Godzilland

**Godzilland** is a American nu metal/post-grunge band formed in Leesburg, Georgia in 2004. The band is best known for launching the career of Phillip Phillips, who left the band in 2011 to audition for American Idol. The band is also known for their 2009 album *Open Paths* which sold 900,000 copies and went certified gold by the RIAA. The members were very young when they formed, being around 14 to 15 years of age

## Background information

### Also known as

Clam Tongue Arthritis (2004)Shark Wreek (2005)

## Members

### Current members

Corey Jax, Summer Ryan, Matthew Sharp, Logan Aretz, Bandit Malenko

## History

Jakob Nero, Summer Ryan, Matthew Sharp, Logan Aretz (son of Sodawound guitarist Neal Aretz) and Bandit Malenko were five friends in freshman year that, after being let out of school for the year, started practicing in Logan's basement man cave where they called themselves Clam Tongue Arthritis for only 2004, before switching to Shark Wreak in the beginning of 2005 before switching their name to Godzilland, named after the 1992 to 1993 OVA of the same name. Jakob Nero left the band following a spew of spring break 2005 concerts and was replaced by a young Phillip Phillips. The band released a demo and sent it over to CBS Records in early 2006, they were impressed by the band's potential and signed the band to a four album contract. In 2007, the band released their debut studio album *Sweet Coraline* which the title alone is inspired by a misheard lyric back in middle school that Logan misheard the Sweet Caroline part for "Sweet Coraline". The band headlined their own shows at Georgia's small concert venues and even supported Breaking Benjamin for their fall tour. While being mixed reviews in the United States alone. The album saw more success in Japan. In 2008, the band sat down to record their second album. 2009's *Open Paths* went gold in the United States and sold 900,000 copies by the end of the year. In 2010, the band held a Walmart Soundcheck concert at the Shank Hall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also in 2010, the band recorded the song *Howling Feedback* for that year's Nickelodeon made for television film *The Boy Who Cried Werewolf*. In 2011, Phillip Phillips quit the band on good terms, thinking of starting a different career as a solo folk artist. Corey Jax, a former vocalist of a local grebo band, was his replacement. In 2013, the band released their third studio album *Vicelands* which debuted a more grittier post-grunge influence. The band played 2014's Van's Warped Tour, on the Journeys Stage and in 2015, they supported Fall Out Boy for their tour in 2015. In 2016, the band recorded their fourth album. This album, 2018's *Red Ribbon* featured a more gritter nu metal sound which was the last album with CBS Records, fulfilling their label's four album requirement. The band toured for the album from late 2018 to mid 2019. At a concert in Atlanta, Georgia, Phillip Phillips briefly reunited with Godzilland for the whole set. In 2021, the band released their fifth studio album *Schism* which debuted a more heavier nu metal and post-grunge path. Schism was the first album with Cleopatra Records after the band singed with the the label in late 2019. The band toured across festivals from late 2021 to early 2023. In 2024, the band is set to release their sixth studio album *Decaying Nostalgia* and will tour across North America with 27 United States dates, 27 Canada dates and 27 Mexico dates calling it the 27/27/27 Tour with Bush as the supporting act.

## Style and influences

Genres the band is put under are nu metal, hard rock and post-grunge. They're also considered alternative metal, arena rock, punk blues and pop metal. The band is influenced by Nirvana, Silverchair, Screaming Trees, The Monkees, Nexus, Fantastic Max, David Bowie, Queen and Metallica. Other influences include Hatebreed, Stone The Crows, Led Zeppelin, Desperado, CKY and Helmet.

## Members

### Current

Corey Jax-lead vocals (2011-present) \*has 8 different Sennheiser microphones\*

Summer Ryan-bass (2004-present) \*plays a Eastwood Black Widow bass\*

Matthew Sharp-rhythm guitar (2004-present) \*plays a Gibson SG guitar with Ibanez Tube Screamer pedal\*

Logan Aretz-lead guitar (2004-present) \*plays a Fender Telecaster guitar with Tech 21 SansAmp Classic pedal\*

Bandit Malenko-drums (2004-present) \*plays a 7 piece drum set by Pearl and ZBT\*

### Former

Jakob Nero-lead vocals (2004-2005) \*had 8 different Rode microphones\*

Phillip Phillips-lead vocals (2005-2011, 2019) \*had 8 different Yamaha microphones\*

## Discography

*Sweet Coraline (2007)*

*Open Paths (2009)*

*Vicelands (2013)*

*Red Ribbon (2018)*

*Schism (2021)*

*Decaying Nostalgia (2023)*