Bleach Biography
Who is Bleach?
Bleach is a Christian rock band originally formed in 1995 by a group of college friends at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. Initially performing under the name "Muffin," the band soon rebranded as Bleach and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where they established themselves in the Christian alternative rock scene.
Inspired by the rise of grunge and alternative rock, Bleach blended melodic pop-rock with spiritually rooted lyrics. Their debut album, "Space" (1996), released on ForeFront Records, was produced with help from Barry Blair of Audio Adrenaline and featured the breakout single "Epidermis Girl." The track became a fan favorite and won the band a Dove Award in 1997 for Modern Rock Recorded Song of the Year.
The group's early lineup included lead vocalist Davy Baysinger, keyboardist and guitarist Brad Ford, bassist Todd Kirby, and drummer Matt Gingerich. Their second album, "Static" (1998), pushed the band's sound in a more experimental direction and produced another hit with "Super Good Feeling." As the band evolved, Ford, Kirby, and Gingerich eventually departed, making way for guitarist Milam Byers, drummer Jared Byers, and bassist Jerry Morrison. Rick Fox briefly joined the band on bass from 1999 to 2000 during this transition.
In the summer of 2002, Bleach signed with Tooth & Nail Records and released "Again, For the First Time," showcasing a matured sound and refined focus. In late 2003 or early 2004, the band announced plans to disband. They followed with a farewell tour and a final album, "Farewell Old Friends," which featured new material but also served as a reflective conclusion to their original run. Their final concert took place on August 29, 2004, in Nashville.
Despite disbanding, Bleach reunited for special performances. On March 13, 2005, they played a benefit concert for the Aaron Marrs Memorial Fund, and later that year performed again at Biola University as part of The O.C. Supertones' farewell event.
The band reunited for occasional performances starting in 2010, continuing to hold a lasting place in the Christian alternative rock scene. That year, they appeared at both the Cornerstone Festival and the Sonshine Festival. In 2011, Bleach launched their "Four States Tour" and began working on an EP that ultimately was never released. Although no new recordings followed, the band has remained active on social media and continues to reunite periodically for special events. Notable appearances include an acoustic benefit show and auction for Rock 2 Adopt on May 23, 2017, alongside MercyMe, Plumb, and Rhett Walker, as well as a performance at Journey Fest on July 17, 2021. In October 2025, Bleach is set to return for a long-awaited reunion show at Furnace Fest in Birmingham, Alabama, marking their first festival appearance in nearly 15 years.