Virgos Merlot
Encyclopedia
Virgos Merlot was an American
hard rock
band
formed in 1998. Prior to the formation of Virgos Merlot, many of the band members were in the group The Devine, which later disbanded. After formation, their first album, Signs of a Vacant Soul
, was released in 1999.
The original lineup disbanded after the release of Signs of a Vacant Soul, with the band later reforming without guitarist Jason Marchant. During this period, they were known simply as Virgos and self-released an album, The Path of Least Resistance. Virgos disbanded in 2002.
After touring with Creed
as replacement live bassist for Brian Marshall
, Brett Hestla joined Dark New Day
in 2004. Marchant, Charlton and Ledbetter went on to form the band Red Halo. Chris Dickerson later played bass for Downstem [with Charlton on drums] and Course of Nature
.
In October 2008, it was stated by four of the original five band members, that they would reunite for a tenth year anniversary, and a show was performed on January 9, 2009 in Birmingham, Alabama
. The concert featured Marchant on lead guitar, Deacon on guitar, Dickerson on bass, Charlton on drums, and Chase Davidson from Red Halo on vocals; making Hestla the only former member not returning for the reunion. An EP
was also being recorded with three new songs. However, in November 2009, Ledbetter died from complications related to diabetes
, leaving the future of the band unknown.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
formed in 1998. Prior to the formation of Virgos Merlot, many of the band members were in the group The Devine, which later disbanded. After formation, their first album, Signs of a Vacant Soul
Signs of a Vacant Soul
Signs of a Vacant Soul is Virgos Merlot's first and only album. It was released on March 2, 1999 by Atlantic Records. The album's only single, "Gain," had moderate radio play and reached #40 on the U.S...
, was released in 1999.
The original lineup disbanded after the release of Signs of a Vacant Soul, with the band later reforming without guitarist Jason Marchant. During this period, they were known simply as Virgos and self-released an album, The Path of Least Resistance. Virgos disbanded in 2002.
After touring with Creed
Creed (band)
Creed is an American rock band formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Becoming popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums, one of which has been certified diamond, and has sold over 28 million records in the United States, with an...
as replacement live bassist for Brian Marshall
Brian Marshall
Brian Aubrey Marshall is an American musician and songwriter best known as the bassist and co-founder of the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. He also co-owns a bed and breakfast called Mango Moon in Costa Rica.-Early life:...
, Brett Hestla joined Dark New Day
Dark New Day
Dark New Day is an American hard rock supergroup formed in 2004 featuring Brett Hestla of Virgos Merlot, Troy McLawhorn of DoubleDrive, Clint Lowery of Sevendust, Corey Lowery of Stereomud and Stuck Mojo, and Will Hunt of Skrape...
in 2004. Marchant, Charlton and Ledbetter went on to form the band Red Halo. Chris Dickerson later played bass for Downstem [with Charlton on drums] and Course of Nature
Course of Nature
Course of Nature is an alternative rock band formed in Enterprise, Alabama in 2001, and now based in Los Angeles. The band was co-founded by lead singer and rhythm guitarist Mark Wilkerson, and currently includes Sean Kipe , Jackson Eppley and Shane Lenzen O'Connell .-History:Before Course Of...
.
In October 2008, it was stated by four of the original five band members, that they would reunite for a tenth year anniversary, and a show was performed on January 9, 2009 in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. The concert featured Marchant on lead guitar, Deacon on guitar, Dickerson on bass, Charlton on drums, and Chase Davidson from Red Halo on vocals; making Hestla the only former member not returning for the reunion. An EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
was also being recorded with three new songs. However, in November 2009, Ledbetter died from complications related to diabetes
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced...
, leaving the future of the band unknown.
Members
- Chase Davidson - Vocals, Guitar
- Jason Marchant - Guitar
- Chris Dickerson - Bass, Vocals
- JD Charlton - Drums
Former members
- Brett HestlaBrett HestlaBrett Hestla, is an American guitarist, bassist, vocalist and record producer.-Music career:In the late 1990s Hestla's band Virgos Merlot was signed to Atlantic Records. After their first release, Signs of a Vacant Soul, he became the touring bassist for Creed after the departure of Brian Marshall...
- Original Vocalist, Guitarist - Ted "Deacon" Ledbetter - Guitar (deceased)
Albums
- Signs of a Vacant SoulSigns of a Vacant SoulSigns of a Vacant Soul is Virgos Merlot's first and only album. It was released on March 2, 1999 by Atlantic Records. The album's only single, "Gain," had moderate radio play and reached #40 on the U.S...
(1999, Atlantic) - (As Virgos) Collapse EP (2002, Devine)
- (As Virgos) The Path of Least Resistance (2002, Devine)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Mainstream Rock | |||
| 1999 | "Gain" | #40 | Signs of a Vacant Soul |
External links
- http://www.virgosmerlot.net
- Virgos Merlot at Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...