Reality Addiction

Reality Addiction formed in the early 2000s with Scott Crary on vocals and guitar, Chris Hansen on bass, and Brian Easley on drums. They started playing in underground clubs and DIY venues, working through the usual early struggles of a new band. Their debut album 'The Great Divide' came out in 2006 and included 'People Die Building Bridges,' a song that got attention for its direct political lyrics and raw delivery.

That song became something of a calling card for the band, though it also drew some criticism for being too confrontational. They followed up with albums like 'The No Shadow Waltz' in 2008, 'Catalyst' in 2012, and 'The Union of Opposites' in 2018. Another track, 'Smokescreen,' appears in their catalog alongside 'People Die Building Bridges' as one of their better-known songs.

Crary writes most of the material, with Hansen's bass and Easley's drums providing the foundation. They've mentioned Rage Against the Machine, Tool, and Bob Dylan as influences, which makes sense given the mix of aggressive rock and lyrical focus in their work. The band has toured and had music placed in various media, but they've mostly stayed rooted in the alternative scene rather than chasing mainstream success.