http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1543355/2...?headlines=true


HOLLYWOOD — While fellow former "American Idol" finalist Fantasia dropped her last name for her major-label debut, Chris Daughtry is losing his first.

"If I went out as 'Chris Daughtry' I would have been considered a pop artist, or I would have probably looked at myself that way," explained the frontman of a new band simply called Daughtry. "My favorite artists are bands, and I wanted that. I wanted that group of guys that are real tight together. And it's not about one person — it's a group."

So why not a name like Cadence or Absent Element? (Google alert: those were Daughtry's pre-"Idol" bands.) "Nobody would have related it to me," the singer said during a break from rehearsing last week. "So we decided on just Daughtry, because the recognition is there, but it's still a band name."

OK, so now that that's out of the way, what can we expect from Daughtry, which also includes guitarists Jeremy Brady and Josh Steely, bassist Josh Paul and drummer Joey Barnes? "I'm making the kind of album I've always wanted to make," Chris said. "It's got the sensitive, lighter stuff, but also the stuff that makes you want to run around in circles, pounding the walls in or something. I think it captures everything that I like about music. I was influenced by Elton John and, you know, Led Zeppelin. I think it's got a little bit of everything in there."

Daughtry are recording the yet-untitled album, due November 21, with producer Howard Benson, whose credits include the All-American Rejects, My Chemical Romance and Papa Roach (see "Chris Daughtry Drafts Fuel Guitarist, My Chemical Romance Producer For LP").

"The great thing about Howard is he knows what works for songs," Daughtry explained. "He can help you with the arrangements, he can help you with the writing process, and he is really good about that, so it definitely made the songs better than what I could have imagined them to be."

Daughtry also collaborated with other rock songwriters, including former Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody, SR-71's Mitch Allan, Shinedown's Brent Smith and the Nixons' Zac Maloy, who worked on the potential first single, "Used To."

Other contenders to be first out the gate include "It's Not Over" and the ballad "Home," which might replace Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" as the "Idol" farewell song next season (see " 'Bad Day' Singer Powter Says He Doesn't Watch 'American Idol' "). "I actually wrote 'Home' at home," said Daughtry, who started singing and playing guitar in high school. "I was sitting on my couch and I knew I was getting ready to go out and do the show. I guess I started picturing what it was going to be like if things go really well. I think I wrote the song in, like, 10 minutes and I never changed anything from that time. I was really proud of it. It was just one of those songs that you're feeling it, and it came right out and you never really had to think about it."

Daughtry finished fourth on the latest season of "Idol" and was the rare — if not the only — eliminated contestant to publicly express anger in the days following (see "Daughtry On Elimination: 'I Wasn't Going To Pretend To Be Happy' ").

"I look at those interviews and I'm like, man, I look like a miserable dude who just lost his life," Daughtry said, chuckling. "I mean, that's what I was feeling at the time, I wasn't too happy about it. But for me, it was the best thing that happened. Now I get to put a band together and write my stuff and put the album out that I wanted to put out. So I got what I wanted out of the whole process."

So is Daughtry finally admitting it might have been best for him not to win?

"I would definitely say if you win the competition you have something to live up to," he said. "In that respect, I agree, but I don't look at it as there is less pressure on me, because I put a lot of pressure on myself to make sure I put out what people want and expect out of me.

"I don't want to look back and not be proud of what I did."

yay, thanks for that new article!!! its on MTV too!

i am just so darn excited! im having mix feelings with "home" replacing "bad day", it would guarantee the song success like what happened with "bad day" but people might hate the song when they hear it specially if their favorite got the boot (kinda like me, hehehe, i can't stand hearing "bad day" now). other than that, i agree that "home" is appropriate to replace "bad day".

looks like they're testing the songs on what would sound right as the first single. that's their problem, all of the songs sound so darn good, any could be a debut single!



im loving this quote, makes me more excited!

If "Home" replaces "Bad Day" next season than that is a very good thing.

Great article, thanks for sharing! Did we know before he wrote with Ben Moody? That is awesome!

Thanks Jo~You always find the good stuff! November 21st cannot get here soon enough.....

Thanks Jo (aka resident sleuth)!! Loved this article!! I'm ready to run around in some circles and bang my head on stuff!!

Great article! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing this article! I think I am going to die if they don't get the single out already!

Thanks Jo!!

I read somewhere that Daughtry may have a little snippet on MTV news, I wonder if there will be any video or just the mention of what''s in this article Everyone keep your eye out and report back please

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!! ::runs around and pounds on walls::

FREAKIN AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE THE ARTICLE! THX SO MUCH JO! I still love Bad Day, even though it played 4 Chris...great song!

Very cool article! Thanks Jo!

Hurry up and pick a single, already! I want to run around in circles!!!!!!

WOW great article!! I'm getting more and more excited every day!! c'mon, release the darn single already

Thanks Jo...Great article!!! I can't wait any longer!!!!! I' DYING FOR THE NEW SINGLE TO COME OUT!!!!!!

OMG Thank you so much for posting this article! It makes me even more excited about the cd! Almost exactly a month until Daughtry hits America! I cannot wait until the single comes out and I love that Chris now understands that not winning AI was the best thing for him!!! Hurry up Daughtry and release your SINGLE!!!

I don't care what the single is, just release one!!! We've been patiently (?) waiting...and the rest of the world needs to hear what most of us have only caught on cellcert!

COOL!

i never knew he wrote with Ben Moody! Now I'm sure the album is gonna be really really amazing!!! i just dont like Home replacing Bad Day. Lots of people are annoyed with that song (including me) and I don't want people to be annoyed with Chris

I truly enjoyed reading this article. It's was like putting a huge grin to my life after a very tough and sad day at work. Chris has always the magic way to make me feel better. Thanks for posting. Live your dream, Chris! We love you.

Super article. Daughtry is going to be a mega-star band. No two ways about it. You go, Chris!

yay!!!! lovely article!!!!! i can't wait for the single!

I agree with you. I used to like "Bad Day" until Idol played it constantly, then it got annoying.

Thanks for finding and posting that article, Jo.

I agree. The more publicity for Chris, the better.

I love the song "Home". With good lyrics and Chris's amazing voice it's just awesome.

Nice find... awesome article. Just found this on MTV as well...http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1543355/2...?headlines=true

I loved the article...thank you so much....It would be nice if "Home" replaced "Bad Day" next season on Idol . Im happy....can't wait for Nov. 21!!!

awesome article!!!!!! thanks! yeah, tina, it would be awesome if home could replace bad day!!

Great article! Thanks for posting!