Taproot

Taproot, formed in 1997 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, began as a quartet of Stephen Richards (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Phil Lipscomb (bass), Jarrod Montague (drums), and Mike DeWolf (lead guitar). The group recorded early demos, including "Again & Again" and "I", which secured a contract with Atlantic Records. Their debut album Gift was released on 27 June 2000, followed by the breakthrough Welcome on 15 October 2002; the single "Poem" peaked at number 5 on the Mainstream Rock chart and helped Welcome sell over 500,000 copies. In 2005, Blue‑Sky Research issued the single "Calling" (number 11 on the Mainstream Rock chart), but the album underperformed, leading to parting ways with Atlantic in 2006. The band self‑released Our Long Road Home in 2008, then signed with Victory Records for Plead the Fifth (2010) and The Episodes (2012). Lineup changes saw Nick Fredell replace Montague on drums in 2008, Dave Coughlin take over in 2013, and Mike DeWolf depart in 2015, with Dave Lizzio and later Taylor Roberts filling guitar roles. After a decade of intermittent activity, Taproot returned with SC\SSRS on 29 September 2023, released through THC Music, accompanied by a national tour. The album was preceded by singles "V\CT\M \ PLAY" (6 April 2023) and "No One Else to Blame" (9 August 2023).