Howlin' Rain
Encyclopedia
Howlin 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 American Recordings and the indie
label Birdman Records
. The band's second album Magnificent Fiend was released on March 3, 2008 and has been described as a "combination of psychedelia, blues, funk and classic 1970s arena rock."
, felt the urge to pursue a more melodic sound in his music and express the influence of growing up on the Lost Coast
, so he formed Howlin Rain with his former high school band-mate Ian Gradek
, and drummer John Moloney. After the 2006 release of Comets on Fire
's last album, he released Howlin Rain's self-titled first album, Howlin Rain with Birdman Records
and began touring with Queens of the Stone Age
.
Shortly after the release of their first album Moloney
left the band but they picked up and later Garett Goddard, Eli Eckert, and Joel Robinow. They released their second album in 2008 and are currently touring on their own.
The current incarnation of the group features Ethan Miller, Joel Robinow and a new rhythm section composed of Cyrus Comiskey and Raj Ojha. Howlin Rain MKIII dug deep into rehearsals that have spanned 2009 - 2010.
In late 2010 Howlin Rain released our EP "The Good Life" in digital format, followed by a limited vinyl edition in early 2011 via American and Birdman records and are currently working on a new album for American Recordings.
The band have been chosen personally by Belle & Sebastian
to perform at their second Bowlie Weekender
festival presented by All Tomorrow's Parties
in the UK in December 2010.
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
to the Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
subset American Recordings. Subsequent releases by the band will be handled jointly between American Recordings and the indie
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
label Birdman Records
Birdman Records
Birdman Records is an independent record label based in South San Francisco, founded by former Warner Bros. Records A&R vice-president David Katznelson.-History:...
. The band's second album Magnificent Fiend was released on March 3, 2008 and has been described as a "combination of psychedelia, blues, funk and classic 1970s arena rock."
History
Ethan Miller, while still with Comets on FireComets on Fire
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.-...
, felt the urge to pursue a more melodic sound in his music and express the influence of growing up on the Lost Coast
Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located on the far North Coast 200 miles north of San Francisco. According to 2010 Census Data, the county’s population was 134,623...
, so he formed Howlin Rain with his former high school band-mate Ian Gradek
Ian Gradek
Ian Gradek is a bass and banjo player, formerly of the San Francisco band "Howlin Rain".- References :...
, and drummer John Moloney. After the 2006 release of Comets on Fire
Comets on Fire
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.-...
's last album, he released Howlin Rain's self-titled first album, Howlin Rain with Birdman Records
Birdman Records
Birdman Records is an independent record label based in South San Francisco, founded by former Warner Bros. Records A&R vice-president David Katznelson.-History:...
and began touring with Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
.
Shortly after the release of their first album Moloney
John Moloney
John Moloney is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Laois–Offaly constituency from 1997 to 2011. He also served as a Minister of State from 2008–11....
left the band but they picked up and later Garett Goddard, Eli Eckert, and Joel Robinow. They released their second album in 2008 and are currently touring on their own.
The current incarnation of the group features Ethan Miller, Joel Robinow and a new rhythm section composed of Cyrus Comiskey and Raj Ojha. Howlin Rain MKIII dug deep into rehearsals that have spanned 2009 - 2010.
In late 2010 Howlin Rain released our EP "The Good Life" in digital format, followed by a limited vinyl edition in early 2011 via American and Birdman records and are currently working on a new album for American Recordings.
The band have been chosen personally by Belle & Sebastian
Belle & Sebastian
Belle and Sebastian are an indie pop band formed in Glasgow in January 1996. Belle and Sebastian are often compared with influential indie bands such as The Smiths, as well as classic acts such as Love, Bob Dylan and Nick Drake. The name Belle & Sebastian comes from Belle et Sébastien, a 1965...
to perform at their second Bowlie Weekender
Bowlie Weekender
The Bowlie Weekender was a music festival curated by Belle & Sebastian at the Pontin's Holiday camp in Camber Sands, Sussex between Friday 23rd and Sunday 25 April 1999....
festival presented by All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
in the UK in December 2010.
Band members
- Ethan Miller - Vocals, guitar
- Raj Ojha - Drums, Percussion
- Cyrus Comiskey - Bass
- Joel Robinow – Keyboard, Guitar, Horns, Vocals
- Isaiah Mitchell - Guitar, Vocals
Albums
- Howlin RainHowlin' Rain (album)Howlin Rain is the eponymous debut album by Howlin Rain. It was released in 2006 on the Birdman Records label.-Track listing:# "Death Prayer in Heaven's Orchard" – 4:03# "Calling Lightning with a Scythe" – 6:15# "Roll on the Rusted Days" – 5:51...
(2006) - Magnificent FiendMagnificent FiendMagnificent Fiend is the second album by Howlin' Rain. It was released in 2008 on the Birdman Records label.-Track listing:# "Requiem" – 0:54# "Dancers at the End of Time" – 5:56# "Calling Lightning, Pt.2" – 5:11# "Lord Have Mercy" – 6:56...
(2008) - Wild Life (2008)
- The Good Life (2010)
External links
- Official website
- http://www.birdmanrecords.com/howlinrain/Howlin Rain at Birdman RecordsBirdman RecordsBirdman Records is an independent record label based in South San Francisco, founded by former Warner Bros. Records A&R vice-president David Katznelson.-History:...
] - [ Allmusic Entry]
- Rolling Stone Magazine Feature
- Interview with Ethan Miller
- Village Voice Interview/Live Taping with Ethan Miller
- http://larecord.com/interviews/2008/03/05/wed-mar-5-howlin-rain-interview/April 2008 Interview with L.A. RecordL.A. RecordL.A. Record is an independent music magazine originally published weekly as a broadsheet poster. The poster usually depicts a local Los Angeles musicians and according to the magazine editors is meant to recreate an iconic album cover. In March 2008, it began publishing as a monthly magazine with a...
] - Review of Magnificent Fiend
- 2008 State of Mind - Conversation with Ethan Miller
- November 2010 - Métronome / Interview with Ethan Miller