Random Hero (band)

Random Hero is an American Christian rock band formed in Denver, Colorado in 2005. In June 2013, Random Hero released their self produced full-length album, Carry Me Bury Me, that included the single "Mercy". The band's last EP was produced by Ben Kasica. The feature single "Breakdown" spent over ten months on the Billboard Christian Rock Charts peaking at No. 4. The band has worked with MTV, the ESPN X-Games, AMA Motocross, the Go Fast Extreme Games, and is the exclusive band for the Rise Up Tour, an organization that holds assembly programs for high school and middle school students revolving around suicide and addiction education and prevention.

Band history

Random Hero started a little over seven years ago. The original members were Joshua Bertrand, Derek Arosemena, Robert Higdon (Drums), Nick Pearson (Keyboards) and Kat Barnes (Vocalist). In the early years, the band was gaining tons of recognition, and being compared to Evanescence due to Kat Barnes' haunting vocals, alongside Nick Pearson and Josh Bertrand's orchestral- based powerhouse writing.

In April 2006, Random Hero signed a management contract with Scottie Flint and Fury Artist Management, LLC. Flint quickly constructed and implemented a full business plan in order to define the direction of the band. A few months later, Aaron Watkins replaced Kat Barnes as vocalist. Watkins was a referral from one of Flint's mutual friends, and a former member of Radial Angel, and Driven. Watkins fit in immediately, and the direction of the band as a male-fronted group began to gain velocity.

In August 2007, Random Hero entered the KBPI Best Band in Denver competition. KBPI is owned by Clear Channel, and is the fourth largest rock radio station in the United States. Hundreds of bands entered the contest. Random Hero finished the contest in the top three.

In March 2008, drummer Rob Higdon left the band for family reasons. After a number of auditions, the remaining members of the band were growing frustrated, Flint reassured the band that the perfect drummer was out there and the band would know immediately when the right person was found. The final audition arrived. Within the first thirty seconds of the first song, both Bertrand and Derek turned to Flint with huge smiles on their face. Random Hero knew they had found the perfect drummer. His name was Josh Tarrant.

In November 2008, Flint held a meeting with the members of Random Hero to talk about the direction of the band. The decision was made to focus more on the Christian Music Market.

For the remainder of 2008, the band continued to play to large and growing crowds, not only headlining shows, but playing in direct support of national bands.

In January 2009, Flint submitted Random Hero to MTV as potential coaches for the MTV reality show "Made". Random Hero, and more specifically Joshua Bertrand, was chosen to film an episode of Made with a 9th grade student from Estes Park, Colorado.^[1] The completed Made episode aired more than fifty times in the US and an equal number over seas.

For the remainder of 2009, Random Hero played a heavy schedule of shows locally, and toured to AgapeFest, and Cornerstone in Illinois. Flint had submitted the band for a spot on the Van's Warped Tour. Out of a thousand plus band entries, Random Hero was selected to perform at the Denver stop. In addition, the band's Christian industry following began to grow rapidly, and they were asked to play at the Six Flags Elitch's "Faith Day" with Relient K.

Random Hero's drummer Josh Tarrant is an active member of the United States Air Force. An opportunity was given to the band to write a song for the US Air Force's Guardian Challenge. Bertrand and Watkins wrote the song "Guardians of Freedom" with Josh Tarrant acting as producer. The song was chosen as the theme song for the Buckley Air Force Base entry into the Guardian Challenge.^[2] What followed was a number of performances for thousands of US Air Force members, including some of the nations top Air Force Generals, officers, and the Assistant Undersecretary of the Air Force.

In December 2009, Random Hero became one of the first bands in the United States to release an iPhone app.^[3]

In 2010, Random Hero released the Black EP, and the White EP to rave reviews. The band traveled to Illinois to play an AgapeFest kickoff show. Two months later, Random Hero made their main stage debut in just their second year at AgapeFest. Random Hero was overwhelmed by fans after their performance, and immediately invited back to AgapeFest by the Director Chris Emanuel for 2011.

During the remainder of the summer, Random Hero once again played Cornerstone. For the first time, the band performed at Hills Alive Festival in Rapid City, SD. In addition, the band was invited to perform at Colorado's largest Christian music festival Heaven Fest, and for the second time in as many years, the Elitch Gardens Theme Park's "Faith Day"…This time with Skillet.

At the conclusion of Random Hero's set, both John Cooper and Ben Kasica of Skillet approached the band to inquire whether or not the band was signed to a label. Over the following months, Random Hero signed an exclusive production contract with Kasica. "It is a great honor that Ben has chosen to work with Random Hero," said front man Aaron Watkins. Watkins went on to say, "not only is Ben highly respected for his producing talents, but all the members of Random Hero are huge fans of Skillet." Pre-production on a number of songs started in September 2010. On November 1, 2010, the band began recording the new songs at Kasiaca's, Skies Fall Studios, in Kenosha, WI.

In January 2011, Random Hero began to look for second guitarist to present a thicker live sound. Alex Salinas was a member of one of Random Hero's worship band projects The Noise. Salinas was a natural fit for Random Hero, and was quickly brought up to speed in order to perform his first show in early February 2011.

The "Breakdown EP" was released in May 2011, by Skies Fall Records. Also in May, Random Hero performed, once again on the main stage at AgapeFest. Ben Kasica joined the band on stage to perform the song 'Freakshow".

In June 2011, Random Hero signed a co-publishing contract with Ben Kasica and Joe Snyder's Skies Fall Media Group.^[4] The band was also selected by SESAC for performing rights.

In July 2011, Random Hero once again finished in the top three in the KBPI Best Band in Denver competition. Program Director Willie B had this to say about the band "The whole EP is great, but the song Breakdown is absolutely amazing, and in my opinion is a huge hit. It could easily be playing on the radio in regular rotation right now. Bottom line, this band is fantastic, and if people would just listen to the song, they would get immediately hooked on the band."

In early 2012, Random Hero's drummer Josh Tarrant was accepted into the US Air Force's exclusive entertainment troupe "Tops in Blue". With Tarrant's forthcoming one-year absence, the band began to search for a new drummer. During their search, Andrew Whiteman (Red Tide Rising) filled in for live shows already scheduled. After a lengthy search, the band chose Jon Cornella as the new drummer. Jon was found playing in the worship band at a local mega church called Southeast Christian Church.

Shortly after Tarrant's departure, long time bass player Derek Arosemena felt he was being called in a different direction that would render him unable to tour for any length of time. Derek was replaced within a few days by Rob "Los" McDonough. Though new to Random Hero as a musician, Los has been part of the Random Hero family from the very beginning of Aaron Watkins joining the band. He is not only the graphic design artist behind all of the band's images and logos, he is also Aaron's brother in law. Los fit seamlessly into the band and made his festival debut at the 2012 Agapefest.

Band members

Current

• Aaron Watkins – lead vocals (2007–present)
• Joshua Bertrand – lead guitar, vocals (2005–present)
• Rob "Los" McDonough - bass guitar (2012–present)
• Patrick Madsen - drums (2014–present)

Former

• Kat Barnes – lead vocals (2005–2007)
• Nick Pearson - keyboards (2005–2007)
• Robert Higdon - drums (2005–2008)
• Josh Tarrant - drums (2008–2012)
• Alex Salinas – rhythm guitar (2011)
• Derek Arosemena – bass guitar (2005–2012)
• Jon Cornella - drums (2012–2013)

Discography

• The EP (Black) (2009)
• The EP (White) (2010)
• Breakdown EP (2011)
• Carry Me, Bury Me (2013)
• Oceans of Change (2014)

This is a list of major releases only. Additional releases including live albums, singles, compilation albums and videos may

be found at the full discography article.

Awards and recognition

National Billboard 100 National Airplay Charts

• Top 5 (No. 2) Billboard 100 (Christian Charts) "Burn up the night" 2015

Christian Festival Association National Talent Competition

• 2013 Finalist, Top 4

KBPI Best Band in Denver Competition

• 2007 Finalist, Top 3
• 2011 Finalist, Top 3

United States Air Force's Guardian Challenge

• 2009 - "Guardians of Freedom" was chosen as the theme song for the Buckley Air Force Base.

National BDS Christian Rock Radio Charts

• Top 5 (No. 5) "Mercy" 2013
• Top 5 (No. 4) "Breakdown" 2012
• Over 6 Months in the top twenty 2012 and 2013
• Biggest Mover
• Most Added

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Random Hero.

• Official website