Comets on Fire
Encyclopedia
Comets on Fire was an American noise rock
band from Santa Cruz
, California
. The band was formed in 1999 by guitarist and vocalist Ethan Miller and longtime friend bassist Ben Flashman, who were seeking to create rhythmically and sonically intense music that paid no attention to categorizations.
(Jello Biafra
's label). This album shows the influence of the Butthole Surfers
, Hawkwind
and the MC5
. The next album Field Recordings from the Sun for Ba Da Bing label showed more growth on the record with new drummer Utrillo Kushner, as well as saxophone
s being added to their noise rock jams. Before the next record the band officially added Ben Chasny
of Six Organs of Admittance
to their lineup in 2003. He had previously performed and recorded with them. With this line-up they got a deal on Sub Pop
Records and released their critically acclaimed Blue Cathedral. The record exposed them to a whole new fan base and the record found favor with enough people for Comets on Fire to tour as the opening act for Sonic Youth
, Dinosaur Jr
and Mudhoney. In 2006, they released their fourth album Avatar which showed the band turning away from their psychedelic noise jams for a more subdued sound that ventures close to classic rock
at times.
They are notable for their heavy use of the Echoplex
, used primarily on vocals but on other instruments as well. This often renders the lyrics unintelligible; Miller claims to not remember the lyrics after putting an album together.
The band has been on hiatus since a brief European tour in 2008. In the Feb/Mar 2011 issue of Rock-A-Rolla magazine, Ben Chasny said there are no current plans to restart the band.
Noise rock
Noise rock describes a style of post-punk rock music that became prominent in the 1980s. Noise rock makes use of the traditional instrumentation and iconography of rock, but incorporates atonality and especially dissonance, and also frequently discards usual songwriting conventions.-Style:Noise...
band from Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The band was formed in 1999 by guitarist and vocalist Ethan Miller and longtime friend bassist Ben Flashman, who were seeking to create rhythmically and sonically intense music that paid no attention to categorizations.
History
The band started in 1999 and released their debut record on Alternative TentaclesAlternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
(Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
's label). This album shows the influence of the Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
, Hawkwind
Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes. They are also a noted precursor to punk rock and now are considered a link between the hippie and punk cultures....
and the MC5
MC5
The MC5 is an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan and originally active from 1964 to 1972. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson...
. The next album Field Recordings from the Sun for Ba Da Bing label showed more growth on the record with new drummer Utrillo Kushner, as well as saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
s being added to their noise rock jams. Before the next record the band officially added Ben Chasny
Ben Chasny
Ben Chasny is an indie rock and psych folk guitarist. His primary projects are Six Organs of Admittance and Comets on Fire . He made his recording debut in 1996 with his heavy, free rock project Plague Lounge on "The Wicker Image", an LP released conjointly between the New World of Sound and Holy...
of Six Organs of Admittance
Six Organs of Admittance
Six Organs of Admittance is the primary musical project of guitarist Ben Chasny. Chasny's music is largely guitar-based and is often considered new folk, however it includes obvious influences, marked by the use of drones, chimes, and eclectic percussive elements...
to their lineup in 2003. He had previously performed and recorded with them. With this line-up they got a deal on Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
Records and released their critically acclaimed Blue Cathedral. The record exposed them to a whole new fan base and the record found favor with enough people for Comets on Fire to tour as the opening act for Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, Dinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr. is an American alternative rock band formed in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1984. Originally called Dinosaur, prior to legal issues that forced the group to change their name, the band disbanded in 1997 until reuniting in 2005...
and Mudhoney. In 2006, they released their fourth album Avatar which showed the band turning away from their psychedelic noise jams for a more subdued sound that ventures close to classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
at times.
They are notable for their heavy use of the Echoplex
Echoplex
The Echoplex is a tape delay effect, first made in 1959. Designed by Mike Battle, the Echoplex set a standard for the effect in the 1960s and was used by some of the most notable guitar players of the era; original Echoplexes are highly sought after....
, used primarily on vocals but on other instruments as well. This often renders the lyrics unintelligible; Miller claims to not remember the lyrics after putting an album together.
The band has been on hiatus since a brief European tour in 2008. In the Feb/Mar 2011 issue of Rock-A-Rolla magazine, Ben Chasny said there are no current plans to restart the band.
Band members
- Ethan Miller - vocals, guitar
- Noel von Harmonson - electronics
- Ben Flashman - bass
- Utrillo Kushner - drums
- Ben ChasnyBen ChasnyBen Chasny is an indie rock and psych folk guitarist. His primary projects are Six Organs of Admittance and Comets on Fire . He made his recording debut in 1996 with his heavy, free rock project Plague Lounge on "The Wicker Image", an LP released conjointly between the New World of Sound and Holy...
- guitar
Albums
- Comets on FireComets on Fire (album)Comets on Fire is the debut album from Santa Cruz psychedelic rock band, Comets on Fire. Released in 2001 under the Alternative Tentacles label.-Track listing:# "All I Need" – 2:56# "Graverobbers" – 4:40# "One Foot" – 5:57# "Got a Feelin" – 2:03...
(2001) - Field Recordings from the SunField Recordings from the SunField Recordings of the Sun is the five-song second album from indie/noise rock group, Comets on Fire. The album was released in 2002 on Ba Da Bing Records.-Track listing:# "Beneath the Ice Age" - 9:20# "Return to Heaven" - 6:29# "The Unicorn" - 3:51...
(2002) - Blue CathedralBlue CathedralBlue Cathedral is the third studio album by Comets on Fire. It was released in 2004 on the Sub Pop label. Its sound is a mix of psychedelic and noise rock....
(2004) - Avatar (2006)
Other
- Live in Europa (Split LP with Major Stars, Limited 500 copies) (2003)
- Bong Voyage (Limited 800 copies) (2003)
- Cardboard Sub Pop Promo Jams (Limited 1000 copies) (2004)
- Euro Tour 5 CDR Boxset (Self Released, limited 10 copies) (2005)
- Collaboration (Split LP with Burning Star Core, Limited 1000 copies) (2005)
Related Projects
- Howlin' RainHowlin' RainHowlin Rain is a San Francisco band which formed in 2004 and released their first album in 2006. Described as "classically soulful" Howlin' Rain are currently signed with Rick Rubin to the Columbia Records subset American Recordings. Subsequent releases by the band will be handled jointly between...
- Six Organs of AdmittanceSix Organs of AdmittanceSix Organs of Admittance is the primary musical project of guitarist Ben Chasny. Chasny's music is largely guitar-based and is often considered new folk, however it includes obvious influences, marked by the use of drones, chimes, and eclectic percussive elements...
- Colossal Yes - side project of Utrillo Kushner
External links
- Official website
- Comets on Fire Take Off in Exclaim! magazine
- Comets on Fire at Sub PopSub PopSub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
records - [ Allmusic entry]
- Comets on Fire on Last.fm
- Interview with Ethan Miller