Sinch

Originally assembled as teenagers back in 1994, the hard rock quartet Sinch—Jamie Stem on vocals and sampler, Tony Lannutti on guitar and synth, Mike Abramson on bass, and Dan McFarland on drums—evokes the brooding intensity of 1990s Seattle acts such as Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam. Their independently released debut, The Strychnine, arrived in 1996 and quickly translated into regular East Coast performances, followed two years later by the second album, Diatribe. Additional exposure came through support slots alongside Korn, Rob Zombie, Linkin Park, Chevelle, and Full Devil Jacket, which ultimately secured a deal with Roadrunner Records. Once signed, the band entered the studio under producer Malcolm Springer and emerged with their self-titled major-label debut, issued in summer 2002.