Biography
Kentucky's Flaw fuse nu-metal, alternative metal, and hard rock into a dynamic, hard-driving sound. Drawing from Tool, Pearl Jam, and Korn, the outfit surfaced in the late 1990s. Fronted by vocalist Chris Volz, the group's only continuous member, Flaw put out several independent releases before reaching wider audiences in the early 2000s via the Republic-issued albums Through the Eyes (2001) and Endangered Species (2004). The band halted activity in 2005, regrouped in 2016, and delivered the studio album Divided We Fall. Despite stretches of internal conflict and repeated lineup shifts, Flaw maintained their sonic approach across the later releases Vol IV: Because of the Brave (2019) and Revival (2022).
The central lineup coalesced in 1996 after guitarist Jason Daunt posted an advertisement that vocalist Chris Volz answered. Volz's adoptive mother, an opera singer who had appeared at the Kennedy Center, nurtured his musical abilities; after her suicide when he was twelve, Volz underwent multiple forms of psychotherapy that yielded uncommon personal insights, which in turn informed his lyrical focus on navigating inner turmoil and pain. Tracks including "Inner Strength," "Whole" (addressing his mother's death), and "Only the Strong" trace that development.
Initially known as F. Law, the musicians removed the period upon recognizing that everyone and everything possesses flaws. In 1997 bassist and backing vocalist Ryan Jurhs joined Volz and Daunt, the remaining roster still fluid; fresh from Marine service, Jurhs entered the music scene and within weeks the band tracked its first independent album, American Arrogance. Two of its eight songs, "Amendment" and "Reliance," later appeared on the official debut Through the Eyes, earning Flaw opening slots with Econoline Crush and Fear Factory. Two further independent outings followed—Flaw in 1998 and the Drama EP in 2000—both well received. The lineup stabilized in 1999 with the addition of drummer Chris Ballinger and guitarist Lance Arny; Arny favored technical playing, Daunt pursued spontaneous textures, and Volz directed lyrics toward healing and childhood experiences, a combination that proved effective.
In 2000 Flaw performed at New York City's CBGB, prompting Republic/Universal to sign them. Produced by David Bottrill, whose credits include Tool and Peter Gabriel, the band recorded at Sound City in Los Angeles during early 2001. Republic/Universal issued the official debut Through the Eyes in October 2001 in both clean and explicit editions; although Tool echoes surfaced, Flaw's distinct identity held, drawing strong reviews. The album reached the top of Billboard's Heatseekers chart, and the group joined the 2002 Ozzfest tour. Daunt departed that year; Ballinger was replaced by Micah Havertape in 2003.
With the revised roster, Flaw completed Endangered Species, released in 2004 and marking their highest chart placement to that point. Label dissatisfaction with its sales led to the band's dismissal and subsequent dissolution. Volz formed Five.Bolt.Main alongside original drummer Ivan Arnold; Rock Ridge Music issued their debut Venting in 2005. Volz, Daunt, and Ballinger reconvened Flaw in 2006 and staged a reunion concert in March 2007 followed by touring. Volz issued the solo album Redemption and briefly collaborated with Daunt in the side project Foundation before both returned to Flaw.
After cycling through additional short-term members and failing to secure label support for new material, Flaw self-released Home Grown Studio Sessions in November 2009. Recorded by Volz, Arny, Jurhs, guitarist Andy Russ, and drummer Sean Rued, the album supported tours into 2010 that occasionally featured extra bassist/guitarist Chris Marple; the group then went inactive by year's end.
The Through the Eyes configuration reunited in 2013, generating new songs alongside reworked older material. Touring resumed in 2019 after Arny's exit and Ballinger's eventual replacement by drummer Corey Sturgill. Working with producer Skidd Mills, the band signed with Pavement Entertainment in 2015; Divided We Fall arrived in August 2016 and entered the Billboard 200. Further personnel adjustments preceded the 2017 B-sides EP United We Stand and the subsequent full-length Divided We Fall on Pavement Music. Vol IV: Because of the Brave followed in 2019, with the covers album Revival appearing in 2022.
The central lineup coalesced in 1996 after guitarist Jason Daunt posted an advertisement that vocalist Chris Volz answered. Volz's adoptive mother, an opera singer who had appeared at the Kennedy Center, nurtured his musical abilities; after her suicide when he was twelve, Volz underwent multiple forms of psychotherapy that yielded uncommon personal insights, which in turn informed his lyrical focus on navigating inner turmoil and pain. Tracks including "Inner Strength," "Whole" (addressing his mother's death), and "Only the Strong" trace that development.
Initially known as F. Law, the musicians removed the period upon recognizing that everyone and everything possesses flaws. In 1997 bassist and backing vocalist Ryan Jurhs joined Volz and Daunt, the remaining roster still fluid; fresh from Marine service, Jurhs entered the music scene and within weeks the band tracked its first independent album, American Arrogance. Two of its eight songs, "Amendment" and "Reliance," later appeared on the official debut Through the Eyes, earning Flaw opening slots with Econoline Crush and Fear Factory. Two further independent outings followed—Flaw in 1998 and the Drama EP in 2000—both well received. The lineup stabilized in 1999 with the addition of drummer Chris Ballinger and guitarist Lance Arny; Arny favored technical playing, Daunt pursued spontaneous textures, and Volz directed lyrics toward healing and childhood experiences, a combination that proved effective.
In 2000 Flaw performed at New York City's CBGB, prompting Republic/Universal to sign them. Produced by David Bottrill, whose credits include Tool and Peter Gabriel, the band recorded at Sound City in Los Angeles during early 2001. Republic/Universal issued the official debut Through the Eyes in October 2001 in both clean and explicit editions; although Tool echoes surfaced, Flaw's distinct identity held, drawing strong reviews. The album reached the top of Billboard's Heatseekers chart, and the group joined the 2002 Ozzfest tour. Daunt departed that year; Ballinger was replaced by Micah Havertape in 2003.
With the revised roster, Flaw completed Endangered Species, released in 2004 and marking their highest chart placement to that point. Label dissatisfaction with its sales led to the band's dismissal and subsequent dissolution. Volz formed Five.Bolt.Main alongside original drummer Ivan Arnold; Rock Ridge Music issued their debut Venting in 2005. Volz, Daunt, and Ballinger reconvened Flaw in 2006 and staged a reunion concert in March 2007 followed by touring. Volz issued the solo album Redemption and briefly collaborated with Daunt in the side project Foundation before both returned to Flaw.
After cycling through additional short-term members and failing to secure label support for new material, Flaw self-released Home Grown Studio Sessions in November 2009. Recorded by Volz, Arny, Jurhs, guitarist Andy Russ, and drummer Sean Rued, the album supported tours into 2010 that occasionally featured extra bassist/guitarist Chris Marple; the group then went inactive by year's end.
The Through the Eyes configuration reunited in 2013, generating new songs alongside reworked older material. Touring resumed in 2019 after Arny's exit and Ballinger's eventual replacement by drummer Corey Sturgill. Working with producer Skidd Mills, the band signed with Pavement Entertainment in 2015; Divided We Fall arrived in August 2016 and entered the Billboard 200. Further personnel adjustments preceded the 2017 B-sides EP United We Stand and the subsequent full-length Divided We Fall on Pavement Music. Vol IV: Because of the Brave followed in 2019, with the covers album Revival appearing in 2022.
Albums
Tekklivin2
2026
The Biggest Bird
2025
Dirt Diamond
2024
Get Up Again (Re-Recorded) [Sped Up]
2023
Tekklivin
2023
Rare One
2022
Across State Lines
2022
Revival
2022
Night Owl
2021
Fla Vs Chick
2020
Link
2019
Vol IV Because of the Brave
2019
Evaporated People
2019
Endangered Species
2004
Through The Eyes
2001
Singles
