C45

C45 (originally known as Colt 45 from 2009 to 2013) is an American heavy metal band from, currently based in. The band is comprised of Craig Bochenek (lead vocals), Austin Rencher (bass, lead vocals), Dan Elmsater (lead guitar), Donnie Starks (rhythm guitar) and Branden Page (drums, percussion). Bochenek and Elmsater met and began playing music together while attending.

Though their original formation was in 2009, the band did not start touring and recording full-time until around 2013. C45 released three albums independently, then signed to the Everest Music Group for a dual-deal with Everest Records and Warfare Records in 2016. In 2019, their single "Beast" charted at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, which was regarded by many commentators as "a rarity at a time when pop and rap rule the Top 40." Several remixes of the song were released, the most popular of which featured rap rock performer Diesel Dan and rap duo. "Beast" saw two Top 10 follow-ups - "Liquid Gold" and "Da Choppa" - and a Top 20 follow-up, "Supa Ride". The album the singles came off, C45 Life, was certified 2x platinum by the RIAA in 2021. Their 2021 album American Kidz, featured another #1 hit single in the form of the titular track.

Origin and early releases (2009-2013)
In 2009, Craig Bochenek and Dan Elmsater met while attending in their hometown of. C45 was originally started under the name "Colt 45" (named after ) as a two-man band. In 2010, brothers Tyler and Austin Rencher joined the band on drums and bass respectively. The band recorded their self-released debut album, Death to Indie Rock, under the Colt 45 name, in 2011. After Bochenek's graduation from the in 2012, the band left Ohio and moved to  with the intent of further recording and touring. They recorded their second album, Master Plan, in Tampa at, and self-released it in 2013.

Musical style
C45 has been mainly considered nu metal, heavy metal, hard rock and rap metal. Craig Bochenek has characterized the band by saying, "If and  had a bastard child, it would be C45." Vocally, the band uses a combination of nu metal-style aggressive growling/screaming vocals from Bochenek and "-esque" melodic clean vocals from bassist Austin Rencher. Although Bochenek is the designated frontman, Rencher has performed lead vocals on several songs, and in some cases they alternate within the same song (e.g. "Beast", "American Kidz"). Spoken words, singing, rapping, screaming, growling, breakdowns and down-tuned guitar chords are often featured in C45's music.

Influences
Craig Bochenek has stated he is influenced by of  and  for his vocal style. Austin Rencher has stated he is influenced by, and  for his vocal style and  and  for his bass-playing style, stating "I listened to a lot of old arena rock and prog records growing up." The band are also influenced by, , , , , and.