From platinum-selling hits to social media controversies and lineup shifts
In short: Formed in California in the mid-'90s, Trapt climbed the Billboard charts with their massive debut. Yet, their journey has been anything but linear, marked by shifting musical styles, fractured label relationships, and highly unconventional social media presence that has sparked significant public debate.
The band's ascent began in the mid-1990s when members met in middle school. After playing local venues in 1997 and opening for acts like Papa Roach in 1998, they released their first CD, Amalgamation, in 1999. Their major-label debut, self-titled Trapt, released on November 5, 2002, became a massive commercial success. On November 24, 2003, the RIAA granted the album platinum status, following the success of the single "Headstrong," which hit number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Before their major-label breakthrough, the group performed as a rapcore act. They originally rehearsed in a guesthouse that featured a loft overlooking the living area.
Despite early success, the band's relationship with major labels was often fraught. After their second album, Someone in Control, failed to meet Warner Bros. expectations—selling 500,000 copies and reaching #14 on the US Billboard 200—the band effectively left the label. They subsequently signed with Eleven Seven and later Epochal Artists, moving through various musical styles including post-grunge, nu metal, and heavy metal. Their musical output has spanned nine studio albums. This includes the 2016 release DNA and the 2024 record The Fall.
The band's history is also defined by significant lineup changes and public friction. Over the decades, members like Simon Ormandy, Aaron Montgomery, and Dylan Howard have departed. Furthermore, frontman Chris Taylor Brown has used the band's official social media to engage in heated disputes with fans and internet musicians, addressing topics ranging from political figures to social issues. This has occasionally resulted in venues pulling out of scheduled performances due to the resulting controversies. The group's percussionists have changed frequently, including drummer Mitch Moore and former member Adam Prentice. These shifts have occurred alongside various tours, such as the 2022 anniversary run.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Trapt
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