The acoustic rock band Vertical Horizon was formed in 1990 by Georgetown University undergrads Matthew Scannell and Keith Kane; after graduation in 1991 the duo relocated to Boston and, in 1992, self-released their debut album There and Back Again. There and Back Again was recorded in Matt’s old high school over a period of a few days, and Matt and Keith together played all the instruments appearing on the album, though they both mostly played acoustic guitar. Both also contributed to writing all the songs, and both sang.

Matt and Keith toured for several years after this, mostly appearing with similar bands such as Jackopierce. By 1995, they were ready to record again. The resulting album, Running on Ice, again had Matt and Keith playing acoustic guitar and singing, but with the addition of other guest musicians to play other instruments. Guests included members of Jackopierce, as well as Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band on drums.

More touring followed, and soon Matt and Keith were joined by Ed Toth on drums. In 1997, a live album, Live Stages, was released. This featured Matt, Keith, and Ed, as well as Ryan Fisher on bass. Live Stages signaled a departure from the original acoustic guitar-based music, and featured heavy emphasis on electric guitar. Also, by this time, the band was explicit in their intent to find a major record label; band members have said that it was no accident that the first track of Live Stages opens with the sounds of a large cheering audience. Their wishes came true, and the band was signed to RCA Records.

Ryan had never intended to join the band permanently, so the three other members held auditions for a permanent bass player. Their first audition was Sean Hurley, and everyone liked him immediately. There were many more auditions, but they eventually came back to Sean, and he officially joined Vertical Horizon.

The band’s major label debut, “Everything You Want”, was released in 1999. The title track, released as the second single from the album, skyrocketed up the charts and ended up as one of the most played tracks on radio in 2000. One of the stand out tracks “Your A God” got on several compilation CD’s and featured in the Box Office smash Bruce Almighty

The follow up to “Everything You Want”, titled “Go”, was delayed several times until finally being released in 2003. “I’m Still Here”, the first single from Go, was released with little fanfare and faded quickly. VH ended their relationship with RCA in 2004 and re-signed with Hybrid Recordings. “Go” was re-released with an additional track in 2005. A second single, “Forever”, was released prior to the re-release and received moderate airplay but did not match the earlier success of Everything You Want.

In 2005, drummer Ed Toth got what he considered the dream gig of a lifetime when he was invited to join the Doobie Brothers following the death of drummer Keith Knudsen. While Toth had hoped to juggle both bands, he quickly realized it would not be possible and announced his departure from Vertical Horizon in July 2005. As of June 2007 a permanent replacement for Toth had not been named; since then Craig McIntyre, a close personal friend of the band, and Blair Sinta, have temporarily occupied the drummer’s stool.

Matt Scannell announced that the band is working on a new album in June 2006. Neil Peart, from Rush, will play three tracks on the new album. At least one of the songs is a collaboration between Peart and Scannell. Peart has also written extensively about his work with Scannell and it is clear that the two have become good friends.

Offical web site: http://www.verticalhorizon.com