Chaplin departed for South Africa in Summer 1997 to work as a volunteer during his gap year . Chaplin’s early experiences there were later reflected in the band’s position for the Make Poverty History campaign. Returning a year later, in July 1998, following a meeting with friend David Lloyd Seaman,…
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The band worked with producers Susan Rogers and David Leonard on Stunt , released in July 1998. Shortly before its release, Hearn was diagnosed with leukemia and temporarily withdrew from touring while receiving treatment. Musicians including Chris Brown and Greg Kurstin substituted until he returned.
Although the Daddies were experiencing commercial success under the guise of swing revivalists, having been declared the “leaders” of the movement by Rolling Stone , the band openly contested being labeled a retro act at the exclusion of their dominant ska and punk influences and modernist lyricism. While still vocal…
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By July, he joined the band full-time
In July, Snot singer Lynn Strait was arrested after he emerged nude from Limp Bizkit’s prop toilet, and was charged with indecent exposure. Because Limp Bizkit’s fans would often break through the barricades, the band was almost kicked off the tour after two days.
Freed from some internal writing conflicts, the band returned to the studio to rewrite and re-record many of the songs on Medazzaland (John Taylor’s work remains on only four tracks). The album marked a return to the layered experimentation of Big Thing , with intricate guitar textures and processed vocals.…
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On June 14, 1998, while touring near Winnipeg in Canada, the band’s van was broadsided and destroyed, and the rest of the tour was canceled.
Throughout 1998 and 1999, the band toured in Europe, Australia and the US. On 12 June 1998, Stereophonics played to over 10,000 spectators in the grounds of Cardiff Castle in Wales. Footage of the concert was released on VHS and DVD, titled Live at Cardiff Castle .
Two further albums, Live! and BBC Sessions , were released in the same year, in June and October respectively.
In June 1998, Universal / Republic Records signed the band to their label.