Rhythm Guitarist Says He & The Band Have Enjoyed a 30 Year Run & Summer Tour With Hootie & the Blowfish

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

With the hair band era slowing down by the early 1990's, Seattle became the epicenter for the rising grunge music movement that included groups such as Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden. However, 3000 miles away Atlanta was more of a melting pot for new artists, offering up a mix of rock, pop, and R&B, including Outkast, Sevendust, Indigo Girls, and the Black Crowes, as well as country artists Alan Jackson and Travis Tritt.

Easily one of the hottest bands to emerge out of Atlanta during the same time period were Collective Soul. Over a six year period beginning in 1994 Collective Soul would top the Mainstream Rock Charts eight times scoring pop chart success with instant classics such as 'Shine', 'December', 'The World I Know', and 'Where The River Flows'. 

While 'Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid' on an indie label was technically their debut release and included 'Shine', it was their self-titled 1994 Atlantic Records release that put Collective Soul over the top, with the album spending 76 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, achieving triple platinum success during the run.

Although they were initially lumped in with the grunge and alternative music scene, according to founding member and rhythm guitarist Dean Roland the label didn't fit the band's narrative. "We saw us in a different mantra. A band offering up good melodies and good sounds. We've never looked at ourselves than anything other than a straight up rock band. 

Three decades later Collective Soul which includes three founding members are touring with Hootie & the Blowfish on their Summer Camp With Trucks tour, featuring Edwin McCain, with all three bands celebrating 30 years of making music. Not suprisingly Roland admits the tour has been nothing but fun.

"It's going great. We started back in early June. Sometimes it's been a little hectic, but we've known these guys, both Hootie and Edwin for a long time, so really it's like being out on tour with friends and family." He adds, "We've done shows with Hootie over the years, but this is our first full blown tour together, and we're playing to large audiences, so that's always a plus."

Still, looking back 30 years, Roland admits the beginnings of Collective Soul took place by happenstance. Even though his older brother Ed Roland (lead singer & songwriter) had studied songwriting and guitar at Berklee College of Music in Boston for a year, and was plying his trade in the late 1980's, Ed's career or the formation of the band wasn't going anywhere. All that changed when Dean made an unprecedented bold move.

"That's pretty much how it unfolded. Ed and I had played together, and other guys had cycled through. But really Ed, myself, and Will Turpin (bass & keyboards) have been here since day one. Ed had recorded a demo of 'Shine' at Real 2 Reel Studios which was owned by Will's father."

Roland goes on to say, "I had been attending Georgia State University and took the demo to the school's radio station (WRAS). The response was overwhelming which allowed us to perform for them during a holiday show. Not long after a few radio stations in Georgia and Florida picked it up, and from there we started to gain momentum. The whole move was totally organic."

Much like their summer tour mates Hootie with 'Cracked Rear View', Collective Soul's debut release allowed the band to go from obscurity to worldwide fame almost overnight. "It was an exciting time, especially for Ed. He had been trying to move the needle for over 10 years when his songs suddenly resonated with a larger audience."

As it does, the music industry changed at the turn of the century. Even though they received critical acclaim from music insiders, Collective Soul releases after 2000 began to sell less. Roland understands full reason why. "There are several reasons. We went independent and people stopped buying records. The digital age was upon us. Listeners started downloading songs and sharing music. How well we were actually doing was harder to track."

Not withstanding Roland says the band had the same mindset and didn't let technology deter them. "The business end of the music industry was changing but we didn't. We still continue to do what we do. 30 years later that hasn't changed."

All total, Collective Soul have offered up 12 studio albums, with eight of them having been released in the 21st century. 'See What You Started by Continuing' from 2015 topped the Alternative Rock charts for a week with critics saying it was a return to the classic guitar-driven rock sound the band was known for during the 1990's.

'Blood' and 'Vibrating' from 2019 and 2022 respectively met with similar acclaim from critics, allowing the haunting lyrics were vintage Collective Soul without being overly retro. "My brother is a gifted songwriter. He's not interested in living in the past. The songs are very personal to him, and thankfully many of them have impacted the listeners." 

Collective Soul's latest album 'Here To Eternity' released back in May contains 20 tracks of catchy melodies, driving guitars, and soaring choruses that have defined the band's sound since their early days. The single 'Mother's Love' proves Ed's songwriting has evolved, all the while feels as if it could have easily appeared on any of their multi-platinum releases in the 90's. "The song has been well received, and it's a lot of fun playing it live."

While Ed and the band enjoy recording, Dean admits they enjoy the stage equally as well. "We're a tight unit. Three of us have been together since day one. It's a thrill to play in front of live audiences that enjoy our music, and frankly welcome the new songs as well as the ones that put us on the map years ago."

30 years down the road, 12 studio albums deep and greatest hits compilation titled '7even Year Itch: Greatest Hits, 1994–2001' does Roland see light at the end of the tunnel for Collective Soul. "It's never part of any conversation." According to him they expect to keep hitting the road year after year. "That's the plan. We appreciate the opportunity to do what we do for a living. I don't think we've ever taken it for granted. If we're able, we'll be out there."

Along with Ed, Dean, and Will, the rest of Collective Soul is made up of Johnny Rabb who became the band's drummer in 2012. Rabb formerly held the title of 'WFD: World's Fastest Drummer in Extreme Sport Drumming' by playing 1,071 single strokes in 60 seconds. Lead guitarist Jesse Triplett joined the band in 2014 completes the current line-up. "We're all very dedicated to musicianship." 

Collective Soul hold a distinction that only four other bands can lay claim to. They played at both the 25th anniversary concert for Woodstock '94 and again at Woodstock '99, with the other bands being Metallica, Sheryl Crow, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and mainstream rockers Live.

Roland remembers it well. "Both experiences were great, but '94 was awesome." He explains. "In 1994 we were still a new band. We had just signed a major record deal and 'Shine' was being played all over radio. So here we are. Earlier in the year we were playing clubs and now we playing in front of over a 100K people at one of the biggest events of the year. It was surreal and mind-blowing at the same time."

The Woodstock performances may be a distant memory however, in 2024 Collective Soul are thrilled to be out on the road with Hootie & the Blowfish and Edwin McCain, allowing audiences a triple threat of artists that made a definite impact in the 1990's. "It's an awesome line-up. We complement each other well. For fans, this is a show you're going to want to see."

The Summer Camp With Trucks Tour makes several stops in the southeast, playing Charlotte September 19th, Alpharetta Ga. on the 20th, followed by Greenville SC on the 21st. The tour moves to Florida for three dates before ending up at the two day Riverfront Revival in North Charleston where Hootie and Collective Soul will perform Saturday October 12th. For move on Collective Soul tour dates visit https://collectivesoul.com/