Training for Utopia
{{Short description|American metalcore band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Training for Utopia
|image =
|caption = Members of Training For Utopia
|origin = Sacramento, California, U.S.
|genre = {{hlist|Metalcore|industrial metal|noise metal}}
|years_active = 1996–2000, 2023–present
|label = Solid State, Tooth & Nail, Weapons MFG
|current_members =
|past_members =
- Ryan Clark
- Don Clark
- Steve Saxby
- Morley Boyer
}}
Training for Utopia, also stylized as TFU, is an American metalcore band, initially active from 1996 to 2000.{{cite news |url=http://www.trainingforutopia.com/index.html |publisher=Training for Utopia |title=TFU IS DEAD 1996–2000 |date=January 20, 2001 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20010110190200/http://www.trainingforutopia.com/index.html |archivedate = January 10, 2001}}{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Xiaolei |date=October 27, 2000 |title=Training for Utopia Calls Quits |url=http://www.instrife.com/news/index.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001206214500/http://www.instrife.com/news/index.shtml |archive-date=December 6, 2000 |access-date=June 29, 2022 |website=InStrife}}
History
The band first signed with Tooth & Nail Records and was later moved to Solid State Records, the Tooth & Nail imprint that promotes heavy Christian music. Training for Utopia subsequently became popular in the Christian metal{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/training-for-utopia-mn0000745261|title=Training for Utopia|publisher=AllMusic|first=Mike|last=DaRonco|accessdate=October 31, 2015}} scene during its active years, although the band actively tried to remove themselves from that label during their later years.{{cite web |author= |title=His Name Is Alive |url=https://ocweekly.com/his-name-is-alive-6394407/ |website=OCWeekly |date=November 11, 1999 |access-date=April 20, 2025}}
Their brief existence included a tour with Zao and at the time the upcoming band Spitfire, as well as Warlord.{{cite web|url=http://www.indievisionmusic.com/2007/10/06/brian-fletchner-quiver-society-pilgrims-band-ex-warlord/|title=Brian Fletchner (Quiver Society, Pilgrims, ex-Warlord)|publisher=Indie Vision Music|first=Eric|last=Patterson|date=October 6, 2007|accessdate=October 28, 2015}} After a temporary hiatus the band returned with their second full length Throwing a Wrench into the American Music Machine, which has been noted as a shift away from the band's early metalcore sound, utilizing heavier use of electronics and sampling.{{cite web|last1=D|first1=Sergent|title=What is the Best Christian Metal/Hardcore Band?|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2011/04/27/what-is-the-best-christian-metalhardcore-band-youre-moshing-4-christ/|website=metalsucks.net|date=April 27, 2011|publisher=Metal Sucks|accessdate=February 23, 2018}} After a small tour of the material the band disbanded.
At the demise of Training for Utopia, members Ryan (formerly of Focal Point) and Don Clark announced that they were starting a new project called The American Spectator in October 2000. Don and Ryan Clark started "Asterik Studio" in Seattle, a graphic design shop where they completed many projects, including album artwork for former label-mates. In 2000, they founded the Christian metal band Demon Hunter.
On February 3, 2023, Training for Utopia was announced as one of several bands reuniting to play the 2023 Furnace Fest.{{cite web|author=Greg Kennelty|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/haste-the-day-reunites-for-furnace-fest-2023|title=HASTE THE DAY Reunites For Furnace Fest 2023|publisher=Metal Injection|access-date=February 6, 2023|date=February 3, 2023}} On September 1st, before their appearance at Furnace Fest, the band released their first single in 24 years, "Out on Parole".{{cite web | url=https://www.theprp.com/2023/09/02/news/training-for-utopia-debut-first-new-single-in-24-years-out-on-parole/ | title=Training for Utopia Debut First New Single in 24 Years "Out on Parole" | date=September 2, 2023 }}
Members
- Ryan Clark – vocals, guitar (currently with Demon Hunter)
- Don Clark – guitar (played with Demon Hunter)
- Steve Saxby – bass guitar, vocals (currently with Out of Place)
- Morley Boyer – drums (played on An Angle)
Additional members
- Rob Dennler – vocals (1996) (played with The Roots of Orchis)
- Carlos Colon – synthesizers (1998) (later joined The Deadlines)
Discography
| class="wikitable"
! Title ! Release date ! Notes ! Label |
| The Falling Cycle EP
| 1997-07-29 | | rowspan="2"| Tooth & Nail |
| Plastic Soul Impalement
| 1998-03-03 | |
| The Split EP
| 1998-08-18 | Split with Zao | rowspan="3"| Solid State |
| Throwing a Wrench into the American Music Machine
| 1999-11-02 | |
| Technical Difficulties
| 2004-04-20 | Best of |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p224488|label=Training for Utopia}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311004904/http://oswegoalumni.oswego.edu/jeff/metalfanatix/interviews/tfu.html Interview with Don Clark, circa 2000]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311150218/http://www.netusa1.net/~rsutton/zine/archive/issueone/10.html Post-TFU interview with Don Clark, circa 2001]
- [http://www.shzine.com/interview-tfu.php SHZine interview with Ryan Clark (February 2000)]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Metalcore musical groups from California
Category:Heavy metal musical groups from California
Category:Musical groups established in 1996
Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2000
Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2023