Candiria
Encyclopedia
Candiria are an American
band from Brooklyn, New York. They blend various styles of music, including heavy metal
, hardcore
, jazz
, hip hop
and ambient
. Candiria have often dubbed their sound "urban fusion".
. Candiria's rhythmic guitar style consists of riffing – rhythmically-played chords – with little melody interrupted by jazz-infused chord progressions. Ken Schalk's drumming often consists of polyrhythms. Michael MacIvor, in fact, may be the least metal-influenced member of the group, as apparent in his melodically complex basslines which frequently do not follow the guitar riffs.
Chris Puma was replaced by John Lamacchia before 1997's Beyond Reasonable Doubt, while Lamacchia himself left the band after 2004's What Doesn't Kill You..., due to personal issues. The latter album features a cover photograph of the band's van after a heavy traffic accident it endured in 2002. The album signalled a more melodic direction change for the band, which received varying amounts of criticism and praise from different sides.
On September 9, 2002, the band was driving to Cleveland as part of a touring schedule in support of their then current record. An eighteen wheel tractor trailer drove through the equipment trailer, until it rear-ended the back of the band's van (where some of the band were sleeping), which then flipped over several times (ejecting Eric, John and Mike through the windows), coming to a halt 75 foot further down the road on its roof. The accident resulted in all of the members of the band being hospitalized with critical injuries, commencing a long, painful recovery period for the band. The band were rumored to be paid $29 million dollars in compensation (pending appeal).
It took the band members considerable time to recover from their injuries. LaMacchia later rejoined the band to write the majority of what would become their follow-up record Kiss The Lie. Eric Matthews later left the band, in part, due to these injuries sustained during the aforementioned accident.
Adding good friend Eddie Ortiz (Cattlepress
, The Dying Light) onto second guitar, the band headed into the studio in 2006 to complete their upcoming record Kiss The Lie. However, upon finishing the sessions, Ken Schalk left the band, citing that it was time to pursue a different path. Mike MacIvor also left the band due to Schalk's departure. He stated "I will not try and pull the wool over anyone's eyes, including my own. There is no Candiria without Ken Schalk, as far as I am concerned." Without a rhythm section to tour with in support of the new album, Type A Records refused to release Kiss The Lie and the album languished for close to two years, held "hostage" by the president of Type A, David Bendeth. However, Bendeth released the unmastered mix of the record onto eMusic, Napster, and iTunes in November 2008, without the band's permission or knowledge. Guitarist John LaMacchia has since properly released the record on March 4, 2009 (fully mastered) on his own Rising Pulse Records, in vinyl format only. The vinyl comes with a CD-R containing a download link to a Digital Pack with liner notes, the record in v0 MP3 format, band photos, lyrics, and other content.
By March 2009, the only remaining members of Candiria were John LaMacchia and Carley Coma; Coma had stated that any future Candiria efforts will most likely be electronica-based projects as they are without a rhythm section, however, by mid 2009, Mike McIvor had returned to the band. In August 2009, the band released Toying With The Insanities Volume 1 on gatefold
CD, followed by Toying With The Insanities Volume 2 in September 2009. The albums contain remixed versions of the band's prior material. For the near future, Kenneth Schalk and John Lamacchia have come together to start working on instrumental tracks for what will become another Toying With The Insanities release.
The band recently announced that Toying With The Insanities, Volume III will be released sometime in May 2010. Volume III will consist of a limited press of 300 12" LPs manufactured by Pirates Press. It will also be distributed digitally world wide.
Original guitarist Chris Puma died on 20 September 2009.
As of December 2010, Candiria were in the studio tracking new material. Guitarist John LaMacchia had the following to say: "Candiria is in the studio and in the process of putting together music for what will be their next full length release. At this point there is no official release date or working title but the band is considering an early 2012 release. The band is optimistic and very excited to be working together again on new music. We’re touching upon all different styles with this one but we want it to be really aggressive. We feel Candiria fans will be thrilled to hear where we’re taking it. The music thus far has been recorded and engineered by Steve and Ken Schalk at Jupiter 4 studios in Rockaway, NY. Musicians Adrián Terrazas-González of The Mars Volta and Trevor Dunn of Mr. Bungle/Fantomas are also slated to take part and create some magic on the record as well. The band is also planning to play 2 headlining dates in NYC next year to support the release. No dates have been set yet but the band wants to make it a very special 2 day event. Thats all for now, stay tuned for more regarding this release."
in this project. Most of his work with this band is rhodes
and synth with some additional percussion and didgeridoo
. The additional members
of Ghosts of the Canal are, Tom Cirillo (drums), and Reginald Juste (vocals and percussion).
Carley Coma is currently part of the band Hope Kills Fear, a Christian rock
band, which "was created for the purpose of using heartfelt, catchy songs to spread a message of hope, faith, strength and perseverance." Hope Kills Fear is presently in the studio with Producer Rob Hawkins(Disciple, Fireflight) working on pre-production for their full length.
Members Michael MacIvor and John Lamacchia have since formed the new band A Family Plot. This band is a return to the classic rock and alternative rock that both members grew up on, before joining Candiria.
John Lamacchia is a member of Spylacopa along with Greg Puciato
, Jeff Caxide
, and Julie Christmas
, whose EP is available on Myspace
.
Drummer Ken Schalk is now a member of the newly re-formed band Fuel
.
Carley Coma just recently joined California-based hard rock outfit Park Lane who is currently in the studio with major-label producer Michael Rosen (AFI
, Papa Roach
, Tesla
).
, the name of a freshwater fish found in the Amazon river. However, Ken Schalk has stated before that the band came up with the name, thinking it sounded like a real word, but not in fact knowing of this fish. The alleged plural is incorrect anyway: the name of the fish comes from the now extinct Old Tupi language
, from where it passed on to Portuguese
and later to other languages; in Portuguese, the plural form is simply candirus.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
band from Brooklyn, New York. They blend various styles of music, including heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
and ambient
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
. Candiria have often dubbed their sound "urban fusion".
History
Candiria was initially formed in 1992 by vocalist Carley Coma, guitarists Chris Puma and Eric Matthews, and drummer Kenneth Schalk. Even early on they were creating unusual music, with vocals that ranged from dry barks to rapHip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
. Candiria's rhythmic guitar style consists of riffing – rhythmically-played chords – with little melody interrupted by jazz-infused chord progressions. Ken Schalk's drumming often consists of polyrhythms. Michael MacIvor, in fact, may be the least metal-influenced member of the group, as apparent in his melodically complex basslines which frequently do not follow the guitar riffs.
Chris Puma was replaced by John Lamacchia before 1997's Beyond Reasonable Doubt, while Lamacchia himself left the band after 2004's What Doesn't Kill You..., due to personal issues. The latter album features a cover photograph of the band's van after a heavy traffic accident it endured in 2002. The album signalled a more melodic direction change for the band, which received varying amounts of criticism and praise from different sides.
On September 9, 2002, the band was driving to Cleveland as part of a touring schedule in support of their then current record. An eighteen wheel tractor trailer drove through the equipment trailer, until it rear-ended the back of the band's van (where some of the band were sleeping), which then flipped over several times (ejecting Eric, John and Mike through the windows), coming to a halt 75 foot further down the road on its roof. The accident resulted in all of the members of the band being hospitalized with critical injuries, commencing a long, painful recovery period for the band. The band were rumored to be paid $29 million dollars in compensation (pending appeal).
It took the band members considerable time to recover from their injuries. LaMacchia later rejoined the band to write the majority of what would become their follow-up record Kiss The Lie. Eric Matthews later left the band, in part, due to these injuries sustained during the aforementioned accident.
Adding good friend Eddie Ortiz (Cattlepress
Cattlepress
Cattlepress was an American metal band from Brooklyn, New York. They began life billed as Sin, founded by erstwhile personnel from Nausea and Born Against. As Sin the band cut a split album with Spine Wrench before folding. However, the core of the band soon re-emerged as Cattlepress. A 1993 demo...
, The Dying Light) onto second guitar, the band headed into the studio in 2006 to complete their upcoming record Kiss The Lie. However, upon finishing the sessions, Ken Schalk left the band, citing that it was time to pursue a different path. Mike MacIvor also left the band due to Schalk's departure. He stated "I will not try and pull the wool over anyone's eyes, including my own. There is no Candiria without Ken Schalk, as far as I am concerned." Without a rhythm section to tour with in support of the new album, Type A Records refused to release Kiss The Lie and the album languished for close to two years, held "hostage" by the president of Type A, David Bendeth. However, Bendeth released the unmastered mix of the record onto eMusic, Napster, and iTunes in November 2008, without the band's permission or knowledge. Guitarist John LaMacchia has since properly released the record on March 4, 2009 (fully mastered) on his own Rising Pulse Records, in vinyl format only. The vinyl comes with a CD-R containing a download link to a Digital Pack with liner notes, the record in v0 MP3 format, band photos, lyrics, and other content.
By March 2009, the only remaining members of Candiria were John LaMacchia and Carley Coma; Coma had stated that any future Candiria efforts will most likely be electronica-based projects as they are without a rhythm section, however, by mid 2009, Mike McIvor had returned to the band. In August 2009, the band released Toying With The Insanities Volume 1 on gatefold
Gatefold
A gatefold is a type of fold used for advertising around a magazine or section, and for packaging of media such as vinyl records.- LP covers :...
CD, followed by Toying With The Insanities Volume 2 in September 2009. The albums contain remixed versions of the band's prior material. For the near future, Kenneth Schalk and John Lamacchia have come together to start working on instrumental tracks for what will become another Toying With The Insanities release.
The band recently announced that Toying With The Insanities, Volume III will be released sometime in May 2010. Volume III will consist of a limited press of 300 12" LPs manufactured by Pirates Press. It will also be distributed digitally world wide.
Original guitarist Chris Puma died on 20 September 2009.
As of December 2010, Candiria were in the studio tracking new material. Guitarist John LaMacchia had the following to say: "Candiria is in the studio and in the process of putting together music for what will be their next full length release. At this point there is no official release date or working title but the band is considering an early 2012 release. The band is optimistic and very excited to be working together again on new music. We’re touching upon all different styles with this one but we want it to be really aggressive. We feel Candiria fans will be thrilled to hear where we’re taking it. The music thus far has been recorded and engineered by Steve and Ken Schalk at Jupiter 4 studios in Rockaway, NY. Musicians Adrián Terrazas-González of The Mars Volta and Trevor Dunn of Mr. Bungle/Fantomas are also slated to take part and create some magic on the record as well. The band is also planning to play 2 headlining dates in NYC next year to support the release. No dates have been set yet but the band wants to make it a very special 2 day event. Thats all for now, stay tuned for more regarding this release."
Side projects and other bands
Drummer Ken Schalk, Bassist Mike MacIvor, and Guitarist John Lamacchia have been involved in a free-jazz side project named Ghosts Of The Canal, who have thus far released two full-length albums, Sessions from the Flats (1999) and Five Episodes From the Subconscious (2002), as well as two non-album tracks which appeared on the bonus disc of Candiria's The C.O.M.A. Imprint. Kenneth does not play drumsin this project. Most of his work with this band is rhodes
Rhodes piano
The Rhodes piano is an electro-mechanical piano, invented by Harold Rhodes during the fifties and later manufactured in a number of models, first in collaboration with Fender and after 1965 by CBS....
and synth with some additional percussion and didgeridoo
Didgeridoo
The didgeridoo is a wind instrument developed by Indigenous Australians of northern Australia around 1,500 years ago and still in widespread usage today both in Australia and around the world. It is sometimes described as a natural wooden trumpet or "drone pipe"...
. The additional members
of Ghosts of the Canal are, Tom Cirillo (drums), and Reginald Juste (vocals and percussion).
Carley Coma is currently part of the band Hope Kills Fear, a Christian rock
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band, which "was created for the purpose of using heartfelt, catchy songs to spread a message of hope, faith, strength and perseverance." Hope Kills Fear is presently in the studio with Producer Rob Hawkins(Disciple, Fireflight) working on pre-production for their full length.
Members Michael MacIvor and John Lamacchia have since formed the new band A Family Plot. This band is a return to the classic rock and alternative rock that both members grew up on, before joining Candiria.
John Lamacchia is a member of Spylacopa along with Greg Puciato
Greg Puciato
Greg Puciato is the lead singer of the band The Dillinger Escape Plan. He is known for his reckless live performances, wide vocal range, and outspoken views, having caused controversy due to both performances and interviews...
, Jeff Caxide
Jeff Caxide
Jeff Caxide is an American bassist, best known for his time with post-metal band Isis, of which he was a founding member and present until its dissolution in 2010. He was also a founding member of Red Sparowes, but left after the release of their first full-length. He also contributed to...
, and Julie Christmas
Julie Christmas
Julie Christmas is an American musician from Brooklyn, New York. She is the lead singer of Brooklyn-based noise rock band Made Out of Babies and the former lead singer of defunct post-metal supergroup Battle of Mice....
, whose EP is available on Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
.
Drummer Ken Schalk is now a member of the newly re-formed band Fuel
Fuel (band)
Fuel is an American rock band formed by guitarist/songwriter Carl Bell and bassist Jeff Abercrombie in 1989. Originally known as Small the Joy, they changed the group's name to Fuel sometime in 1994...
.
Carley Coma just recently joined California-based hard rock outfit Park Lane who is currently in the studio with major-label producer Michael Rosen (AFI
AFI (band)
AFI is an American alternative rock band from Ukiah, California that formed in 1991. They have consisted of the same lineup since 1998: lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backup vocalist Adam Carson, with bassist Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget, who both play keyboard and contribute...
, Papa Roach
Papa Roach
Papa Roach is an American rock band from Vacaville, California. Their first major-label release was the triple-platinum album Infest . The group's success continued with their gold album Lovehatetragedy , their platinum album Getting Away with Murder , The Paramour Sessions , and Metamorphosis...
, Tesla
Tesla (band)
Tesla is an American hard rock band formed in Sacramento, California in 1984. They have sold 14 million albums in the United States.-Formation and Mechanical Resonance :...
).
Name origin
"Candiria" is supposedly the plural form of candiruCandirú
Candiru or candirú , also known as cañero, toothpick fish, or vampire fish, are a number of genera of parasitic freshwater catfish in the family Trichomycteridae; all are native to the Amazon River...
, the name of a freshwater fish found in the Amazon river. However, Ken Schalk has stated before that the band came up with the name, thinking it sounded like a real word, but not in fact knowing of this fish. The alleged plural is incorrect anyway: the name of the fish comes from the now extinct Old Tupi language
Old Tupi language
Old Tupi or Classical Tupi is an extinct Tupian language which was spoken by the native Tupi people of Brazil, mostly those who lived close to the sea. It belongs to the Tupi–Guarani language family, and which has a written history spanning the 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries...
, from where it passed on to Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
and later to other languages; in Portuguese, the plural form is simply candirus.
Band members
- Carley Coma – vocals (1992—present)
- John Lamacchia – guitar (1997—2004, 2004–present)
- Michael MacIvor – bass (1997—2006, 2009–present)
- Kenneth Schalk – drums (1992—2006, 2009—present)
Former band members
- Chris Puma – guitar (1992—1997) (deceased)
- Eric Matthews – guitar (1992—2004)
Discography
- Deep in the Mental (EP) (1995)
- Surrealistic Madness (1995)
- Beyond Reasonable Doubt (1997)
- The Process of Self-DevelopmentThe Process of Self-DevelopmentThe Process of Self-Development is the third studio album by Candiria. Released on August 3, 1999, it was their last album on MIA, before moving to Century Media Records...
(1999) - 300 Percent Density300 Percent Density300 Percent Density is an album by Candiria. Released on May 1, 2001, the album peaked at #44 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart.- Track listing :# "300 Percent Density" – 6:05# "Signs of Discontent" – 3:00...
(2001) - The C.O.M.A. ImprintThe C.O.M.A. ImprintThe C.O.M.A. Imprint is something of a revision of Candiria's 1997 album Beyond Reasonable Doubt, with remixed and re-recorded renditions of all that album's tracks, excluding "Lost in the Forest," "Mental Politics," and "Intrusive Statements," replacing them with the tracks "Peel This Strip and...
(2002) - What Doesn't Kill You... (2004)
- Kiss the Lie (2009)
- Toying With the Insanities Volume I (2009)
- Toying With the Insanities Volume II (2009)
- Toying With the Insanities Volume III (2010)