One Act Play (band)
Encyclopedia
One Act Play is an instrumental rock
, post-rock
band from Dallas, Texas
. Heavily influenced by and often compared to bands such as Mogwai
, Explosions In The Sky
, and The Cancer Conspiracy, One Act Play has been known for their impassioned and diverse sound, from simple profound elements of post rock to off-the-wall psychedelic drum and jazz-style bass patterns. Though considered a low-profile band, they have garnered a reputation for themselves in their native North Texas region as well as national and even international fan support and recognition.
The band is currently on an indefinite hiatus.
In May 2008, the band commenced recording sessions for what was to be their first full-length. Having already written new music and recorded demos since Matthew’s induction, the band found themselves at a new peak, creating anticipation amongst older fans, buzz within new fans, and landing them more gigs than ever before including some alongside From Monument to Masses
and They Mostly Come Out At Night. In July 2009, the band's productivity began to decline as personal circumstances changed for some of the members and creative differences started to be presented within the internal functions of the band. Though they may have already been on hiatus, it wasn't until January 2010 that some sort of announcement was made referencing their inactive status.
Instrumental rock
Instrumental rock is a type of rock music which emphasizes musical instruments, and which features very little or no singing.Examples of instrumental rock can be found in practically every subgenre of rock, often from musicians who specialize in the style, most notably Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Link...
, post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
band from Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Heavily influenced by and often compared to bands such as Mogwai
Mogwai
The word mogwai is the transliteration of the Cantonese word 魔怪 meaning "monster", "evil spirit", "devil" or "demon".-Mogwai/Mogui in Chinese culture:...
, Explosions In The Sky
Explosions in the Sky
Explosions in the Sky is an American post-rock band from Texas. The band has garnered popularity beyond the post-rock scene for their elaborately developed guitar work, narratively styled instrumentals, what they refer to as "cathartic mini-symphonies," and their enthusiastic and emotional live shows...
, and The Cancer Conspiracy, One Act Play has been known for their impassioned and diverse sound, from simple profound elements of post rock to off-the-wall psychedelic drum and jazz-style bass patterns. Though considered a low-profile band, they have garnered a reputation for themselves in their native North Texas region as well as national and even international fan support and recognition.
The band is currently on an indefinite hiatus.
Biography
One Act Play was established in August 2003 by Chris Sanchez and Bob Aranda. After being introduced to each other through mutual friends, the band was formed after one practice session while both were still in high school. The band became complete when Bob’s younger brother, Chito, received a low-budget beginner drum set for his 12th birthday. It was this first lineup that saw One Act Play began playing any shows possible throughout Dallas, usually making them an “oddball” band as they were commonly booked alongside hardcore, metal, and pop-rock bands. Nevertheless, the band’s unique and refreshing sound, along with their ambitious attitudes, contributed to their local following and buildup. In June 2005, One Act Play released the "One Act Play EP", their first studio recording. In August 2005, Chito dismissed himself from the band, which left Chris and Bob to search for a replacement. Ironically with assistance from Chito, they found their new drummer, Matthew Vasquez, in March 2006. Over the course of the next two years, the band sporadically gigged while further developing their sound into something that was their own.In May 2008, the band commenced recording sessions for what was to be their first full-length. Having already written new music and recorded demos since Matthew’s induction, the band found themselves at a new peak, creating anticipation amongst older fans, buzz within new fans, and landing them more gigs than ever before including some alongside From Monument to Masses
From Monument to Masses
From Monument to Masses was a politically-charged post-rock band which was founded in San Francisco in late 2000. They have released four albums to date, the latest full-length of which was released through Dim Mak on March 10, 2009...
and They Mostly Come Out At Night. In July 2009, the band's productivity began to decline as personal circumstances changed for some of the members and creative differences started to be presented within the internal functions of the band. Though they may have already been on hiatus, it wasn't until January 2010 that some sort of announcement was made referencing their inactive status.
Current
- Christopher Sanchez (2003–Present) (electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
) - Roberto Aranda (2003–Present) (bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
) - Matthew Vasquez (2006–Present) (drums, percussion, keysKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
)
Demos & EPs
- One Act Play (2004 Demo) (2004)
- Incognito Blue (2004)
- One Act Play EP (2005)
- One Act Play (2007 Demo) (2007)
- Whatever Dreams May Come/Dead Can Dance (2009)