Dealership (band)
Encyclopedia
Dealership is an American indie rock
band based in Berkeley
, California
. Since their inception in 1995, the band features all their original members.
concert. After the concert, Wetherell went to a Guitar Center
with a student loan check and said to an employee, "I would like the stuff to make a band". He bought microphone
s, microphone stands, a guitar amplifier
, two guitars
and a drum kit
– without knowing how to play any of these instruments. Eventually, Wetherell decided to play drums while Groves played bass guitar
(he had played upright bass
in high school).
During the summer, Wetherell and Groves began holding auditions for a third band member, though these were largely unsuccessful. The auditions were held at Wetherell's place. Miyuki Jane Pinckard, who was dating Wetherell's roommate at the time, would hear many of these auditions. Understanding that the auditions were going poorly, Pinckard decided to learn to play the guitar herself. Within weeks, the trio became Dealership.
In 1998, Dealership self-released their first album, Secret American Livingroom
. The band then briefly ran their own record label, Keiki Records, on which they released their second full-length album, TV Highway to the Stars
in 2001. Keiki Records also distributed releases by now-inactive San Francisco band Secadora (of which Chris Groves was a member). The band's third album, Action/Adventure
, was released on Turn Records, based in Santa Clara, California
, in 2004.
In 2005, Dealership went on their first (and only) tour of the United States. They also played at the X-Games.
Jesse Hudson joined the band in late 2006.
A fourth album, The Future is Far Away, is currently being recorded with an estimated 2008 release date. In November 2007, Pinckard announced on the game girl advance blog that Harmonix
included the song "Dots and Dashes" in its iPod
rhythm game
Phase
, and noted that the track would be sold on iTunes
. "Dots and Dashes" will appear on the upcoming album. Their song "Database Corrupted" is featured as a downloadable track in Rock Band 2
.
Since the announcement of The Future is Far Away and as of May 2010, no official word has been heard from the band and they are thought to be disbanded.
Other releases
Compilations
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 based in Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
, 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...
. Since their inception in 1995, the band features all their original members.
History
The band formed in 1995 at UC Berkeley when Chris Wetherell spontaneously decided he wanted to start a band with friend Chris Groves after the two had attended a PrimusPrimus (band)
Primus is an American rock band based in San Francisco, California, currently composed of bassist/vocalist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde and drummer Jay Lane. Primus originally formed in 1984 with Claypool and guitarist Todd Huth, later joined by Lane, though the latter two departed...
concert. After the concert, Wetherell went to a Guitar Center
Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the largest chain of musical instrument retailers in the world with 223 locations throughout the United States. Its headquarters is in Westlake Village, California....
with a student loan check and said to an employee, "I would like the stuff to make a band". He bought microphone
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
s, microphone stands, a guitar amplifier
Guitar amplifier
A guitar amplifier is an electronic amplifier designed to make the signal of an electric or acoustic guitar louder so that it will produce sound through a loudspeaker...
, two guitars
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...
and a drum kit
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
– without knowing how to play any of these instruments. Eventually, Wetherell decided to play drums while Groves played bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(he had played upright bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
in high school).
During the summer, Wetherell and Groves began holding auditions for a third band member, though these were largely unsuccessful. The auditions were held at Wetherell's place. Miyuki Jane Pinckard, who was dating Wetherell's roommate at the time, would hear many of these auditions. Understanding that the auditions were going poorly, Pinckard decided to learn to play the guitar herself. Within weeks, the trio became Dealership.
In 1998, Dealership self-released their first album, Secret American Livingroom
Secret American Livingroom
Secret American Livingroom is the debut album from indie pop/rock band Dealership. The album was self-released by the band in 1998.The project originally began as a two-song single, but it soon snowballed into an eight song EP....
. The band then briefly ran their own record label, Keiki Records, on which they released their second full-length album, TV Highway to the Stars
TV Highway to the Stars
TV Highway to the Stars is the second full-length album from indie pop/rock band Dealership. The album was released on the band's label, Keiki Records, in 2001.-Track listing:All songs written by Dealership.#"TV Heart" – 4:53#"Toujours Ta Fille" – 2:28...
in 2001. Keiki Records also distributed releases by now-inactive San Francisco band Secadora (of which Chris Groves was a member). The band's third album, Action/Adventure
Action/Adventure (album)
Action/Adventure is the third full-length album from indie pop band Dealership. The album was released on Turn Records in 2004.In 2008, the song "Database Corrupted" was included in a pack of 20 free downloadable songs included with the purchase of the video game Rock Band 2.-Track listing:All...
, was released on Turn Records, based in Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara , founded in 1777 and incorporated in 1852, is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city is the site of the eighth of 21 California missions, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and was named after the mission. The Mission and Mission Gardens are located on the...
, in 2004.
In 2005, Dealership went on their first (and only) tour of the United States. They also played at the X-Games.
Jesse Hudson joined the band in late 2006.
A fourth album, The Future is Far Away, is currently being recorded with an estimated 2008 release date. In November 2007, Pinckard announced on the game girl advance blog that Harmonix
Harmonix Music Systems
Harmonix Music Systems is an American video game development company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the United States...
included the song "Dots and Dashes" in its iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
rhythm game
Music video game
A music video game, also commonly known as a music game, is a video game where the gameplay is meaningfully and often almost entirely oriented around the player's interactions with a musical score or individual songs...
Phase
Phase (game)
Phase is a music-themed iPod game created by Harmonix exclusively for the iPod click wheel interface. It is similar to other Harmonix games Amplitude and FreQuency.- Gameplay :...
, and noted that the track would be sold on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. "Dots and Dashes" will appear on the upcoming album. Their song "Database Corrupted" is featured as a downloadable track in Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems. It is the sequel to Rock Band and is the second title in the series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments...
.
Since the announcement of The Future is Far Away and as of May 2010, no official word has been heard from the band and they are thought to be disbanded.
Band members
Current members- Chris Groves — lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Jane Pinckard — keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, vocals (2006—present), guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals (1995—2006) - Chris Wetherell — drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, vocals - Jesse Hudson — guitar, bass (2006—present)
Discography
Albums- Secret American LivingroomSecret American LivingroomSecret American Livingroom is the debut album from indie pop/rock band Dealership. The album was self-released by the band in 1998.The project originally began as a two-song single, but it soon snowballed into an eight song EP....
(1998, self-released) - TV Highway to the StarsTV Highway to the StarsTV Highway to the Stars is the second full-length album from indie pop/rock band Dealership. The album was released on the band's label, Keiki Records, in 2001.-Track listing:All songs written by Dealership.#"TV Heart" – 4:53#"Toujours Ta Fille" – 2:28...
(2001, Keiki Records) - Action/AdventureAction/Adventure (album)Action/Adventure is the third full-length album from indie pop band Dealership. The album was released on Turn Records in 2004.In 2008, the song "Database Corrupted" was included in a pack of 20 free downloadable songs included with the purchase of the video game Rock Band 2.-Track listing:All...
(2004, Turn Records) - The Future Is Far Away (TBA)
Other releases
- Model Mortal / Domesticated 7" (2000, self-released)
Compilations
- Noise Pop '99 - Souvenir Seven Inches (1999, 1 song)
- Live 105 Local Lounge Vol.21 (1999, 1 song)
- Cool Beans #11 (1999, 1 song)
- Bored, Lonely and a Little Pissed Off (1999, 1 song)
- Ten Years of Noisepop (2002, 1 song)