Behind VIXX

VIXX (Korean: 빅스; acronym for Voice, Visual, Value in Excelsis) is a six member South Korean boy band, signed under Jellyfish Entertainment.
All members were on Mnet's reality show, MyDOL. The members were chosen in an elimination system through viewer votes.

Pre-debut

Before debuting, the VIXX members were 6 of 10 contestants featured in the Mnet's reality show Mydol. N, Leo, Hongbin and Ravi were featured in Brian Joo's "Let This Die" music video. N, Leo and Ravi were also featured in Seo In-guk's "Shake It Up" and Hongbin was featured in Seo In-guk's "Tease Me".

2012: Superhero, Rock Ur Body and Jelly Christmas 2012 Heart Project

VIXX debuted with "Super Hero" on May 24, 2012 on M! Countdown. Their first overseas performance was at the Otakon Convention in Baltimore, Maryland on July 27.
On August 14, VIXX released their second single album, as well as the music video for the title song, "Rock Ur Body". The group also attended KCON 2012 on October 13.
VIXX was also part of Jellyfish's winter project, Jelly Christmas 2012 Heart Project, with their label mates Lee Seok Hoon, Park Hyo Shin, Seo In-guk and Sung Shi Kyung. On December 5, the title track, "Because It's Christmas", was released digitally.^[5]

behind Eric Nam

Nam Yoon-do (Hangul: 남윤도, born November 17, 1988), better known by his birth name Eric Nam (Korean: 에릭남), is a Korean-American soloist signed under B2M Entertainment alongside Lee Hyori, SPICA, Heo Young Saeng, and Kim Kyu Jong. He first appeared on Birth of a Great Star 2 in 2012 after being discovered in one of his cover songs on YouTube. He released his first album, "Cloud 9", on January 23, 2013.

Early life

Eric Nam was born and raised in Atlanta on November 17, 1988. He graduated from The Lovett School in 2007 where he played soccer and played in the orchestra. For his senior project, he recorded his own solo CD that was very popular with the student body. He then flew to Boston where he studied Bachelor of International Studies at Boston College. He also studied in Beijing for a year. He can speak Korean, English, Spanish, Chinese, and is currently learning Japanese. When he was younger, he became a part of the Atlanta Boy Choir and toured in Italy where he got to sing for mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Pre-Debut

Before making it to the K-Pop industry, Eric Nam was already making cover songs and posting them on YouTube. The cover songs include Taeyang's "Wedding Dress" and "I Need A Girl", "End of the Road" by Boys 2 Men, and "Someone Like You" by Adele. He also once auditioned in SM Entertainment when he was in high school, but he didn't get in. He didn't give up, though, and continued uploading YouTube videos. One time, a JYP representative called him after watching his cover songs and suggested that he should go to a JYP audition in New York. However, he decided not to audition because during that time, he still had to focus on his studies. On June 13 of 2011, he posted a cover song of Lonely by 2ne1, and soon discovered by a Korean broadcasting company, MBC. After MBC watched his YouTube audition, he was flown out to Korea for an audition in person.

behind Kim JaeJoong

Kim Jae-joong (Hangul: 김재중; hanja: 金在中; born January 26, 1986), known mononymously as Jaejoong, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, and director. He is best known as a member of the Korean pop group JYJ, and was one of the original members of boy band TVXQ. Kim also went by the stage names, Hero Jaejoong (Hangul: 영웅재중; hanja: 英雄在中; "Youngwoong Jaejoong") and Jejung (ジェジュン).

Kim has branched out to act in dramas including Sunao ni Narenakute, Protect the Boss, and most recently Dr. Jin, and in films such as Heaven's Postman and Jackal is Coming. He was also the Executive Director for JYJ's 2011 Worldwide Tour and the 2011 LG Whisen Rhythmic All Stars.
In January 2013 he released his first EP, titled I, followed by a full length album, WWW in October the same year.

Early life

Kim was born Han Jae-jun in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. His real birthday, as revealed by his biological mother, was on 4 February, instead of 26 January. At a young age, he was given up for adoption by his birth mother to the Kim family, and his name was changed to Kim Jae-joong.

When Kim was fifteen, he moved to Seoul by himself in order to take part in the auditions held by SM Entertainment. Life in Seoul was financially difficult and he took various odd jobs to pay for rent, food, and training fees, he even appeared as an extra in movies. In an interview he admitted he used to be tone-deaf in primary school and was frequently ridiculed for his dream of becoming a singer. He practiced singing on his own.

Behind Aaron Fincke

Aaron Fincke (born April 22, 1978; known professionally as Aaron Fink) is an American musician, best known as the former lead guitarist for the post-grunge/alternative metal band Breaking Benjamin and now the current guitarist of the band Gentleman East.

Before Breaking Benjamin, Aaron Fink and band mate Mark James Klepaski (bass), were members of the band Lifer (Strangers With Candy). They broke away from Lifer in late 2001 to join their old high school friend Benjamin Burnley (vocals/guitar) and Jeremy Hummel (past drummer) in creating Breaking Benjamin. Fink has helped Burnley write many of the band's lyrics and was a strong backbone of the band. Ben has stated the following about Aaron's work on the band's second album, We Are Not Alone, "He's not so much a riff guy as someone who creates atmosphere. His talents really shine through here."
In live performances, Fink currently plays Music Man/Ernie Ball Axis Super Sport Guitars. He used to play his Washburn Idol guitar for live performances, and a Fender Telecaster in earlier years, but has started to play MusicMan instead. He also pulls out his PRS for a few songs in the live set.
Beyond Breaking Benjamin, Fink has played on The Badlees 2009 album, Love Is Rain as well as performed live with the band for several shows during 2009 and 2010.
Fink lives in Dallas, Pennsylvania, United States.

Behind Mark Klepaski

Markus James "MJ" Klepaski (born September 11, 1975) is an American bass guitarist, best known as the former bass player for the American post-grunge/alternative metal band, Breaking Benjamin, as well as formerly playing bass for the band Stardog Champion.

Mark James Klepaski is a bass player known for his work in the band Breaking Benjamin (2001-2012). Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, currently fronted by vocalist and guitarist Benjamin Burnley. The band released four studio albums, Saturate in 2001, We Are Not Alone in 2004, Phobia in 2006, and Dear Agony in 2010, selling over five million albums in the United States alone.
Before Breaking Benjamin, Mark was the bass guitar player for Lifer (Strangers With Candy). He and guitarist Aaron Fink eventually made the decision to leave Lifer for Breaking Benjamin.

Behind Ben Burnley

Benjamin Jackson Burnley IV (born March 10, 1978) is an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, primary songwriter, sole constant, and currently the only member of the band Breaking Benjamin. He has written some of the group's most successful singles such as The Diary of Jane, Sooner or Later, Breath, So Cold and many others.

Early days as a musician

Benjamin Burnley was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey and grew up there and in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. At 18, he dropped out of high school and moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he became a roommate of former Breaking Benjamin bass player Jonathan Price. He taught himself to play guitar by listening to Nirvana's Nevermind (he cites Nirvana as his biggest influence). Before Breaking Benjamin was formed, Burnley earned money playing cover songs in various coffee houses as a solo artist. It was during this era that his band got its name. After performing a Nirvana cover, Ben knocked over a microphone (in imitation of his lifelong idol Kurt Cobain) and cracked it. The mic's owner walked onstage and said, "I'd like to thank Benjamin for breaking my microphone."

Starting Breaking Benjamin

In 1998, Burnley and former lead guitarist Aaron Fink, got together (along with Nick Hoover and Chris Lightcap) and started the band “Breaking Benjamin.” Eventually Ben wanted to try something different and went out to California to try some new material. The other 3 members went on to form the band “Strangers With Candy.” They recruited old friend Mark Klepaski to play bass and he joined in, and shortly after, Nick Hoover was then asked to leave the band.
In 1999, Ben Burnley moved back to Pennsylvania, and started a band called “Plan 9” with drummer Jeremy Hummel. Originally the band was a 3-piece. The lineup consisted of Ben on vocals and guitar, Jeremy behind the kit, and Jason Davoli on bass. Plan 9 would occasionally open for Lifer at home shows. During one show, Ben said “Thank you, we’re Breaking Benjamin,” and thus reclaiming the name from 1998. Later on, Mark left Lifer and found himself playing bass for Breaking Benjamin. Lifer continued going through struggles, and months later, Aaron sat in for a set with Benjamin. Finally, Aaron left Lifer, and was offered a spot in Ben Burnley's band, and they became a 4-piece.

Behind Breaking Benjamin

Breaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, currently fronted by vocalist and guitarist Benjamin Burnley. The band released four studio albums, Saturate in 2002, We Are Not Alone in 2004, Phobia in 2006, and Dear Agony in 2009, selling over five million albums in the United States.

In mid-2010, the band started a hiatus due to frontman Burnley's recurring illnesses and inability to tour. Further complications arose in August 2011 when Mark Klepaski and Aaron Fink were fired from the band.

In April 2013, Burnley announced he would press forward with the band name in the future without any of the other previous members, as drummer Chad Szeliga announced his departure from the band.

Formation (1998–2001)

In 1998, Burnley, guitarist Aaron Fink, Nick Hoover and Chris Lightcap formed Breaking Benjamin. Burnley later moved to California to experiment musically. When he moved back to Pennsylvania, he started a band called "Plan 9", playing guitar and singing alongside drummer Jeremy Hummel and bassist, Andy Seal, which was subsequently replaced by Jason Davoli in 2000, and Jonathan "Bug" Price in 2001. Plan 9 occasionally opened for Lifer at home shows. During one show, Burnley said, “Thank you, we’re Breaking Benjamin”, reclaiming the name from earlier in 1998.

Saturate (2002–2003)

 

After a successful independently-released self-titled EP (which sold all 2,000 printed copies), Breaking Benjamin signed with Hollywood Records in early 2002. They then released their full-length major-label debut, Saturate, on August 27, 2002. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart, and at #136 on the Billboard Top 200.

Its first single, "Polyamorous", received moderate radio play but failed to reach mainstream audiences. Three versions of a video for "Polyamorous" were released: one purely live-action footage, one with footage of the video game Run Like Hell and one a variation of the second, but with the Run Like Hell scenes replaced by scenes of people in flirtatious acts. This song was featured on the game WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw and also featured on WWE Day of Reckoning.

The second single was "Skin", which fared worse than "Polyamorous". Burnley has stated his disdain for the song during performances, and encourages the crowd to sing while the band plays. The disdain is because Hollywood Records chose it as the main single instead of the band's choice, "Medicate".

They planned on releasing a studio version of their cover of "Enjoy the Silence" (along with "Lady Bug") on the European version of Saturate, but this version was never released. "Lady Bug" was later released on the So Cold EP, and on the Japanese version of We Are Not Alone.

"Wish I May" is played during the closing credits of the 2003 horror film, Wrong Turn.

We Are Not Alone (2004–2005)

Breaking Benjamin released their second album, We Are Not Alone, on June 29, 2004. It featured the lead single "So Cold", which reached #2 on the United States Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Two music videos were made for "So Cold", one a promotional video for the movie Hellboy. "So Cold" spent 37 weeks in the Top 20 of the Billboard charts.

Other singles from the album were "Sooner or Later" and a re-recorded, full band version of "Rain" (only on later pressings of the album). "Sooner or Later" received significant radio play, reaching #2 on the Mainstream Rock Charts. A music video for the song was released. The song was performed live on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno".

The songs "Rain", "Forget It" and "Follow" were co-written by The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and Burnley over six days in December 2003. Burnley stated he was initially nervous about working with Corgan, but later felt comfortable. He called the experience one of the highlights of his career.

Jeremy Hummel temporarily left the band in August 2004 to spend time with his newborn child, and was replaced by Kevin Soffera, who played with the band on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Last Call with Carson Daly. He performed the songs "Away" and "Breakdown" on the So Cold EP. Hummel returned to the band in September 2004 and was later fired. On September 28, 2005, Hummel filed a federal lawsuit against Breaking Benjamin and its management, claiming he was owed money for songs he helped write. The suit sought over $8 million in damages. Hummel did not receive any money for We Are Not Alone, which he co-authored. The band took Ben "B.C." Vaught as its new drummer, until early 2005, when he was replaced by Chad Szeliga.

The song "Firefly" was featured in the WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw video game, released November 2004.

The song "Blow Me Away" was written for and featured in the game Halo 2, released in November 2004. It was later on Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Volume 1, and on the So Cold EP.

We Are Not Alone went platinum in mid-2005. A "platinum edition" of We Are Not Alone was then released, including the full-band version of "Rain".

Phobia (2006–2009)

Breaking Benjamin released Phobia on August 8, 2006, leading with the single "The Diary of Jane", which made it to #4 on the U.S. Modern Rock Charts.

On February 11, 2007, HDNet aired a one-hour Breaking Benjamin concert from Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This concert was included on the re-released Phobia DVD in April 2007, billed as "The Homecoming". The band had their first #1 hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks with "Breath". The music video for "Breath" was made of footage from the song's performance at the Stabler Arena show.

They co-headlined a tour of the United States with Three Days Grace, with Red and Puddle of Mudd as openers. The reissued Phobia re-entered the Billboard 100 at number 38 on May 5, 2007.

On June 29, 2007, Breaking Benjamin performed "Breath" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. On July 6, they played the song on The Late Show with Craig Ferguson. They toured 36 venues in Fall 2007, with Three Days Grace, Seether, Skillet (first half) and Red (second half).
On October 23, 2007, Breaking Benjamin released all of their music videos on iTunes, in a set titled "Nightmares".

On May 21, 2009 Phobia went platinum.