September 25, 2002 — Matchbox Twenty are set to return to the airwaves with the release of their new single, "Disease." The song – to impact radio September 30th – is the first release off the band's third album, More Than You Think You Are, due in stores November 19th. Produced by Matchbox Twenty's longtime studio collaborator Matt Serletic, the new album was recorded at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York and at The Hit Factory in New York City.
"I knew a while back that I wanted 'Disease' to be the first single," says the band's lead singer/songwriter Rob Thomas. "I've had a good feeling about this song for a long time. On one hand, it's probably the most rock track we've ever done, because we've been working with Greg Collins, who's engineered bands like System of a Down and Red Hot Chili Peppers, and mixer Jim Scott, who's worked with people like Wilco and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. But at the same time, there's a warmness to the record, a real organic quality that I just love."
"'Disease' definitely rocks," adds drummer Paul Doucette, "but it's also got strings and an almost disco melody going on, so at the same time, it's one of the most poppy songs we've ever done."
"It's like Monsters of Rock goes to Studio 54," Thomas laughs.
More Than You Think You Are marks Matchbox Twenty's first new music since the RIAA quadruple-platinum Mad Season, released in May 2000. It also marks the first time that all five members of the band have shared in the songwriting credits. Matchbox Twenty made their debut in 1996 with Yourself or Someone Like You, which earned the RIAA's Diamond Award and has been certified 12-times platinum in the U.S. alone.
Matchbox Twenty has logged an extraordinary string of hit singles, including such top-five favorites as "Push," "3AM," "Real World," "Back 2 Good," "If You're Gone," "Mad Season," and "Bent." In addition, Thomas has received a number of songwriting honors, including: three Grammy Awards; a remarkable 11 BMI Awards -- including 1999 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year and 2002 BMI Pop Song of the Year (for "If You're Gone"); and Billboard Songwriter of the Year honors for two years running.
"Y'know, when you put out a new record, none of your previous successes matter," Thomas says. "For us, every time we put something out, it feels like we're putting out our first record all over again."
Matchbox Twenty members are Kyle Cook, Paul Doucette, Adam Gaynor, Rob Thomas, and Brian Yale.