Gramsci Melodic
Encyclopedia
Gramsci Melodic is an alternative rock
band based in Pittsburgh, PA.
The band was started in 2006 by singer/guitarist Martin Rubeo. Other members include Joel York (synthesizers/programming), Sean Rayl (drums), Greg Haduch (keyboards), and Tony Willoe (bass/vocals). In 2009, Eric Granata started to perform at some shows with the band, playing guitar and percussion.
The band won the 2008 Joker Productions Rock Off and recorded its first full length album with Grammy Award
winning producers at Audible Images. The band features guitar, bass, piano, drums, and synthesizers. The band was ranked as Pittsburgh's #2 Best Underground Band and #3 Best Rock Band by The Pittsburgh City Paper
in 2008. In 2009, Gramsci Melodic was named #3 Best Rock Band by The Pittsburgh City Paper
.
The band released its self-titled, debut album in June, 2009.
Their music has been described as "simple and upbeat rock," "driving synth rock," "'70s funk" with "eclectronica," and similar to Fountains of Wayne, They Might Be Giants, and Weezer.
Gramsci Melodic is known to travel with its own mascot, a dancing character with an oversized green head.
. Rubeo is said to "like to drop knowledge on radical cultural theory in his spare time," thus providing insight into the origin of the band's name.
and an alumnus of Bucknell University
(class of 2001) where he was a student of post-minimalist composer, William Duckworth. In addition to studying music, Rubeo also received his undergraduate degree in Political Science. He also is a certified high school history teacher.
Joel York, who plays and programs synthesizers for the band, is originally from Bradford
, United Kingdom
. The other four members are all natives of Pittsburgh.
Sean Rayl (drums) is a graduate of McNally Smith College of Music
in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Rubeo is the primary composer and lyricist for the band, although each member adapts his own part.
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 based in Pittsburgh, PA.
The band won the 2008 Joker Productions Rock Off and recorded its first full length album with Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning producers at Audible Images. The band features guitar, bass, piano, drums, and synthesizers. The band was ranked as Pittsburgh's #2 Best Underground Band and #3 Best Rock Band by The Pittsburgh City Paper
Pittsburgh City Paper
The Pittsburgh City Paper is Pittsburgh's leading alternative weekly newspaper which focuses on local news, opinion, and arts and entertainment...
in 2008. In 2009, Gramsci Melodic was named #3 Best Rock Band by The Pittsburgh City Paper
Pittsburgh City Paper
The Pittsburgh City Paper is Pittsburgh's leading alternative weekly newspaper which focuses on local news, opinion, and arts and entertainment...
.
The band released its self-titled, debut album in June, 2009.
Their music has been described as "simple and upbeat rock," "driving synth rock," "'70s funk" with "eclectronica," and similar to Fountains of Wayne, They Might Be Giants, and Weezer.
Gramsci Melodic is known to travel with its own mascot, a dancing character with an oversized green head.
About the name
The name is pronounced, "GROM-SHE". The band is named after Italian philosopher, Antonio GramsciAntonio Gramsci
Antonio Gramsci was an Italian writer, politician, political philosopher, and linguist. He was a founding member and onetime leader of the Communist Party of Italy and was imprisoned by Benito Mussolini's Fascist regime...
. Rubeo is said to "like to drop knowledge on radical cultural theory in his spare time," thus providing insight into the origin of the band's name.
Miscellaneous
Founder, Martin Rubeo is a native of the Pittsburgh suburb of Peters TownshipPeters Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania
Peters Township is a township in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 17,566 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
and an alumnus of Bucknell University
Bucknell University
Bucknell University is a private liberal arts university located alongside the West Branch Susquehanna River in the rolling countryside of Central Pennsylvania in the town of Lewisburg, 30 miles southeast of Williamsport and 60 miles north of Harrisburg. The university consists of the College of...
(class of 2001) where he was a student of post-minimalist composer, William Duckworth. In addition to studying music, Rubeo also received his undergraduate degree in Political Science. He also is a certified high school history teacher.
Joel York, who plays and programs synthesizers for the band, is originally from Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The other four members are all natives of Pittsburgh.
Sean Rayl (drums) is a graduate of McNally Smith College of Music
McNally Smith College of Music
McNally Smith College of Music is a contemporary for-profit music college located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. McNally Smith offers a range of diplomas, associate's degrees, and bachelor's degrees in the areas of music business; performance in guitar, bass, drums, voice, keyboard, brass...
in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Rubeo is the primary composer and lyricist for the band, although each member adapts his own part.