Arid (band)
Encyclopedia
Arid is a Belgian
rock band, formed in the mid-1990s, made up of four members: Jasper Steverlinck (vocals and guitar
), David Du Pré (guitar
), Filip Ros (bass
) and Steven Van Havere (drums
).
Double T when they were finalist at Humo's Rock Rally
, a prestigious Belgian rock contest, in 1996.
Their first album was 1998's Little Things Of Venom
(retitled At The Close Of Every Day for release in the United States
). In 1999, after this album's success, they toured with Suede
as well as opening for popular fellow Belgian band K's Choice
. The following year they opened for Counting Crows
on that band's European tour.
2001 brought extra fame for lead singer Steverlinck, who starred in the IMAX
3-D film
Haunted Castle
alongside Harry Shearer
. The film also featured music by the band during the opening and closing credits.
In 2002 the band released a second studio album, All Is Quiet Now
, which was soon followed by a live album (Live in 2003).
In 2008 their third studio album All Things Come in Waves
was released.
In 2009 Steverlinck was chosen by Arjen Lucassen as lead singer for a side project called Guilt Machine
.
2010 saw the release of their fourth studio album Under the Cold Street Lights.
, is comparable to that of Jeff Buckley
or Freddie Mercury
. On their official website, the band state their musical influences to include:
They also state they are profoundly inspired by classical music and opera
.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
rock band, formed in the mid-1990s, made up of four members: Jasper Steverlinck (vocals and guitar
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
), David Du Pré (guitar
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
), Filip Ros (bass
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
) and Steven Van Havere (drums
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
).
History
The group first came to the attention of record labelRecord label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Double T when they were finalist at Humo's Rock Rally
Humo's Rock Rally
Humo's Rock Rally is a Belgian contest for rock bands, organized every second year since 1978. It is organized by the Belgian magazine HUMO.Every band that has not yet released an official recording, may enter the Rock Rally, by submitting a demo to HUMO. Humo then selects 100 bands to compete in...
, a prestigious Belgian rock contest, in 1996.
Their first album was 1998's Little Things Of Venom
Little Things Of Venom
Little Things Of Venom is the first album by Belgian band Arid. It was first released in 1998 under Belgium's Double T record label, and again in 2000 by Columbia Records in the United States, under the name At The Close Of Every Day.-Track listing:...
(retitled At The Close Of Every Day for release in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
). In 1999, after this album's success, they toured with Suede
Suede (band)
Suede are an English alternative rock band from London, formed in 1989. The group's most prominent early line-up featured singer Brett Anderson, guitarist Bernard Butler, bass player Mat Osman and drummer Simon Gilbert. By 1992, Suede were hailed as "The Best New Band in Britain", and attracted...
as well as opening for popular fellow Belgian band K's Choice
K's Choice
K's Choice is a Belgian rock band from Antwerp, formed in the mid-1990s. The band's core members are siblings Sarah Bettens and Gert Bettens . They are joined by Eric Grossman , Thomas Vanelslander , Reinout Swinnen and Koen Liekens...
. The following year they opened for Counting Crows
Counting Crows
Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
on that band's European tour.
2001 brought extra fame for lead singer Steverlinck, who starred in the IMAX
IMAX
IMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
3-D film
3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
Haunted Castle
Haunted Castle
Haunted Castle is a 2001 Belgian/American animated horror film in IMAX theaters. The film is rated PG and is computer-animated with 3D effects....
alongside Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer
Harry Julius Shearer is an American actor, comedian, writer, voice artist, musician, author, radio host and director. He is known for his long-running role on The Simpsons, his work on Saturday Night Live, the comedy band Spinal Tap and his radio program Le Show...
. The film also featured music by the band during the opening and closing credits.
In 2002 the band released a second studio album, All Is Quiet Now
All Is Quiet Now
All Is Quiet Now is the second studio album by Belgian band Arid. It was released in 2002 by Epic Records, an imprint of Sony BMG.-Track-listing:...
, which was soon followed by a live album (Live in 2003).
In 2008 their third studio album All Things Come in Waves
All Things Come in Waves
All Things Come in Waves is the third studio album by Belgian band Arid. It was released in 2008.-Track-listing:#"Right This Time" — 2:45#"When It's Over It's Over" — 3:54#"Words" — 3:46#"Why Do You Run" — 3:00...
was released.
In 2009 Steverlinck was chosen by Arjen Lucassen as lead singer for a side project called Guilt Machine
Guilt Machine
Guilt Machine is a musical project by Dutch musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen, owner of other musical projects such as Star One, Ayreon and Ambeon. The project's debut release, On This Perfect Day, was released in August 2009.- Background :...
.
2010 saw the release of their fourth studio album Under the Cold Street Lights.
Influences
Steverlinck's voice, with its large vocal rangeVocal range
Vocal range is the measure of the breadth of pitches that a human voice can phonate. Although the study of vocal range has little practical application in terms of speech, it is a topic of study within linguistics, phonetics, and speech and language pathology, particularly in relation to the study...
, is comparable to that of Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
or Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
. On their official website, the band state their musical influences to include:
- Ben HarperBen HarperBenjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
- BjörkBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
- Boards Of CanadaBoards of CanadaBoards of Canada are a Scottish electronic music duo consisting of brothers Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin...
- Fiona AppleFiona AppleFiona Apple McAfee Maggart is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Apple met international acclaim for her 1996 debut album, Tidal, which was a critical and commercial success...
- Future Sound Of London
- Sigur RósSigur RósSigur Rós is an Icelandic post-rock band with classicaland minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound, and frontman Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals and use of bowed guitar. In January 2010, the band announced that they will be on hiatus. Since then, it has since been announced...
- Pearl JamPearl JamPearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
- RadioheadRadioheadRadiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
- Aphex TwinAphex TwinRichard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
- Jeff BuckleyJeff BuckleyJeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
- ToolTool (band)Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
They also state they are profoundly inspired by classical music and opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
.
Albums
- 1998 - Little Things Of VenomLittle Things Of VenomLittle Things Of Venom is the first album by Belgian band Arid. It was first released in 1998 under Belgium's Double T record label, and again in 2000 by Columbia Records in the United States, under the name At The Close Of Every Day.-Track listing:...
(also At The Close Of Every Day, 2000) - 2002 - All Is Quiet NowAll Is Quiet NowAll Is Quiet Now is the second studio album by Belgian band Arid. It was released in 2002 by Epic Records, an imprint of Sony BMG.-Track-listing:...
- 2003 - Live
- 2008 - All Things Come in WavesAll Things Come in WavesAll Things Come in Waves is the third studio album by Belgian band Arid. It was released in 2008.-Track-listing:#"Right This Time" — 2:45#"When It's Over It's Over" — 3:54#"Words" — 3:46#"Why Do You Run" — 3:00...
- 2010 - Under the Cold Street Lights
Singles
- "Life" (1999)
- "Believer" (1999)
- "Too Late Tonight" (1999)
- "Me And My Melody" (2000)
- "All Will Wait" (2000)
- "You Are" (2002)
- "Everlasting Change" (2002)
- "Life On MarsLife on Mars?"Life on Mars?" is a song by David Bowie first released in 1971 on the album Hunky Dory. The song—which BBC Radio 2 later called "a cross between a Broadway musical and a Salvador Dalí painting"—featured guest piano work by keyboardist Rick Wakeman. When released as a single in 1973,...
" (2002) - "Let Her Down Easy" (2003)
- "Words" (2007)
- "Why Do You Run" (2007)
- "Come On" (2010)
- "Broken Dancer" (2010)
External links
- Official band website
- [ Arid overview] on Allmusic
- Official myspace of the band