The story behind the scorching hot Imagine Dragons - Entertainment - The Courier-Tribune - Asheboro, NC
When it comes to rock music in recent days, one name you often hear is that of Imagine Dragons. The group has, in a short time, become a hot band loved by many. Just this week, it has have two songs, "Radioactive and Demons, in the top five on Billboard's Hot Rock Songs chart. In its first week, the group's debut album Night Visions sold 83,000 copie, becoming the highest charting debut for a rock album since 2006. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, this band has risen to the top in a year's time. So where did it come from and why is it so loved? To answer those questions, we must go back to 2008 where it all started at Brigham Young University. While attending there, lead singer Dan Reynolds met Andrew Tolman, a fellow student who knew his way around a drum set. From there, Tolman brought in his wife, Brittany, for backup vocals/keys and his longtime friend, Daniel Wayne "Wing" Sermon, for his guitar skills. Sermon recruited fellow music student Ben McKee as bassist, completing Imagine Dragons' original lineup. Eventually living in Las Vegas together (Reynolds' hometown), the band built a name playing on the strip. In 2010, it released two EPs titled Imagine Dragons and Hell and Silence and a third, It's Time, the following year. All of that occurred before the group had signed a record deal. Its first big break came when the frontman of Train became sick and Imagine Dragons were brought in to fill Train's spot at the Bite of Las Vegas Festival 2010. Performing in front of 26,000 people, the group gained positive reviews, propelling them forward. In November 2011, it signed to Interscope Records. Just prior to the signing, Andrew and Brittany Tolman left the band and were replaced by current drummer Daniel Platzman and Theresa Flamino (she left the group in January 2012). Working with top producers, Imagine Dragons released its first single "It's Time" for its first taste of mainstream success. In the summer of 2012, it finished its debut album, Night Visions, and released it in September. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and landed the No. 1 spot on the Alternative and Rock album charts. Imagine Dragons' second single "Radioactive" has been No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Songs and Rock Songs charts and is currently No. 3 on Billboard's Hot Rock Songs chart. Now how is it that a band whose members have only been together for about five years made it to top notch popularity? Being in a place like Las Vegas certainly helped, but it also comes down to their sound, which is rooted in emotional struggle. As a personal goal for the group, it incorporates pain each member has experienced on their path in life into a form of redemption and uplifting music. They have a way of bringing art out of pain, which allows for listeners to connect with not only the band, but something that is real in their music. Their music doesn't have that false industry feel that is often shoved down consumers' throats and because of that feeling of veritas, Imagine Dragon's music sells crazy amounts.
https://www.courier-tribune.com/sections/get/see/story-behind-scorching-hot-imagine-dragons.html
