Tuesday, August 9: Rock Birthdays

Happy Birthday today (Aug. 9) to former Third Eye Blind bassist Arion Salazar. He's 44. Also celebrating is ex Bang Tango bassist Kyle Kyle (51) and bassist Greg Chaisson (Badlands) is 58.

Third Eye Blind formed out of San Francisco, California in 1993. The band signed their first major label contract with Elektra Records in 1996. The band's self-titled debut album Third Eye Blind was released in 1997 with the lineup featuring singer, guitarist Stephan Jenkins, Kevin Cadogan (guitar), Arion Salazar (bass), and Brad Hargreaves (drums). The debut album Third Eye Blind was a commercial success going six times platinum and featuring the singles "Semi-Charmed Life", "Jumper", and "How's It Going to Be". Success followed with the platinum selling album Blue in 1999.

Third Eye Blind made headlines this year when they played a benefit concert for "Musicians on Call", a charity organization, in close proximity to the Republican National Convention. The band spoke out against the Republican Party, criticizing their views on science and LBGT rights. A new EP called We Are Drugs was released in July.