Finger Eleven

Finger Eleven is a Canadian rock band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 1990. Gaining mainstream prominence in 2000 with The Greyest of Blue Skies, they have released eight studio albums (seven as Finger Eleven and one as Rainbow Butt Monkeys).

Their 2003 self-titled album achieved Gold status in the United States and Platinum in Canada, largely from the success of the single "One Thing", which marked the band's first placing on the US Hot 100 Chart, at no. 16. Their 2007 album, Them vs. You vs. Me, launched the single "Paralyzer", which topped the Canadian Hot 100 and both US rock charts and reached no. 6 on the US Hot 100 and no. 12 on the Australian Singles Chart. They won the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year in 2008.<ref>[1]Template:Dead link</ref> They released their sixth studio album, Life Turns Electric, on October 5, 2010. It was nominated as Best Rock Album of the Year at the 2011 Juno Awards. Five Crooked Lines, their seventh studio album, was released in 2015. Between 1995 and 2016, Finger Eleven was among the top 75 best-selling Canadian artists in Canada and among the top 25 best-selling Canadian bands in Canada.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, the band released a compilation album titled Greatest Hits.

History

Letters from Chutney (1990–1996)

Finger Eleven formed at Lester B. Pearson High School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in Burlington, Ontario, as Stone Soul Picnic, then changed their name to Rainbow Butt Monkeys. One of their first shows was at a school Christmas concert in 1990, and they won the 97.7 CHTZ (Hits) HTZ FM's Rock Search competition in 1994. At the time, the lineup consisted of lead vocalist Scott Anderson, guitarists James Black and Rick Jackett, bassist Sean Anderson, and drummer Rob Gommerman.

They signed to Mercury Records, and after releasing four EPs, they issued the album Letters from Chutney (1995), which received generally favourable reviews.<ref>"B&E: Finger Eleven, Funeral For A Friend.". Billboard, April 8, 2004</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1996, the management company Coalition Entertainment took them on.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tip (1997–1999)

In 1997, the band changed its name to Finger Eleven, which came from a demo of their song "Thin Spirits".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Their first album under the new name was Tip, produced by Arnold Lanni (Our Lady Peace).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Mercury dropped the band after the album's release, and they signed to Wind-up Records instead, which re-released the record in 1998.<ref>Template:Usurped. Chart Attack, May 18, 1999, by James Hayashi-Tennant</ref> During this period, the band toured heavily, as part of Edgefest, the Vans Warped Tour and, several times, opening for Creed<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Fuel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1999, the track "Quicksand" was used in the TV series Roswell (uncredited).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Following the release of Tip, drummer Rob Gommerman left the band. He was replaced by Rich Beddoe,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> whom James Black had met at an Alice in Chains concert in Toronto several years earlier.Template:Citation needed

The Greyest of Blue Skies (2000–2002)

In 2000, Finger Eleven released The Greyest of Blue Skies,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> again produced by Lanni.<ref>"Finger Eleven The Greyest of Blue Skies". AllMusic, Review by David Reamer</ref> The album was commercially successful in Canada and received Gold certification.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This was another period of heavy touring, with the band playing X-Fest, Edgefest, K-Rockathon, and the four-city Canadian festival Summersault 2000. Finger Eleven also began appearing on its own and headlining concerts with other bands.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

A song from this album, "Suffocate", was used in the 2000 film Scream 3. In 2001, the song "Drag You Down" was used in the animated sitcom Daria.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2002, Finger Eleven covered and remixed the entrance theme for wrestler Kane, a song they called "Slow Chemical", which was recorded and mixed at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario. Kane used the song from 2002 to 2008.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> It was also used in WrestleMania 20 (2004), WrestleMania 22 (2006), WWE Backlash (2006), WrestleMania 23 (2007), and in the video game WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as well as on the soundtrack for 2004's film The Punisher.

Finger Eleven (2003–2006)

The band's 2003 self-titled album, Finger Eleven, was produced by Johnny K.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This album, characterized by screamed vocals over repetitive rock guitar rhythms,<ref>"Finger Eleven - Good Times (Wind-Up)", Manchester Evening News, BySimon Donohue, August 12, 2004</ref> included the hit single "One Thing",<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> which earned them their first US Gold and Canadian Platinum albums. "One Thing" reached No.16 on Billboard's U.S charts,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>"Finger Eleven Returns with Hit Song 'Paralyzer'". VOA News, November 1, 2009</ref> and appeared in the TV shows Scrubs,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Smallville,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Third Watch (uncredited).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was also used on World Wrestling Entertainment's 2007 edition of Raw, during a tribute video for Chris Benoit, who had killed himself and his family on June 25.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> In 2004, Finger Eleven won the MuchMusic Video Award for Best Video for "One Thing" and performed the song on Live with Regis and Kelly<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

In 2003, the Finger Eleven song "Good Times" was used in the soundtrack for the snowboard racing game SSX 3.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Good Times" and "Conversations" were used in the Nintendo video game 1080° Avalanche.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2004, the song "Stay in Shadow" was used in the video game Burnout 3: Takedown.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:CbignoreTemplate:Dead Youtube links</ref> In 2005, "Thousand Mile Wish" was used in the soundtrack of the superhero film Elektra.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The band followed this success with a tour of North America,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Europe, and Australia, from 2003 to 2005. They played numerous festivals and opened for Evanescence, Nickelback, and The Tragically Hip.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Them vs. You vs. Me (2007–2009)

Finger Eleven's fifth studio album, Them vs. You vs. Me, was released on March 6, 2007, with Johnny K returning as producer. The music on the album was more mellow than previous works.<ref>"Screaming gives way to ranting for Finger Eleven". Georgia Straight, by Gregory Adams on May 9, 2007</ref> The lead single, "Paralyzer", became the band's biggest hit. It spent fifty weeks on the charts and reached No. 6 on the U.S. Hot 100 in November 2007,<ref>"Finger Eleven not Paralyzed by success". Hamilton Spectator, December 18, 2007</ref> as well as attaining the No. 1 spot in Canada and on U.S. rock charts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album also featured the singles "Falling On", "I'll Keep Your Memory Vague", and "Talking to the Walls".

"Paralyzer" was included in the soundtrack of the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in a 2008 episode of the TV series Gossip Girl<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and, in 2009, in the soundtrack of the video game Band Hero.

In December 2007, the DVD Us-vs-Then-vs-Now was released, with footage spanning the band's career up to that point.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Them vs. You vs. Me was certified Gold in the U.S. in March 2008, peaking at No. 14 on the Hot 100.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album also won Rock Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2008. At the ceremony, the band performed live on national television with the Calgary Youth Orchestra.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

During this period, Finger Eleven continued to tour heavily, playing various festivals and numerous concerts with Seether, 3 Doors Down, and Kid Rock.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They also performed at the 2007 NHL Awards Show in Toronto<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and, in 2009, played a show for Canadian and US troops in Kandahar, Afghanistan<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Life Turns Electric (2010–2012)

Finger Eleven's sixth album, Life Turns Electric,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was released in October 2010. The first single from the record, "Living in a Dream", was released on iTunes in July of that year. It incorporated elements of funk rock and dance rock. A music video for the second single, "Whatever Doesn't Kill Me", was released in January 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The video was directed by Alon Isocianu. The remaining singles, "Stone Soul" and "Pieces Fit", were released without music videos. The album received mixed reviews.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It peaked at No 88 on the Billboard Charts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Finger Eleven toured in support of the record throughout 2011 and 2012, playing numerous festivals and concerts with Seether, Papa Roach, and Three Days Grace.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>"CONCERT REVIEW: Finger Eleven". Regina Leader-Post, Jeff DeDekker, August 2, 2012</ref>

Five Crooked Lines (2013–2016)

At the end of 2013, drummer Rich Beddoe left the band and was replaced by Steve Molella<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> the following year. In the interim, Finger Eleven recorded their next album with session drummer Chris Powell.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also in 2013, Wind-Up Records' catalogue was sold to the Bicycle Music Company<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which, in 2015, merged with Concord Music Group, so that Finger Eleven's new label became Concord Bicycle Music.

The band toured during the summer of 2015 with Three Days Grace.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2015, former Three Days Grace frontman Adam Gontier joined Beddoe, Staind guitarist Mike Mushok, and bassist Corey Lowery to form the supergroup Saint Asonia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Finger Eleven issued their seventh album, Five Crooked Lines, on July 31, 2015, and released the lead single "Wolves and Doors"<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> to Canadian radio. The album received favourable reviews, charted for one week, and reached No 44 on the charts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They set out on their cross-Canada Fall of the Hammer Tour<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in support of the release. In some markets, the band participated with media partners in an opening-act contest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Twentieth anniversary of Tip and Rainbow Butt Monkeys reunion (2017–2018)

Finger Eleven scheduled three shows in southern Ontario to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Canadian release of Tip, on March 23 in Burlington, March 24 in St. Catharines, and March 31 in Toronto. All three shows had a similar format: there was an exclusively acoustic set, with Q&A before the show. For the main event, the band played Tip in its entirety, followed by an encore of Best of the Rest, a selection of band favourites from their other albums.Template:Citation needed

On June 9, 2018, Finger Eleven performed as Rainbow Butt Monkeys for the first time since 1997, playing at Burlington's Sound of Music Festival and showcasing songs from their debut album, Letters from Chutney.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They have since played festivals and concerts throughout North America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Greatest Hits, Last Night on Earth (2023–present)

On May 10, 2023, the band released a music video for the song "Together Right", their first new material in over seven years, from their then-upcoming compilation album.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Greatest Hits was issued on June 16 of the same year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In July 2024, Finger Eleven announced that their eighth studio album would be out in 2025, and in August, they released the first single, "Adrenaline".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2025, the band revealed that the new album would be called Last Night on Earth.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The album's second single, "Blue Sky Mystery", which features vocals by Filter's Richard Patrick, was released on August 1, 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On September 18, the band issued the album's title track as its third single, coinciding with the start of their North American fall tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the day of the album's release, "The Mountain" was issued as the fourth single.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Band members

Current<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Scott Anderson – lead vocals (1990–present)
• James Black – lead guitar, backing vocals (1990–present)
• Rick Jackett – rhythm guitar (1990–present)
• Sean Anderson – bass (1990–present)
• Steve Molella – drums (2014–present)

Former

• Rob Gommerman – drums (1990–1998)
• Rich Beddoe – drums (1998–2013)

Session

• Chris Powell – drums (2014)

Timeline

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Colors=

id:vocals    value:red         legend:Lead_vocals
id:lguitar   value:teal        legend:Lead_guitar,_backing_vocals
id:rguitar   value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass      value:blue        legend:Bass
id:drums     value:orange      legend:Drums
id:studio    value:black       legend:Studio_album
id:bars      value:gray(0.95)

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color:studio
layer:back
at:04/19/1995
at:08/26/1997
at:07/25/2000
at:06/17/2003
at:03/06/2007
at:10/05/2010
at:07/31/2015
at:11/07/2025

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bar:Scott   text:"Scott Anderson"
bar:James   text:"James Black"
bar:Rick    text:"Rick Jackett"
bar:Sean    text:"Sean Anderson"
bar:Rob     text:"Rob Gommerman"
bar:Rich    text:"Rich Beddoe"
bar:Steve   text:"Steve Molella"

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bar:Scott   from:start        till:end           color:vocals
bar:James   from:start        till:end           color:lguitar
bar:Rick    from:start        till:end           color:rguitar
bar:Sean    from:start        till:end           color:bass
bar:Rob     from:start        till:01/01/1998    color:drums
bar:Rich    from:01/01/1998   till:11/01/2013    color:drums
bar:Steve   from:08/01/2014   till:end           color:drums

</timeline>

Discography

Template:Main Studio albums

• Letters from Chutney (1995) (as Rainbow Butt Monkeys)
• Tip (1997)
• The Greyest of Blue Skies (2000)
• Finger Eleven (2003)
• Them vs. You vs. Me (2007)
• Life Turns Electric (2010)
• Five Crooked Lines (2015)
• Last Night on Earth (2025)

Awards and nominations

Year	Nominated	Award	Category	result
1996	Finger Eleven	Juno Awards	Breakout Group of the Year	Template:Nom
2001	The Greyest of Blue Skies	Juno Awards	Rock Album of the Year<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Nom
2001	"Drag You Down"	Juno Awards	Rock Song of the Year	Template:Nom
2004	Finger Eleven	Juno Awards	Group of the Year	Template:Nom
2004	Finger Eleven	Muchmusic Awards	Favorite Canadian Group	Template:Nom
2004	"One Thing"	Muchmusic Awards	MuchLOUD Best Rock Video	Template:Nom
2004	"One Thing"	Muchmusic Awards	Best Video	Template:Won
2004	"Good Times"	Muchmusic Awards	MuchLOUD Best Rock Video	Template:Nom
2005	"One Thing"	Juno Awards	Single of the Year	Template:Nom
2006	Finger Eleven	SOCAN Awards	International Achievement Award	Template:Won
2007	"Paralyzer"	Muchmusic Awards	MuchLOUD Best Rock Video	Template:Nom
2007	"Paralyzer"	Muchmusic Awards	Best Video	Template:Nom
2007	"One Thing"	BDS Spin Awards	500,000 Spins	Template:Won
2008	Finger Eleven	Juno Awards	Group of the Year	Template:Nom
2008	"Paralyzer"	Juno Awards	Single of the Year	Template:Nom
2008	"Falling On"	Muchmusic Awards	UR Fave Group	Template:Nom
2008	Them vs. You vs. Me	Juno Awards	Rock Album of the Year	Template:Won
2009	Finger Eleven	Canadian Radio Music Awards	Fans' Choice	Template:Nom
2011	Life Turns Electric	Juno Awards	Rock Album of the Year	Template:Nom
2011	"Paralyzer"	BDS Spin Awards	800,000 Spins	Template:Won

See also

• Canadian rock
• Music of Canada

External links

• Template:Official
• Template:IMDb name