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3OH!3: the story on HearLore | HearLore
3OH!3
Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte recorded their debut album in a basement using a shower mixtape device, a humble beginning that would eventually propel them to global electronic stardom. Born in the mid-1980s in Colorado, the duo met at the University of Colorado and bonded over shared musical interests, with Motte DJing at local hip-hop shows and Foreman competing in MC battles. They named their group 3OH!3 after the 303 area code, which once covered the entire state of Colorado before shrinking to the Denver metropolitan area and Boulder. Their first track, Say Dem Up, appeared on their self-titled debut album released on the 2nd of July 2007, which they recorded entirely in their basement studio. The album included the single Holler Til You Pass Out, released on the 18th of August 2006, and Electroshock, which came out the same day as the album. The duo gained early traction by opening for bands like The Blackout Pact and The Faint, and eventually headlined shows at the Marquis Theatre in Boulder. They signed with Photo Finish Records, a division of Atlantic Records, and moved to Denver to access larger venues and a broader fan base. Their early work laid the foundation for a career that would blend electronic beats with pop sensibilities, setting the stage for their breakthrough in the late 2000s.
Don't Trust Me
The song Don't Trust Me became the catalyst for 3OH!3's commercial success, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning five times platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. Released as the lead single from their second album Want on the 1st of June 2008, the track topped the US Pop Airplay chart and introduced the duo to a mainstream audience. Want, officially released on the 8th of July 2008, reached number 44 on the Billboard 200 and sold 10,000 copies in its first week, marking their best sales performance to date. The album was produced by the duo themselves, Matt Squire, and Benny Blanco, who contributed to a few tracks. The group also wrote an anthem for Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies and contributed a theme song titled Sex on the Beach for The Real World: Cancun. Their touring schedule intensified, with appearances at the Warped Tour 2008 and 2009, and performances at local venues like the Fox Theatre in Boulder and the Aggie Theater in Fort Collins. They joined Katy Perry on a European tour in February 2009 and performed at the Mile High Music Festival alongside artists such as The Fray and Matisyahu. The duo's energy and unique sound earned them a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, where they performed on September 13.
Who are the members of 3OH!3 and how did they meet?
3OH!3 consists of Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte, who met at the University of Colorado and bonded over shared musical interests. Motte DJed at local hip-hop shows while Foreman competed in MC battles before forming the group.
When was the debut album by 3OH!3 released and what was its title?
3OH!3 released their self-titled debut album on the 2nd of July 2007 after recording it entirely in their basement studio. The album included the single Holler Til You Pass Out which came out on the 18th of August 2006 and Electroshock which released on the same day as the album.
What song brought 3OH!3 to commercial success and when was it released?
3OH!3 achieved commercial success with the song Don't Trust Me which was released as the lead single from their second album Want on the 1st of June 2008. The track peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned five times platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
Why did 3OH!3 face a lawsuit from Diamond Dallas Page in 2010?
3OH!3 faced a lawsuit from retired professional wrestler Diamond Dallas Page on the 31st of August 2010 for copyright infringement of his trademarked Diamond Cutter hand gesture. The duo had used the hand gesture as their original logo which led to the legal action.
When was the album Need by 3OH!3 released and what preceded it?
3OH!3 released their sixth studio album Need on the 27th of August 2021 after a four-year hiatus from releasing new music. The album followed the single Lonely Machines which came out on the 13th of November 2020 featuring the duo 100 gecs.
The remix of Starstrukk featuring Katy Perry became a top ten hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, Poland, and Australia, cementing 3OH!3's status as international stars. Released as the second single from Want on the 4th of August 2009, the original version peaked at number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the remix, which dropped digitally on the 8th of September 2009, achieved widespread acclaim. The song was certified two times platinum by the RIAA and showcased the duo's ability to collaborate with pop icons. Their third single, Still Around, was sent for radio airplay on the 8th of December 2009, and they released the EP Live Sessions on iTunes, which peaked at number 11 on the US Dance/Electronic Albums chart. The duo was nominated for the Performing Woodie award at the mtvU Woodie Awards in December 2009, though they lost to Green Day. They also contributed a song titled Follow Me Down to the compilation album for the film Alice in Wonderland with Neon Hitch. Their touring efforts continued with support for bands like All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Third Eye Blind, and LMFAO on The Bamboozle Roadshow 2010. Additionally, they appeared on the track Hey by Lil Jon and were featured on Kesha's Blah Blah Blah, which peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The duo even performed the song with Kesha on American Idol, further expanding their reach.
My First Kiss and Legal Trouble
The song My First Kiss, featuring Kesha, became the lead single from their third album Streets of Gold, debuting at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning gold certification from the RIAA. Released on the 4th of May 2010, the track was part of a promotional campaign that included streaming releases of Touchin' on My, Déjà Vu, Double Vision, and I Can Do Anything between May and June 2010. Double Vision, released as the album's second single on the 15th of June 2010, peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100. Streets of Gold, released on the 29th of June 2010, debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200, selling 41,000 copies in its first week. The duo embarked on the Streets of Gold tour in the summer of 2010, with support from Hellogoodbye and Down with Webster, and toured across Europe, Australia, and Japan in August 2010. They were nominated for Best Collaboration at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. However, their success was not without controversy. On the 31st of August 2010, retired professional wrestler Diamond Dallas Page filed a lawsuit against 3OH!3 for copyright infringement of his trademarked Diamond Cutter hand gesture, which the duo had used as their original logo. This was not the first time Page had taken legal action; he had previously filed a similar lawsuit against rapper Jay-Z in 2005, which resulted in Page dropping the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount of money. The duo also released the single Hit It Again on iTunes on the 21st of December 2010, and their song I Know How to Say was used in a trailer for the 2011 animated Disney film Mars Needs Moms and featured in commercials for the sci-fi comedy movie Paul.
Omens and Endless Delays
The duo's fourth studio album, Omens, faced a series of delays before its eventual release on the 18th of June 2013, after being originally scheduled for the 30th of October 2012. Nathaniel Motte announced the album's title on the 22nd of June 2012, and the first official single, You're Gonna Love This, was released on the 9th of July 2012. The album was recorded in their basement studio in Boulder, Colorado, where they wrote out 28 songs. Despite the delays, the album peaked at number 81 on the Billboard 200. The duo embarked on a fall tour from August to October 2012, joined by Sammy Adams, Outasight, and Silas, and later headlined the Journeys Noise Tour from October to November 2013, with support from The Summer Set, Wallpaper, and New Beat Fund. They premiered the song Turn the Night On via Alternative Press on the 15th of October 2013, and performed at the Warped Tour in June 2014 and the Riot Festival in September 2014. Their collaboration with Blues Traveler on the song Blow Up the Moon from their album of the same name further showcased their versatility. The album's journey reflected the challenges of maintaining momentum in the rapidly changing music industry, but the duo's dedication to their craft remained unwavering.
Night Sports and Creative Freedom
The duo's fifth studio album, Night Sports, was released on the 13th of May 2016, after they had written over 40 songs for the project by August 2015. The lead single, My Dick, was released on the 4th of December 2015, and the album's title was revealed on the 3rd of March 2016, along with the single Mad At You, which was released with a music video the same day. The fourth single, Hear Me Now, was released on the 14th of April 2016, and was used on the soundtrack of Madden NFL17. The album peaked at number 170 on the Billboard 200, and the duo performed at the 2016 Vans Warped Tour to support its release. A music video for Freak Your Mind, the fifth and final single, was released on the 27th of July 2016. In 2017, the band played Warped Rewind at Sea, a four-day cruise that included Simple Plan and Good Charlotte, and hosted a songwriting workshop where they co-wrote a song called Sauce Daddy with around 50 people. The song was first performed live at their DJ set the next night. The duo also performed at Emo Nite LA in March 2018 and on all dates of the final run of the Vans Warped Tour from June to August 2018. On the 4th of October 2018, they announced a tour with Emo Nite and Lil Aaron commemorating the 10th anniversary of Want throughout the end of 2018. These efforts demonstrated their commitment to engaging with their fan base and exploring new creative avenues.
Need and New Beginnings
After a four-year hiatus from releasing new music, 3OH!3 returned with the single Lonely Machines on the 13th of November 2020, featuring the duo 100 gecs. The song was described by Wall of Sound as a cheeky, fun EDM anthem that evoked the era when Don't Trust Me dominated the radio. The duo spent the intervening years writing and producing for other artists before returning to Boulder, Colorado, to write and record their sixth studio album, Need, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. They re-signed with Photo Finish Records and released the single I'm So Sad on the 22nd of January 2021. In February 2021, they were featured on Rebecca Black's Friday (Remix) version, and on the 3rd of March 2021, they released Last Breath, featuring Slipknot's CLOWN on drums. The album Need, echoing the title of their 2008 breakthrough album Want, was released on the 27th of August 2021, through Photo Finish Records. The duo continued to perform at events like the 8123 Festival in January 2022, the When We Were Young Festival in October 2022 and 2024, and Emo Nite on the 8th of December 2024. They also headlined the 303 Day celebration in February and March 2025, and released the single Slushie on the 25th of July 2025. Their ability to adapt to changing times while maintaining their core identity has kept them relevant in the electronic music scene.
Legacy and Lifelong Connection
3OH!3's journey from a basement project to international recognition is a testament to their resilience and creativity. The duo's early days in Boulder, Colorado, where they recorded their debut album using a shower mixtape device, laid the groundwork for a career that would span nearly two decades. Their collaborations with artists like Katy Perry, Kesha, and 100 gecs have expanded their reach, while their willingness to experiment with genres and themes has kept their music fresh. The duo's legal battles, such as the lawsuit from Diamond Dallas Page, highlight the challenges of navigating the entertainment industry, but their ability to overcome these obstacles has only strengthened their resolve. Their continued presence on the touring circuit, from the Warped Tour to Emo Nite, demonstrates their enduring connection with their fan base. As they celebrate milestones like the 10th anniversary of Want and the release of Need, 3OH!3 remains a significant force in electronic music, proving that their story is far from over.