Photon Band (band)
Encyclopedia
Photon Band is an American indie rock band formed in Philadelphia, PA in 1994. The only constant member is Art DiFuria. Key members have included Simon Nagle (Drums) and Jeff Tanner (bass, guitar, and backing vocals). The band has achieved critical acclaim, but little recognition outside of Philadelphia.
in 1985, he became a founding member of Philadelphia punk band, Tons of Nuns. He then joined Uptown Bones, who were signed to the Black et Noir record label run by 90s French punk band Les Thugs
. Upon the demise of the Uptown Bones, DiFuria was asked by Bryan Dilworth to join the Lilys
, fronted by Kurt Heasley. DiFuria joined but was experiencing a creative surge that the Lilys could not accommodate. DiFuria came up with the name “Photon Band” for his own band after reading an astrology magazine called Welcome to Planet Earth, which featured an article by Barbara Hand Clow describing a band of photons that would soon envelop the earth (aka the Photon Belt
). DiFuria left the Lilys amicably and Heasley named his subsequent album Eccsame the Photon Band
“in praise of” DiFuria’s new venture. Photon Band’s first single, “Sitting on the Sunn,” appeared on Compulsiv Records
in 1994 and featured DiFuria on all instruments. The songs were energetic affairs inspired by the Beatles and the Who, but with a Sonic Youth
influenced lo-fi noise element added. Upon hearing this single, James Agren of Darla Records
asked DiFuria for more recordings. The result was the 1996 three song CD single “747 (Don’t Worry).” The title track featured a blend of psychedelia and country that presaged the band's later release, "Alone on the Moon," and the sound later developed by the Beachwood Sparks
and Darla label-mates, My Morning Jacket
.
to enter the University of Delaware
’s PhD program in Art History
. The band ceased to perform live and drummer Nagle quit. The releases from this period show dramatic changes in sound and attitude. In 2001 Darla released “Alone on the Moon,” a limited edition, vinyl-only full-length album of three slow, mournful songs inspired by Neil Young
's so-called Ditch Trilogy
. A description of the album as containing "three fresh, adrenaline fueled songs" is ubiquitous on the internet, but also erroneous, suggesting that a major vendor did not preview the album before publishing a description of its contents, assuming instead that the band's new release sounded like its previous ones. The 2003 album “It’s a Lonely Planet,” which received a 7.3 rating from online indie-rock arbiter Pitchfork
, continued the theme of loneliness while featuring another radical shift in sound, combining the influences of Syd Barrett
, T-Rex, and Hunky Dory
era David Bowie
. Though released under the Photon Band name, these last two albums were solo efforts, with DiFuria again recording at home and playing all instruments. It has been stated that "it is no accident that [these] two…albums feature the words ‘alone’ and ‘lonely’ in their titles,” suggesting that DiFuria's isolation from friends and his choice to exclude all other musicians gave rise to the recurring themes of alienation and delusion that pervaded his lyrics. The band would not release another album for four years. During this convalescence, "All Young in the Soul" placed 93rd in the Philadelphia Weekly
’s list of the “100 Best Philly Albums of all time.”
, the MC5, the Monkees, Stereolab
, and Al Green
. For support, DiFuria called on Tanner to perform most of the bass duties. Brendan Gallagher plays drums on most of the album's tracks. Also appearing are outside musicians, including but not limited to Dimitri Coats
of the Burning Brides, Tracy Stanton of Matt Pond PA
, Dave Frank of the Lilys, and Edward Farnsworth of Bardo Pond
. The band returned to playing live during this period, with Tanner moving to guitar, longtime friend Chris Kubicek added on bass, and Jason Kourkounis of the Hot Snakes
and Burning Brides
on drums. Patrick Berkerey of the Pernice Brothers quickly replaced Kourkounis for unknown reasons. The title track of “Back Down to Earth” was chosen by the clothing vendor Free People
for use in an online advertisement for their Summer 2009 line. The video contained a direct link for purchase on the iTunes Store
and facilitated the band's greatest commercial success when Joey Sweeney embedded it and praised it on his weblog, Philebrity.com, resulting in a spike in sales.
and that the band would play what would be its last show before his re-location. In the same interview, he expressed his intention to continue playing and recording, claiming to be at work on a "quadruple album." On stage at the last show, DiFuria is reported to have told the audience that the band would "probably" be back in Philadelphia to play again "in a year."
Early Development
A native of the Philadelphia area, DiFuria started playing guitar at a young age. Two main influences on his early musical development were his sister’s participation in a church guitar group and his mother’s work as an astrologer. When he arrived in Philadelphia to study at Temple UniversityTemple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
in 1985, he became a founding member of Philadelphia punk band, Tons of Nuns. He then joined Uptown Bones, who were signed to the Black et Noir record label run by 90s French punk band Les Thugs
Les Thugs
Les Thugs are a punk band from France. The band were formed in 1983 with five members and were soon reduced to four in the same year: Eric Sourice on guitar and lead vocals, Thierry Meanard on guitar, Christophe Sourice on drums, and Gerald Chabaud on bass up until 1983. Chabaud was replaced by...
. Upon the demise of the Uptown Bones, DiFuria was asked by Bryan Dilworth to join the Lilys
Lilys
Lilys are an American indie rock band formed in Washington, D.C in 1988. The only constant member is Kurt Heasley, with the line-up changing regularly...
, fronted by Kurt Heasley. DiFuria joined but was experiencing a creative surge that the Lilys could not accommodate. DiFuria came up with the name “Photon Band” for his own band after reading an astrology magazine called Welcome to Planet Earth, which featured an article by Barbara Hand Clow describing a band of photons that would soon envelop the earth (aka the Photon Belt
Photon belt
The Photon Belt is a pseudo-scientific belief, largely linked to some parts of the New Age Movement...
). DiFuria left the Lilys amicably and Heasley named his subsequent album Eccsame the Photon Band
Eccsame the Photon Band
Eccsame the Photon Band is a 1994 album by the American indie rock band, Lilys, released on the spinART label. The album saw the band move towards dream pop...
“in praise of” DiFuria’s new venture. Photon Band’s first single, “Sitting on the Sunn,” appeared on Compulsiv Records
Compulsiv Records
Compulsiv Records was a record label that operated out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.- History :The label was founded by Bryan Dilworth and James Payne.Dilworth found and signed the talent...
in 1994 and featured DiFuria on all instruments. The songs were energetic affairs inspired by the Beatles and the Who, but with a Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
influenced lo-fi noise element added. Upon hearing this single, James Agren of Darla Records
Darla Records
Darla Records is an independent record label founded by James Agren while he was in New York. Darla Record's first release was a 7-inch by Grifters, an indie rock/lo-fi band from Memphis.- Background :...
asked DiFuria for more recordings. The result was the 1996 three song CD single “747 (Don’t Worry).” The title track featured a blend of psychedelia and country that presaged the band's later release, "Alone on the Moon," and the sound later developed by the Beachwood Sparks
Beachwood Sparks
Beachwood Sparks are an American alternative country band from Los Angeles. A Daily Telegraph article on America's underground psychedelic pop scene described Beachwood Sparks as "country through a kaleidoscope".-Biography:...
and Darla label-mates, My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
.
Formation of "Classic" lineup and full-length releases
During these early years, DiFuria had enlisted friend and drummer Simon Nagle and bassist Gary Plowman to perform his songs with him. By late 1996, Plowman had left and Jeff Tanner had taken over, stabilizing the band as a live unit. The trio spent the next few years building a repertoire, recording, and releasing singles and compilation tracks. Its first full-length record appeared in 1998 on Darla Records, entitled “All Young in the Soul.” Like the earlier releases, the album featured a heavy late 60s psychedelic influence, with noted off-kilter, "day-glo" overtones. The band was prolific over the next three years. 2000 witnessed two Photon Band releases on Darla: “Our ESP Driven Scene” collected the band’s singles, compilation tracks, and outtakes since their inception, and “Oh the Sweet Sweet Changes” featured new material in the vein of "All Young in the Soul," but quieter. While these releases feature some tracks with DiFuria playing all instruments, they mostly feature Nagle and Tanner on drums and bass, respectively.DiFuria's academic pursuits, changes in sound, and sporadic releases
In 2001, DiFuria moved to Newark, DelawareNewark, Delaware
Newark is an American city in New Castle County, Delaware, west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.- History :...
to enter the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
’s PhD program in Art History
Art history
Art history has historically been understood as the academic study of objects of art in their historical development and stylistic contexts, i.e. genre, design, format, and style...
. The band ceased to perform live and drummer Nagle quit. The releases from this period show dramatic changes in sound and attitude. In 2001 Darla released “Alone on the Moon,” a limited edition, vinyl-only full-length album of three slow, mournful songs inspired by Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
's so-called Ditch Trilogy
Ditch Trilogy
The Ditch Trilogy refers to a trio of rock music albums by Neil Young made in the wake of his chart-topping best-seller, Harvest. The moniker derives from a quote by Young, printed in the self-penned track-by-track liner notes to his career summary compilation Decade of 1977...
. A description of the album as containing "three fresh, adrenaline fueled songs" is ubiquitous on the internet, but also erroneous, suggesting that a major vendor did not preview the album before publishing a description of its contents, assuming instead that the band's new release sounded like its previous ones. The 2003 album “It’s a Lonely Planet,” which received a 7.3 rating from online indie-rock arbiter Pitchfork
Pitchfork
A pitchfork is an agricultural tool with a long handle and long, thin, widely separated pointed tines used to lift and pitch loose material, such as hay, leaves, grapes, dung or other agricultural materials. Pitchforks typically have two or three tines...
, continued the theme of loneliness while featuring another radical shift in sound, combining the influences of Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
, T-Rex, and Hunky Dory
Hunky Dory
Hunky Dory is the fourth album by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, released by RCA Records in 1971. It was Bowie's first release through RCA, which would be his label for the next decade...
era David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
. Though released under the Photon Band name, these last two albums were solo efforts, with DiFuria again recording at home and playing all instruments. It has been stated that "it is no accident that [these] two…albums feature the words ‘alone’ and ‘lonely’ in their titles,” suggesting that DiFuria's isolation from friends and his choice to exclude all other musicians gave rise to the recurring themes of alienation and delusion that pervaded his lyrics. The band would not release another album for four years. During this convalescence, "All Young in the Soul" placed 93rd in the Philadelphia Weekly
Philadelphia Weekly
Philadelphia Weekly , is an award-winning alternative newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, published every Wednesday.The paper was founded in 1971 as a sister publication to the South Philadelphia Press. In 1995, the paper became Philadelphia Weekly...
’s list of the “100 Best Philly Albums of all time.”
Return to activity and expanded lineup
In 2007, new label support came from Empyrean Records, which released the digital-only EP, “Get Down Here in the Stratosphere” as a teaser for the 2008 full-length release, “Back Down to Earth." These releases mark the end of the band’s “lonely” period, with DiFuria once again writing uptempo songs with influences as disparate as Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, the MC5, the Monkees, Stereolab
Stereolab
Stereolab are an alternative music band formed in 1990 in London, England. The band originally comprised songwriting team Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier , both of whom remained at the helm across many lineup changes...
, and Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
. For support, DiFuria called on Tanner to perform most of the bass duties. Brendan Gallagher plays drums on most of the album's tracks. Also appearing are outside musicians, including but not limited to Dimitri Coats
Dimitri Coats
Dimitri Coats is an American musician, songwriter, producer, and actor.-Music career:Dimitri Coats is best known as the frontman for the hard rock band Burning Brides and as the guitarist in the hardcore punk band Off!...
of the Burning Brides, Tracy Stanton of Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond PA is a New York based band formed in Philadelphia by singer-songwriter Matt Pond. They have released eight LPs and eight EPs since 1998....
, Dave Frank of the Lilys, and Edward Farnsworth of Bardo Pond
Bardo Pond
Bardo Pond are an American psychedelic rock band formed in 1991, and who are currently signed to London based label Fire Records. The current members are Michael Gibbons , John Gibbons , Isobel Sollenberger , Clint Takeda , Jason Kourkonis , and Aaron Igler...
. The band returned to playing live during this period, with Tanner moving to guitar, longtime friend Chris Kubicek added on bass, and Jason Kourkounis of the Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes were an American post-hardcore band led by Rick Froberg and John Reis, formed in 1999 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005. Reis and Froberg had previously performed together in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, after which Reis had found international success with Rocket from the...
and Burning Brides
Burning Brides
Burning Brides is an American hard rock band. They are partially known for their live performances, such as in 2000 playing selected dates as the opening band for The White Stripes...
on drums. Patrick Berkerey of the Pernice Brothers quickly replaced Kourkounis for unknown reasons. The title track of “Back Down to Earth” was chosen by the clothing vendor Free People
Free People
Free People is a retail clothing store which is part of the Urban Outfitters family of companies.-History:In the early 1970s, Dick Hayne opened a store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and he named it Free People. His store attracted the young people who lived and shopped in the area...
for use in an online advertisement for their Summer 2009 line. The video contained a direct link for purchase on the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
and facilitated the band's greatest commercial success when Joey Sweeney embedded it and praised it on his weblog, Philebrity.com, resulting in a spike in sales.
DiFuria leaves Philadelphia
In July 2010, DiFuria announced that he had taken a job at Savannah College of Art and DesignSavannah College of Art and Design
SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design, is a private, accredited and degree-granting university with locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, Hong Kong, and Lacoste, France.-History:...
and that the band would play what would be its last show before his re-location. In the same interview, he expressed his intention to continue playing and recording, claiming to be at work on a "quadruple album." On stage at the last show, DiFuria is reported to have told the audience that the band would "probably" be back in Philadelphia to play again "in a year."