocalist Jonny Davy, guitarists Ravi Bhadriraju and Andrew Arcurio, bassist Chad Staples, and drummer Andy Rysdam.[4] In 2004, they created a MySpace profile, posted songs online, and began to connect with several worldwide fans.[5] Later that year, Staples and Rysdam left Job for a Cowboy and were replaced by Brent Riggs and Elliott Sellers respectively as bassist and drummer.[4] Traffic to the band's MySpace profile increased exponentially in late 2005, when the band released its first EP, entitled Doom.[5] The EP attracted the attention of Arizona independent label King of the Monsters, who distributed the disc after an initial self-released pressing by the band.[4]

Job for a Cowboy extensively promoted their debut EP, including three performances on the Sounds of the Underground tour.[5] By the end of year, the band obtained professional management and signed a deal with Metal Blade Records,[5] who reissued Doom with a bonus track.[4] Also in 2006, Arcurio left Job for a Cowboy, and new guitarist Bobby Thompson joined the group.[4] While Job for a Cowboy was writing material for their first full-length album, Sellers announced that he would be leaving the band to go back to school immediately after recording the album.[5] In search of a permanent drummer, the band then posted a bulletin on Blabbermouth.net,[6] which was seen by Jon "The Charn" Rice. He made a video of himself, posted it on YouTube, and sent the link to the band.[5] Soon after, Rice was announced as the new drummer.[7]

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Genesis (2007–present)

In March 2007, Job for a Cowboy completed their full-length debut album, Genesis.[8] The album was recorded at Blue Light Audio Media in Phoenix, Arizona with producer Cory Spotts, and mixing of Sabbat guitarist Andy Sneap; released on May 15, the album peaked at #54 on the Billboard 200, and sold nearly 13,000 copies in its first week, the highest-charting metal debut since 1999's self-titled album by Slipknot. The album received generally positive reviews, with UK's Kerrang! saying, "an album that quite literally obliterates everyone else currently residing within the death and grind [metal] scenes" and "one of the year's most essential metal purchases".[9]

In June 2007, the band performed at the Download Festival in Donington Park, England.[10] The group also played at the Sounds of the Underground festival along with Amon Amarth, Chimaira, GWAR, and Shadows Fall.[10] In October, Job for a Cowboy co-headlined the 2007 Radio Rebellion Tour, teaming up with Behemoth, Gojira and Beneath the Massacre.[11] The band featured on the 2008's Gigantour with headliners Megadeth, Children of Bodom, In Flames and High on Fire.[12] In addition, they have been confirmed for a number of festivals during 2008, including Wacken Open Air in Germany[13] and a second appearance at England's Download Festival.[14] Job for a Cowboy have embarked on a U.S. headlining tour in November and December 2008 with supporting acts Hate Eternal and All Shall Perish.[15] In late-2008 guitarist Ravi Bhadriraju left Job for a Cowboy to return to school.[16] He was replaced with ex-Despised Icon guitarist Al Glassman.[17]

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Members
Current
Jonny Davy – lead vocals (2003–present)
Bobby Thompson – guitars (2006–present)
Al Glassman – guitars (2008–present)
Brent Riggs – bass, backing vocals (2004–present)
Jon "The Charn" Rice – drums, percussion (2007–present)
Former
Chad Staples – bass (2003–2004)
Andy Rysdam – drums, percussion (2003–2004)
Andrew Arcurio – guitars (2003–2006)
Elliott Sellers – drums, percussion (2004–2006)
Ravi Bhadriraju – guitars (2003–2008)

[edit]
Discography
Studio albums
2007: Genesis
EPs
2004: Job for a Cowboy
2005: Doom