What do you get when you put together 5 random guys from Dallas, TX, who never would have hung out in the same circles, and unite them in one purpose?…. A recipe for disaster, were it not for a faith that bred an unbreakable resolve, which has propelled the band Shatter Me through an arsenal of obstacles. Pushing and pulling, learning and leaning, disagreeing and sometimes just wanting to quit altogether, Shatter Me is not just a band name, it’s what made a band their name….. “Shatter Me….well to me it means that sometimes it takes really ‘breaking’ someone so that they can finally want a change in their life,’ says J.J. Keenan, guitarist.
For each of the members of the band Shatter Me, brokenness is an all too personal experience. Yet, a necessary evil in the journey to fulfill their upward calling and a catalyst for songwriting that speaks to the human experience….. The band was formed in the summer of 2004 after a next door neighbor heard the guys jamming and thought they had real talent. He booked them a gig and gave them only three weeks to prepare. With such short notice, Brad (Ryan and Caleb’s dad) agreed to fill in on vocals until they found a new lead singer.
Nine months later, the band was not only still booking and playing gigs, but had developed a new, unique identity– Shatter Me. Ryan and J.J. would trade off playing bass and guitar, switching instruments during Caleb’s drum solo mid concert, until three years later, when Byron Robertson was added to the lineup. This addition afforded J.J. and Ryan each the opportunity to stay on guitar.
After playing several shows together, Shatter Me had an opportunity to open for Christian rock band, Decyfer Down. After the show, they were approached by Josh Oliver, the drummer for Decyfer Down, and decided to pursue an agreement – that Josh would mentor Shatter Me and help to develop them as new artists under his side project, Rythmic Management.
A year and a half later, Donovan McDaniel was introduced as the new lead singer of Shatter Me. Now complete, the band was anxious to record. Under the direction of Rythmic Management, Shatter Me was able to connect with Brandon Mills, guitar player for Decyfer Down, who agreed to produce their upcoming EP, which is set for release Winter 2010.
Like most bands, their musical influences are vast, and their sound has changed and developed as they have matured in writing. Initially compared to hard rock bands Pantera and Disturbed, their sound has more recently been likened to popular mainstream bands Breaking Benjamin, Red, Dark New Day and Alter Bridge, with hints of Oh Sleeper….. Shatter Me has toured with national recording artists Decyfer Down, Seventh Day Slumber, and The Wedding. Sharing the stage with bands including RED, Disciple, Brian Head Welch, Fireflight, and Satellites and Sirens, Shatter Me has gained experience and exposure in the music industry.
With the upcoming release of their much anticipated EP, and some of their first singles to radio, Shatter Me is finally going to be able to share with the world their passion, not only for music, but for people, “We are a group of imperfect guys desperately trying to follow the example of Christ,” expresses guitarist Ryan Vanderburg.“ I want our music to speak for itself – we just write whatever is in our hearts at the time, whether it’s a love song, worship song, whatever!” Continues J.J. Keenan, “We are just a bunch of imperfect dudes doing what they love, giving everything they have to loving and getting to know people.”
In a world full of religious bondage and thriving wickedness, Shatter Me desires to share the truth wrapped in love, and present the message of hope through relationship. Nothing that has any lasting value happens overnight, and Shatter Me is in for the long haul.
