Lifer (band)

Lifer

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1999 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States
Headquarters	Wilkes-Barre , United States
Products	Music albums, singles, EPs

Lifer is a United States-based nu metal and alternative metal group that originated in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1999. Their initial period of activity spanned from 1999 until 2002, during which they released one full-length album under the major labels Universal Music and Republic Records.

Formation and early period (1999–2000)

The band initially came together in spring 1999 under the name Strangers with Candy, a moniker inspired by a suggestion made at a social gathering. Their early performances primarily consisted of cover versions from artists such as Coal Chamber, Cypress Hill, Deftones, Korn, and Limp Bizkit. In 2000, Strangers with Candy gained recognition by participating in MTV's Ultimate Cover Band Contest, performing renditions of "Take On Me" by A-ha, "Guerrilla Radio" by Rage Against the Machine, and Limp Bizkit's "Nookie".

Their appearance on MTV significantly broadened their audience worldwide and attracted attention from industry professionals. On July 10, 2000, they secured a six-album contract with Universal Music and Republic Records. Vocalist Nick Coyle highlighted that strong regional sales played a role in this deal: "Some record labels saw us and were like 'who is this band selling all these CDs' and they picked us up." Due to legal complications involving the Comedy Central show Strangers with Candy, the group first adopted the name Driver before finally settling on Lifer.

Debut album release (2000–2001)

In late 2000, the band’s debut self-titled album was produced by Alex Lifeson of Rush. Guitarist Aaron Fink explained their decision: "We wanted a player rather than just a standard producer." Recording sessions took place at Longview Farms in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. During this period, Lifer also recorded a studio version of their "Take On Me" cover intended for the 2001 film Not Another Teen Movie, but it was ultimately shelved due to dissatisfaction with the final sound.

After the album’s release on August 14, 2001, Lifer toured alongside bands such as Cold and Dope. By late 2001, founding members Aaron Fink (guitar) and Mark Klepaski (bass) departed following internal conflicts and disappointing sales figures. Fink remarked that although they had a modest contract with Universal, the label’s focus remained on larger acts, and without a hit single to support them, promotional efforts declined. Both Fink and Klepaski went on to join Hollywood Records’ rock group Breaking Benjamin, shifting toward a more mainstream post-grunge sound. DJ Tony Kruszka, who joined in 2000, also exited for unspecified reasons.

IV EP and disbandment (2002)

In 2002, Lifer continued with Derek Spencer on guitar and Ian Wiseman on bass, independently recording an EP titled IV. As the musical direction evolved toward melodic rock, Nick Coyle renamed the band myDownfall. This incarnation dissolved in 2003.

Following this period, Coyle took on roles as vocalist and guitarist in various bands including The Drama Club, Stardog Champion, and most recently Cold.

Reunion performances, revival, and new material (2010–present)

Lifer reunited for an acoustic performance on August 14, 2010, in Berwick, Pennsylvania, in support of Emalee Kate Kachurkain, who was battling cancer. The reunion featured the original members with the exception of Chris Lightcap, who was on tour with Shinedown; Tony Kruszka stepped in on drums. Their setlist comprised 10 tracks, including "Key of Me," a song last performed during their Strangers with Candy era in 2000.

In July 2018, Coyle revealed plans for a second acoustic reunion alongside Aaron Fink, where they played songs from their debut album as well as covers from Strangers with Candy during a show in Wilkes-Barre on August 24. Subsequently, Coyle and Fink reassembled Lifer with Tony Kruszka handling drums and Mike Morgan (from Coyle's project The Drama Club) on bass. On March 31, 2020, Lifer unveiled "The Start of Something Else," marking their first new single release in nearly two decades.

Musical style and influences

Lifer draws inspiration from bands such as Deftones, Faith No More, Sevendust, Godsmack, Tool, and Glassjaw. Per AllMusic, their music fuses moody alternative metal elements with aggressive guitar work and dynamic rhythms, complemented by reflective lyrics. Critics have likened their sound to that of Sevendust and Tool, as well as Factory 81, Incubus, Liquid Gang, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Live, and Skrape. Tony Kruszka mentioned that despite pressure from the music industry to adopt a softer approach following their success on MTV's Ultimate Cover Band Contest, preserving their original style has helped them retain fan engagement.

Reception

Kurt Morris of AllMusic rated Lifer's self-titled debut album one and a half stars out of five, expressing disappointment over its perceived lack of innovation. He remarked that the album essentially serves as filler material found in major retail music sections and receives limited exposure on local hard rock radio stations. Morris acknowledged Nick Coyle's vocal abilities and harmony skills on tracks like "Ugly," but felt the interest quickly diminished with songs such as "Boring."

Members

Current lineup

• Nick Coyle – lead vocals
• Aaron Fink – guitar, backing vocals
• Tony Kruszka – drums , turntables, backing vocals
• Mike Morgan – bass guitar

Former members

• Mark Klepaski – bass guitar
• Jonathon Kamor – guitar
• Chris Lightcap – drums
• Derek Spencer – guitar
• Ian Wiseman – bass guitar

Timeline

Studio albums

• Lifer (2001)

Extended plays

• No Need (2000, released under the name Strangers with Candy)
• IV (2002, later incorporated into Nick Coyle's band myDownfall)

Singles

• "Boring" (2001)
• "Not Like You" (2001)
• "Breathless" (2001)
• "Wake Up" (2002)
• "The Start of Something Else" (2020)
• "Born Again" (2020)
• "Lighting in a Bottle" (2020)
• "Hate Me Love Me" (2021)
• "Left Right Left" (2022)

Music videos

• "Boring" (2001)
• "Born Again" (2020)
• "Hate Me Love Me" (2021)

Compilations and soundtracks

• "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)" (2000, featured on Take a Bite Outta Rhyme: A Rock Tribute to Rap compilation) (credited as Driver)
• "Parade" (2001, included in NHL Hitz 2002)
• "Breathless" (2002, part of The Scorpion King soundtrack)