Trust Company, an alternative metal band also known as TRUSTcompany and TRUST*CO, assembled in Montgomery, Alabama around 1997 with Kevin Palmer on vocals and guitar plus Jason Singleton on drums. The pair first connected after high school, having already performed together in another local group before splitting off to launch their own project. They set themselves apart from other alt-rock acts by fusing melody with guitar-heavy metal, citing influences that included Pantera, the Smashing Pumpkins, and the Deftones. Adding Josh Moates on bass allowed the trio to operate for three years until second guitarist James Fukai joined in 2000. Labeling themselves weekend warriors who declined to play covers, the musicians took any available gig and crisscrossed the Southeast, reaching as far west as Texas, while seeking attention and a record deal. After an association with Dcide Records, the group later appeared on the Geffen roster. Originally named 41 Down, the band adopted the Trust Company moniker before releasing its debut album to avoid confusion with the Canadian pop-punk outfit Sum 41. Issued in mid-2002, The Lonely Position of Neutral generated two moderately successful singles, “Downfall” and “Running from Me.” Subsequent tours with Korn, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Papa Roach followed, and the album eventually earned gold certification. Three years later the group delivered True Parallels, whose supporting dates marked the introduction of bassist Walker Warren. Kevin Palmer left the lineup in August 2005 for personal reasons, after which the band soon disbanded. Palmer and Moates then formed Amity Lane with Palmer’s wife, Layla, while Fukai directed his efforts toward the instrumental metal group Hematovore.
