Baroness

Baroness Artistfacts

  • 2003-
    John BaizleyLead vocals, guitar
    Allen BlickleDrums2003–2013
    Summer WelchBass2003–2012
    Brian BlickleGuitar2006–2008
    Pete AdamsGuitar2008-2017
    Matt MaggioniBass2012-2013
    Nick JostBass2013-
    Sebastian ThomsonDrums2013-
    Gina GleasonGuitar2017-
  • The band names their albums after colors:

    Red Album
    Blue Record
    Yellow & Green
    Purple

    This is done for the sake of simplicity and as a way to get started on each album.
  • How does the band define their sound? John Baizley told Songfacts: "The only word that I like is rock and roll. Because at the end of it all, we're not a strict metal band. We're not a strict whatever band. We do a little bit of everything and we have a lot of influences and they all come out, and what happens is what we do."
  • In 2012, their tour bus crashed in England, leaving the group badly injured. Baizley's left arm had to be completely reconstructed, and Maggioni and Blickle suffered back injuries that caused them to leave the group. Baizley was determined to continue, seeing music as part of his therapy. After a long recovery, he was able to play guitar again, and in 2015 Baroness released their album Purple. The accident left Baizley in constant pain.
  • There is no set method to how they write songs, although Baizley handles the lyrics. "Sometimes it starts with the lyrics, but more frequently we'll get the music and I'll just have a melody in mind," he explained. "Then it's a matter of finding the right words for the melody."
  • The band will occasionally reveal some stories behind their songs, but they prefer not to interpret them. Baizley told us why: "We've heard millions of theories as to what our songs are about, and it's just, look, there's nothing left, there's very few things left in the world out there that are like near and dear and precious and mysterious. I'm like, Come on, guys, not every word has to be deciphered out. Pull back the curtain and there's a little man."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.

Billy Gould of Faith No More

Billy Gould of Faith No MoreSongwriter Interviews

Faith No More's bassist, Billy Gould, chats to us about his two new experimental projects, The Talking Book and House of Hayduk, and also shares some stories from the FNM days.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.