Training for Utopia
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Defunct | 2000 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2023 |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Metalcore music |
Training for Utopia, commonly abbreviated as TFU, is a metalcore group from the United States that was originally active between 1996 and 2000.
History
Initially, the band was signed to Tooth & Nail Records before transitioning to Solid State Records, a subsidiary of Tooth & Nail dedicated to heavier Christian music genres. During their active period, Training for Utopia became well-known within the Christian metal community, although they eventually distanced themselves from that categorization.
Their relatively short career featured tours alongside bands such as Zao, the up-and-coming Spitfire, and Warlord. After a break, they released their sophomore album, Throwing a Wrench into the American Music Machine, which marked a departure from their initial metalcore style by integrating more intense electronic elements and sampling. The band dissolved shortly after completing a brief tour in support of this release.
Following the split, Ryan (previously part of Focal Point) and Don Clark initiated a new endeavor named The American Spectator in October 2000. They also co-founded "Asterik Studio" in Seattle, a graphic design company responsible for creating album covers for numerous artists. In the same year, they formed the Christian metal group Demon Hunter.
On February 3, 2023, Training for Utopia declared their reunion to perform at the 2023 edition of Furnace Fest. Prior to Furnace Fest, on September 1, they unveiled "Out on Parole," their first single in over two decades.
Members
- Ryan Clark – vocals, guitar (currently active with Demon Hunter)
- Don Clark – guitar (formerly with Demon Hunter)
- Steve Saxby – bass guitar, vocals (currently performing with Out of Place)
- Morley Boyer – drums (contributed to An Angle)
Additional members
- Rob Dennler – vocals (1996) (associated with The Roots of Orchis)
- Carlos Colon – synthesizers (1998) (later member of The Deadlines)
Discography
| Title | Release date | Notes | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Falling Cycle EP | 1997-07-29 | Tooth & Nail | |
| Plastic Soul Impalement | 1998-03-03 | ||
| The Split EP | 1998-08-18 | Split release with Zao | Solid State |
| Throwing a Wrench into the American Music Machine | 1999-11-02 | ||
| Technical Difficulties | 2004-04-20 | Compilation of greatest hits |