Ariputra Blog: Saosin

Saosin is a post-hardcore band originally hailing from Newport Beach, California, formed in 2003. The band currently consists of vocalist Cove Reber, guitarists Beau Burchell and Justin Shekoski, bassist Chris Sorenson and drummer Alex Rodriguez.

Anthony Green, the former vocalist, had initially suggested the name "Saosin" (pronounced as "say-ocean") for the band. After he quit, Saosin changed the pronunciation to "say-o-sin" and what it actually means (Saosin means “small heart” in Chinese (xiao xin). Both pronunciations of the word are actually incorrect, and it is actually pronounced "shiao sheen". The word comes from a 15th century proverb about fathers telling their sons who are being married off for money not to get emotionally involved with their wives, who could die at any time.) Green explained the meaning behind this as being a reference to the fact that nothing is eternal, and that it is a mistake to become overly attached to any one thing, because that thing will eventually be lost. Whilst Green's interpretation of the word xiao xin is obscure, xiao xin is generally used in Chinese as a means to express caution. Green had previously used Saosin as a track name in his high school band, Audience of One's CD, I Remember When This All Meant Something.

Debut album (2006–2008)

After a respite from touring between February and June, the Warped Tour 2006 and numerous demos and compilation appearances, Saosin released their first full-length album Saosin on September 26, 2006. The well-known music producer Howard Benson was hired for the production of the album. Benson had worked with several major rock bands such as My Chemical Romance and Motörhead. The album sold over 35,000 copies in its first week. The record saw a change to a softer, less hardcore oriented tone, yet the band claims to be just as heavy as before during live performances.

During the rest of 2006, Saosin toured on the International Taste of Chaos Tour, playing outside of the US for the first time. They also toured the United States with Bleeding Through and Senses Fail. They kept on touring for the whole year of 2007, beginning with a tour with Senses Fail, Alexisonfire, The Sleeping and Drop Dead, Gorgeous. Saosin also invited the non-profit organization Invisible Children for a portion of the tour. In February they joined the Taste of Chaos 2007. Between April and June they toured in Europe, Australia, Japan and Indonesia. When they came home they continued their headlined tour together with Poison the Well, The Receiving End of Sirens, Fiore and Flight 409. In the later summer of 2007, they were part of the Projekt Revolution tour, headlined by Linkin Park. Other appearances include Placebo, My Chemical Romance and HIM. After this they headlined yet another tour in USA and Canada with Alexisonfire, Envy on the Coast, Norma Jean and The Dear and Departed. In the end of 2007 they toured in UK and Canada.

A live album, Come Close was released on March 11, 2008. The DVD/CD disc set consists of hi-definition concert footage and audio from their November 3, 2007 show at The Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It also contains various live songs on a CD, plus new versions of some of Saosin's favourite songs.

Saosin toured from January 21 to February 8, 2008 with Armor for Sleep, Meriwether, and The Bled; from February 9 to February 16 Fear Before joined the tour. They went to Australia between February and March, after which they performed in Singapore on March 7 as the opening performance for Incubus on their Light Grenades Tour. On their way home they also visited Bali, Hawaii and Mexico. After two final shows at home in California in April, they took a six month break from touring.

Members :