Not too long ago, Candlebox was ready to call it a day. Having burst onto the scene in the wake of the early ‘90s grunge explosion with hits like “You” and “Far Behind,” the Seattle outfit launched its Long Goodbye Tour in the summer of 2023, with frontman and sole original member Kevin Martin frustrated on a number of levels with touring and the industry at large. The trek kept getting extended, with a first-ever foray into Australia, before perennial road dogs Bush tapped the group as openers for yet another Stateside run in 2024.
Just when it looked like things might finally be winding down, it was announced in January of last year that co-founding guitarist Peter Klett had returned to the fold full-time after departing a decade ago. The move reinvigorated Candlebox, and last month they began the Can’t Quit You Tour, which stops in Boston at House of Blues on Wednesday night (October 28). A new song, “I Remember Everything,” was released to celebrate Klett’s return and the start of the run, with more music on the horizon.
In some respects, Candlebox’s second act – or maybe third at this juncture – might stand as the greatest testament to their staying power. From the beginning, as the inaugural artist signed to Madonna’s vanity label Maverick Records, they were derided by many a critic and fans who didn’t consider them in the same league as Pacific Northwest heavyweights like Nirvana, Soundgarden, et al. The fact that they’re still going, despite the endless obstacles, is the ultimate rebuttal to those who thought they’d never last.
Ahead of tomorrow’s show, Martin sat down with Vanyaland for a 617 Q&A (Six Questions; One Recommendation; Seven Somethings). He discussed the future of Candlebox, the disappointment with the way the band was received by the press and music community in the early days, and what it is that makes the ‘90s such a special decade.
Read my interview with Martin over at Vanyaland, and check out the new song with Klett on guitar below.
Leave a Reply