Lemuria (band)
Encyclopedia
Lemuria is an indie/punk rock band from Buffalo, New York
formed in 2004. Lemuria has recently released their "The First Collection" EP compilation and the LP, "Get Better". On October 27, 2009, the band released their new single "Ozzy", and have been continuously touring across both Canada and the United States.
A press release on April 19, 2010 by Boston based "hardcore" label, Bridge 9 Records, stated that Lemuria had signed to the Bridge 9 record label.
, recorded at Watchmen Recording Studios, which started a long term relationship with engineer Doug White. After a handful of shows, and the release of the (now rare) Lemuria demo, the group parted ways with Adam, and in March 2005, Jason Draper stepped in to join on bass.
The lineup of Lemuria featuring Alex, Sheena, and Jason went on to record many singles, splits, and 7" records. The majority of the early releases, including the demo, s/t 7", Lemuria/Frame split, AOTU Single Series, and 'You're Living Rooms All Over Me', were all released (or co released) by Art Of The Underground, an indie record label owned and operated by Alex Kerns.
In 2007, after many years of an intense, yet successful touring schedule, the band remarked that never recording a full length album had given them time "to grow and to "find our sound."" The band once again returned to Watchmen Recording Studios and began working on their first record, later titled 'Get Better' and released on Asian Man Records
. Lyrically, with the exception of the songs written by Sheena and Jason, the album took a much darker tone than previous works, as many of Alex Kern's lyrics were written dealing with the recent passing of his father. Musically, however, the songs were bright and 'uplifting' as a result of the band and Alex's attitude. All these things led to and helped in titling the record 'Get Better'.
The band began to tour on headlining bills as well as on tour packages. In the fall of 2007, Lemuria went on their first European tour, followed by the release of 'Get Better' in 2008 and continued extensive touring throughout the US (Perhaps most notably featured on the Asian Man Records tour in 2008 along side The Queers
, Bomb The Music Industry, and Andrew Jackson Jihad
.) as well as Puerto Rico, the UK, and Canada. Lemuria also became a regular at the Gainesville, FL based festival, The Fest
, playing for the first time in 2006 and continuing to play every year since. When asked about their touring schedule, members of the band often express an affinity for the lifestyle;
In the Fall of 2009, Alex and Sheena parted ways with Jason, who went on to concentrate on his other project, Failures' Union. Kyle Paton stepped in and the band continued to tour, though song writing became the responsibility more so of the duo of Kerns/Ozzella. The band continued to write and be active, and in April 2010 announced that they had signed to Bridge 9 Records
. Signing to the Bridge 9 label, traditionally releasing albums for hardcore
bands such as Agnostic Front
and Slapshot
, brought up many questions for both Lemuria as well as Bridge 9 as to the future of the two entities. Across the board, the response seemed to be that the band was going to continue developing in their own way, and the record label was broadening their horizons. In July, 2010, Lemuria made another big change and went in to record their debut full length for the label with J. Robbins
in Baltimore, MD at Magpie Cage.
During the mixing process of this recording session, Kyle Paton ran into legal issues at the Canadian border (being a Canadian citizen), and as a result had to part ways with the band. In order to perform a show scheduled for later that week, Lemuria added the new Bass player Max Gregor, who flew up from Texas and began rehearsing in the studio. The lineup of Kerns/Ozzella/Gregor has continued to tour and perform one off shows since that time.
It was recently announced, along with the release of the digital single, 'Chautauqua County', that the Album recorded during this session would be titled 'Pebble', and has a release date of 1/11/11. Lemuria is also set to play a month of headlining shows to correspond with the release, and has live performance plans scheduled through early 2011.
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
formed in 2004. Lemuria has recently released their "The First Collection" EP compilation and the LP, "Get Better". On October 27, 2009, the band released their new single "Ozzy", and have been continuously touring across both Canada and the United States.
A press release on April 19, 2010 by Boston based "hardcore" label, Bridge 9 Records, stated that Lemuria had signed to the Bridge 9 record label.
History
Lemuria was first established in the summer of 2004 by drummer/vocalist Alex Kerns, guitarist/vocalist Sheena Ozzella, and bassist Adam Vernick. The trio began writing songs and released a 5 song demoDemo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
, recorded at Watchmen Recording Studios, which started a long term relationship with engineer Doug White. After a handful of shows, and the release of the (now rare) Lemuria demo, the group parted ways with Adam, and in March 2005, Jason Draper stepped in to join on bass.
The lineup of Lemuria featuring Alex, Sheena, and Jason went on to record many singles, splits, and 7" records. The majority of the early releases, including the demo, s/t 7", Lemuria/Frame split, AOTU Single Series, and 'You're Living Rooms All Over Me', were all released (or co released) by Art Of The Underground, an indie record label owned and operated by Alex Kerns.
In 2007, after many years of an intense, yet successful touring schedule, the band remarked that never recording a full length album had given them time "to grow and to "find our sound."" The band once again returned to Watchmen Recording Studios and began working on their first record, later titled 'Get Better' and released on Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:...
. Lyrically, with the exception of the songs written by Sheena and Jason, the album took a much darker tone than previous works, as many of Alex Kern's lyrics were written dealing with the recent passing of his father. Musically, however, the songs were bright and 'uplifting' as a result of the band and Alex's attitude. All these things led to and helped in titling the record 'Get Better'.
The band began to tour on headlining bills as well as on tour packages. In the fall of 2007, Lemuria went on their first European tour, followed by the release of 'Get Better' in 2008 and continued extensive touring throughout the US (Perhaps most notably featured on the Asian Man Records tour in 2008 along side The Queers
The Queers
The Queers are a punk band formed in 1981 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joe King . The band originally broke up in 1984, but reformed with Joe Queer and a new line-up in 1986. In 1990, the band signed with Shakin' Street Records and released their first album Grow Up...
, Bomb The Music Industry, and Andrew Jackson Jihad
Andrew Jackson Jihad
Andrew Jackson Jihad is an American folk punk band from Phoenix, Arizona, formed in 2004.-History:Andrew Jackson Jihad was formed after its original drummer, Justin James White, approached Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallaty, who had just left Rodan and The Sub-Standards...
.) as well as Puerto Rico, the UK, and Canada. Lemuria also became a regular at the Gainesville, FL based festival, The Fest
The Fest
The Fest is an annual music festival in Gainesville, Florida, organized by No Idea Records. It is a predominantly punk rock festival, though there are also a good number of indie rock, country, and metal acts. The Fest first took place in 2002 and has since attracted a large number of punk bands...
, playing for the first time in 2006 and continuing to play every year since. When asked about their touring schedule, members of the band often express an affinity for the lifestyle;
In the Fall of 2009, Alex and Sheena parted ways with Jason, who went on to concentrate on his other project, Failures' Union. Kyle Paton stepped in and the band continued to tour, though song writing became the responsibility more so of the duo of Kerns/Ozzella. The band continued to write and be active, and in April 2010 announced that they had signed to Bridge 9 Records
Bridge 9 Records
Bridge Nine Records is a contemporary hardcore punk record label located outside Boston, Massachusetts. Bridge Nine is owned by Chris Wrenn of Salem, Massachusetts, who began the label in 1995 and produced its first release in 1996...
. Signing to the Bridge 9 label, traditionally releasing albums for hardcore
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...
bands such as Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
and Slapshot
Slapshot (band)
-History:Slapshot was formed in 1985 by Steve Risteen and Mark McKay, formerly of Terminally Ill; Jack "Choke" Kelly, formerly of Negative FX and Last Rights; and Jonathan Anastas, formerly of Decadence and DYS...
, brought up many questions for both Lemuria as well as Bridge 9 as to the future of the two entities. Across the board, the response seemed to be that the band was going to continue developing in their own way, and the record label was broadening their horizons. In July, 2010, Lemuria made another big change and went in to record their debut full length for the label with J. Robbins
J. Robbins
James Robbins is an American rock music artist. He began his career as a bassist for Government Issue, and has also led four of his own bands: Jawbox, Rollkicker Laydown, Burning Airlines, and Channels. He was a touring bassist for Scream and played bass on the debut 7" from Jack Potential, which...
in Baltimore, MD at Magpie Cage.
During the mixing process of this recording session, Kyle Paton ran into legal issues at the Canadian border (being a Canadian citizen), and as a result had to part ways with the band. In order to perform a show scheduled for later that week, Lemuria added the new Bass player Max Gregor, who flew up from Texas and began rehearsing in the studio. The lineup of Kerns/Ozzella/Gregor has continued to tour and perform one off shows since that time.
It was recently announced, along with the release of the digital single, 'Chautauqua County', that the Album recorded during this session would be titled 'Pebble', and has a release date of 1/11/11. Lemuria is also set to play a month of headlining shows to correspond with the release, and has live performance plans scheduled through early 2011.
Compilations
- The First Collection (Yo-Yo Records, Asian Man Records, 2007)
7"/Singles/Splits
- Cheap Girls - Split 7" (2011, No Idea Records)
- Chautauqua County b/w They Are Who I Say They Are - 7" (2010, Bridge 9 Records)
- Ozzy b/w Expert Herder - 7" (2009, Hex Records)
- Under The Influence Volume 7 - Split 7" with Off With Their Heads (2009, Suburban Home Records)
- The Ergs - Split 7" (2007, Art of the Underground, Yo-Yo Records)
- Art of the Underground - Single Series Volume 10 7" (2007, Art of the Underground)
- Your Livingroom's All Over Me - Split CD/LP with Kind of Like Spitting (2006, Art of the Underground)
- Frame - Split 7" (2005, Salinas)
Compilation Appearances
- Insubordination Fest 2009 CD/DVD - Insubordination, 2009 (song: "Hours" - live recording)
- Insubordination Fest 2008 CD/DVD - Insubordination, 2008 (song: "Mechanical" - live recording)
- NY vs. NJ - Crafty Records, 2007 (songs: "Beespit", "Origamists Too")
- Art of the Underground Sampler CD - Art of the Underground, 2005 (song: "Getting Over Ourselves" - from 2004 demo)