After touring the U.S. and Europe and self-promoting their independent releases ‘FACECAGE’ (2002), ‘II’ (2004), and ‘III’, produced by Corey Taylor of Slipknot/Stone Sour in 2007, the band developed a lengthy live resume that included playing with over 50 national acts that included such artists as : SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR, FAITH NO MORE, MARILYN MANSON, HATEBREED, SEVENDUST, LIMP BIZKIT, 5 FINGER DEATH PUNCH, DEVILDRIVER, KORN, SEETHER, SOULFLY, STAIND, STATIC X, DOWN, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, SHINEDOWN, PAPA ROACH, BUCKCHERRY, NONPOINT, POWERMAN 5000, HED PE, RA, ADEMA, SPINESHANK, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and many more.
In January 2003, FACECAGE was invited to perform at the legendary SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (SXSW) MUSIC AND INTERACTIVE FESTIVAL in Austin, Texas, as well as being added to the SXSW 2003 COMPILATION CD.
Named ‘BEST INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED CD OF THE YEAR’ by the METAL POST OF SAN FRANCISCO, Earning a two page story in REVOLVER magazine, a full page story in METAL HAMMER, countless stories and articles in various magazines newspapers and websites from all over the world, receiving a 5K out of 5K rating in KERANG magazine, and named “ONE OF THE TOP 20 UNSIGNED BANDS” by XM Radio’s ‘LIQUID METAL’, FACECAGE can be heard in regular rotation on XM RADIO. Beginning in 2002 and continuing today, no less than five tracks off of ‘FACECAGE II’ and ‘III’ were in rotation on any given day.
In the summer of 2006, after solidifying their base in the Midwest and touring the regions of the U.S., longtime friend and confidant COREY TAYLOR (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) came on board to produce their most ambitious album yet. Recorded in Des Moines, Iowa, “FACECAGE III” marked the evolution of the band and the growth of their songwriting.
Taylor said of the band, “I’ve seen them work very hard, go through various changes, pay their dues and become a great band over the years. I’m very proud of them. Success doesn’t come without sweat.” He describes the band as, “Having the dark melodies of the Midwest and the drive of one hundred bands from either coast.”
In 2006, after publicly turning down offers from record labels and opting to remain an independent artist, the band joined forces with Taylor to form an independent Iowa based label, GREAT BIG MOUTH RECORDS. In an unusual move for the industry, it partnered the band and Taylor with the focus on grassroots promotion and artist development.
In 2009, years of hard work and dedication paid off when, after months of emails and requests from Europe fans, FACECAGE was invited to play the legendary annual DONINGTON DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL in England, becoming one of the only ‘independent’ bands from the U.S. to ever play the festival. This also marked the historic occasion of two bands from Des Moines (the other being SLIPKNOT) playing the same show in another country.
After a year-long break, FACECAGE is currently recording their fourth album and is planning tours to follow. Always proud to be independent and always proud to represent Iowa in every city, state, or country they perform, FACECAGE look forward to kicking off another season of tours and shows starting with LAZERFEST 2011.