Training for Utopia

Training for Utopia
Training for Utopia
Origin	Sacramento, California, U.S.
Genres	Metalcore; industrial metal; noise metal;
Years active	1996–2000, 2023–present
Labels	Solid State, Tooth & Nail, Weapons MFG
Past members	Ryan Clark; Don Clark; Steve Saxby; Morley Boyer;

Training for Utopia, also stylized as TFU, is an American metalcore band, initially active from 1996 to 2000.^[1]^[2]

History

The band first signed with Tooth & Nail Records and was later moved to Solid State Records, the Tooth & Nail imprint that promotes heavy Christian music. Training for Utopia subsequently became popular in the Christian metal^[3] scene during its active years, although the band actively tried to remove themselves from that label during their later years.^[4]

Their brief existence included a tour with Zao and at the time the upcoming band Spitfire, as well as Warlord.^[5] After a temporary hiatus the band returned with their second full length Throwing a Wrench into the American Music Machine, which has been noted as a shift away from the band's early metalcore sound,^[4] utilizing heavier use of electronics and sampling.^[6] After a small tour of the material the band disbanded.

At the demise of Training for Utopia, members Ryan (formerly of Focal Point) and Don Clark announced that they were starting a new project called The American Spectator in October 2000.^[2] Don and Ryan Clark started "Asterik Studio" in Seattle, a graphic design shop where they completed many projects, including album artwork for former label-mates. In 2000, they founded the Christian metal band Demon Hunter.

On February 3, 2023, Training for Utopia was announced as one of several bands reuniting to play the 2023 Furnace Fest.^[7] On September 1st, before their appearance at Furnace Fest, the band released their first single in 24 years, "Out on Parole".^[8]

Members

Ryan Clark – vocals, guitar (currently with Demon Hunter)
Don Clark – guitar (played with Demon Hunter)
Steve Saxby – bass guitar, vocals (currently with Out of Place)
Morley Boyer – drums (played on An Angle)

Additional members

Rob Dennler – vocals (1996) (played with The Roots of Orchis)
Carlos Colon – synthesizers (1998) (later joined The Deadlines)

Discography

Title	Release date	Notes	Label
The Falling Cycle EP	1997-07-29		Tooth & Nail
Plastic Soul Impalement	1998-03-03		Tooth & Nail
The Split EP	1998-08-18	Split with Zao	Solid State
Throwing a Wrench into the American Music Machine	1999-11-02
Technical Difficulties	2004-04-20	Best of

References

^ "TFU IS DEAD 1996–2000". Training for Utopia. January 20, 2001. Archived from the original on January 10, 2001.
^ ^a ^b Li, Xiaolei (October 27, 2000). "Training for Utopia Calls Quits". InStrife. Archived from the original on December 6, 2000. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
^ DaRonco, Mike. "Training for Utopia". AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
^ ^a ^b n/a (November 11, 1999) (November 11, 1999). "His Name Is Alive". ocweekly.com. OC Weekly. Retrieved November 15, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Patterson, Eric (October 6, 2007). "Brian Fletchner (Quiver Society, Pilgrims, ex-Warlord)". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
^ D, Sergent (April 27, 2011). "What is the Best Christian Metal/Hardcore Band?". metalsucks.net. Metal Sucks. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
^ Greg Kennelty (February 3, 2023). "HASTE THE DAY Reunites For Furnace Fest 2023". Metal Injection. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
^ "Training for Utopia Debut First New Single in 24 Years "Out on Parole"". September 2, 2023.