Taproot, formed in 1997 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, began as a quartet of Stephen Richards (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Phil Lipscomb (bass), Jarrod Montague (drums), and Mike DeWolf (lead guitar). The group recorded early demos, including "Again & Again" and "I", which secured a contract with Atlantic Records. Their debut album Gift was released on 27â¯Juneâ¯2000, followed by the breakthrough Welcome on 15â¯Octoberâ¯2002; the single "Poem" peaked at numberâ¯5 on the Mainstream Rock chart and helped Welcome sell over 500,000 copies. In 2005, BlueâSky Research issued the single "Calling" (numberâ¯11 on the Mainstream Rock chart), but the album underperformed, leading to parting ways with Atlantic in 2006. The band selfâreleased Our Long Road Home in 2008, then signed with Victory Records for Plead the Fifth (2010) and The Episodes (2012). Lineup changes saw Nick Fredell replace Montague on drums in 2008, Dave Coughlin take over in 2013, and Mike DeWolf depart in 2015, with Dave Lizzio and later Taylor Roberts filling guitar roles. After a decade of intermittent activity, Taproot returned with SC\SSRS on 29â¯Septemberâ¯2023, released through THC Music, accompanied by a national tour. The album was preceded by singles "V\CT\M \ PLAY" (6â¯Aprilâ¯2023) and "No One Else to Blame" (9â¯Augustâ¯2023).
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