WHO'S ON DECK: It's comeback season, Candlebox returns

It's 1998 and Seattle-based rock band Candlebox has called it quits. During a span of nine years, the band released three studio albums - the first, a self-titled release, went four times platinum, the second reached gold - played on main stage at Woodstock in 1994, and in 1998 it was the opening act for Aerosmith. Disenchantment with the music scene, a nonstop work schedule, a band member's drug and alcohol addiction and label troubles all brought the members of Candlebox to a collective consensus. "F-- it; we're gonna break out of our contract (with Maverick Records)," Kevin Martin, vocalist for the band, said. "We knew it was the end of what we needed to do at the time, but we didn't think it'd be seven years before we got back together." The release of Candlebox's "Best of" album in 2006 was inspiration for the band to reform, leading to a national tour the same year. Candlebox's 2006 tour caught the attention of independent music label Silent Majority Group, headed by Jeff Hanson, who has managed groups such as Creed and Sevendust. Silent Majority Group offered Candlebox a 50/50 deal, which Martin said means the band gets equal say on its music and input on album production and artwork. A new record deal and new management (Union Entertainment Group, Inc.) were like a new support group for the album Candlebox had been working on since the 2006 tour. "We threw a lot of s-- away when writing (for the new album)," Martin said. "But now we're able to focus more on each person's best abilities, while breaking down bad habits and our individual characteristics." Collectively, Candlebox defines itself as just "rock 'n' roll," not "grunge" as the press has tagged the band in the past. And with today's scene filled with thriving indie rock, electro-punk and emo, Martin isn't concerned with fitting in with the current trends of rock music. "There's definitely a lot of vanilla ice cream out there right now," Martin said. "The (new Candlebox album) is more like Neapolitan - it's unlike anything out there right now." Though the new album is currently untitled, the band is considering several titles. "In Spite of You" is one of the titles that Martin said was suggested by a friend and is basically a response to years of being under fire from harsh critics in the media. Preparing for the release of its new album and a worldwide tour, Candlebox is playing a set of West Coast dates this month, followed by a small stint in the South in May. "We're still working stuff out live," Martin said. "It's been a year since we've toured, so we're playing these dates to warm up for the summer tour." Martin said the band will hit the road starting this summer for 12 to 18 months with international dates. But after all the ups and downs, it's difficult to say whether the release of a new album and extensive touring will keep Candlebox together. Nevertheless, Martin said the band's nearly 20 years of existence has forced Candlebox to mature as a group. "I think now after 18 years, we've got out all the bad itches and idiosyncrasies and have had plenty of time to figure ourselves out," he said. - Candlebox performs with Golden State and The Black Summer Crush at 8 tonight at the House of Blues. Tickets are $20-$32.50.

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