Alien Ant Farm: The Alternative Rock Innovators

Alien Ant Farm is an American alternative rock band from Riverside, California, best known for their unique fusion of rock, funk, and metal. Their major commercial breakthrough came with a wildly popular cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal," which propelled their 2001 album ANThology to multi-platinum status worldwide.

Early career

Formed in 1996, the band's original lineup consisted of Dryden Mitchell (vocals), Terry Corso (guitar), Tye Zamora (bass), and Mike Cosgrove (drums). They built a dedicated following in the Southern California scene with their energetic live shows and self-released debut EP, Greatest Hits, in 1999, which led to a deal with DreamWorks Records.

Breakthrough

The year 2001 marked Alien Ant Farm's explosive entry into the mainstream. Their major-label debut, ANThology, spawned the global hit "Smooth Criminal," which topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified platinum in the United States and sold over three million copies globally, fueled by constant MTV rotation.

Key tracks

Smooth Criminal — This cover became a worldwide phenomenon, defining the band's breakout and earning heavy rotation on MTV and radio.

Movies — The lead single from ANThology showcased the band's original songwriting and gained significant alternative rock airplay.

These Days — A track highlighting the band's melodic and introspective side, it became a fan favorite and a staple of their live sets.

Glow — Featured on their 2003 sophomore album truANT, this single demonstrated their continued evolution within the alternative rock genre.

Following their initial success, Alien Ant Farm faced a serious tour bus accident in 2002 but returned with truANT in 2003, which debuted in the Top 20 of the Billboard 200. After a hiatus and label changes, they have continued to release albums, including Up in the Attic (2006) and Always and Forever (2015), maintaining a loyal fanbase through relentless touring. Their music often features collaborations, such as working with producer Robert and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots on truANT. Fans of Alien Ant Farm's eclectic rock style also enjoy Incubus for their similar blend of funk and alternative metal. Papa Roach shares the same energetic California rock scene origins and era-defining success. System Of A Down matches their quirky, unpredictable approach to modern rock song structures. The band's melodic sensibilities can also be heard in the work of 311, another group known for mixing rock with other genres.

The dynamic tracks from Alien Ant Farm remain in regular rotation on a variety of radio formats, from classic alternative rock FM stations to modern hard rock online streams. Their biggest hits are staples on stations celebrating the early 2000s rock era, while their deeper cuts are featured on independent music radio stations dedicated to genre-blending artists.

You can discover the unique sound of Alien Ant Farm by tuning into the many radio stations featured on our website. Listen to their iconic hits and deeper album tracks on the alternative and rock radio stations available on onairium.com.