Ghosts of Modern Man
Encyclopedia
Ghosts of Modern Man are an alternative rock
band that was formed in Regina, Saskatchewan
in 1994
.
, and Molson DV8.
In 2001, Pillar independently released their debut album, Everyone is as Terrified as You Are. The album featured 10 tracks of what they referred to as "Alternative
Emo
Punk
". Exclaim!
gave Everyone… a mixed review. While praising the leadoff track, "Matter Of Time", as a "perfectly timed airy swell[that] gives way to an urgent full-band assault", the Exclaim! reviewer felt the remaining tracks suffered in comparison to its quality and that "Krieser's yells are inspired and highly developed, but his true skill is found in his toned-down singing voice".
. The name, Ghosts of Modern Man, came from the subject matter of their songs and their concern about "the demise of modern man, modern civilization. How we just eat everything up and turn it into plastic".
With the new lineup and new name, the band began touring nationally and from 2002 to 2003 played over 200 shows across Canada. This touring schedule assisted them in selling out of the first pressing of the 2000 copies of their debut release. As part of their development into Ghosts of Modern Man, they chose not to re-press their first release but to instead wait until they could return to the studio with their new songs.
In July 2004, drummer Chris McBennet left the band and was replaced by Tristan Helgason. Helgason was a veteran of the Regina music scene and had played with Filmmaker and 400 Strong. With Helgason in the lineup, the intensity of Ghosts of Modern Man took a nose dive. Schooled in punk rock, Helgason added a powerful base upon which the songs of Ghosts of Modern Man found inspiration but sent the group into a death spiral from which they never recovered.
gave a rating of 3.5 stars of 5 and wrote that their "searing blend of churning guitar, bristling impatience, tense dynamics, lyrical angst and anguished vocals ensures they'll please the punk purists" but also praised them as a possible punk future for expanding "their horizons by being unafraid of sweet harmonies, pretty melodies and the odd earnest ballad".
Chart
agreed with the Sun's evaluation of playing "fast, loose and forever on the edge of the rules" of punk saying "while they do chaos great, GOMM are also quite adept at slowing things down." "The comparatively mellow 'Dust'", for example, "is a model of restraint and understatement when held against the band's otherwise abrasive, scattershot indie."
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band that was formed in Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
in 1994
1994 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
.
Early days
In 1994, Jonah Krieser and Jamie Deal, along with drummer Chris McBennet , began playing together as Pillar. Throughout the late nineties, the group of young teenagers played locally in their hometown of Regina as well as at a number of festivals including NXNE, Canadian Music WeekCanadian Music Week
Canadian Music Week is an industry conference and music festival held over four days in various venues throughout Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
, and Molson DV8.
In 2001, Pillar independently released their debut album, Everyone is as Terrified as You Are. The album featured 10 tracks of what they referred to as "Alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
Emo
Emo
Emo is a style of rock music and its associated subcultureEmo may also refer to:- Businesses :* Emo , an Irish oil company and filling station chain* Emo Speedway, a racetrack in Emo, Ontario...
Punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
". Exclaim!
Exclaim!
Exclaim! is a monthly Canadian music magazine that features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with special focus on Canadian and cutting-edge artists...
gave Everyone… a mixed review. While praising the leadoff track, "Matter Of Time", as a "perfectly timed airy swell
National tour
In preparation for the extensive touring in support of the album, the band brought second guitarist Stacey Hahn on board to round out their live sound. The band decided to change their name following a legal threat from a Christian Rap-Metal band also named PillarPillar (band)
Pillar is a Christian rock band currently located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their sixth studio album, Confessions, was released in 2009.- Formation and independent albums :...
. The name, Ghosts of Modern Man, came from the subject matter of their songs and their concern about "the demise of modern man, modern civilization. How we just eat everything up and turn it into plastic".
With the new lineup and new name, the band began touring nationally and from 2002 to 2003 played over 200 shows across Canada. This touring schedule assisted them in selling out of the first pressing of the 2000 copies of their debut release. As part of their development into Ghosts of Modern Man, they chose not to re-press their first release but to instead wait until they could return to the studio with their new songs.
In July 2004, drummer Chris McBennet left the band and was replaced by Tristan Helgason. Helgason was a veteran of the Regina music scene and had played with Filmmaker and 400 Strong. With Helgason in the lineup, the intensity of Ghosts of Modern Man took a nose dive. Schooled in punk rock, Helgason added a powerful base upon which the songs of Ghosts of Modern Man found inspiration but sent the group into a death spiral from which they never recovered.
City of No Light
In the Spring of 2005, GOMM released the album City of No Light to positive reviews. The Winnipeg SunWinnipeg Sun
The Winnipeg Sun is a daily tabloid-sized newspaper in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.It is owned by Sun Media, a subsidiary of Quebecor Media, and shares many characteristics typical of Sun Media tabloids, including an emphasis on local news stories, extensive sports coverage, a Canadian conservatism...
gave a rating of 3.5 stars of 5 and wrote that their "searing blend of churning guitar, bristling impatience, tense dynamics, lyrical angst and anguished vocals ensures they'll please the punk purists" but also praised them as a possible punk future for expanding "their horizons by being unafraid of sweet harmonies, pretty melodies and the odd earnest ballad".
Chart
Chart (magazine)
ChartAttack is a Canadian online music publication. Formerly a monthly print magazine called Chart, which was published from 1991 to 2009, the web version continues operation....
agreed with the Sun's evaluation of playing "fast, loose and forever on the edge of the rules" of punk saying "while they do chaos great, GOMM are also quite adept at slowing things down." "The comparatively mellow 'Dust'", for example, "is a model of restraint and understatement when held against the band's otherwise abrasive, scattershot indie."
Members
- Jonah Krieser: Guitar/Vocals
- Jamie Deal: Bass
- Stacey Hahn: Guitar/Backing Vocals
- Tristan Helgason: Drums
Discography
Albums
|
Videos
|
External links
- Ghosts of Modern Man at PureVolumePureVolumePureVolume was the first independently run website of its type, allowing for the upload and stream of music files. It was created in 2003 by Jennifer Welch , in conjunction with the Unborn Media team; Brett Woitunski, Nate Hudson, and Mitchell Pavao; all from the University of...
- Smallman Records