The Drive

THE DRIVE is a three piece band from Minneapolis, Minnesota that met while still in high school. Drummer Todd Laumann, bassist Jeff Ringate, and singer/guitarist Brian Cristofono got together after seeing an add for the annual battle of the bands. They soon began playing live shows where ever they could, began to write their own music, and at 17 became regulars in downtown club circuit. Later that same year THE DRIVE signed their first recording contract with a local subsidiary of Warner Brothers Records and released their debut single. A few years later, THE DRIVE released their first full length album IGNORE THE LAW on Sonic Warfare Records. Several tracks off the album received heavy rotation and significant charting on CMJ. The album’s success spurred their first international tour with 5 sold out performances in London and a two nights in New Castle. While on tour in the UK, THE DRIVE was approached by EML (European Management Limited) CEO and founder Benny Elmi who had seen their live show and wanted to represent the band. THE DRIVE signed on with EML for management and began work on a follow up album.

Soon after the success of Ignore the Law, THE DRIVE released FM, a experimental rock/electronic album who’s sound Anna Carpenter (EMI A&R) compared to that of U2 and Coldplay. FM as well charted heavily on CMJ and THE DRIVE launched their second transcontinental tour with dates in London, Hamburg, and Berlin among the targeted cities. Soon after returning from their transcontinental tour, The Drive began work on their first self titled EP at renowned Pachyderm Studios, in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Produced by acclaimed singer/songwriter David Wilson (Nashville, Tennessee), and engineered and mixed by award winning Brent Sigmeth (Nirvana, Live, and Soul Asylum), The Drives essence of raw high-energy rock was captured on these five powerful tracks. The Drive received much applause in 2003-2004 for their effort both locally and nationally. In May of 2003 THE DRIVE made their first music video in support of the popular single TOO DAMN WASTED. In 2009 the band traveled to historic SUN STUDIOS (Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison etc) to record the EP “USELESS” which also included “Walk you to your car” and “Main street”.