Filter - Short Bus

In the mid-'90s, as industrial metal penetrated the mainstream thanks to torchbearers Nine Inch Nails, acts like Stabbing Westward and Gravity Kills capitalized on that band's popularity with similar-sounding material that would fizzle out by the end of the decade. However, one band in particular had the pedigree to stand out from the glut of soundalikes. Led by former NIN guitarist Richard Patrick and producer Brian Liesegang, Filter released their debut Short Bus in 1995, packing a wallop with enduring hit "Hey Man, Nice Shot" and kicking off a decades-long career that outlasted many period contemporaries. Even though their sound quickly evolved and matured beyond the brutish Short Bus, this first offering cemented them as one of the industrial boom's more recognizable acts. Early comparisons to NIN were unavoidable and, while they were initially dismissed as rip-offs, the association also attracted a significant bulk of crossover fans interested in Patrick's harder-edged, less-sexy yang to Trent Reznor's more nuanced yin. In addition to the heavy similarities between the guitar work here and on Pretty Hate Machine and Broken ("Under," "Spent"), pointed verbal shots stemming from the split were also deeply embedded in the lyrics, giving fans extra drama to pore over. Behind-the-scenes histrionics aside, Short Bus serves its purpose best as the vehicle for introducing the hard rock world to Patrick's inimitable, piercing yowl and his churning vision that melded sludgy grunge with corrosive, mainstream industrial. With very little variation to the formula, the taut set seethes with frustration and vitriol on "Dose," "Take Another," and "White Like That," while even the more subdued moments bludgeon the soul ("Consider This," "Gerbil") and break spirits ("Stuck in Here," "So Cool"). However underdeveloped in its emotional maturity, these simple relatable sentiments effectively force themselves in through Patrick and Liesegang's unfettered industrial-adjacent delivery. Following the success of Short Bus, Filter contributed a string of fan-favourite songs to beloved cult soundtracks and, due to creative differences, Liesegang parted ways with the group. Leaving Short Bus behind, Patrick expanded his sonic boundaries, improved his production approach, and delved headlong into a more dynamic and melodic attack, incorporating more organic instrumentation, actual singing, and nabbing a Top 20 hit with 1999's "Take a Picture." Filter never sounded quite like this again and Short Bus wound up being a singular snapshot cemented in time, a sleeper hit that became an enduring genre touchstone.

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Filter came to life in the early '90s, created by vocalist and primary member Richard Patrick, who had been a guitarist with Nine Inch Nails during that band's Pretty Hate Machine and Broken eras. In 1993, Patrick decided to leave NIN to form his own band. He met Brian Liesegang through a mutual friend and the pair began to record together. Patrick handled vocals, guitars, bass, programming, and drums, while Liesegang covered programming, guitars, keyboards, and drums. Since they had both experimented with electronics early in their careers, the band's initial sound was reminiscent of a more-muscular brand of industrial than NIN. In 1995, after signing with Reprise, they released their debut full-length, Short Bus, which was recorded at a small house on the outskirts of Cleveland. The album became a surprise hit and -- thanks to the MTV and alternative radio hit "Hey Man, Nice Shot" -- was certified gold by the summer. Eventually, Short Bus went platinum. In order to promote the record, the duo recruited guitarist Geno Lenardo, bassist Frank Cavanaugh, and drummer Matt Walker and embarked on tour.

To keep interest stoked, Filter also contributed a prolific string of tracks to cult favorite soundtracks, delivering "Jurassitol" (The Crow: City of Angels), the Crystal Method collaboration "(Can't You) Trip Like I Do" (Spawn), and "Thanks Bro" and "One" for a pair of X-Files compilations. Despite the band's burgeoning status, Liesegang departed in 1997 over creative differences. Patrick retained the Filter name for 1999's sophomore release Title of Record, which was also certified platinum and spawned an even bigger mainstream hit with the crossover Top 20 single "Take a Picture."