A Cleveland, Ohio Industrial Metal band, FILTER were formed during 1993 by the duo of Richard Patrick, previously a member of NINE INCH NAILS, and Brian Liesegang. Scoring a deal with Reprise Records, they were were augmented in the studio by drummers Scott Kern and Mike Peffer, guitarist Kevin Hanley and additional vocals from Matt Drvenkar. The band contributed the opening number from the 1995 'Short Bus' album, 'Hey Man, Nice Shot', to the soundtrack of the movie 'The Cable Guy'. The song scored heavy radio play, pushing 'Short Bus' up to no. 59 on the national US BIllboard charts, but also provoked controversy, the title being a reference to the public suicide of politician Budd Dwyer who, on 22nd January 1987 had shot himself in the mouth with a revolver during a televised press conference. Further intrigue came when it was pointed out that 'Hey Man, Nice Shot', was built on the very same riff used on STABBING WESTWARD's 1994 song 'Ungod'. In fact, both STABBING WESTWARD and FILTER had employed guitarist Stuart Zechman for the same riff in both tracks.

At this juncture FILTER was essentially a duo of Patrick and Liesegang. In order to promote the album in the live areana the pair recruited Geno Lenardo on guitar, Frank Cavanagh on bass and Matt Walker on drums. This unit would be featured in the video for the album's second single, 'Dose'.

A new FILTER song 'Thanks Bro' was included on the 'Songs In The Key Of X: Music From And Inspired By The X-Files' album. In 1996, the group recorded and filmed the video for the song 'Jurassitol', contributed to 'The Crow: City Of Angels' movie soundtrack, which was also subsequently later used for 'The Crow: Salvation' soundtrack in 2000. FILTER released the home video 'Phenomenology' in 1996, a collection of studio video and live footage.

Shortly after recording the a collaboration with THE CRYSTAL METHOD in 1997 dubbed '(Can't You) Trip Like I Do' for the 'Spawn' movie soundtrack, Liesegang exited citing creative differences with Patrick. Also decamping would be Matt Walker, the drummer joining the SMASHING PUMPKINS. The following year, for 'The X-Files' film soundtrack, Patrick retained the FILTER brand for a cover version of Harry Nilsson's 'One'.

Lenardo and Cavanagh, together with drummer Steve Gillis, stayed with Patrick to cut the FILTER album 'Title Of Record', c0-produced by Ben Grosse and issued in August 1999. The album peaked at no. 30 on the US BIllboard charts. Singles included 'Welcome To The Fold', 'The Best Things' and the hit 'Take A Picture'. This track featured a guesting D'Arcy Wretzky from the SMASHING PUMPKINS. Wretzky also appeared on the album cut 'Cancer'. Touring in 1999 had FILTER packaged alongside KORN on the 'Family Values' festivals.

July 2002 saw the release of 'The Amalgamut', featuring the singles 'Where Do We Go from Here?' and 'American Cliche'. This offering reached no. 32 on the US chart listings. Album track 'The Only Way (Is the Wrong Way)' was also used to advertise Hummer vehicles and gained wider exposure still in the 2003 blockbuster Angelina Jolie movie 'Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life'. Frank Cavanagh opted out in 2002 to join the US army, subsequently serving as a Sergeant in Iraq.

FILTER added Alan Bailey as live guitarist for touring in 2002. The band would perform live as part of the package 'Locabazooka' tour upfront of a run of headliners to promote the new album, 'The Amalgamut', released in July through Reprise. However, an extensive schedule of live dates was pulled in early October when Richard Patrick voluntarily checked himself into a rehab clinic.

In mid 2003 the existence of an all new side project of Patrick's excited fans as it was learnt that DAMNING THE WELL comprised no less than erstwhile LIMP BIZKIT guitarist Wes Borland along with NINE INCH NAILS man Danny Lohner and A PERFECT CIRCLE's drummer Josh Freese.

In January of 2005 it would be learned that guitarist Geno Lenardo and bass player Frank Cavanagh had united with erstwhile ADEMA singer Marky Chavez to forge a new group. However, Lenardo joined CHEVELLE as touring bassist in June. In August it was learned that Patrick had united with the ex-STONE TEMPLE PILOTS pairing of guitarist Dean CeLeo and bassist Robert DeLeo and former DAVID LEE ROTH band drummer Ray Luzier in an all new band unit dubbed ARMY OF ANYONE.

On 10th March 2008 Frank Cavanagh rejoined the band for 'Operation Myspace' concerts in Iraq and Kuwait. This was purely a temporary measure as Cavanagh was still serving in the military.

An all new look FILTER fronted by founder Richard Patrick announced a run of U.S. tour dates beginning on June 12th 2008 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and continuing through until July 5th in Des Moines, Iowa, supporting its first album in six years, the Josh Abraham produced 'Anthems For The Damned'. Studio collaborators included guitarist John 5, of MARILYN MANSON, TWO and ROB ZOMBIE, guitarist Wes Borland, of LIMP BIZKIT, and drummer Josh Freese, of NINE INCH NAILS and GUNS N' ROSES. A live band involved guitarist Mitchell Marlow, bassist John Spiker of Jack Black's TENACIOUS D and drummer Mika Fineo, whose credits include SNOOP DOGG, RED SKELETON and WAKING SEASON.

Support on the tour came from 10 YEARS. Ironically, 10 YEARS' new album, 'Division', sold more than twice as many copies as the new FILTER record in their first week of release. 10 YEARS selling 28,000 copies and FILTER moving 12,000. The first single from 'Anthems For The Damned', 'Soldiers Of Misfortune', was inspired by a FILTER fan who was killed while serving in the Middle East.

Further FILTER releases for 2008 included 'The Pulse Sessions', comprising live versions of some of FILTER's best known tracks, and 'Remixes For The Damned', a digital-only release hosting remixes of songs from 'Anthems For The Damned' re-crafted by Richard Patrick, Ben Wise, Timmy The Terror (IMA Robot) and Mitch Marlow.

FILTER were set to hook up with P.O.D. for a run of European tour dates commencing 7th January 2009 at the Coliseu in Lisbon, Portuga running through dates in Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway and weden prior to five UK shows. However, these shows were cancelled.