ROOT!
Encyclopedia
Root! is an Australia
n rock group from Melbourne
formed in 2007. Their music combines alt-country, blues
and indie rock
with elements of spoken word
, satire
, social commentary
and post-modernism. They have gained attention through a band member being a former member of Melbourne band TISM
.
Their first concert as a group was made at the closing party of Melbourne’s Spanish Club on June 17, 2007. Although barely announced, word that an alleged member of TISM was unveiling a new project led to a large, expectant crowd assembling. From there, word of mouth spread, leading to heavy traffic on the band's nascent MySpace
page, the creation of a fan website entitled The ROOT! Compendium, and growing demand for an album.
Root! appeared at a handful of other performances over the next few months, whilst re-recording tracks for their debut album, Root Supposed He Was Out Of The Question. In 2008, the band played live with additional musicians Joe Talia (aka Joe Root, pedal steel and banjo) and Douglas Lee Robertson (aka Doug Lee Root, bass).
The album, Root Supposed... was released in December, 2007 and featured no singles. During 2008 tours, new material was played including "Get Up Yourself" which became the first single from the follow-up album Surface Paradise
(formerly Root Is The Money Of All Evil)
In 2009, drummer Barnaby Root left the band and was replaced with Smiley Root on drums. After playing several gigs and appearing in the video for "My Other Bumper Sticker is Intelligent," he left the band to be replaced by Owen Root. Around this time, the album Surface Paradise was released.
After a handful of gigs in mid-2010, Root! announced they would be playing their "Last Ever Show" on August 20, 2010. Although the press release concluded with "... is there a new project on the way? All will be revealed soon. Stay tuned."
Currently DC Root, Doug Lee Robinson and Henri Root are performing as a trio under the name The DC3
.
. DC describes Root! as made up of all the things he loves about country that has been mixed with other genres. It is the "long-winded musical excursion" with "a little wit as well" inherent in country music that allows DC Root to employ poetic, literary imagery and then undercuts it with self-effacing references.
Judging by some of the international “friends” on Root!'s MySpace site, DC Root would appear to have an affection for classic British pop, such as XTC
, The Auteurs
, Super Furry Animals
and Robyn Hitchcock
. Comparisons are possible between all of these and DC Root’s use of humour and the glorification of the joys and absurdities of everyday life. However there are few antecedents of DC Root’s style in Australia, especially given his determination to ground his stories in local reference. Paul Kelly
is the most famous and celebrated practitioner of this style, although his stories are generally more heroic and conventionally emotional.
Originally, the sound of Root! was easy to categorize under the label “alt-country” – that is, a modern, “alternative” approach to traditional country music. However, whilst the elements of country were there, the band has since moved toward a more "straight-rock" style.
Former Members
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n rock group from Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
formed in 2007. Their music combines alt-country, blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
with elements of spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
, satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
, social commentary
Social commentary
Social commentary is the act of rebelling against an individual, or a group of people by rhetorical means, or commentary on social issues or society...
and post-modernism. They have gained attention through a band member being a former member of Melbourne band TISM
TISM
TISM was a seven piece anonymous alternative rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The group was formed in 1982 and enjoyed a large underground/independent following. Their third album Machiavelli and the Four Seasons reached the Australian national top 10 in 1995...
.
History
Some time in 2004-05, Root! began as a series of demos written solely by lead singer DC Root. In late 2006, guitarist Henri Root was hired as a tradesperson to build a set of shelves for DC. "Henri came 'round to my house to build me some shelves and I discovered that he was a jazz trained musician". During 2006, the group was fleshed out with Steve Root on keyboards and Barnaby Root on drums.Their first concert as a group was made at the closing party of Melbourne’s Spanish Club on June 17, 2007. Although barely announced, word that an alleged member of TISM was unveiling a new project led to a large, expectant crowd assembling. From there, word of mouth spread, leading to heavy traffic on the band's nascent MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page, the creation of a fan website entitled The ROOT! Compendium, and growing demand for an album.
Root! appeared at a handful of other performances over the next few months, whilst re-recording tracks for their debut album, Root Supposed He Was Out Of The Question. In 2008, the band played live with additional musicians Joe Talia (aka Joe Root, pedal steel and banjo) and Douglas Lee Robertson (aka Doug Lee Root, bass).
The album, Root Supposed... was released in December, 2007 and featured no singles. During 2008 tours, new material was played including "Get Up Yourself" which became the first single from the follow-up album Surface Paradise
Surface Paradise
Surface Paradise is the second full length album by Melbourne band ROOT!, released on July 24, 2009. The album follows the previous year's EP release Get Up Yourself, of which several references are made to...
(formerly Root Is The Money Of All Evil)
In 2009, drummer Barnaby Root left the band and was replaced with Smiley Root on drums. After playing several gigs and appearing in the video for "My Other Bumper Sticker is Intelligent," he left the band to be replaced by Owen Root. Around this time, the album Surface Paradise was released.
After a handful of gigs in mid-2010, Root! announced they would be playing their "Last Ever Show" on August 20, 2010. Although the press release concluded with "... is there a new project on the way? All will be revealed soon. Stay tuned."
Currently DC Root, Doug Lee Robinson and Henri Root are performing as a trio under the name The DC3
The DC3
- External links :* * * *...
.
Musical style and influences
DC Root and Henri Root claim that their initial common musical ground was the Flying Burrito Brothers and Mark E. SmithMark E. Smith
Mark Edward Smith is the lead singer, lyricist, frontman, and only constant member of the English post-punk band The Fall.-Early life:...
. DC describes Root! as made up of all the things he loves about country that has been mixed with other genres. It is the "long-winded musical excursion" with "a little wit as well" inherent in country music that allows DC Root to employ poetic, literary imagery and then undercuts it with self-effacing references.
Judging by some of the international “friends” on Root!'s MySpace site, DC Root would appear to have an affection for classic British pop, such as XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
, The Auteurs
The Auteurs
The Auteurs were a British alternative rock band of the 1990s, and a vehicle for the songwriting talents of Luke Haines .-Career:...
, Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band that lean towards psychedelic rock and electronic experimentation. Since their formation in Cardiff, Wales in 1993, the band has consisted of Gruff Rhys , Huw Bunford , Guto Pryce , Cian Ciaran and Dafydd Ieuan Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band...
and Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Rowan Hitchcock is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. While primarily a vocalist and guitarist, he also plays harmonica, piano and bass guitar....
. Comparisons are possible between all of these and DC Root’s use of humour and the glorification of the joys and absurdities of everyday life. However there are few antecedents of DC Root’s style in Australia, especially given his determination to ground his stories in local reference. Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (musician)
Paul Maurice Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor...
is the most famous and celebrated practitioner of this style, although his stories are generally more heroic and conventionally emotional.
Originally, the sound of Root! was easy to categorize under the label “alt-country” – that is, a modern, “alternative” approach to traditional country music. However, whilst the elements of country were there, the band has since moved toward a more "straight-rock" style.
Members
- DC Root (aka Damien Cowell) – vocals, samples
- Henri Root (aka Henri Grawe) – guitar, vocals
- Doug Lee Root (aka Douglass Lee Robertson) - Bass, vocals
- Steve Root (aka Steve Paix) – keyboards, vocals
- Owen Root (aka Owen Smythe) - drums - Former drummer for Grin Dogs and Splurge.
Former Members
- Barnaby Root (aka Barnaby Gold) – drums, vocals
- Joe Root (aka Joe Talia, played live only) - slide guitar, banjo
- Smiley Root (aka Derek Smiley, former drummer for Ice Cream Hands)
Albums
- Root Supposed He Was Out Of The Question...Root Supposed He Was Out Of The Question...Root Supposed He Was Out Of The Question... is the debut album by Melbourne band ROOT!, released on December 7, 2007. The album is the band's signature mix of country, rock and ironic lyrics, as well as sections of spoken word....
(2007) - Surface ParadiseSurface ParadiseSurface Paradise is the second full length album by Melbourne band ROOT!, released on July 24, 2009. The album follows the previous year's EP release Get Up Yourself, of which several references are made to...
(2009)