Cello rock
Encyclopedia
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and 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...
characterized by the use of cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
s (as well as other bowed string instruments such as the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
and viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
) as primary instruments, alongside or in place of more traditional rock instruments such as electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
s, electric bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, and drum set.
Cellos, often in groups of three or more, are used to create a sound, rhythm, and texture similar to that of familiar rock music
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, but distinctly reshaped by the unique timbre
Timbre
In music, timbre is the quality of a musical note or sound or tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments, such as string instruments, wind instruments, and percussion instruments. The physical characteristics of sound that determine the...
s and more traditional genres of the cello (in particular) and other string instruments used. The cellos and other stringed instruments are often amplified and/or modified electronically, and often played in a manner imitative of the sound of electric guitars. They are often combined with other elements typical of rock music such as rock-style vocals and drumming.
Cello rock bands
Cello rock has been developing slowly over the years, with its direct influences dating as far back as the 1930s in Russia and Germany. The 1971 self-titled debut by the Electric Light OrchestraElectric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
featured rock songs arranged for cellos, and the subsequent tour consisted of a standard rock band augmented by four cellos.
Current prominent bands include:
- Rasputina (formed 1992), an American band that uses distortionDistortion (guitar)Distortion effects create "warm", "dirty" and "fuzzy" sounds by compressing the peaks of a musical instrument's sound wave and adding overtones. The three principal types of distortion effects are overdrive, distortion and fuzz. Distortion effects are sometimes called “gain” effects, as distorted...
effects pedals on their cellos. The band is made up of two cellists, song-writer and vocalist Melora CreagerMelora CreagerMelora Creager, formerly Melora Mather, is an American cellist and singer-songwriter best known for her role as lead singer and chief composer of the cello rock trio Rasputina....
, second chair Daniel DeJesus and drummer Dawn Miceli. They are known for their references to the Victorian era and eccentric song subjects, as well as their string of albums since the mid 1990s. Rasputina opened for Marilyn MansonMarilyn Manson (band)Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
in their 1997 Dead to the World Tour.
- ApocalypticaApocalypticaApocalyptica is a band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Sirén...
(formed 1993), a FinnishFinlandFinland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
quartet. The group originally played instrumental cello covers of heavy metal songs, including songs by MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
. They now mostly play their own baroque based compositions, some including vocals. ApocalypticaApocalypticaApocalyptica is a band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Sirén...
opened for MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
in 1996 and co-headlined with RammsteinRammsteinRammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
in 2005.
- Murder by DeathMurder by Death (band)Murder by Death is an American five-piece indie rock band from Bloomington, Indiana. Their name is derived from the 1976 Robert Moore film of the same name.- Early years :...
(formed in 2000) features Sarah Balliet, who plays electric cello live and records with a German cello from the 1880s. They play an eclectic combination of rock, indie and Americana and tour frequently.
- PrimitivityPrimitivityPrimitivity is an American instrumental cello rock band consisting of three cellists and a percussionist. Primitivity began primarily as a cover band playing songs by the thrash metal band Megadeth and the cello rock band Apocalyptica. The band has released one album entirely of Megadeth covers...
(formed in 2000) is a cello rock band from Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. Led by Loren Westbrook-Fritts, the ensemble began by covering songs of MegadethMegadethMegadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
. The group has performed on National Public Radio. Their debut album titled Plays Megadeth For CelloPlays Megadeth For CelloPlays Megadeth For Cello is the debut album by American rock cello group Primitivity, released in 2010. It features eight instrumental Megadeth covers arranged and played on cellos.-Track listing:#"Skin o' My Teeth" - 3:18...
. was arranged and recorded entirely by Loren Westbrook-Fritts. The group has performed along with Loren Westbrook-Fritts as Artists in Residence at Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, MarylandBethesda, MarylandBethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
in February 2010. The band has composed and performed original music for an upcoming album.
- The Loneliest MonkThe Loneliest MonkThe Loneliest Monk is an experimental rock duo from Chicago, Illinois USA.- Debut LP :In 2010 the band released their LP "The Loneliest Monk" on Chicago independent label Kilo Records to wonderful reviews by critics and fans. The duo has been on the road with this LP since March 2010, including...
(formed in 2008) is an all original Avant-Garde Art rock duo from Chicago, IL. Front Woman Michelle Morales, who has performed with the Foo FightersFoo FightersFoo 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...
and Kanye WestKanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, incorporates melodic looping effects, voice, as well as the occasional piano. She currently plays on a Zeta Electric cello. Miles Benjamin plays drums, sings, and creates toy piano flourishes.
- Judgement DayJudgement Day (band)Judgement Day is a three piece "string metal" band from Oakland, California.-Beginnings :Brothers Anton and Lewis Patzner started off playing metal violin and cello duets on the streets in Berkeley, California in 2002. They quickly released a seven-song acoustic EP and began playing rock shows as...
(formed 2002). A San Francisco instrumental metal trio with Anton PatznerAnton PatznerAnton Patzner is a violinist, composer and arranger who is a founding member of Judgement Day, has been featured on several major label and indie label records, frequently tours with Bright Eyes and Audrye Sessions and has also toured with Mates of State, The Faint, dredg, Margot and the Nuclear So...
of Bright Eyes on violin, Lewis Patzner on cello and a drummer. The band has toured the US with Mates of StateMates of StateMates of State are an American indie pop duo, active since 1997. The group is composed of the husband-and-wife team of Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel .Over the course of the band's fourteen year career, they've released three EPs and six full-length, studio...
, Margot and the Nuclear So and So'sMargot and the Nuclear So and So'sMargot & the Nuclear So and So’s are a band from Indianapolis, Indiana. Their style has been described as "cinematic chamber pop" that "both the casual music fan and music perfectionist will enjoy"...
and dredgDredgDredg is an American rock group formed in 1993 in Los Gatos, California. The band consists of vocalist Gavin Hayes, guitarist Mark Engles, bassist Drew Roulette and drummer Dino Campanella....
.
- Cello Fury, based in Pittsburgh, PA, is a cello trio with drums performing original rock music on amplified cellos. This band performs solo shows in rock as well as classical venues and collaborates with artists in other genres throughout the US and abroad. www.cellofury.com
- A Collective of Dirt (formed late 2007) of Olympia, WashingtonOlympia, WashingtonOlympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It was incorporated on January 28, 1859. The population was 46,478 at the 2010 census...
. The four piece performs on amplified Cellos and violin playing fast punkish music with screaming vocals.
- Aaron Minsky, or Von Cello (whose band goes by the same name), is a cellist who pioneered the (self titled) "celtar" style of playing, which is playing the cello like a guitar, held over the knees or with a guitar strap over the neck, and strummed and picked with a guitar pick. When playing as a band, Von Cello consists of cellist Aaron Minsky and others on the bass, drums, vocals, and keyboards. They Von Cello has released CDs covering genres from classical crossover to "metal cello" a genre coined by Von Cello.
- Hyperion, the CzechCzech RepublicThe Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
was formed 2002 in OstravaOstravaOstrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
, released two demos and one full length album names "Monochrome". Hyperion covered the songs Inquisition Symphony from SepulturaSepulturaSepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
and Nothing Else MattersNothing Else Matters"Nothing Else Matters" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the third single from its self-titled fifth studio album, Metallica. The song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart as well as top-ten positions on many European charts...
, UnforgivenThe Unforgiven (song)"The Unforgiven" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the second single from their eponymous fifth album Metallica...
from MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
.
- Break of RealityBreak of RealityBreak of Reality is an American instrumental rock band consisting of three cellists and a percussionist. The group is associated with the terms “cinematic rock”, “cello rock”, and “heavy cello thunder”. Break of Reality's current members are Patrick Laird, Martin Torch-Ishii, Ivan Trevino and...
(formed in 2003), is an American instrumental rock band consisting of three cellists and a percussionist. The band's sound consists of many musical influences, such as metal, classical, and cinematic rock. The group has two original albums to its credit, and is also known for covering bands like System of a DownSystem of a DownSystem of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
and Coheed and CambriaCoheed and CambriaCoheed and Cambria is an American progressive rock band from Nyack, New York. Formed in 1995, the group incorporates aspects of progressive rock, punk rock, metal and post-hardcore....
.
- Deadweight- a San Francisco based band from 1995–2004, featured Sam Bass on electric cello, Ben Barnes on electric violin and Paulo Baldi on drums. Described as "Charlie Daniels playing Led Zeppelin and Bartok, while listening to Metallica on a roller coaster to hell."
- Skillet (band)Skillet (band)Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
- a Memphis, TN, Christian rock band that formed in 1996. The band began using a cellist and violinist (Tate Olsen, Jonathan Chu, resp.) in 2003. While not all of their songs feature Olsen and Chu, they are credited on the albums. Other instruments used include guitars, an electric bass guitar, a keyboard, a synthesizer, and drums.
- The 440 Fort Alliance (formed early 2004) is an AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
cello rock band from Arlington, TexasArlington, TexasArlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
. The group is known for their diverse approach to the cello, incorporating electric effects, turntables, piano, and mallet percussion. They received national exposure on NPRNPRNPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
's All Songs ConsideredAll Songs ConsideredAll Songs Considered is a weekly online multimedia program started in January 2000 by NPR's All Things Considered director Bob Boilen. At first, the show featured information and streaming audio about the songs used as bumper music on All Things Considered. The program has turned into a source of...
and on FoxFox Broadcasting CompanyFox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
's musical reality show, The Next Great American BandThe Next Great American BandThe Next Great American Band is a reality television talent show. The show premiered on October 19, 2007 and aired on FOX at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times Friday nights...
. As of 2010, the group has recorded 3 full length albums.
- Akashiaft (formed in 2009) Born by the restlessness of 5 young members of the System of Orchestras of Venezuela, Dedicated to making rock cover bands like Aerosmith, Apocalyptica, The Beatles, Coldplay, Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Oasis, Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Queen, System Of A Down, Sepultura, Judas Priest, Rata Blanca, The Who, among others.
- CoppeliusCoppeliusCoppelius is a German band which plays metal on drums, double bass, cello and clarinet. Their name is taken from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s Der Sandmann...
(formed in 1997) Coppelius is a German band which plays metal on drums, double bass, cello and clarinet. - UnwomanUnwomanUnwoman is a solo artist from San Francisco, California. Musician Erica Mulkey mixes cello and vocals with electronic influences. The music she creates is difficult to label with an established genre, but contains characteristics of synth pop and goth...
- Alamaailman VasaratAlamaailman VasaratAlamaailman Vasarat is a cult avant-garde Finnish group. Their music covers a wide range of styles and influences and is therefore difficult to classify; on their official website they jokingly refer to their style as being "kebab-kosher-jazz-film-traffic-punk-music." Much of their music is...
- Melo-MMelo-MMelo-M is a Latvian instrumental cello rock trio consisting of three classically trained cellists: Kārlis Auzāns, Valters Pūce, and Antons Trocjuks...
- Hevein
- Clawed Forehead
- Ken Oak BandKen Oak BandOak and Gorski is an American folk-rock music group based in California.Described by Billboard Magazine as "soulful" and "calming", Oak and Gorski are an acoustic duo composed of Ed Gorski and Ken Oak...
- 2CELLOS2Cellos2Cellos is a cello duo consisting of Croatian cellists Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser. Signed to Sony Masterworks since 12 April 2011, the two were discovered after uploading a music video of their cello-only cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" to YouTube.-Background:Šulić, born in...
(formed in 2011) are Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser from Croatia. Some of the covers they performed on their first album: Where The Streets Have No Name, Misirlou (Theme From Pulp Fiction), Use Somebody, Smooth Criminal, Fragile, The Resistance, Hurt, Welcome To The Jungle, Human Nature, Viva La Vida, Smells Like Teen Spirit, With Or Without You - The Stiletto FormalThe Stiletto FormalThe Stiletto Formal was a self-proclaimed "eccentric rock and roll" band from Phoenix, Arizona, and were one of the few rock bands featuring a cello and other exotic instruments and effects as an integral part of their sound. In addition, unusual time signatures, and Kyle Howard's falsetto provided...
- GrammaticsGrammaticsGrammatics were a British alternative rock band from Leeds, England, predominantly influenced by British bands of the 1990s such as Blur, Pulp, and Suede.The band also quotes the following musical influences: Cursive, My Bloody Valentine, Nirvana, Radiohead, Elliott Smith, Queens Of The Stone Age,...
- GrayceonGrayceonGrayceon is a three-piece metal band from San Francisco. They were formed in 2005. They were licensed on the label Vendlus Records from 2005–2009 and are currently licensed on the label Profound Lore Records...
- Matson Jones
In addition to cello rock groups that feature cello as the primary melodic instruments, some rock groups and artists have featured acoustic or electric celli as part of the band. In most cases, the cello is not a full member of the band, but is used only for a specific song, but a few artists have featured a cellist as a full band member. Such artists include The Walla Recovery, the singer Poe
Ann Danielewski
Anne "Annie" Decatur Danielewski , professionally known as Poe, is an American singer and songwriter. She first hit the modern rock charts in the mid-1990s. Poe is the daughter of Polish film director Tad Danielewski and his second wife, Priscilla Machold. She is the sister of author Mark Z....
(featuring cellist Cameron Stone), Tarja
Tarja Turunen
Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen Cabuli is a Finnish singer-songwriter and composer. She is a full lyric soprano and has a vocal range of three octaves....
(featuring cellist Max Lilja
Max Lilja
Max Lilja is a cellist, formerly of cello metal/chamber music band Apocalyptica and currently in the band Hevein. He left Apocalyptica in 2002...
, a former Apocalyptica
Apocalyptica
Apocalyptica is a band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Sirén...
member), Hevein (also featuring Lilja), Darling Violetta
Darling Violetta
Darling Violetta is a dark pop band based in Hollywood, California. Their name is taken from the salutation used by Bela Lugosi in letters to his mistress, Violetta Napierska. The band released their first EP Bath-Water-Flowers in 1997, though this work is commonly considered an album by most...
(featuring cellist Gerri Sutyak), Veruca Salt
Veruca Salt (band)
Veruca Salt is an alternative rock band founded in 1993 in Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included vocalist-guitarist Louise Post. Guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick has been with the band since 1999 and drummer Kellii Scott has worked with the group on and off since 1999...
(featuring cellist Eric Remschneider
Eric Remschneider
Eric Remschneider is a cellist. He is perhaps best known for contributing to The Smashing Pumpkins' 1993 release, Siamese Dream, and appearing in the subsequent tour and "Disarm" music video. Eric also plays cello on the song, "The Bells" which appears on The Aeroplane Flies High box set...
on the album Resolver), the Smashing Pumpkins (also featuring Remschneider on the Siamese Dream
Siamese Dream
Siamese Dream is the second album by the American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on July 27, 1993 on Virgin Records. The album fused diverse influences such as shoegazing, dream pop, grunge, classic rock, heavy metal, and progressive rock.Despite recording sessions fraught...
album and subsequent tour), and OneRepublic
OneRepublic
OneRepublic is an American pop rock band from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Formed in 2002 by Ryan Tedder and Zach Filkins, the band achieved massive success on MySpace, becoming the most prominent unsigned act on the website then...
(featuring cellist Brent Kutzle
Brent Kutzle
Brent Michael Kutzle is an American musician, born in Newport Beach, California. Brent is best known for playing the bass guitar and cello for OneRepublic, who are signed to Interscope Records...
).
The Red Elvises
Red Elvises
The Red Elvises are a Russian-American band that performs rock & roll, surf, rockabilly, reggae, lounge and traditional Russian styles of music...
featured Monica Demarco on keyboards and electric cello
Electric cello
The electric cello is a type of cello that relies on electronic amplification to produce sound. An acoustic cello can be fitted with a bridge or body mounted contact pickup providing an electric signal, or a built-in pickup can be installed...
on their 2011 summer tour.