Marvelkind
Encyclopedia
Marvelkind is an eclectic electronic rock band from Chicago, Illinois, USA. Their music is described by rock critic Jim Derogatis as "Gonzo Electro Noise Pop" and they have been compared to bands such as Devo
, The Faint
, Brainiac
, and Mercury Rev
. Marvelkind is notable for their expansive use of keyboards and electronics coupled with extremely frenetic live shows.
The band's current lineup was formed in the early fall of 1991 in Naperville, Illinois
. The original line-up of Benjamin Hughes, David Golitko, Brent Rickles
, Jeremy Lemmon, and Rob Johnson, performed their first show in May, 1991, under the moniker Shangrila. After a West Coast tour in 1993, the band changed their name to Marvelkind (sometimes spelled Marvel Kind).
In the fall of 1993, Johnson departed the group, and was replaced by Aaron Miller. In 1995, Lemmon left to the band and was replaced by Seth Larson. In 1996, they began working with producer and former Mercury Rev
and Shady front man David Baker
and during the early winter months of 1996 they recorded the Loofa (I Wish I Was Her)/ I'm Electro single which was never officially released.
Over the next two years, they worked with David Baker and Justin Rickles, a.k.a J-Rick. on their debut EP Mini. Mini was released on Throwrug Records and received a fair amount of critical acclaim.
It features guest vocals from Lucky Boys Confusion
guitarist/vocalist Adam Krier.
The band toured over the next few months and officially relocated to Chicago, IL where they built a home recording studio and began working on their second release. They contributed a version of "Trouble" for the Material Issue
compilation cd Just What This World Needs, as well as a Christmas single on their own Crashfinder Records. The songs have since been re-released by Volunteer Records on the Holiday Heart benefit CD.
Conquering the Universe Chorus Verse was the bands first full-length album and was released in 2001.
In January 2002 Singer, Benjamin Hughes, relocated to Los Angeles, CA. and the band went on a temporary hiatus. Members Aaron Miller, and David Golitko, went on to form Assassins. Over the next few years they managed to continue recording and released their second full-length album State of the Artificial in late 2007.
Former members
Producers and Engineers
Cherry Wine/ 94.3 —Split 7" single with Star Period Star (1997)
Purple Cassette —Unreleased cassette demo (1997)
Mini —E.P. Throwrug records (1998)
Two Sides —Split 7" single with Today's My Super Spaceout Day(1999)
Just What This World Needs A Tribute to Material Issue —Veronica Records(2000)
A (Not So) Merry Christmas—Limited Edition CD Single (2000)
Conquering the Universe Chorus Verse —L.P. (2001)
State of the Artificial —L.P. (2007)
Devo
Devo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
, The Faint
The Faint
The Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd Fink, Jacob Thiele, Dapose, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechle. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst...
, Brainiac
Brainiac (band)
Brainiac was an American synthpunk band formed in 1992, and disbanded after the sudden death of lead singer Tim Taylor in 1997.-Biography:...
, and Mercury Rev
Mercury Rev
Mercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
. Marvelkind is notable for their expansive use of keyboards and electronics coupled with extremely frenetic live shows.
The band's current lineup was formed in the early fall of 1991 in Naperville, Illinois
Naperville, Illinois
Naperville is a city in DuPage and Will Counties in Illinois in the United States, voted the second best place to live in the United States by Money Magazine in 2006. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 141,853. It is the fifth largest city in the state, behind Chicago,...
. The original line-up of Benjamin Hughes, David Golitko, Brent Rickles
Brent Rickles
Brent Rickles is an American guitarist and indie rock musician. He was the co-founder of the bands Marvelkind, I, Rowboat, Rhineland Bastards, and OX.-References:...
, Jeremy Lemmon, and Rob Johnson, performed their first show in May, 1991, under the moniker Shangrila. After a West Coast tour in 1993, the band changed their name to Marvelkind (sometimes spelled Marvel Kind).
In the fall of 1993, Johnson departed the group, and was replaced by Aaron Miller. In 1995, Lemmon left to the band and was replaced by Seth Larson. In 1996, they began working with producer and former Mercury Rev
Mercury Rev
Mercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
and Shady front man David Baker
David Baker (singer)
David Baker was the lead singer and founding member of the band Mercury Rev. He is prevalent on the albums Yerself is Steam and Boces and all of the singles and Peel Sessions the band did concurrently...
and during the early winter months of 1996 they recorded the Loofa (I Wish I Was Her)/ I'm Electro single which was never officially released.
Over the next two years, they worked with David Baker and Justin Rickles, a.k.a J-Rick. on their debut EP Mini. Mini was released on Throwrug Records and received a fair amount of critical acclaim.
It features guest vocals from Lucky Boys Confusion
Lucky Boys Confusion
Lucky Boys Confusion is a rock band from the Chicago suburbs in DuPage County. Their music is a mix of rock, punk, ska, and hip hop. The band consists of bassist Jason Schultejann, drummer Ryan Fergus, vocalist Kaustubh Pandav, guitarist/vocalist Adam Krier, and guitarist Joe Sell...
guitarist/vocalist Adam Krier.
The band toured over the next few months and officially relocated to Chicago, IL where they built a home recording studio and began working on their second release. They contributed a version of "Trouble" for the Material Issue
Material Issue
Material Issue was a 1980-1990s power pop trio from Chicago. The band's trademark was pop songs with themes of love and heartbreak, where a number of song titles using girls' first names.-History:...
compilation cd Just What This World Needs, as well as a Christmas single on their own Crashfinder Records. The songs have since been re-released by Volunteer Records on the Holiday Heart benefit CD.
Conquering the Universe Chorus Verse was the bands first full-length album and was released in 2001.
In January 2002 Singer, Benjamin Hughes, relocated to Los Angeles, CA. and the band went on a temporary hiatus. Members Aaron Miller, and David Golitko, went on to form Assassins. Over the next few years they managed to continue recording and released their second full-length album State of the Artificial in late 2007.
Band members
- Benjamin Hughes — Vocals, guitar
- David Golitko — Vocals, guitar, keyboard
- Aaron Miller — Drums, electronics
- Seth Larson — Keyboards, bass guitar
Former members
- Brent RicklesBrent RicklesBrent Rickles is an American guitarist and indie rock musician. He was the co-founder of the bands Marvelkind, I, Rowboat, Rhineland Bastards, and OX.-References:...
— Bass Guitar (1991–2000) - Jeremy Lemmon — Guitar (1991–95)
- Robert Johnson —Drums (1991–93)
Producers and Engineers
- David Baker — Mini
- Justin Rickles, a.k.a J-Rick; - Mini, Two Sides
- Adam Olmsted — State of the Artificial
Discography
Height/Lambchop —7" single (1994)Cherry Wine/ 94.3 —Split 7" single with Star Period Star (1997)
Purple Cassette —Unreleased cassette demo (1997)
Mini —E.P. Throwrug records (1998)
Two Sides —Split 7" single with Today's My Super Spaceout Day(1999)
Just What This World Needs A Tribute to Material Issue —Veronica Records(2000)
A (Not So) Merry Christmas—Limited Edition CD Single (2000)
Conquering the Universe Chorus Verse —L.P. (2001)
State of the Artificial —L.P. (2007)
The Logan Blvd. House
- The Marvelkind lived in a house on Logan Blvd in Chicago IL, for 6 years with Mercury RevMercury RevMercury Rev is an American alternative rock group, that formed in the late 1980s in Buffalo, New York. Original personnel were David Baker , Jonathan Donahue , Sean Mackowiak, a.k.a...
front man David BakerDavid Baker (singer)David Baker was the lead singer and founding member of the band Mercury Rev. He is prevalent on the albums Yerself is Steam and Boces and all of the singles and Peel Sessions the band did concurrently...
. There were multiple studios setup throughout the house and guests of the marvelkind included The FaintThe FaintThe Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd Fink, Jacob Thiele, Dapose, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechle. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst...
, Soviet, Assassins, Local HLocal HLocal H is an American rock duo, formed by Joe Daniels and Scott Lucas in Zion, Illinois in 1987. Local H's 1996 album, As Good as Dead, includes the top 10 hit "Bound for the Floor" Author, rock critic and Rolling Stone contributor Greg Kot and the Chicago Tribune named the band its 2008 Chicago...
, Nash Kato and a number of other local bands and artists. - Artists Seth and Lisa Williamson worked from the house garage for many years producing a number of paintings, prints, and sculptures.
- The soundtrack to the feature length film Design was recorded here by David Golitko.
- Early versions of the Assassins songs on their first album You Will Changed Us were recorded by Aaron Miller, David Golitko, and Joe Cassidy in the Logan house.
- The house was the childhood home of Marilu HennerMarilu HennerMary Lucy Denise "Marilu" Henner is an American actress, producer and author. She is best known for her role as Elaine O'Connor Nardo on the sitcom Taxi from 1978 to 1983.-Early life:...
- Benjamin Hughes is currently working as an actor, film credits include: Just Like Heaven, Yes ManYes Man (film)Yes Man is a 2008 comedy film directed by Peyton Reed, written by Nicholas Stoller, Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel and starring Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, John Michael Higgins, Rhys Darby, Maile Flanagan, Danny Masterson, and Terence Stamp...
External links
- The official Marvelkind Website
- Marvelkind at Myspace
- Marvelkind on CDBaby
- Marvelkind at Last.fm