{{Short description|American band}} {{about|the alternative rock band|the physics topic|Unified field theory}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | name = Unified Theory | image = | caption = | image_size = | landscape = | background = group_or_band | alias = Luma | origin = Seattle, Washington, U.S. | genre = Alternative rock, post-grunge | years_active = {{Start date|1998}}–2001 | label = 3.33 | spinoff_of = Blind Melon, Pearl Jam | website = | current_members = | past_members = Chris Shinn<br />Christopher Thorn<br />Brad Smith<br />Dave Krusen }} '''Unified Theory''', previously '''Luma''', were an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1998. The lineup consisted of Chris Shinn (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), formerly of Celia Green, former Blind Melon members Christopher Thorn (lead guitar) and Brad Smith (bass) as well as Dave Krusen (drums) formerly of Pearl Jam.
Following the death of singer Shannon Hoon in 1995, former Blind Melon members Christopher Thorn and Brad Smith moved to Seattle and began working on a new project. This project was put on hold following Thorn's move to Los Angeles. However, after meeting former Celia Green singer Chris Shinn, they regrouped with Smith in Seattle and, with the addition of former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen, formed Luma in 1998. The following year, they released a self-titled EP before renaming themselves Unified Theory, after Albert Einstein's unified field theory, releasing their self-titled debut album in 2000.
Unified Theory toured in support of their album and began recording their second album. However, in 2001, the band disbanded with Smith citing a "sudden lack of chemistry" for the breakup. Their second album, ''Cinematic'', was eventually released in 2006.
==History==
===Early years and formation (1995–1999)=== Guitarist Christopher Thorn and bassist Brad Smith were members of alternative rock band Blind Melon.<ref name="Unified Theory AMG">{{Cite web | last = Prato | first = Greg | title = Unified Theory Biography | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p434912/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> The band released two studio albums, ''Blind Melon'' and ''Soup'', before singer Shannon Hoon died of a drug overdose in 1995.<ref name="Blind Melon AMG">{{Cite web | last = Prato | first = Greg | title = Blind Melon Biography | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p21824/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref><ref name="VH1">{{Cite web | last = Boone | first = Christian | title = Unified Theory Outgrow Carefree Blind Melon Image On Debut LP | publisher = VH1. MTV Networks (Viacom) | date = August 15, 2000 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1123062/20000815/index.jhtml}}{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Smith and Thorn moved to Seattle, Washington following Hoon's death,<ref name="MTV">{{Cite web | title = Ex-Blind Melon Members Resurface With Luma, Extra Virgin | publisher = MTV. MTV Networks (Viacom) | date = July 23, 1999 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://m.mtv.com/news/article.rbml?id=1426173&artist=1039| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120404040730/http://m.mtv.com/news/article.rbml?id=1426173&artist=1039| url-status = dead| archive-date = April 4, 2012}}</ref> with the band taking extended break, releasing ''Nico'', a rarities compilation album, in 1996.<ref name="Blind Melon AMG"/><ref name="Brad Smith AMG">{{Cite web | last = Prato | first = Greg | title = Brad Smith Biography | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p126193/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> The same year, the remaining band members began discussing the possibility of continuing Blind Melon with a new vocalist,<ref name="MTV"/><ref name="Classic rock">{{Citation | last = Ling | first = Dave | title = Classics | page = 20 | work = Classic Rock | publisher = Future plc | date = April 2001 | url = http://archive.classicrockmagazine.com/view/february-2010/23/lions | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120327212922/http://archive.classicrockmagazine.com/view/february-2010/23/lions | archive-date = 2012-03-27 }}</ref> eventually deciding to continue under a different moniker and, unsuccessfully, auditioning a number of singers before going their separate ways.<ref name="Blind Melon AMG"/><ref name="MTV"/>
While in Seattle, Smith and Thorn began a new project that was put on hold after Thorn moved to Los Angeles in early 1998.<ref name="Unified Theory AMG"/><ref name="MTV"/> Smith began working on a solo album,<ref name="VH1"/><ref name="Brad Smith AMG"/><ref name="CMJ">{{Citation | last = Masuo | first = Sandy | title = Former members of Blind Melon and Pearl Jam join forces in Unified Theory. | issue = 88 | page = 35 | work = College Music Journal | date = December 2000 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=7yoEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Unified+Theory+Blind+Melon&pg=PA35 | access-date = 2011-10-12}}</ref><ref name="Abandon Jalopy AMG">{{Cite web | last = Prato | first = Greg | title = Abandon Jalopy Biography | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p485154/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> while Thorn produced Amy Correia's album ''Carnival Love'', recorded with Live, on their album ''The Distance to Here'',<ref name="Blind Melon AMG"/><ref name="CMJ"/> and searched for a singer for their project.<ref name="Unified Theory AMG"/><ref name="CMJ"/> After listening to several singers,<ref name="VH1"/> Thorn met vocalist Chris Shinn, during his time as touring guitarist with Live, after hearing an album by his previous band Celia Green.<ref name="MTV"/> Shinn soon relocated to Seattle, due to his own house in North Carolina being burnt down,<ref name="Classic rock"/><ref name="CMJ"/> staying at Thorn's house while the guitarist was on tour with Live.<ref name="Classic rock"/> Thorn and Shinn then regrouped with Smith and began recording material.<ref name="Modern Drummer">{{Cite web | title = Dave Krusen | work = Modern Drummer | publisher = Modern Drummer Publications | date = September 2005 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull/200001372/Dave%20Krusen | archive-date = August 29, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110829070543/http://www.moderndrummer.com/updatefull/200001372/Dave%20Krusen | url-status = dead }}</ref> It was during recording that Smith invited friend, and former Pearl Jam drummer, Dave Krusen to record with them,<ref name="Modern Drummer"/> with Krusen eventually joining the lineup permanently, forming Luma in mid-1998.<ref name="Unified Theory AMG"/><ref name="MTV"/> The following year, they released a four-song self-titled EP through their website, and toured the Pacific Northwest from July 29–August 18, the same year.<ref name="Unified Theory AMG"/><ref name="MTV"/> By the end of the year,<ref name="Unified Theory AMG"/> Luma changed their name to Unified Theory, named after Albert Einstein's final hypothesis unified field theory.<ref name="Unified Theory AMG"/><ref name="VH1"/><ref name="Classic rock"/><ref name="CMJ two">{{Citation | title = Ex-Blind Melon members become part of Unified Theory | volume = 62 | issue = 666 | page = 5 | work = College Music Journal | date = May 15, 2000 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XyE_79kpWJoC&dq=Unified+Theory+Blind+Melon&pg=PA5 | access-date = 2011-10-12}}</ref>
===''Unified Theory'' and break up (1999–2001)=== {{quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote=When I was writing the lyrics for that song. I kept thinking of all the crazy stuff I went through when I first moved to California. The Song is about standing on your own two feet and giving your dreams a fair shake no matter how impossible they seem.<ref name="Billboard">{{Citation | title = Popular Uprising: Unified Alterna-group | volume = 112 | issue = 31 | page = 21 | magazine = Billboard | publisher = Prometheus Global Media | date = July 29, 2000 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=kxEEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Unified+Theory+Blind+Melon&pg=PA21 | access-date = 2011-03-01}}</ref> |source=—Smith on the band's first single "California."}}
By 2000, Unified Theory signed with Universal Records subsidiary 3.33 Music Group<ref name="Unified Theory AMG"/><ref name="Classic rock"/> while they relocated to Los Angeles and began recording their debut album.<ref name="MTV 2">{{Cite web | last = Saidman | first = Sorelle | title = Unified Theory Readies Single, Video, Mini-Tour | publisher = MTV. MTV Networks (Viacom) | date = June 27, 2000 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1435058/unified-theory-readies-single-video-minitour.jhtml| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130129081727/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1435058/unified-theory-readies-single-video-minitour.jhtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = January 29, 2013}}</ref> The album was recorded at Stank Face Laboratories and Lucky Dog Studios in Seattle, and was produced by both Thorn and Smith,<ref name="Brad Smith AMG"/> and mixed by Andy Wallace.<ref name="Billboard 2">{{Citation | title = Audio Track | volume = 112 | issue = 23 | page = 65 | magazine = Billboard | publisher = Prometheus Global Media | date = June 3, 2000 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mQ8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=Unified+Theory+album+credits+studio&pg=PA65 | access-date = 2011-03-01}}</ref> Jon Bolton and Matthew Steer contributed additional drums to the recording, while string arrangements were handled by Dave Dysart.<ref name="Unified Theory Album credits AMG">{{Cite web | title = Unified Theory Album Credits | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r487639/credits|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> In June, Unified Theory shot a music video for their first single "California" with director Bobby G,<ref name="MTV 2"/> before touring the US in July.<ref name="MTV 2"/>
The band's debut album entitled ''Unified Theory'' was released on August 15, 2000, through 3.33 Music Group in North America only.<ref name="Unified Theory AMG"/><ref name="Classic rock"/><ref name="The Seattle Times">{{Cite web | last = MacDonald | first = Patrick | title = Rock Notes | work = The Seattle Times | publisher = The Seattle Times Company | date = May 5, 2000 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20000505/4019253/rock-notes}}</ref> ''Unified Theory'' went on to sell over 16,000 albums by 2002.<ref name="Billboard 3">{{Cite magazine | title = Unified Theory Unravels | magazine = Billboard | publisher = Prometheus Global Media | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77465/unified-theory-unravels}}</ref> "California" and "Wither" were both released as singles.<ref name="MTV 2"/><ref name="MTV 3">{{Cite web | last = Moss | first = Corey | title = Unified Theory Plan Tour To Support Single | publisher = MTV. MTV Networks (Viacom) | date = January 26, 2001 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1438556/unified-theory-plan-tour.jhtml| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130129112539/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1438556/unified-theory-plan-tour.jhtml| url-status = dead| archive-date = January 29, 2013}}</ref> However, with the exception of Seattle, most major market radio stations avoided playing "California."<ref name="VH1"/> Critically, the album received generally positive reviews.<ref name="Unified Theory AMG"/> Reviewing for Allmusic, Greg Prato stated that "Unified Theory's self-titled debut shows that Shinn has brought a more modern rock sound to the proceedings, mixing Jeff Buckley and Radiohead with Smith and Thorn's retro rock stylings" and that the "12-track debut is a refreshing break from the norm."<ref name="Unified Theory Album review AMG">{{Cite web | last = Prato | first = Greg | title = Unified Theory Album Review | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r487639/review|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> Lina Lecaro, of the ''Los Angeles Times'', describes the album as "a little too much like its members' former projects." However, "there are a couple of unique gems in the derivative dust."<ref name="LA Times">{{Cite web | last = Lecaro | first = Lina | title = Unified Theory, "Unified Theory," 3:33/Universal. | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 19, 2000 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-19-ca-6878-story.html}}</ref> ''The Stranger'' stated that the album "sounds like Jane's Addiction, but not as hard."<ref name="The Stranger review">{{Cite web | title = CD Review Revue | work = The Stranger | publisher = Index Newspapers, LLC | date = August 10–16, 2000 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/cd-review-revue/Content?oid=4654&ref=twitter}}</ref> ''Classic Rock'' stated that the band's "self-titled debut has to be one of the most exciting, spiritual albums of recent times" and that "their sound combines flashes of the off-the-wall genius that was Blind Melon's calling card, the odd reminder of the 90s Seattle scene and a whole host of fascinating influences."<ref name="Classic rock"/>
In support of the album, Unified Theory performed a number of dates in August,<ref name="Billboard"/> and toured supporting Counting Crows, VAST and Live.<ref name="CMJ"/><ref name="MTV 3"/><ref name="The Stranger">{{Cite web | last = Moss | first = Melody | title = Up & Coming | work = The Stranger | publisher = Index Newspapers, LLC | date = October 19–25, 2000 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/up--coming/Content?oid=5278}}</ref> In 2001, the band headlined their own North American tour from February 12–March 1,<ref name="MTV 3"/><ref name="The Stranger 2">{{Cite web | last = Mitchell | first = Barbara | title = Up & Coming | work = The Stranger | publisher = Index Newspapers, LLC | date = February 15–21, 2001 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/up--coming/Content?oid=6506}}</ref> before performing at South by Southwest in March.<ref name="The Austin Chronicle">{{Cite web | last = Langer | first = Andy | title = SXSW Picks & Sleepers | work = The Austin Chronicle | date = March 16, 2001 | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2001-03-16/sxsw-picks-and-sleepers-saturday-sleepers/}}</ref> The band began writing and recording material for their second album before announcing their breakup later in the year.<ref name="Unified Theory AMG"/><ref name="Billboard 3"/> Smith cited frustrations during the writing of their new album as the reason, stating "in the past eight months the band's focus became hazy at best" and despite efforts to keep the band together, it was time for them "to move on" and that "the decision to split was made about two weeks ago [and that their] minds were elsewhere way before that."<ref name="Billboard 3"/>
===Post–breakup activities (2001–present)=== Following the breakup of Unified Theory, Smith released his debut solo album, ''Mercy'', under the alias Abandon Jalopy, in 2001.<ref name="Blind Melon AMG"/><ref name="Brad Smith AMG"/><ref name="Abandon Jalopy AMG"/><ref name="Billboard 3"/><ref name="Classic rock 2">{{Citation | title = Who's doing what, where they're doing it and when they're doing it ... | page = 10 | work = Classic Rock | publisher = Future plc | date = February 2002 | url = http://archive.classicrockmagazine.com/view/february-2002/10/whos-doing-what-where-theyre-doing-it-and-when-theyre-doing-it | access-date = 2011-10-12 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> The album featured contributions from his former Blind Melon bandmates,<ref name="Abandon Jalopy AMG"/> including Thorn who also co-produced the album,<ref name="Mercy AMG">{{Cite web | title = Mercy Album Credits | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r545035/credits|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> with Smith touring in support of the album in 2002.<ref name="Abandon Jalopy AMG"/> Smith and Thorn would continue to co-produce a number of albums together, including the debut album of American singer-songwriter Anna Nalick entitled ''Wreck of the Day'' released on April 19, 2005,<ref name="Wreck of the Day AMG">{{Cite web | last = Widran | first = Jonathan | title = Wreck of the Day Review | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r715121/review|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> and American Minor's self-titled debut album released on August 16, the same year.<ref name="American Minor AMG">{{Cite web | last = Prato | first = Greg | title = American Minor Review | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r782839/review|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> In 2006, Thorn co-produced Cheyenne Kimball's debut album, ''The Day Has Come'', which also featured additional drums by Krusen, released on July 11,<ref name="The Day Has Come AMG">{{Cite web | title = The Day Has Come Credits | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r838773/credits|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> while Smith and Thorn produced Under the Influence of Giants' self-titled album, released on August 8 the same year.<ref name="Under the Influence of Giants AMG">{{Cite web | title = Under the Influence of Giants Credits | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r847264/credits|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref><ref name="UTIOG">{{Cite web | title = Under The Influence Of Giants – Under The Influence Of Giants | date = August 2006 | publisher = Discogs. Zink Media, Inc. | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = http://www.discogs.com/Under-The-Influence-Of-Giants-Under-The-Influence-Of-Giants/release/2442484}}</ref>
Shinn moved to Los Angeles, following the breakup, and began working on a new band with Krusen called Move As A Verb.<ref name="Everything is Energy review">{{Cite web | last = Szabo | first = Erika | title = Everything is Energy Review | publisher = antiMusic | access-date = 2011-10-15 | url = http://www.antimusic.com/reviews/07/EverythingisEnergy.shtml}}</ref> Though they recorded one song, titled "Want and Need," Shinn and Krusen would part ways, with Shinn forming Everything is Energy with former She Wants Revenge guitarist Thomas Froggatt and former Ours drummer Kirke Jan in 2003.<ref name="Everything is Energy review"/> Both Froggatt and Jan would depart the band, with guitarist Noah Lebenzon, Shinn's former bandmate in Celia Green, bassist Joey Clement and drummer David Brotherton joining the band by 2006, with Everything is Energy releasing their self-titled album the following year.<ref name="Everything is Energy review"/>
Krusen would go on to form Novatone with guitarist Robert Lyons and former Green Apple Quick Step singer Tyler Willman, releasing their debut album entitled ''Time Can't Wait'' in 2005.<ref name="Novatone AMG">{{Cite web | last = Unterberger | first = Richie | title = Novatone Biography | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-15 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p744558/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref><ref name="Time Can't Wait AMG">{{Cite web | last = Unterberger | first = Richie | title = Time Can't Wait Review | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-15 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r802800/review|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref><ref name="Time Can't Wait AMG Credits">{{Cite web | title = Time Can't Wait Album Credits | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-15 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r802800/credits|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> The same year, he contributed drums to Thee Heavenly Music Association's debut album ''Shaping the Invisible'',<ref name="Shaping the Invisible AMG Credits">{{Cite web | title = Shaping the Invisible Album Credits | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-15 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r732873/credits|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> while in 2008, Krusen's former band Candlebox<ref name="Candlebox AMG">{{Cite web | last = Huey | first = Steve | title = Candlebox Biography | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p37741/biography|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> released first album in ten years entitled ''Into the Sun'', which featured additional drums previously recorded by Krusen.<ref name="Into the Sun AMG Credits">{{Cite web | title = Into the Sun Album Credits | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-15 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=-r1392863/credits|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref>
After befriending singer Travis Warren, who was interested in having Smith and Thorn produce his music, the trio, along with former Blind Melon members Rogers Stevens and Glen Graham, began working with Warren on new songs<ref name="Billboard 4">{{Cite magazine | title = Blind Melon Recording Album With New Singer | magazine = Billboard | publisher = Prometheus Global Media | access-date = 2011-10-12 | url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56893/blind-melon-recording-album-with-new-singer}}</ref> and announced the reformation of Blind Melon in 2006.<ref name="Blind Melon AMG"/><ref name="Billboard 4"/><ref name="Blabbermouth">{{Cite web | title = Blind Melon Reforms With New Singer | publisher = Blabbermouth.net (Roadrunner Records) | date = October 20, 2006 | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=60649}}</ref> They toured from October 8–22 in 2007,<ref name="Blabbermouth 2">{{Cite web | title = Blind Melon: Tour Dates Announced | publisher = Blabbermouth.net (Roadrunner Records) | date = September 6, 2007 | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=80215}}</ref> and released their first studio album, since ''Soup'', entitled ''For My Friends'' on April 22, 2008.<ref name="Blind Melon AMG"/><ref name="For My Friends AMG">{{Cite web | last = Thomas Erlewine | first = Stephen | author-link = Stephen Thomas Erlewine | title = For My Friends Review | publisher = Allmusic. All Media Guide (Rovi) | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1340602/review|pure_url=yes}}}}</ref> The band performed at the MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert and announced plans to tour in support of their album.<ref name="Blabbermouth 3">{{Cite web | title = Duff McKagan, Wayne Kramer To Perform At MusiCares MAP Fund Concert | publisher = Blabbermouth.net (Roadrunner Records) | date = May 1, 2008 | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=96118}}</ref> However, the tour was soon cancelled after Blind Melon parted ways with Warren.<ref name="Blabbermouth 4">{{Cite web | title = Blind Melon Parts Ways With Singer, Cancels Tour | publisher = Blabbermouth.net (Roadrunner Records) | date = November 9, 2008 | access-date = 2011-10-14 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=108531}}</ref> The band were to perform a number of shows with Thorn and Smith's former bandmate Shinn, though a lack of preparation time resulted in the band cancelling the tour.<ref name="Blabbermouth 4"/>
Unified Theory released their second album, ''Cinematic'', on iTunes in December 2006. The band did not reunite to perform any shows to promote the album.
Unified Theory reunited for one show on August 4, 2010 at the King King in Hollywood. Chris Shinn's other band Everything is Energy opened the show.
Chris Shinn joined the band Live in 2012 as their new lead singer, staying in that role until 2016.
==Musical style== Following the release of their debut album, ''College Music Journal'' writer Sandy Masuo described the release as a "nexus of musical styles that draws on everything from Led Zeppelin to Björk. Hard rock merges with power pop over a trippy undercurrent that flares up in tracks like "Passive.""<ref name="CMJ"/> Describing the songwriting process, Smith stated that each band member "puts their personality into the song even if it was almost completely written by one person" and that once a song goes through the band, it gives it the character of the band members.<ref name="CMJ"/> Comparisons were also made between vocalist Chris Shinn and Shannon Hoon, due to their similar vocal styles and lyrical content,<ref name="VH1"/><ref name="Unified Theory Album review AMG"/><ref name="LA Times"/> though Allmusic writer Greg Prato believes Shinn has "brought a more modern rock sound to the proceedings."<ref name="Unified Theory Album review AMG"/>
==Band members== *Chris Shinn – lead vocals, rhythm guitar *Christopher Thorn – lead guitar *Brad Smith – bass *Dave Krusen – drums
==Discography== ;Studio albums * ''Unified Theory'' (15 August 2000), Universal # "Cessna" – 3:48 # "California" – 3:07 # "Instead Of Running" – 3:39 # "Wither" – 3:56 # "The Sun Will Come" – 3:26 # "AM Radio" – 4:03 # "Fin" – 4:33 # "Self Medicate" – 4:26 # "Passive" – 4:25 # "Full Flavor" – 3:54 # "Not Dead" – 4:01 # "Keep On" – 4:58
* ''Cinematic'' (9 December 2006), Wishbone Recordings # "15 Hits" - 4:15 # "We Don't Break" - 5:10 # "Beneath the Underdog" - 4:01 # "Can't Let Us Down" - 6:02 # "All in One" - 3:12 # "1st 50 Ft." - 3:39 # "Perfect Qualities" - 4:04 # "Oscar and Me" - 4:33 # "Anna" - 4:18 # "One Less" - 4:34
;EPs * ''Luma'' (1999)
===Singles=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Song ! scope="col" |Album |- |rowspan="2"|2000 | "California" |rowspan="2"| ''Unified Theory'' |- | "Wither" |- |}
===Music videos=== {|class=wikitable |- !Year !Title !Director |- |2000 |"California" |Bobby G<ref name="MTV 2"/> |}
==References== {{Reflist|2}} [https://portal.dnb.de/opac.htm?query=feldtheorie&method=simpleSearch Deutsche Nationalbibliothek "Feldtheorie"] https://portal.dnb.de/opac.htm?query=feldtheorie&method=simpleSearch
==External links== *{{Discogs artist|artist=Unified Theory}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Alternative rock groups from Washington (state) Category:Hard rock musical groups from Washington (state) Category:Musical groups established in 1998 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2001 Category:Musical groups from Seattle Category:American musical quartets