Aranda (band)

Lore & Background

Dameon and Gabe Aranda have been creating music since an early age. The band became Aranda in 2001 and signed to Epic Records after years of playing locally in Oklahoma City with various groups under names such as 'Image' and 'Freewill' in the 1990s. After recording an album for Epic, they were let go from the label following a massive structural overhaul. Original drummer Armando Lopez left the band in 2003 to join No Justice. Mike Walker joined to record 'The 405 Sessions' in 2004 and became a permanent member when the band signed to Astonish Records in 2006. Their first full-length record, Aranda, was released on April 22, 2008, with the single 'Still in the Dark' peaking at No. 31 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Aranda announced via Facebook their second album would be called 'Stop the World', and on July 1, 2011, they released the lead single 'Undone'. On January 31, 2012, Stop the World was released on iTunes, produced by Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K. The band became signed to Wind-up Records in mid-2012. Their third studio album Not the Same was released on June 30, 2015, produced by Kato Khandwala, and peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Heatseeker Albums Chart. On July 29, 2022, Aranda released their fourth studio album Recollections of a Painted Year with nine tracks; a deluxe edition later added five more tracks.

Reader's Guide

Aranda has maintained a consistent presence in the American rock scene since forming in 2001, touring with major acts such as The All-American Rejects, Buckcherry, Sevendust, Shinedown, Puddle of Mudd, Theory of a Deadman, Halestorm, 3 Doors Down, and Daughtry. Their music has reached beyond their own releases: the song 'Whyyawannabringmedown' was used as the official theme for WWE's pay-per-view The Bash and was later recorded by Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson. Additionally, 'All I Ever Wanted' was recorded by Kelly Clarkson for her fourth album, which was named after the song, and became the fourth single from that album. The band was nominated in 2012 for a RadioContraband Rock Radio Award for Indie Artist of the Year and performed at Rocklahoma in 2010 and the 10th Rock on the Range festival in 2016. Their discography reflects a steady evolution through independent and major label releases, with their latest album arriving in 2022.

Did You Know?

• Aranda's song 'Whyyawannabringmedown' was not used as the official theme for WWE's PPV The Bash (that honor went to 'Let It Rock' by Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne), and it was never recorded by Kelly Clarkson.
• The band's third album Not the Same peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Heatseeker Albums Chart.
• Aranda performed at Rocklahoma in Pryor, Oklahoma in 2010.
• Their debut single 'Still in the Dark' peaked at No. 31 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.