Parenthetical Girls
Encyclopedia
Parenthetical Girls is an experimental pop
band formed in Everett, Washington
, and based currently in Portland, Oregon
. Their music is notable for its combination of saccharine pop and experimental elements.
) continue to contribute to the group's recorded output.
Originally taking their name from the Brian Eno
composition "Swastika Girls", original members Zac Pennington and Jeremy Cooper self-released their limited run debut EP Christmas With Swastika Girls in 2002. Following Cooper's departure and a name change, Pennington released (((GRRRLS)))
, the band's vinyl-only debut album on his own Slender Means Society
label in 2004. Recorded with the help of Jherek Bischoff and Jamie Stewart (of Xiu Xiu
fame), (((GRRRLS))) features a total of seven songs repeated on both sides of the vinyl record, each side featuring the respective mixes of Stewart and Bischoff. This was followed by the digital-only self-release of their second Christmas-themed EP Christmas with Parenthetical Girls that same year, as well as their second album Safe as Houses (released by Slender Means Society
in the United States and Acuarela Discos throughout Europe), the expanded CD reissue of the (((GRRRLS))) album, and a third self-released Christmas EP A Parenthetical Girls Family Christmas in 2006. A split 7-inch with the band The Dead Science was released by Obsolete Vernacular in 2007. Entanglements
, the group's Orchestral-themed third album, was released in September 2008 as a split release via Tomlab
and Slender Means Society
.
Quote from the band's website:
'Ever the pragmatists, Parenthetical Girls are set to release Privilege—the band’s new full length—as a box set of five extremely limited 12″ EPs on their own Slender Means Society label. These EPs will be sold separately in sequence every quarter over the next 15 months, each as they are completed. They will not be distributed to stores. As the cycle concludes, the fifth and final 12″ will come packaged in a beautiful, aesthetically cohesive LP box designed to house all four of the preceding releases, forming the complete Privilege album. Limited to 500 physical copies per EP, the 12″s will each feature original art by renowned Swedish illustrator Jenny Mörtsell, and will be hand-numbered in the blood of their respective band members.' The first 12" entitled Privilege, Pt. I: On Dead And Endearments was released February 23, 2010 and was numbered in the blood of lead singer Zac Pennington.
The second Privilege EP—subtitled The Past, Imperfect—will be released on September 21, 2010, and will be numbered in the blood of cover star Rachael Jensen. The Track-list is as follows: "The Common Touch," "Weaknesses," The single "Young Throats," and "Present Perfect (An Epithalamium)."
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
band formed in Everett, Washington
Everett, Washington
Everett is the county seat of and the largest city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, it lies north of Seattle. The city had a total population of 103,019 at the 2010 census, making it the 6th largest in the state and...
, and based currently in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. Their music is notable for its combination of saccharine pop and experimental elements.
History
Begun primarily as a recording project, the current touring version of the band consists of vocalist Zac Pennington, Rachael Jensen, Eddy Crichton, Jherek Bischoff and Freddy Ruppert, all sharing a variety of instrumental duties. Jherek Bischoff and former touring member Sam Mickens (both of the band The Dead ScienceThe Dead Science
The Dead Science is an experimental pop band based in Seattle, Washington.The band consists of guitarist/vocalist Sam Mickens, Jherek Bischoff on bass and Nick Tamburro on drums. Jherek Bischoff's brother Korum was the drummer from the band's inception in 1999 through 2005...
) continue to contribute to the group's recorded output.
Originally taking their name from the Brian Eno
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
composition "Swastika Girls", original members Zac Pennington and Jeremy Cooper self-released their limited run debut EP Christmas With Swastika Girls in 2002. Following Cooper's departure and a name change, Pennington released (((GRRRLS)))
(((GRRRLS)))
-Personnel:* Zac Pennington – vocals, keyboards/synths, glockenspiel, piano, guitar* Jherek Bischoff – percussion, trombone, upright bass, bass guitar* Jeremy Cooper – guitar, synth, vocals...
, the band's vinyl-only debut album on his own Slender Means Society
Slender Means Society
Slender Means Society is an independent record label founded in 2004 by Zac Pennington, vocalist for the band Parenthetical Girls. The Portland, Oregon label's premier release was Parenthetical Girls' debut, "", in 2004...
label in 2004. Recorded with the help of Jherek Bischoff and Jamie Stewart (of Xiu Xiu
Xiu Xiu
Xiu Xiu is an American avant-garde group originally from San Jose, California. The band is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart, who has been its only constant member since its inception in 2002. His current bandmate is Angela Seo...
fame), (((GRRRLS))) features a total of seven songs repeated on both sides of the vinyl record, each side featuring the respective mixes of Stewart and Bischoff. This was followed by the digital-only self-release of their second Christmas-themed EP Christmas with Parenthetical Girls that same year, as well as their second album Safe as Houses (released by Slender Means Society
Slender Means Society
Slender Means Society is an independent record label founded in 2004 by Zac Pennington, vocalist for the band Parenthetical Girls. The Portland, Oregon label's premier release was Parenthetical Girls' debut, "", in 2004...
in the United States and Acuarela Discos throughout Europe), the expanded CD reissue of the (((GRRRLS))) album, and a third self-released Christmas EP A Parenthetical Girls Family Christmas in 2006. A split 7-inch with the band The Dead Science was released by Obsolete Vernacular in 2007. Entanglements
Entanglements
Entanglements is the third full length album from indie rock ensemble Parenthetical Girls.-Track listing:#"Four Words" - 3:10#"Avenue of Trees" - 3:17#"Unmentionables" - 1:51#"Gut Symmetries" - 3:58#"A Song for Ellie Greenwich" - 2:55...
, the group's Orchestral-themed third album, was released in September 2008 as a split release via Tomlab
Tomlab
Tomlab is a German record label based in Köln. It has released works by bands such as The Books, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Deerhoof, Thee Oh Sees, Les Georges Leningrad, and acts associated with Blocks Recording Club, such as Final Fantasy, Ninja High School, and The Hank...
and Slender Means Society
Slender Means Society
Slender Means Society is an independent record label founded in 2004 by Zac Pennington, vocalist for the band Parenthetical Girls. The Portland, Oregon label's premier release was Parenthetical Girls' debut, "", in 2004...
.
Quote from the band's website:
'Ever the pragmatists, Parenthetical Girls are set to release Privilege—the band’s new full length—as a box set of five extremely limited 12″ EPs on their own Slender Means Society label. These EPs will be sold separately in sequence every quarter over the next 15 months, each as they are completed. They will not be distributed to stores. As the cycle concludes, the fifth and final 12″ will come packaged in a beautiful, aesthetically cohesive LP box designed to house all four of the preceding releases, forming the complete Privilege album. Limited to 500 physical copies per EP, the 12″s will each feature original art by renowned Swedish illustrator Jenny Mörtsell, and will be hand-numbered in the blood of their respective band members.' The first 12" entitled Privilege, Pt. I: On Dead And Endearments was released February 23, 2010 and was numbered in the blood of lead singer Zac Pennington.
The second Privilege EP—subtitled The Past, Imperfect—will be released on September 21, 2010, and will be numbered in the blood of cover star Rachael Jensen. The Track-list is as follows: "The Common Touch," "Weaknesses," The single "Young Throats," and "Present Perfect (An Epithalamium)."
Albums
- 2004 (((GRRRLS)))(((GRRRLS)))-Personnel:* Zac Pennington – vocals, keyboards/synths, glockenspiel, piano, guitar* Jherek Bischoff – percussion, trombone, upright bass, bass guitar* Jeremy Cooper – guitar, synth, vocals...
- 2006 Safe as Houses
- 2008 EntanglementsEntanglementsEntanglements is the third full length album from indie rock ensemble Parenthetical Girls.-Track listing:#"Four Words" - 3:10#"Avenue of Trees" - 3:17#"Unmentionables" - 1:51#"Gut Symmetries" - 3:58#"A Song for Ellie Greenwich" - 2:55...
- 2009 The Scottish Play: Wherein the Group Parenthetical Girls Pay Well-intentioned (If Occasionally Misguided) Tribute to the Works of Ivor Cutler (Mini-Album)
Singles and EPs
- 2002 Christmas with Swastika Girls EP (as Swastika Girls)
- 2004 Christmas with Parenthetical Girls EP
- 2006 Twenty Bees 7"
- 2006 A Parenthetical Girls Family Christmas EP
- 2007 Parenthetical Girls/Dead ScienceParenthetical Girls/The Dead Science split 7-inchParenthetical Girls/The Dead Science split 7", released in 2007 on Obsolete Vernacular/Silencio Recordings, consists of cover versions of original songs by Tori Amos and Enya, respectively.-Track listing:# Parenthetical Girls - "Jackie's Strength"...
7" split - 2007 Addendum (Safe as Houses European bonus EP)
- 2008 A David Horvitz Picture Disc with Parenthetical Girls
- 2008 A Song for Ellie Greenwich
- 2009 Morrissey/The Smiths 7" split (with Xiu Xiu)
- 2009 "The Christmas Creep"
- 2010 Tomlab Alphabet Singles Series Z
- 2010 Privilege, Pt. I: On Death & Endearments
- 2010 Privilege, Pt. II: The Past, Imperfect
- 2011 "Untanglements" (Entanglements Alternate Versions)
- 2011 Covers. (Rare Cover Versions)
- 2011 Privilege, Pt. III: Mend & Make Do
- 2011 Careful Who You Dance With (Remixes EP)
- 2011 Extra Life/Parenthetical Girls 12" split
- 2011 "Demos for the Dreaming" (Kate Bush Covers)
- 2011 Privilege, pt. IV: Sympathy For Spastics
External links
- Official band site
- Slender Means Society (record label)
- Official Myspace Page - downloadable and/or streaming MP3s, current tour dates.
- Acoustic Session with 'They Shoot Music - Don't They'