End of a Year
Encyclopedia
End of a Year are a post-hardcore/punk outfit based in Cohoes, New York
. The band has released three full length albums and several EPs.
musicians already involved in full-time bands. Having spent time in heavier bands, the initial End of a Year line-up was interested in trying something more overtly melodic. Taking their name from an Embrace
song, the band's original sound was highly influenced by the Revolution Summer
-era DC
bands.
The band recorded a boombox demo to give out at their first show, which took place at SUNY Albany. Shortly thereafter, a more formal demo entitled "Warm" was recorded. A full-length, Disappear Here, appeared on local labels Oneohfive and Losingface Records. The band later released a split 7" with western Massachusetts
band Three Fifteen on another local label, Slave Union. It was this record that caught the attention of Revelation Records, and the band made the jump in 2006, recording their first full-length for the California label in the spring of that year.
Sincerely was recorded with Don Zientara
at Inner Ear Studio, adding to the perception that the band was striving for a DC-centered sound; the actual music, however, strayed further from that model than on previous releases.
In the spring of 2009 the band released an EP for Deathwish Inc.
and announced plans for a full-length release for the label.
The band regularly names songs after actual people with lyrical content that, though oblique, seems to reference the person. Some people the band has given song titles to include:
In late 2010, the band announced that they would be "reformatting" the group to officially include all touring and session musicians they had worked with up to that point. That brings the number of active musicians in the band to fifteen. It's unclear what that means for the band's live performance and future recorded output.
song of the same name. After the release of their 2010 album You Are Beneath Me, the group wanted to change their name to "Self Defense". As an interim name to ease the transition between names, Self Defense went by the name "End Of A Year Self Defense Family," and occasionally "Self Defense Music." Vocalist Patrick Kindlon likened the transition to Will Oldham
's name changes. According to Kindlon, Oldham's band name went from "Palace Brothers to Palace Songs to Palace Music to Bonnie Prince Billy to Will Oldham." On various vinyl releases, Self Defense used several "also known as" monikers including: Barf Spectrum, Comforter, Pewter Wizards, and Weird Field.
Cohoes, New York
Cohoes is an incorporated city located at the northeast corner of Albany County in the US state of New York. It is called the "Spindle City" because of the importance of textile production to its growth. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 16,168...
. The band has released three full length albums and several EPs.
History
End of a Year started as a side project for a number of AlbanyAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
musicians already involved in full-time bands. Having spent time in heavier bands, the initial End of a Year line-up was interested in trying something more overtly melodic. Taking their name from an Embrace
Embrace (U.S. band)
Embrace was a short-lived post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., which lasted from the summer of 1985 to the spring of 1986 and was one of the first bands to be dubbed in the press as emotional hardcore, though the members had rejected the term since its creation...
song, the band's original sound was highly influenced by the Revolution Summer
Revolution Summer
Revolution Summer may refer to:* Revolution Summer , a film directed by Miles Montalbano* Revolution Summer , a soundtrack album by Jonathan Richman...
-era DC
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....
bands.
The band recorded a boombox demo to give out at their first show, which took place at SUNY Albany. Shortly thereafter, a more formal demo entitled "Warm" was recorded. A full-length, Disappear Here, appeared on local labels Oneohfive and Losingface Records. The band later released a split 7" with western Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
band Three Fifteen on another local label, Slave Union. It was this record that caught the attention of Revelation Records, and the band made the jump in 2006, recording their first full-length for the California label in the spring of that year.
Sincerely was recorded with Don Zientara
Don Zientara
Don Zientara is an American record producer and musician. He owns and runs Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia, located just outside of Washington D.C., and is most widely known for his production work with Fugazi, Minor Threat and various other Dischord Records artists.-Production...
at Inner Ear Studio, adding to the perception that the band was striving for a DC-centered sound; the actual music, however, strayed further from that model than on previous releases.
In the spring of 2009 the band released an EP for Deathwish Inc.
Deathwish Inc.
Deathwish, Inc. is a independent record label founded by Jacob Bannon and Tre McCarthy. The label was originally used to release early albums by Bannon's own band Converge starting in late 1991. It wasn't until late 1999 that McCarthy and Bannon discussed turning Deathwish into a full-fledged label...
and announced plans for a full-length release for the label.
The band regularly names songs after actual people with lyrical content that, though oblique, seems to reference the person. Some people the band has given song titles to include:
- Audrey Kishline, former proponent of Moderation ManagementModeration ManagementModeration Management is a secular non-profit organization providing peer-run non-coercive support groups for anyone who would like to reduce their alcohol consumption...
- Micheal Ray RichardsonMicheal Ray RichardsonMicheal Ray "Sugar" Richardson is an American former professional basketball player and currently the head coach of the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada. Richardson played college basketball for the Montana Grizzlies...
, former NBA basketball player and current coach of the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry - Michael LarsonMichael LarsonPaul Michael Larson was a contestant on the American television game show Press Your Luck in May 1984 that aired on TV in June 1984. Larson's claim to fame was his winning $110,237 in cash and prizes, at the time the largest one-day total ever won on a game show...
, notable for his record-breaking winnings on the American game show Press Your LuckPress Your LuckPress Your Luck is an American television daytime game show created by Bill Carruthers and Jan McCormack. It premiered on September 19, 1983 on CBS and ended on September 26, 1986. In the show, contestants collected "spins" by answering trivia questions and then used the spins on an 18-space game... - William Kennedy, author and Albany, New YorkAlbany, New YorkAlbany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
-area resident - Juana MariaJuana MariaJuana Maria , better known to history as the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island , was a Native American woman who was the last surviving member of her tribe, the Nicoleño. She lived alone on San Nicolas Island from 1835 until her discovery in 1853...
, the sole resident of San Nicolas IslandSan Nicolas IslandSan Nicolas Island is the most remote of California's Channel Islands. It is part of Ventura County. The 14,562 acre island is currently controlled by the United States Navy and is used as a weapons testing and training facility, served by Naval Outlying Field San Nicolas Island...
from 1835 to 1853 - Charles RocketCharles RocketCharles Rocket was an American film and television actor, notable for his tenure as a cast member on Saturday Night Live as well as for his appearances as the villain Nicholas Andre in the film Dumb and Dumber; as Dave Dennison, the father in Disney's Hocus Pocus.-Early life and career:Rocket was...
, late comedian and actor - Marissa Wendolovske, contemporary artist
- Eddie Antar, one time proprietor of Crazy Eddie Electronics
- Emanuela OrlandiEmanuela OrlandiEmanuela Orlandi was a citizen of Vatican City, who mysteriously disappeared on June 22, 1983.-Disappearance:Orlandi, then 15-year-old, vanished on June 22, 1983. She was in her second year at a liceo scientifico in Rome...
, teenage girl whose Vatican City disappearance remains unsolved
In late 2010, the band announced that they would be "reformatting" the group to officially include all touring and session musicians they had worked with up to that point. That brings the number of active musicians in the band to fifteen. It's unclear what that means for the band's live performance and future recorded output.
Band name
The group formed in 2003 under the name "End of a Year" derived from an EmbraceEmbrace (U.S. band)
Embrace was a short-lived post-hardcore band from Washington, D.C., which lasted from the summer of 1985 to the spring of 1986 and was one of the first bands to be dubbed in the press as emotional hardcore, though the members had rejected the term since its creation...
song of the same name. After the release of their 2010 album You Are Beneath Me, the group wanted to change their name to "Self Defense". As an interim name to ease the transition between names, Self Defense went by the name "End Of A Year Self Defense Family," and occasionally "Self Defense Music." Vocalist Patrick Kindlon likened the transition to Will Oldham
Will Oldham
Will Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
's name changes. According to Kindlon, Oldham's band name went from "Palace Brothers to Palace Songs to Palace Music to Bonnie Prince Billy to Will Oldham." On various vinyl releases, Self Defense used several "also known as" monikers including: Barf Spectrum, Comforter, Pewter Wizards, and Weird Field.
Discography
The band is known for its prodigious output and has likened splits and EPs to "one night stands."Albums
- Disappear Here - Oneohfive Records/Losingface Records 2004
- SincerelySincerely (End of a Year album)Sincerely is music album by End of a Year. It was released 2006.-Track listing:# "The Browns"# "Timeshares"# "Beleaders"# "Darnel"# "Harrison..."# "Midwest"# "Anxiety II"# "Bad Land Deals"# "You Better Work"# "Escrow"# "Above Ground Pools"...
- Revelation RecordsRevelation RecordsRevelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for its role in the evolution of hardcore and metallic post-hardcore with important releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side,...
; LP licensed to Slave Union Records 2006 - You Are Beneath Me - Deathwish, Inc. 2010
Singles and EPs
- We Understand Europeans Are a Sexual People (as End of a Year AKA Barf Spectrum) - Blacktop Records 2007
- S/T or Descend, Bold Traveler - Deathwish Inc 2009
- More Songs about Transportation and Intercourse - Hex Records 2010
- The Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Emanuela Orlandi - Disposable Culture Records 2011
- Bacha Bazi - Cumhard420 Records 2011
- "I Heard Crime Gets You Off" / "To Your Scattered Bodies Go" - Run for Cover Records 2011
- Island Series Vol.1: Jamaica - Deathwish Inc 2011
- "I've Got an Idea" on "Mixed Signals" A Compilation - Run for Cover Records 2011
Splits
- We Mate For Life (split with Three Fifteen) - Slave Union Records 2005
- God, There's a Lot of Pawn Shops and Check Cashing Places in This Town (split with Fire Team Charlie) - Sticky Translucent Goo Records 2006
- That Owl Is Staring at Me (split with Kids Explode) - Narshardaa Records 2007
- Most Attractive Band We've Done a Split With (as "End of a Year AKA Comforter, split with Adorno) - Existencia Records/Pine Records 2008
- Cat Eating Hotdog (split with Red Tape Parade) - Cobra X Records 2008
- But at Least Your Town Has the Lusty Lady (split with Shook Ones) - Runner Up Records 2008
- Everything I Know About Japan I Learned From Empire of the Sun and Astro Boy (split with Segwei) - Alliance Trax Records / Closed Casket Activities 2010
- "Girls Fighting With A Fan" (split with Fires) - Troubled Monkey Records 2011
External links
- End of a Year Self Defense Family Twitter Account
- End of a Year Self Defense Family Youtube Channel
- End of a Year Self Defense Family page at Deathwish Inc Records
- End of a Year Self Defense Family Formspring Page
- Review of "You Are Beneath Me"
- End of a Year page at Revelation Records
- Review of Sincerely
- Interview with Patrick Kindlon "That's an awesome idea, to have so much material you can't keep track of it anymore."
- Interview with Patrick Kindlon "Guitar 1: Heresy, Guitar 2: Gang of Four, Bass & Drums: Rush"