It's Casual
Encyclopedia
It's Casual is a two-piece Los Angeles
hardcore punk
band formed in 2001. Founded and fronted by Eddie Solis
, the band has released the three studio albums Buicregl (2002), Stop Listening to Bad Music (2004), and The New Los Angeles (2007) all on CD and LP. It's Casual has performed with groups such as Story of the Year
, Fu Manchu
, Mastodon
, High on Fire
, and Zeke
.
, starting with Eddie Solis
on guitar, a bassist, drums, and a second guitar player. The name was inspired by a line in The Wild Life
, Cameron Crowe
's follow up to Fast Times at Ridgemont High
. Solis soon met W.C.E., the drummer for Co-Ed and realized they had similar interests, such as Black Flag
, The Melvins
, and arena rock like Kiss
and AC/DC
. W.C.E. pitched the idea of a two piece band and It's Casual reformed with W.C.E on drums. The band has a hardcore punk
and doom metal
sound, with Solis on vocals and guitar and W.C.E. on drums.
) for a third album, The New Los Angeles. In January of 2008 the band had supporting slots for Fu Manchu
on their North American tour. The New Los Angeles LP was released in Fall of 2008.
Mastodon
handpicked It's Casual to open for them in Athens, Georgia
in October of 2008, and the band played in-store at Criminal Records
the day before in Atlanta, Georgia
.
During this time Solis casually befriended the Los Angeles music video director Robert Schober, also known as Roboshobo. Schober has previously directed videos for Mastodon, Metallica
, and The B-52s. He began listening to The New Los Angeles. Four months later he offered to film a music video for the album's title track. The video was released in June 2009, and first premiered at The Viper Room Lounge.
The band has released a split 7" from Basement Records with the hardcore band Bullet Treatment
, and has also announced production on a new album titled The New Los Angeles II: Less Violence More Violins, which is purportedly inspired by the California education budget deficit.
, Mastodon
, High on Fire
, Fireball Ministry
, Zeke
, 16
, Visual Discrimination, and Mondo Generator
. They regularly play at venues such as The Viper Room and The Relax Bar, which is booked and managed by Solis as a metal venue in Hollywood.
, Motorhead, and Discharge
, and Solis has described the sound as "L.A. hardcore" and "L.A. skate rock." Themes include "munipical outrage" at freeways in Los Angeles and daily incidents and observations from living in the city. Solis has also cited Kiss
as one of the band's onstage influences, quoting "For me, Kiss plays very loud and they engage with the audience," and similar to Kiss, they have a wall of amps behind them on stage as both a practical and visual part of the show.
EPs
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band formed in 2001. Founded and fronted by Eddie Solis
Eddie Solis
Eddie Solis is a Los Angeles music industry professional, musician, and show promoter. He has worked in sales, marketing and artist promotion at labels such as Century Media, Priority Records, Macey Lipman Marketing, and SST Records, where he worked with Black Flag. He is currently general manager...
, the band has released the three studio albums Buicregl (2002), Stop Listening to Bad Music (2004), and The New Los Angeles (2007) all on CD and LP. It's Casual has performed with groups such as Story of the Year
Story of the Year
Story of the Year is an American rock band formed in St. Louis, Missouri in 2000. The band was initially named 67 North but was then changed to Big Blue Monkey...
, Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu (band)
Fu Manchu is a Southern Californian stoner rock band, who released their debut single "Kept Between Trees" in 1990. They have been featured on compilations put together by Tony Hawk and ESPN's X Games, and invited to perform on the US television program Monster Garage...
, Mastodon
Mastodon (band)
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1999. The band is composed of bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor...
, High on Fire
High on Fire
High on Fire is a stoner metal band from Oakland, California, that was formed in 1998. Matt Pike, the band's frontman and founder, previously played guitar for the influential stoner doom band Sleep.-History:...
, and Zeke
Zeke (band)
Zeke is an American hardcore punk band from Seattle, Washington formed in 1993. They are known for their extremely fast, energetic guitar sound. Zeke mixes this with strong influences from hard rock, and occasionally blues-rock, and are often compared to Motörhead.Zeke has released six full-length...
.
Early years
It's Casual was formed in 2001 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, starting with Eddie Solis
Eddie Solis
Eddie Solis is a Los Angeles music industry professional, musician, and show promoter. He has worked in sales, marketing and artist promotion at labels such as Century Media, Priority Records, Macey Lipman Marketing, and SST Records, where he worked with Black Flag. He is currently general manager...
on guitar, a bassist, drums, and a second guitar player. The name was inspired by a line in The Wild Life
The Wild Life (film)
The Wild Life is a 1984 comedy-drama film, written by Cameron Crowe and directed by Art Linson.The movie was an indirect sequel to the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The film is only available on VHS and Laserdisc in pan and scan with stereo analog tracks. No DVD version has been released due...
, Cameron Crowe
Cameron Crowe
Cameron Bruce Crowe is an American screenwriter and film director. Before moving into the film industry, Crowe was a contributing editor at Rolling Stone magazine, for which he still frequently writes....
's follow up to Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a 1982 American coming-of-age teen comedy film written by Cameron Crowe and adapted from his 1981 book of the same name...
. Solis soon met W.C.E., the drummer for Co-Ed and realized they had similar interests, such as Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
, The Melvins
The Melvins
The Melvins are an American band that formed in 1983. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer and guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members...
, and arena rock like Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
and AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
. W.C.E. pitched the idea of a two piece band and It's Casual reformed with W.C.E on drums. The band has a hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and doom metal
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
sound, with Solis on vocals and guitar and W.C.E. on drums.
The New Los Angeles
After returning from a summer tour in 2006 the band began working with producer Sergio J. Chavez (Motorhead/HelmetHelmet (band)
Helmet is an alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, Helmet has had numerous lineup changes, and Hamilton has been the only constant member....
) for a third album, The New Los Angeles. In January of 2008 the band had supporting slots for Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu (band)
Fu Manchu is a Southern Californian stoner rock band, who released their debut single "Kept Between Trees" in 1990. They have been featured on compilations put together by Tony Hawk and ESPN's X Games, and invited to perform on the US television program Monster Garage...
on their North American tour. The New Los Angeles LP was released in Fall of 2008.
Mastodon
Mastodon (band)
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1999. The band is composed of bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor...
handpicked It's Casual to open for them in Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
in October of 2008, and the band played in-store at Criminal Records
Criminal Records
Criminal Records is the name of a UK based independent record label representing basement bands. It was formed in 2004 and focuses of the emergence of the subgenre known as Basement Rock or Basement. They represent over 20 UK bands.-External links:* *...
the day before in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
.
During this time Solis casually befriended the Los Angeles music video director Robert Schober, also known as Roboshobo. Schober has previously directed videos for Mastodon, Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, and The B-52s. He began listening to The New Los Angeles. Four months later he offered to film a music video for the album's title track. The video was released in June 2009, and first premiered at The Viper Room Lounge.
The band has released a split 7" from Basement Records with the hardcore band Bullet Treatment
Bullet Treatment
Bullet Treatment is a hardcore/punk band based out of Los Angeles, whose latest album was released on Fat Wreck Chords. Started by guitarist D.C., the band has featured over 30 members over its long history including Tim McIlrath of Rise Against, Matt Caughthran of The Bronx, and Dave Hildago Jr....
, and has also announced production on a new album titled The New Los Angeles II: Less Violence More Violins, which is purportedly inspired by the California education budget deficit.
Shows
The band has performed with bands such as Story of the YearStory of the Year
Story of the Year is an American rock band formed in St. Louis, Missouri in 2000. The band was initially named 67 North but was then changed to Big Blue Monkey...
, Mastodon
Mastodon (band)
Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1999. The band is composed of bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor...
, High on Fire
High on Fire
High on Fire is a stoner metal band from Oakland, California, that was formed in 1998. Matt Pike, the band's frontman and founder, previously played guitar for the influential stoner doom band Sleep.-History:...
, Fireball Ministry
Fireball Ministry
Fireball Ministry is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1999.- Biography :Conceived in Cincinnati in the late '90s by James A. Rota II and Emily Burton, the band moved to New York City before settling in Los Angeles. In 2000 they performed at the two-day "November...
, Zeke
Zeke (band)
Zeke is an American hardcore punk band from Seattle, Washington formed in 1993. They are known for their extremely fast, energetic guitar sound. Zeke mixes this with strong influences from hard rock, and occasionally blues-rock, and are often compared to Motörhead.Zeke has released six full-length...
, 16
16 (band)
16 is a sludge metal band from Los Angeles, California that is currently signed to Relapse Records. Their latest album, Bridges to Burn was released in early 2009.-History:...
, Visual Discrimination, and Mondo Generator
Mondo Generator
Mondo Generator is an American metal/punk hybrid band founded in 1997 by Nick Oliveri. The name of the band originated when Brant Bjork spray-painted the words on the side of Oliveri's Sunn amplifier. Mondo means "world" in Italian...
. They regularly play at venues such as The Viper Room and The Relax Bar, which is booked and managed by Solis as a metal venue in Hollywood.
Style
The band has drawn favorable comparisons to Black FlagBlack Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
, Motorhead, and Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
, and Solis has described the sound as "L.A. hardcore" and "L.A. skate rock." Themes include "munipical outrage" at freeways in Los Angeles and daily incidents and observations from living in the city. Solis has also cited Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
as one of the band's onstage influences, quoting "For me, Kiss plays very loud and they engage with the audience," and similar to Kiss, they have a wall of amps behind them on stage as both a practical and visual part of the show.
Discography
Studio albums- Buicregl (2002) CD/LP
- Stop Listening to Bad Music (2004) CD/LP
- The New Los Angeles (2007) CD/LP
EPs
- It's Casual/Bullet Treatment Split (7" vinyl)
Further reading
- LA WeeklyLA WeeklyLA Weekly is a free weekly tabloid-sized "alternative weekly" in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1978 by Editor/Publisher Jay Levin and a board of directors that included actor-producer Michael Douglas...
: Red Line Fever: It's Casual (November 2009)
External links
- It's Casual on MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- It's Casual on FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
- It's Casual on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....