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These Stones Are Rolling Again

Tribune file photo

Rock band 12 Stones (left to right, drummer Aaron Gainer, guitarist Justin Rimer, singer Paul McCoy and guitarist Eric Weaver) will perform tonight at the State Theatre in St. Petersburg.

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By SARAH HOYE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The boys from the rock band 12 Stones should be all rested up for their performance tonight at the State Theatre.

It's just one stop on a two-month road trip, but it's their first large-scale tour after a three-year hiatus. The four-man band released its third CD, "Anthem for the Underdog," in August 2007 after first hitting the scene in 2002.

12 Stones spread their wings in 2003 when lead singer Paul McCoy sang alongside Evanescence's Amy Lee on the hit single "Bring Me to Life," which went on to win a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance and appeared on the "Daredevil" soundtrack.

But the band, which takes its name from a Biblical reference, decided to take a break after 2004's "Potter's Field" to spend time with their families. Nowadays the guys are married with children, living in Mississippi and Louisiana, and have re-committed themselves to making music. "Underdog" is influenced by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, as well as by the band's struggles within the music industry.

"In some respects [as an aspiring musician], you're treated like an underdog, but all it takes is one song and you believe that you can have that opportunity to secure what you love," said drummer Aaron Gainer, 33.

"The three of us, and now the fourth, have wanted it as badly as we did in the beginning," Gainer said. "I guess we should call it a maturing. The more I accomplish the better I can support my family."

Although Gainer has a culinary degree, he started playing drums at age 10 and has always envisioned himself making music or working with musicians.

"You really build an intimate relationship with your instrument, and there are these aspects that you get connected to and [which] become a part of you," he said.

12 Stones will release the single "Broken Road," co-written by "American Idol" Chris Daughtry, in December and start another tour in January.

Gainer says seeing the band live is the way to go.

"We don't have pyro or lasers and sometimes we don't have good lights. But we're good live," he said. "That's our favorite thing to do and our favorite way to connect with fans."

Nonpoint and 12 Stones; $15 to $18; State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg; (727) 895-3045

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832.

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