Chris Broach
Encyclopedia
Chris Broach was one of the guitarists/vocalists in the 90's emo
band Braid
. In August 1994, just before starting his freshman year at The University of Illinois (Champaign/Urbana), Broach went to see Braid play a show at The Red Herring, in Urbana, Illinois
. After the show, he was introduced to Bob Nanna through a mutual friend named Clay Stelzer. When Nanna remarked that they (Braid) were looking for a singer, Stelzer mentioned that Broach was a singer and a guitar player. Broach was introduced to Roy Ewing, the drummer of Braid, and spoke to him at length about influences and the like. By the end of the show, Ewing was walking around introducing Broach to friends as 'the newest member of the band,' much to the surprise of Broach (and probably the rest of the band)... a couple of tryouts later, and a line-up change (Broach replaced Pete Havranek on guitar, as well) - and Broach was a member of Braid, recording his guitar parts on the first 7-inch the band ever released a week later.
(formerly the Firebird Suite and Firebird Project). He played guitar for Life At Sea on the Is there a signal coming through? album and fronted the band L'Spaerow
which put out one album on his own label - the label is Lucid Records
- which he founded in 2002.
, and former Hey Mercedes
guitarist Mike Schumaker were involved in a project entitled The Blakhiv. They released their first EP on Lucid Records
in 2006.
Emo (music)
Emo is a style of rock music characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics. It originated in the mid-1980s hardcore punk movement of Washington, D.C., where it was known as "emotional hardcore" or "emocore" and pioneered by bands such as Rites of Spring and Embrace...
band Braid
Braid (band)
Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
. In August 1994, just before starting his freshman year at The University of Illinois (Champaign/Urbana), Broach went to see Braid play a show at The Red Herring, in Urbana, Illinois
Urbana, Illinois
Urbana is the county seat of Champaign County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 41,250. Urbana is the tenth-most populous city in Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area....
. After the show, he was introduced to Bob Nanna through a mutual friend named Clay Stelzer. When Nanna remarked that they (Braid) were looking for a singer, Stelzer mentioned that Broach was a singer and a guitar player. Broach was introduced to Roy Ewing, the drummer of Braid, and spoke to him at length about influences and the like. By the end of the show, Ewing was walking around introducing Broach to friends as 'the newest member of the band,' much to the surprise of Broach (and probably the rest of the band)... a couple of tryouts later, and a line-up change (Broach replaced Pete Havranek on guitar, as well) - and Broach was a member of Braid, recording his guitar parts on the first 7-inch the band ever released a week later.
Early career
While a member of Braid, Broach started playing in his own side project called The Firebird Suite. After Braid disbanded Broach continued playing in The Firebird BandFirebird band
The Firebird Band is an indie rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band was created as a side project by Chris Broach, of Braid notoriety, and his brother Riley Broach in 1996. The band's first endeavor was the 7" titled New York under the name of The Firebird Suite which was released in...
(formerly the Firebird Suite and Firebird Project). He played guitar for Life At Sea on the Is there a signal coming through? album and fronted the band L'Spaerow
L'Spaerow
L'Spaerow are an Indie/Experimental/Rock group based out of Chicago, Illinois. The band is signed with Lucid Records of Deerfield, Illinois. L'Spaerow released their self-titled album in 2003.-L'Spaerow Members:...
which put out one album on his own label - the label is Lucid Records
Lucid Records
Lucid Records is an independent record label in Deerfield, Illinois, run by Chris Broach of Braid, The Firebird Band, & L' Spaerow.- About Lucid Records :The label was started in 2002 with The Blackouts' debut album Everyday is a Sunday Evening...
- which he founded in 2002.
The Blakhiv
Broach, along with Chris Common of These Arms Are SnakesThese Arms Are Snakes
These Arms Are Snakes was an American post-hardcore band that formed in 2002 and featured former members of Botch and Kill Sadie. The band was known for their intense live shows, which often feature vocalist Steve Snere crowd surfing and spending a large portion of the live performance in the...
, and former Hey Mercedes
Hey Mercedes
Hey Mercedes was an emo band from Milwaukee, WI/Chicago, IL, USA, that formed in 1999/2000 after the dissolution of Braid. The band consisted of Bob Nanna on guitar and vocals, Todd Bell on bass and vocals, Mark Dawursk on guitar and vocals and Damon Atkinson on drums.Hey Mercedes' first release...
guitarist Mike Schumaker were involved in a project entitled The Blakhiv. They released their first EP on Lucid Records
Lucid Records
Lucid Records is an independent record label in Deerfield, Illinois, run by Chris Broach of Braid, The Firebird Band, & L' Spaerow.- About Lucid Records :The label was started in 2002 with The Blackouts' debut album Everyday is a Sunday Evening...
in 2006.
Currently
- Broach is working on solo material (released 2009, 2010, and more coming soon)
- A new EP for The Firebird BandFirebird bandThe Firebird Band is an indie rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band was created as a side project by Chris Broach, of Braid notoriety, and his brother Riley Broach in 1996. The band's first endeavor was the 7" titled New York under the name of The Firebird Suite which was released in...
(is out now 2010) - Broach is currently working on music for commercials and productions with writing partner Todd Finkel, including a project for Adidas slated for release soon (Nov, 16, 2010)
- Also joined (vocals and guitar) a Spanish band, Festa d'Estate http://flavors.me/festadestate, from 2006–2008,with no recordings known.
Albums
in reverse chronological order:- The Firebird BandThe Firebird BandThe Firebird Band is an indie rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band was created as a side project by Chris Broach, of Braid notoriety, and his brother Riley Broach in 1996. The band's first endeavor was the 7" titled New York under the name of The Firebird Suite which was released in...
- The City at Night - (Bifocal Media/Lucid RecordsLucid RecordsLucid Records is an independent record label in Deerfield, Illinois, run by Chris Broach of Braid, The Firebird Band, & L' Spaerow.- About Lucid Records :The label was started in 2002 with The Blackouts' debut album Everyday is a Sunday Evening...
, 2004) CD - Life at Sea - Is There A Signal Coming Through? - (Lucid RecordsLucid RecordsLucid Records is an independent record label in Deerfield, Illinois, run by Chris Broach of Braid, The Firebird Band, & L' Spaerow.- About Lucid Records :The label was started in 2002 with The Blackouts' debut album Everyday is a Sunday Evening...
, 2003) - CD - The Firebird BandThe Firebird BandThe Firebird Band is an indie rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band was created as a side project by Chris Broach, of Braid notoriety, and his brother Riley Broach in 1996. The band's first endeavor was the 7" titled New York under the name of The Firebird Suite which was released in...
- The Firebird Suite - Archives - (Lucid RecordsLucid RecordsLucid Records is an independent record label in Deerfield, Illinois, run by Chris Broach of Braid, The Firebird Band, & L' Spaerow.- About Lucid Records :The label was started in 2002 with The Blackouts' debut album Everyday is a Sunday Evening...
, 2003) CD - L' Spaerow - L'Spaerow CD - (Lucid RecordsLucid RecordsLucid Records is an independent record label in Deerfield, Illinois, run by Chris Broach of Braid, The Firebird Band, & L' Spaerow.- About Lucid Records :The label was started in 2002 with The Blackouts' debut album Everyday is a Sunday Evening...
, 2003) - CD - The Firebird BandThe Firebird BandThe Firebird Band is an indie rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band was created as a side project by Chris Broach, of Braid notoriety, and his brother Riley Broach in 1996. The band's first endeavor was the 7" titled New York under the name of The Firebird Suite which was released in...
- The Setting Sun and Its Satellites - (The Mintaka Conspiracy/Cargo Music/Headhunter, 2000) - CD/LP - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- Movie Music Vol. 2, (PolyvinylPolyvinyl Record Co.Polyvinyl Record Co. is an American independent record label based in Champaign, Illinois. It has released notable records by of Montreal, Japandroids, Braid, Mates of State and many others.-History:...
, 2000) - compilation CD/Double LP - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- Movie Music Vol. 1, (PolyvinylPolyvinyl Record Co.Polyvinyl Record Co. is an American independent record label based in Champaign, Illinois. It has released notable records by of Montreal, Japandroids, Braid, Mates of State and many others.-History:...
, 2000) - compilation CD/Double LP - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- Lucky To Be Alive (Glue Factory Records, 2000) - live CD/Double LP - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- Frame & CanvasFrame and CanvasFrame and Canvas is an album released by Braid in 1998 on Polyvinyl.-Track listing:# "The New Nathan Detroits" – 4:18# "Killing a Camera" – 2:34# "Never Will Come For Us" – 3:31# "First Day Back" – 3:22# "Collect From Clark Kent" – 3:26...
(PolyvinylPolyvinyl Record Co.Polyvinyl Record Co. is an American independent record label based in Champaign, Illinois. It has released notable records by of Montreal, Japandroids, Braid, Mates of State and many others.-History:...
, 1998) - CD/LP - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- The Age Of Octeen (Mud Records, 1996) - CD/LP - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- Frankie Welfare Boy Age Five (Divot Records, 1995) - CD/Double LP - SacHead - Our World (Playing Field RecordingsPlaying Field RecordingsPlaying Field Recordings is a record label that operates out of Urbana, Illinois. It is known for early releases in the midwestern emo scene ....
, 1993) Cassette Only
Singles and EPs
in reverse chronological order:- Chris Broach - "Madison" - (City at Night Records, 2010) - digital EP
- The Firebird bandThe Firebird BandThe Firebird Band is an indie rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band was created as a side project by Chris Broach, of Braid notoriety, and his brother Riley Broach in 1996. The band's first endeavor was the 7" titled New York under the name of The Firebird Suite which was released in...
- "Say Hello" - (City at Night Records, 2010) - digital EP - The Firebird BandThe Firebird BandThe Firebird Band is an indie rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band was created as a side project by Chris Broach, of Braid notoriety, and his brother Riley Broach in 1996. The band's first endeavor was the 7" titled New York under the name of The Firebird Suite which was released in...
- "Say Hello" - (Mind Over Matter Records, 2010) - Seven Inch EP - Chris Broach - "How Well You Know Me" - (City at Night Records, 2010) - digital single
- Chris Broach - "Beautiful Spaces" - (City at Night Records, 2010) - digital single
- The Blakhiv - Any Way She Wants It - (Lucid RecordsLucid RecordsLucid Records is an independent record label in Deerfield, Illinois, run by Chris Broach of Braid, The Firebird Band, & L' Spaerow.- About Lucid Records :The label was started in 2002 with The Blackouts' debut album Everyday is a Sunday Evening...
, 2006) - EP - The Firebird BandThe Firebird BandThe Firebird Band is an indie rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band was created as a side project by Chris Broach, of Braid notoriety, and his brother Riley Broach in 1996. The band's first endeavor was the 7" titled New York under the name of The Firebird Suite which was released in...
- The Drive - (Cargo/Headhunter, 2001) - EP - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- Please Driver Faster, (PolyvinylPolyvinyl Record Co.Polyvinyl Record Co. is an American independent record label based in Champaign, Illinois. It has released notable records by of Montreal, Japandroids, Braid, Mates of State and many others.-History:...
, 1999) - single - The Firebird Project - Feel Alright CD - (The Mintaka Conspiracy, 1999) - EP
- The Firebird Suite - New York 7 - (The Mintaka Conspiracy, 1998) - single
- Always Something There To Remind Me (Split 7" w/ Burning AirlinesBurning AirlinesBurning Airlines were an American rock band from Washington, D.C.. J. Robbins and Bill Barbot of Jawbox formed the band with Peter Moffett, formerly of Government Issue...
) - (DeSoto RecordsDeSoto RecordsDeSoto Records is an American record label based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1989, it is run by Bill Barbot and Kim Coletta, both formerly of the band Jawbox. It was first founded by members of the band Edsel to release their first single. Jawbox next used the name DeSoto for their first EP. It...
, 1998) single - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- First Day Back/Hugs From Boys 7 (PolyvinylPolyvinyl Record Co.Polyvinyl Record Co. is an American independent record label based in Champaign, Illinois. It has released notable records by of Montreal, Japandroids, Braid, Mates of State and many others.-History:...
, 1998) - single - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
/ Corm Split 7 (PolyvinylPolyvinyl Record Co.Polyvinyl Record Co. is an American independent record label based in Champaign, Illinois. It has released notable records by of Montreal, Japandroids, Braid, Mates of State and many others.-History:...
, 1997) - single - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- Niagara/That Car Came Out Of Nowhere 7 (Grand Theft Autumn, 1995) - single - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- I'm Afraid of Everything/Radish White Icicle/Now I'm Exhausted 7 (Grand Theft Autumn, 1995) - single - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- Rainsnowmatch 7 (Enclave /Polyvinyl, 1994) - single
Compilations
in reverse chronological order:- The Firebird BandThe Firebird BandThe Firebird Band is an indie rock band hailing from Chicago, Illinois. The band was created as a side project by Chris Broach, of Braid notoriety, and his brother Riley Broach in 1996. The band's first endeavor was the 7" titled New York under the name of The Firebird Suite which was released in...
- She Wears He-Harem from A Tribute To Shudder To ThinkShudder to ThinkShudder to Think is an American indie rock group. Formed in 1986, they released three albums on the Washington, D.C.-based label Dischord Records and were a post-hardcore band, although they drew upon a wide range of stylistic influences, including pop....
(2003) - BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- Trompe Le Monde from Where Is My Mind? A Tribute To The Pixies (Glue Factory Records, 1999) - Campanula Blue - "I Love Kerrazo" - guest vocals (Core For Care, 1996)
VHS/DVD
in reverse chronological order- BraidBraid (band)Braid is an influential emo/post-hardcore band from Illinois that formed in 1993. After forming, the band went through several line-up changes but eventually settled on: Bob Nanna on guitar/vocals, Todd Bell on bass, Chris Broach on guitar/vocals and, Roy Ewing on drums. Roy was replaced in 1997 by...
- Killing A Camera (Bifocal Media, 2001 VHSVHSThe Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
, 2004 DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
) - DVD - Actuality Of Thought (BiFocal Media, 2001) - VHS