Breaking Benjamin

In late 2000, guitarist Aaron Fink and bassist Mark James Klepaski made a surprising and unexpected decision: they left Lifer, an alternative metal band Breaking Benjamin that was not only signed to a major label but was gaining major attention. Fink and Klepaski departed in order to join forces with singer B Burnley and drummer J Hummel, forming Breaking Benjamin. Why would Fink and Klepaski leave a band that had a contract with Universal to form a new alternative rock band Breaking Benjamin that was unsigned?

Formed in 1998 by singer Benjamin Burnley and drummer Jeremy Hummel, Breaking Benjamin fast garnered a strong local fame. In 1999, the group briefly changet title "Plan 9." In 2000, after various line-up changes, the band changed its name back to "Breaking Benjamin" and 2 friends of Burnley, A. Fink and M. Klepaski, left their own band, and joined the ranks of Breaking Benjamin as guitarist and bassman, respectively. Lifer was a group that gained mainstream attention because Breath of their part in an cover band contest that resulted in a record contract with UR.