Audio Learning Center
Encyclopedia
Audio Learning Center was an American indie rock
band
from Portland
, Oregon
.
bands to sign to Seattle rock heavyweight Sub Pop Records (Brady with Pond
and Birch with Sprinkler). Playing numerous shows together throughout the Northwest United States, they quickly became a two-man mutual admiration society. After Sprinkler broke up in early 1994, they didn't see each other all that often, but Birch remained a huge Pond fan. Fast-forward to fall 1998: After a brilliant third record (Rock Collection) on a very confused label, Brady and the Pond boys decided to call it a day. At the same time, Birch had reached complete burnout from a grueling year of non-stop touring with Everclear
. The two had long talked about playing music together, but it was only now that the time seemed right. Initial rehearsals included Pond's David Triebwasser on drums. When Triebwasser decided to move away from Portland, a mutual friend introduced Brady and Birch to drummer, Paul Johnson. Johnson, a music major in college, had played in numerous bands, but was looking for something bigger, better, and more challenging—one rehearsal was all it took to know that his dynamic playing would be a perfect fit.
An early demo found its way to the ears of Rich Egan, the owner of Vagrant
, and he quickly signed the outfit, releasing debut, Friendships Often Fade Away
, in 2002. It was produced by Adam Kasper
(Foo Fighters
, Queens of the Stone Age
, Cat Power
). In 2004, they released Cope Park
, produced by Joe Chicarelli
(Frank Zappa
, Oingo Boingo
, Beck
). The band amicably parted ways soon after that album's release.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
.
Biography
In the early 1990s, Christopher Brady and Steven Birch became friends through mutual connections in the burgeoning northwest music scene. Both were in the first Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
bands to sign to Seattle rock heavyweight Sub Pop Records (Brady with Pond
Pond (band)
Pond was a band from Portland, Oregon. They formed in 1991 and broke up in 1998. They were signed to Sub Pop and the Work Records sub-label of Sony Records ....
and Birch with Sprinkler). Playing numerous shows together throughout the Northwest United States, they quickly became a two-man mutual admiration society. After Sprinkler broke up in early 1994, they didn't see each other all that often, but Birch remained a huge Pond fan. Fast-forward to fall 1998: After a brilliant third record (Rock Collection) on a very confused label, Brady and the Pond boys decided to call it a day. At the same time, Birch had reached complete burnout from a grueling year of non-stop touring with Everclear
Everclear (band)
Everclear is a rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1992 best known for their radio hits spanning more than a decade. For most of its existence, Everclear has consisted of Art Alexakis , Craig Montoya , and Greg Eklund . Eklund replaced original drummer Scott Cuthbert in 1994...
. The two had long talked about playing music together, but it was only now that the time seemed right. Initial rehearsals included Pond's David Triebwasser on drums. When Triebwasser decided to move away from Portland, a mutual friend introduced Brady and Birch to drummer, Paul Johnson. Johnson, a music major in college, had played in numerous bands, but was looking for something bigger, better, and more challenging—one rehearsal was all it took to know that his dynamic playing would be a perfect fit.
An early demo found its way to the ears of Rich Egan, the owner of Vagrant
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
, and he quickly signed the outfit, releasing debut, Friendships Often Fade Away
Friendships Often Fade Away
Friendships Often Fade Away is the debut album of Audio Learning Center. Released in 2002, and the second album, Cope Park released in 2004.-Track listing:...
, in 2002. It was produced by Adam Kasper
Adam Kasper
Adam Kasper is a Seattle area record producer and engineer, working with such bands as Cat Power, Pond, Seaweed, The Tragically Hip, Truly, Mudhoney, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, R.E.M., Soundgarden and Pearl Jam...
(Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
, Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
, Cat Power
Cat Power
Charlyn Marie Marshall , also known as Chan Marshall or by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer/songwriter and occasional actress and model. Cat Power was originally the name of Marshall's first band, but has come to refer to her musical projects with various backing bands...
). In 2004, they released Cope Park
Cope Park
Cope Park is the second album of Audio Learning Center. Musically, Cope Park, like Friendships Often Fade Away, peers over the shoulders of giants. Like any band in this new millennium, Audio Learning Center simultaneously showcases their varied influences while building on them, creating something...
, produced by Joe Chicarelli
Joe Chicarelli
Joe Chiccarelli is an American music producer, mixer and engineer who has been active since early '80's. He has produced albums by Stan Ridgway, Oingo Boingo, Sandra Bernhard, My Morning Jacket, Counting Crows, The Shins, Augie March, Manchester Orchestra, Minus the Bear, Kurt Elling, Big Talk...
(Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
, Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
, Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
). The band amicably parted ways soon after that album's release.
Current lineup
- Christopher Brady - Bass, Vocals
- Steven Birch - Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Paul Johnson - Drums
Albums
- Friendships Often Fade AwayFriendships Often Fade AwayFriendships Often Fade Away is the debut album of Audio Learning Center. Released in 2002, and the second album, Cope Park released in 2004.-Track listing:...
- April 6, 2002 - Cope ParkCope ParkCope Park is the second album of Audio Learning Center. Musically, Cope Park, like Friendships Often Fade Away, peers over the shoulders of giants. Like any band in this new millennium, Audio Learning Center simultaneously showcases their varied influences while building on them, creating something...
- February 26, 2004