Editing Vertical Horizon

{{short description|American rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name             = Vertical Horizon
| image            = Vertical Horizon in 2010.jpg
| image_size       = 300px
| caption          = Vertical Horizon performing in 2010
| origin           = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Alternative rock]]|[[post-grunge]]|[[pop rock]]|[[acoustic rock]]}}
| years_active     = 1991–present
| label            = {{hlist|[[RCA Records|RCA]]|Outfall}}
| associated_acts  =
| website          = {{URL|verticalhorizon.com}}
| current_members  =
* [[Matt Scannell]]
* Ron LaVella
* Mark Pacificar
* [[John Wesley (guitarist)|John Wesley]]
| past_members     =
* Keith Kane
* Sean Hurley
* [[Ed Toth]]
* Steve Fekete
* Jenn Oberle
* Seth Horan
* Ryan "Chopper" Fisher
* Jeffrey Jarvis
* Corey McCormick
* Jason Sutter
* Eric Holden
* Craig McIntyre
* Richie Noble
* Donovan White
* Andrew O’Brien
* Jordan Brady
}}

'''Vertical Horizon''' is an American [[alternative rock]] band, formed in [[Washington, D.C.]] Vocalists and guitarists [[Matt Scannell]] and Keith Kane started the band in 1991 when they were students at [[Georgetown University]]. The band have undergone multiple line-up changes since their formation, all of which have been arranged and designated by Scannell. 

Vertical Horizon are best known for their 1999 single "[[Everything You Want (Vertical Horizon song)|Everything You Want]]", which [[List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 2000|peaked atop the ''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and preceded [[Everything You Want (Vertical Horizon album)|their third studio album of the same name]] (1999). The album also spawned two further chart entries: "[[You're a God]]" and "[[Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)]]." All three songs remain staples in [[adult contemporary music|adult contemporary]] music.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.classicrockhistory.com/top-10-vertical-horizon-songs/|title=Top 10 Vertical Horizon Songs|website=classicrockhistory.com}}</ref>

==History==
===Early years (1991–1998)===
Vertical Horizon was formed in 1991 by [[Georgetown University]] undergraduate students Matt Scannell and Keith Kane.<ref name=billboard>{{cite news| title= Artist Profiles: Vertical Horizon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FikEAAAAMBAJ&q=Matt+Scannell+born&pg=PA98 |work=[[Billboard Magazine]] (page 98) |date=May 21, 2001|access-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref> In 1992, after graduating from Georgetown, the duo relocated to [[Boston]] and self-released their debut album ''[[There and Back Again (Vertical Horizon album)|There and Back Again]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://thevogue.com/artists/vertical-horizon/|title=Vertical Horizon biography| work=TheVogue.com|access-date= January 14, 2020}}</ref> Scannell and Kane toured as a duo for the next few years, mostly appearing with similar bands such as [[Jackopierce]], and settled back in the Washington, DC area to record their next album, 1995's ''[[Running on Ice]]'', produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer), Doug Derryberry, and Scannell.<ref name=billboard/> Drummer [[Ed Toth]] joined the band in 1996.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0d7ach9LFKUC&q=sean+hurley+join+vertical+horizon&pg=PA256 |title="Jam Bands": North America's Hottest Live Groups, Plus How to Tape and Trade ... - Dean Budnick - Google Books |isbn=9781550223538 |access-date=January 14, 2020|last1=Budnick |first1=Dean |year=1998 |publisher=ECW Press }}</ref>

The band released a live album, ''[[Live Stages]]'', in January 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-stages-mw0000089422|title=Live Stages - Vertical Horizon &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic}}</ref> In 1998, bassist Sean Hurley was invited to join Vertical Horizon.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jisi |first=Chris |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/sean-hurley-talks-touring-with-john-mayer-and-how-to-succeed-in-the-la-session-scene |title=Sean Hurley talks touring with John Mayer and how to succeed in the LA session scene |publisher=Guitar World |date=September 23, 1973 |access-date=January 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Nancy|url=https://www.norwichbulletin.com/article/20090820/NEWS/308209864 |title=Nancy Hall: Vertical Horizon bringing the '90s to Mohegan Sun - News - The Bulletin - Norwich, CT |publisher=Norwichbulletin.com |date=August 20, 2009 |access-date=January 14, 2020}}</ref> The band's indie albums began to attract record executives from several [[record label]]s during the late 1990s.<ref name=billboard/> The band signed with [[RCA Records]] in 1998.<ref name=billboard/> RCA re-released Vertical Horizon's independent albums, with new packaging and graphics.<ref name=billboard/> Before the RCA re-release, the band's first three albums had sold 70,000 combined units.<ref name=billboard/>

===''Everything You Want'' (1999–2000)===
The band's first album with a major label was 1999's ''[[Everything You Want (Vertical Horizon album)|Everything You Want]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-04-27-0104270405-story.html|title=Vertical Horizon is enjoying their hard-won success|first=Allison |last=Stewart |website=chicagotribune.com|date=April 27, 2001 }}</ref> It was a breakthrough album for the band.<ref name = "DesMoines">{{cite news|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/dining/2019/08/13/vertical-horizon-star-15th-annual-world-food-music-festival-des-moines-western-gateway-sept-20-21-22/1998773001/ | title=Vertical Horizon to headline World Food & Music Festival in Des Moines|work=Des Moines Register|date=August 13, 2019|access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref> Four singles were released from the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/lehigh-valley-music/mc-ent-vertical-horizon-tonic-review-musikfest-cafe-20180727-story.html|title=REVIEW: Vertical Horizon at Musikfest Cafe strong, but not everything you want; Tonic still has kick|first=John J.|last=Moser|website=mcall.com|date=July 27, 2018 }}</ref> The album's first single was "[[We Are (Vertical Horizon song)|We Are]]",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1435126/vertical-horizon-reveals-communication-breakdown-behind-we-are/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916195356/https://www.mtv.com/news/1435126/vertical-horizon-reveals-communication-breakdown-behind-we-are/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 16, 2021|title=Vertical Horizon Reveals Communication Breakdown Behind "We Are"|website=MTV News}}</ref> which reached the [[Modern Rock Tracks]] chart and peaked at no. 21.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Q0EAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22vertical+horizon%22+%22we+are%22+%22modern+rock%22+21&pg=PA71|title=Billboard|date=February 12, 2000|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}}</ref> The album's second single was "[[Everything You Want (Vertical Horizon song)|Everything You Want]]". The song became a massive hit, reaching number one at the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart and the [[Adult Top 40]] chart and becoming Billboard's Most Played Single of 2000.<ref name = "DesMoines" /> As of 2022, "Everything You Want" is Vertical Horizon's most successful single.<ref name="Chart">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/vertical-horizon|title=Vertical Horizon|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 27, 2022}}</ref> Two other singles from the album, "[[You're a God]]" and "[[Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)]]", were also hits; they peaked at 23 and 58, respectively, at the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart.<ref name="Chart" />

The ''Everything You Want'' album was certified [[Music recording sales certification|double platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/vertical-horizon-gets-ready-to-go-75223/|title=Vertical Horizon Gets Ready To 'Go'|website=Billboard.com|date=July 2, 2022}}</ref>

===''Go'' and ''Go 2.0'' (2001–2005)===
Vertical Horizon's next album, ''[[Go (Vertical Horizon album)|Go]]'', was released in September 2003.<ref name="billready">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/68722/vertical-horizon-ready-to-reacquaint-fans-with-go |title=Vertical Horizon Ready To Reacquaint Fans With 'Go' |publisher=Billboard |access-date=November 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517172115/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/68722/vertical-horizon-ready-to-reacquaint-fans-with-go |archive-date=May 17, 2017 }}</ref> ''Go'' was released while RCA was going through a major restructuring and as a result, the album received little support from the label.<ref name="Construction Time Again">[http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article/1232/Vertical-Horizon-Plans-New-Album "Vertical Horizon Plans New Album"]. www.alternativeaddiction.com. November 21, 2008</ref> The album's first single, "[[I'm Still Here (Vertical Horizon song)|I'm Still Here]]", peaked at number 17 on the [[Adult Top 40]].<ref name="imstillhere">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/go-mw0000692384/awards |title=Album Search for "go" |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=November 29, 2016}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=January 2022}} RCA did little to promote the album<ref>[http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article/402/Vertical-Horizon-And-Pat-McGee-to-Re-Release "Vertical Horizon And Pat McGee to Re-Release"]. ''Alternative Addiction''. May 5, 2005.</ref> causing Scannell to state, "Without the label behind us, it just floundered and sort of withered on the vine, which is just a heartbreaker."<ref name="Construction Time Again"/>

===''Burning the Days'' (2006–2010)===
[[File:Matt Scannell - Northridge February 2010.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Matt Scannell]] performing at [[Borders (retailer)|Borders]] in support of 2009's ''[[Burning the Days]]''.]]
''[[Burning the Days]]'' was released on September 22, 2009, and was the group's first release after a five-year hiatus.<ref name="Release">[http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article/1443/Vertical-Horizon-Reveals-Tracklisting "Vertical Horizon Reveals Tracklisting"]. ''Alternative Addiction''. July 11, 2009.</ref> Singer/songwriter Matt Scannell has said that ''Burning the Days'' marks a shift in his songwriting, both musically and lyrically.<ref name="Changes">[http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article/1406/Vertical-Horizon-Ready-August-Release "Vertical Horizon Ready August Release"]. ''Alternative Addiction''. July 6, 2009.</ref> According to Scannell, "There is a lot more variety and quite a few different artistic moods on this record - almost different sonic landscapes... a lot of these songs feel like a faster tempo than anything we’ve ever done before."<ref name="Changes"/>

The late [[Neil Peart]] of the Canadian rock band [[Rush (band)|Rush]] played drums on three songs on the album: "Save Me From Myself", "Welcome to the Bottom", and "Even Now", which was co-written by Scannell and Peart, with Peart writing the lyrics and Scannell writing the music.<ref name="Release"/><ref>Peart, Neil. [http://www.neilpeart.net/news/june_06.html "News, Weather, and Sports"]. NEP.com. June 17, 2006.</ref><ref name="Peart">Mover, Jonathan. [http://www.drumheadmag.com/web/feature.php?id=7 "Matt Scannell on Neil Peart Artist P.O.V."]. ''Drumhead Magazine''. date unknown.</ref>

On June 3, 2010, Keith Kane confirmed his departure from the band.<ref name=alteradd>{{cite news|title=Keith Kane Leaves Vertical Horizon |url=http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article/1749/Keith-Kane-Leaves-Vertical-Horizon |work=[[Alternative Addiction]] |date=June 9, 2010|access-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref>

===''Echoes from the Underground'' and ''The Lost Mile'' (2011–present)===
Vertical Horizon announced in June 2011 that they had begun recording new material for a new album.<ref name=alta>{{cite news|title=Vertical Horizon Working On New Album |url=http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article/2152/Vertical-Horizon-Working-On-New-Album |work=[[Alternative Addiction]] |date=June 21, 2011|access-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref> The album, ''Echoes from the Underground'', was released on October 8, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|author=Matt Collar |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/echoes-from-the-underground-mw0002580905 |title=Echoes from the Underground - Vertical Horizon &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=October 8, 2013 |access-date=January 14, 2020}}</ref>

In June 2017, Scannell announced at a concert in [[Fairfax, Virginia]], that another album was forthcoming. The band's seventh album, ''[[The Lost Mile]]'', was released on February 23, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Vertical-Horizon-The-Lost-Mile/release/13236214 |title=Vertical Horizon - The Lost Mile (2018, CDr) |publisher=Discogs |date=February 23, 2018 |access-date=January 14, 2020}}</ref>

In 2024, Scannell stated that the band is working on two new albums that will be released sometime in the near future.

==Members==
'''Current'''
* [[Matt Scannell]] – lead vocals, lead guitar <small>(1990–present)</small>
* Ron LaVella – drums, percussion <small>(2009–present)</small>
* Mark Pacificar – bass, backing vocals <small>(2016–present)</small>
* [[John Wesley (guitarist)|John Wesley]] – rhythm guitar, backing vocals <small>(2021–present)</small>

'''Former'''
* Keith Kane – backing and lead vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitar <small>(1990–2010)</small>

* Ryan "Chopper" Fisher – bass <small>(1994-1997)</small>
* [[Ed Toth]] – drums, percussion <small>(1996–2005)</small>
* [[Seth Horan]] – bass, backing vocals <small>(1997–1998)</small>
* Sean Hurley – bass, backing vocals <small>(1998–2009, session in 2013 & 2018)</small>
* Steve Fekete – rhythm guitar, backing and lead vocals <small>(2009–2012)</small>
* Jenn Oberle – bass, backing vocals <small>(2011–2012)</small>
* Jeffrey Jarvis – bass, backing vocals <small>(2013–2016)</small>
* Donovan White – rhythm guitar, backing vocals <small>(2012–2021)</small>

'''Former touring musicians'''
* [[Jason Sutter]] – drums (also studio) <small>(2009–2010)</small>
* Corey McCormick – bass guitar <small>(2009–2010)</small>
* Eric Holden – bass, backing vocals <small>(2009–2011)</small>
* Jason Orme – rhythm guitar, backing vocals <small>(2011–2012)</small>
* Cedric LeMoyne – bass, backing vocals <small>(2011–2012)</small>
* Matthew Robbins – rhythm guitar <small>(2015–2018)</small>

'''Timeline'''
<div class="left" >{{#tag:timeline|
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PlotArea = left:100 bottom:90 top:0 right:15
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat  = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1990 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors =
 id:vocals  value:red         legend:Lead_vocals
 id:bvocals value:pink        legend:Backing_vocals
 id:lguitar value:teal        legend:Lead_guitar
 id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_and_acoustic_guitar
 id:bass    value:blue        legend:Bass
 id:drums   value:orange      legend:Drums,_percussion
 id:session  value:yellow      legend:Studio_Only
 id:studio  value:black       legend:Studio&nbsp;album
 id:bars     value:gray(0.93)

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ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1990
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1990

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 layer:back
  color:studio
   at:01/01/1992
   at:01/01/1995
   at:15/06/1999
   at:23/03/2003
   at:22/09/2009
   at:08/10/2013
   at:23/02/2018

BarData =
 bar:Matt text:"Matt Scannell"
 bar:Keith text:"Keith Kane"
 bar:Steve text:"Steve Fekete"
 bar:Donovan text:"Donovan White"
 bar:Wes text:"John Wesley"
 bar:Fisher text:"Ryan Fisher"
 bar:Seth text: "Seth Horan"
 bar:Sean text:"Sean Hurley"
 bar:Jenn text:"Jenn Oberle"
 bar:Jeffrey text:"Jeffrey Jarvis"
 bar:Mark text:"Mark Pacificar"
 bar:Ed text:"Ed Toth"
 bar:Jason text:"Jason Sutter"
 bar:Ron text:"Ron Lavella"

PlotData=
 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
 bar:Matt   from:01/01/1990 till:end               color:vocals
 bar:Matt   from:01/01/1990 till:end               color:lguitar width:3
 bar:Keith  from:01/01/1990 till:03/10/2010        color:rguitar
 bar:Keith  from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/2002        color:vocals width:3
 bar:Keith  from:01/01/2002 till:03/10/2010        color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Fisher from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1997        color:bass
 bar:Ed     from:01/01/1996 till:01/01/2005        color:drums
 bar:Sean   from:01/01/1998 till:01/01/2010        color:bass
 bar:Sean   from:01/01/1998 till:01/01/2010        color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Sean   from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2014        color:bass
 bar:Sean   from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2014        color:session width:3
 bar:Sean   from:01/01/2018 till:01/01/2019        color:bass
 bar:Sean   from:01/01/2018 till:01/01/2019        color:session width:3
 bar:Seth   from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/1998        color:bass
 bar:Seth   from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/1998        color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Steve  from:03/10/2010 till:01/01/2012        color:rguitar
 bar:Steve  from:03/10/2010 till:01/01/2012        color:vocals  width:3
 bar:Jenn   from:01/01/2011 till:01/01/2012        color:bass
 bar:Jenn   from:01/01/2011 till:01/01/2012        color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Donovan from:01/01/2012 till:12/01/2021              color:rguitar
 bar:Donovan from:01/01/2012 till:12/01/2021              color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Wes  from:12/01/2021 till:end                 color:rguitar
 bar:Wes   from:12/01/2021 till:end                color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Jeffrey from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2016       color:bass
 bar:Jeffrey from:01/01/2013  till:01/01/2016      color:bvocals width:3
 bar:Jason   from:01/01/2009 till:01/01/2010       color:drums
 bar:Ron     from:01/01/2010 till:end              color:drums
 bar:Mark    from:01/01/2016 till:end              color:bass
 bar:Mark    from:01/01/2016 till:end              color:bvocals width:3
}}
</div>

==Discography==
{{Main|Vertical Horizon discography}}
;Studio albums
* ''[[There and Back Again (Vertical Horizon album)|There and Back Again]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Running on Ice]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Everything You Want (Vertical Horizon album)|Everything You Want]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Go (Vertical Horizon album)|Go]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Burning the Days]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Echoes from the Underground]]'' (2013)
* ''[[The Lost Mile]]'' (2018)

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{official|verticalhorizon.com}}

{{Vertical Horizon}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Vertical Horizon| ]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Alternative rock groups from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:American post-grunge musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1991]]
[[Category:Musical quartets from Washington, D.C.]]