Bio:

In 1996, Cagematch garnered a solid reputation for class, musicianship, and a strong work ethic, as they joined Abysmal Crucifix in a national tour. The success of this tour directly led to their signing with Kelleystein Recordings, and a debut album Piper Columbus Rises from the Dead followed in early 1997. An intoxicating blend of "old-school" hair-metal and modern grunge, the debut garnered positive reviews from many indie-music publications, such as Metal Maze, Hardchord, and Greenleaf Weekly.

The same could not be said about Cagematch's misunderstood sophomore effort, Gates, released in November of 1997. An uneven mix of densely layered, ethereal instrumentals and stripped-down, country-fied ballads, the album was critically panned and sold poorly. Sharon Rexsmith, a huge proponent of Piper Columbus Rises from the Dead, wrote of Gates, "This group has lost its artistic focus. I admire the gumption of daring to be different, but I'd admire it more if it were different and good" (Hardchord Magazine, January/February 1998).

With a reception like that, it's no surprise that Cagematch took several years off from recording, instead concentrating on their live act. They rearranged much of the Gates material in the style that originally found them success, and slowly regained confidence in their material.

Four years later, in the wake of the worst terrorist attack in the history of this country, Cagematch released their third album, The Fallen Ones. Though it was recorded in June and July of 2001, the album was not released until October, where it was widely misinterpreted as a mournful-but-optimistic series of riff-driven power ballads inspired by the tragic events of September 11^th, 2001. Frontman Ted Garrison explains the misunderstanding: "I dunno, I could see it. Like, in 'Carla Spencer,' the lyric that goes, 'Choking on the acrid smoke / of metropolitan life.' You just gotta keep in mind we were doing what I call 'character-study' songs, mostly about the decay of urban life, and the songs were written between 1999 and 2001, and they were all recorded before September 11^th. But hell, if a horrible tragedy helps us sell some records, I won't complain."

Garrison's can-do spirit led to two rapidly recorded follow-ups: 2002's Chopsticks and 2003's The Grey Dawn, all derived from the same recording sessions. Sadly, Cagematch broke up in 2002 just weeks after the release of Chopsticks. Disputes over royalties and songwriting credits were largely attributed to the bands dissolution.

Cagematch Line-Up, 1996-1999
Ted Garrison — vocals
Nick Anderson — lead guitar, harmony vocals
Toddy Jamison — rhythm guitar
Jeff Thomas — bass
Wicked Rick — drums, harmony vocals

Cagematch Line-Up, 1999-2002
Ted Garrison — vocals
Nick Anderson — lead guitar, harmony vocals
Toddy Jamison — rhythm guitar
Greg Marcella — bass, harmony vocals
Wicked Rick — drums, harmony vocals