Blue October

Blue October
Blue October in 2009
Background information
Origin	Houston, Texas, USA
Genres	Alternative rock
Years active	1995–present
Labels	RoDan Entertainment/Scoop, Brando, Universal, Up/Down Records
Associated acts	The Last Wish, Imogen Heap, Zayra Alvarez, Harvard of the South, Canvas, (a+)machines
Website	www.blueoctober.com
Members	Justin Furstenfeld Ryan Delahoussaye Jeremy Furstenfeld Matt Noveskey Matthew Ostrander
Past members	Liz Mullally Brant Coulter C.B. Hudson Dwayne Casey Piper Skih Julian Mandrake

Blue October is an American alternative rock band originally from Houston, Texas. The band was formed in 1995 and currently consists of Justin Furstenfeld (lead vocals, guitar), Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums, percussion), Ryan Delahoussaye (violin/viola, mandolin, piano, backing vocals), Matthew Ostrander (lead guitar), and Matt Noveskey (bass guitar, backing vocals). The band has had eight Top 40 singles over their past seven studio albums, and is best known for their platinum singles "Hate Me" and "Into the Ocean" from their 2006 platinum album Foiled.

Blue October was formed by lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Justin Furstenfeld, his brother Jeremy, and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Delahoussaye. The band was discovered by former Kid Rock manager Michael Rand performing at the Atchafalaya River Cafe. His agency proceeded to book over 350 dates on the group unsigned. Extensive publicity and artist development was regimented. This work eventually led to Michael bringing the band to Universal Music Group CEO Doug Morris under the direction of long time A&R rep Reen Nalli. The group moved to San Marcos, Texas in December 1996 and added bassist Matt Noveskey in late 1998, and guitarist C.B. Hudson in late 2000.

Managed by Justin and Jeremy's parents under the name "RoDan Entertainment," Blue October released their first album, The Answers, in 1998; a well-received debut which sold over 5,000 copies in Houston alone. Due to a fan-based connection with ABC's KTRK-TV (Channel 13), Blue October was able to schedule an early-morning news performance — the band's first live television performance. Other unreleased songs from this period, such as "Rust", "Colorado 5591", "His Name Is Crazy", "Gun Metal Blue", "Dollar 30 Gravy", and "5 Day Walk" can be found on YouTube.