To some, it takes a heaping helping of hubris to think that any one person or group of people can truly make a difference. But State of Man sincerely believes that music has the power to change the world, and remain determined to do their part. Formed in Atlanta in 2000, the members originally bonded over their common sense of professionalism and love of ‘90s rock legends. But unlike many young bands, who expect rapid success and give up when million-dollar deals don’t rain from the heavens, State of Man kept plugging away, racking up a series of accomplishments ranging from Battle of the Bands wins and Rolling Stone appearances to landing a single on the Billboard charts. “Every year something would happen to keep us going,” bassist James Beale recalls, “picking up momentum gradually along the way. We’ve experienced the highs and lows, but even when we encountered disappointment we all remained focused on our commitment to our goals. That’s why we’ve been together as long as we have, because we built that critical chemistry that is the foundation of every good band.” That chemistry has never been more potent than on In This Place, State of Man’s first new album since 2006’s Both Sides of the Story. Produced by Rick Beato, the disc features a bevy of instantly memorable anthems ranging from the devotional “Be Still (My Heart)” (which the band dedicated to American soldiers stationed overseas), the universal love song “Bound In Chains,” and the conciliatory “I Have Forgiven” to the inspirational title track, a sign of the times and a song of hope and inspiration in the current world environment. But perhaps no song on In This Place has proven more helpful than the arena-ready epic, “Swallow Your Fears.” Whether it’s a therapist playing the song to help teens in a suicide prevention program or Adam Bush, who produced a State Of Man video before dying of leukemia in February of 2008, the song has provided a beacon of hope for people caught up in life-or-death struggles, assuring them that “you don’t have to be alone” if you “swallow the things that hold you back from living life.” “We’ve had the name State of Man for five years,” says guitarist/pianist Thomas Panza, “but I think this record really exemplifies what the name is about. It’s like a mission statement. We’re representative of where humanity is as a whole, and I think John’s lyrics reflect that. We want to lead by example and actually get our hands dirty.” To that end, the band executed their ‘Service2Humanity Tour,’ in which they performed a form of community service in various cities before their concerts, inspiring local fans to join the and do the same. The concept originated in part from a 2007 tour in which they entertained troops in nine countries throughout Asia and the Caribbean, listening to soldiers’ stories and realizing the emotional impact of their music. “Everybody in the band is in music because we want to make a difference somehow,” vocalist/guitarist John Stringer insists. “And we want to inspire other people to want to make a difference, especially in times like these. We’re in a very similar time to the era that produced artists like Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, where people are looking for change. We’re not trying to be anything we’re not: the bottom line is that we want to be true to who we are, and ultimately to inspire others to do the same.”