Psyopus
Encyclopedia
Psyopus is a mathcore
band from Rochester, New York
. Formed in 2002, the band is noted for the unorthodox and extremely technical guitar techniques of Christopher Arp, often referred to as "Arpmandude". In order to receive endorsement deals from various guitar and amp companies, Arp had to send a live video of himself playing in order to prove that he could actually play as fast as he does. Arp considers Psyopus to be a very technically proficient band: "I understand people not understanding us so by default the music comes across as noise but, the music makes sense to us all too much and every 16th note was scrutinized." Regarding learning to play guitar, Arp says: "I learned to play guitar in my bedroom. I got my first guitar in eighth grade. I bought Metallica tablature books, Megadeth books, guitar magazines, didn’t do homework and just played guitar all night."
The band released their 2nd album Our Puzzling Encounters Considered
in February 2007. The techniques Arp uses have made it even more difficult to receive any endorsement. Arp himself said, "Mesa Boogie
has not done very much to sponsor me because I do too much of this," as he raised his guitar
by the whammy bar
shaking it up and down. The band released their third studio album Odd Senses
, on February 17, 2009.
Mathcore
Mathcore is a rhythmically complex and dissonant fusion style of hardcore punk and Metal. It has its roots in bands such as Converge, Botch, and The Dillinger Escape Plan. The term mathcore is suggested by analogy with math rock. Both math rock and mathcore make use of unusual time signatures...
band from Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. Formed in 2002, the band is noted for the unorthodox and extremely technical guitar techniques of Christopher Arp, often referred to as "Arpmandude". In order to receive endorsement deals from various guitar and amp companies, Arp had to send a live video of himself playing in order to prove that he could actually play as fast as he does. Arp considers Psyopus to be a very technically proficient band: "I understand people not understanding us so by default the music comes across as noise but, the music makes sense to us all too much and every 16th note was scrutinized." Regarding learning to play guitar, Arp says: "I learned to play guitar in my bedroom. I got my first guitar in eighth grade. I bought Metallica tablature books, Megadeth books, guitar magazines, didn’t do homework and just played guitar all night."
The band released their 2nd album Our Puzzling Encounters Considered
Our Puzzling Encounters Considered
Our Puzzling Encounters Considered is the second album by Psyopus, released on February 20, 2007.-Track listing:# The Pig Keeper's Daughter – 3:34# 2 – 4:00# Scissor Fuck Paper Doll – 3:36# Whore Meet Liar – 1:54# Insects – 3:16# Imogen's Puzzle pt...
in February 2007. The techniques Arp uses have made it even more difficult to receive any endorsement. Arp himself said, "Mesa Boogie
Mesa Boogie
Mesa/Boogie is a company in Petaluma, California that makes amplifiers for guitars and basses. It has been in operation since 1969....
has not done very much to sponsor me because I do too much of this," as he raised his guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
by the whammy bar
Tremolo arm
A whammy bar, tremolo arm/bar, or vibrato arm/bar is a component of a guitar, used to add vibrato to the sound by changing the tension of the strings, typically at the bridge or tailpiece...
shaking it up and down. The band released their third studio album Odd Senses
Odd Senses
Odd Senses is the third album by Psyopus, released on February 17, 2009 via Metal Blade Records. The album was recorded and engineered at Watchmen Studios in Lockport, New York between July 20 and August 16 2008.-Track listing:...
, on February 17, 2009.
Current members
- Brian Woodruff - vocals (2008–present)
- Christopher Arp - guitar (2002–present)
- Jason Bauers - drums, percussion (2007–present)
Former members
- Fred DeCoste - bass (2002–2007) (Valpurga, Withered Earth)
- Adam Frappolli - lead vocals (2002–2007)
- Greg Herman - drums, percussion (2002–2004) (Valpurga, Inertia, Kalibas, Low Ton, North American Wildlife)
- Lee Fisher - drums, percussion (2004–2005) (Commit Suicide, Overlord Exterminator)
- Corey Barnes - drums, percussion (2005–2006) (Paria)
- Jon Cole - drums, percussion (2006–2007) (Pillory, See You Next Tuesday)
- Harrison Christy - lead vocals (2007–2008) (The Jefferson Plane Crash)
- Michael Horn - bass (2007–2009) (The Osedax, Mod Flanders Conspiracy)
- Travis Morgan - bass (2009 touring)(Atheist)
- Brian Kelly - bass (2009 touring)
- Brent Glover - bass (2009 touring)(Bellicist, Reciprocal)
Discography
- 2004: Ideas of ReferenceIdeas of ReferenceIdeas of Reference is the debut album by Psyopus, released on October 19, 2004.-Track listing:#"Mork and Mindy " – 3:56#"The White Light" – 3:22#"Death, I..." – 4:58#"The Long Road to the 4th Dimension" – 4:06#"Mannequin" – 2:43...
(Black Market ActivitiesBlack Market ActivitiesBlack Market Activities is an independent record label which was founded in 2003 by Guy Kozowyk, the singer of the Boston, Massachusetts, based metal band The Red Chord.-History:...
) - 2007: Our Puzzling Encounters ConsideredOur Puzzling Encounters ConsideredOur Puzzling Encounters Considered is the second album by Psyopus, released on February 20, 2007.-Track listing:# The Pig Keeper's Daughter – 3:34# 2 – 4:00# Scissor Fuck Paper Doll – 3:36# Whore Meet Liar – 1:54# Insects – 3:16# Imogen's Puzzle pt...
(Metal BladeMetal Blade RecordsMetal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
) - 2009: Odd SensesOdd SensesOdd Senses is the third album by Psyopus, released on February 17, 2009 via Metal Blade Records. The album was recorded and engineered at Watchmen Studios in Lockport, New York between July 20 and August 16 2008.-Track listing:...
(Metal Blade)