Racebannon
Encyclopedia
Racebannon is an American noise punk band from Bloomington, Indiana
.
, Melt Banana, and Ice Nine
as early influences. They cobbled together a lineup from members of other Indianapolis hardcore punk
bands and released their first 7" record in 1998. Many other 7"'s, split 7"'s, and compilation appearances followed, as well as the bands debut album, First There Was The Emptiness. The group's name comes from Dr. Quest's bodyguard in the Jonny Quest
franchise. Among the group's unusual sonic attributes is the use of DJ scratching
, but as a conduit for noise rather than a rhythmic accompaniment (as in hip hop
). After moving to Bloomington, Indiana
, they signed with Secretly Canadian
, who released their full-length In the Grips of the Light. The album was recorded with Mike Mogis
of Lullaby for the Working Class
, and resulted in their winning praise from Alternative Press
. 2002's Satan's Kickin' Yr Dick In, was a concept album
revolving around a Faustian bargain
and was also produced by Mogis. Over the course of the album (sometimes considered a rock opera
), the protagonist, Rodney, sells his soul
to Satan
in exchange for the chance to become a drag queen
rock star. The group performed at SXSW in 2003. Their most recent album, Acid or Blood, appeared in 2008 on Southern Records
. Another album, entitled Six Sick Sisters, and a 12" remix of a Merzbow
track have also been named as future releases.
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
.
History
Racebannon was formed in Indianapolis in 1996 by Michael Anderson and James Bauman. The group cites The MelvinsThe Melvins
The Melvins are an American band that formed in 1983. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer and guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members...
, Melt Banana, and Ice Nine
Ice Nine
Ice-nine is a fictional solid polymorph of water from Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle.Ice-nine may also refer to:*Ice-Nine, a Grammy-nominated musical composition by Steve Wiest, recorded by the One O'Clock Lab Band on Lab 2009...
as early influences. They cobbled together a lineup from members of other Indianapolis hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
bands and released their first 7" record in 1998. Many other 7"'s, split 7"'s, and compilation appearances followed, as well as the bands debut album, First There Was The Emptiness. The group's name comes from Dr. Quest's bodyguard in the Jonny Quest
Jonny Quest
Jonny Quest is a media franchise that revolves around a boy named Jonny Quest who accompanies his father on extraordinary adventures. The franchise started with a 1964-65 television series and has come to include two subsequent television series, two television films, and a video game.-1964–1965...
franchise. Among the group's unusual sonic attributes is the use of DJ scratching
Scratching
Scratching is a DJ or turntablist technique used to produce distinctive sounds by moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while optionally manipulating the crossfader on a DJ mixer. While scratching is most commonly associated with hip hop music, since the late 1980s, it has been used...
, but as a conduit for noise rather than a rhythmic accompaniment (as in hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
). After moving to Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
, they signed with Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
, who released their full-length In the Grips of the Light. The album was recorded with Mike Mogis
Mike Mogis
Mike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
of Lullaby for the Working Class
Lullaby for the Working Class
Lullaby for the Working Class was an indie folk rock band from Lincoln, Nebraska, active from the mid-to-late 1990s. Fronted by Omaha, Nebraska singer-songwriter Ted Stevens , the group also featured multi-instrumentalist and producer Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, his brother, producer A.J...
, and resulted in their winning praise from Alternative Press
Alternative Press (music magazine)
Alternative Press is an American music magazine based in Cleveland, Ohio. It generally provides readers with band interviews, photos, information on upcoming releases, and music charts. It was founded in 1985 by Mike Shea, who is the current president....
. 2002's Satan's Kickin' Yr Dick In, was a concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
revolving around a Faustian bargain
Deal with the Devil
Deal With The Devil is the fifth studio album by the American heavy metal band Lizzy Borden released in 2000 .A return to form, featuring a cover by Todd McFarlane.2 covers were recorded...
and was also produced by Mogis. Over the course of the album (sometimes considered a rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
), the protagonist, Rodney, sells his soul
Soul
A soul in certain spiritual, philosophical, and psychological traditions is the incorporeal essence of a person or living thing or object. Many philosophical and spiritual systems teach that humans have souls, and others teach that all living things and even inanimate objects have souls. The...
to Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
in exchange for the chance to become a drag queen
Drag queen
A drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and...
rock star. The group performed at SXSW in 2003. Their most recent album, Acid or Blood, appeared in 2008 on Southern Records
Southern Records
Southern Records is an independent record label closely associated with Crass Records, Corpus Christi Records and Dischord Records. It is based in London and previously had offices in Chicago , Le Havre and Berlin .Southern was originally a recording studio owned and operated by John Loder...
. Another album, entitled Six Sick Sisters, and a 12" remix of a Merzbow
Merzbow
is the main recording name of the Japanese noise musician , born in 1956. Since 1979 he has released in excess of 350 recordings.The name "Merzbow" comes from German artist Kurt Schwitters' artwork, "Merzbau”. This was chosen to reflect Akita's dada influence and junk art aesthetic...
track have also been named as future releases.
Members
- Michael Anderson - vocals
- James Bauman - guitar
- Chris Saligoe - bass
- Brad Williams - drums
Discography
- First There Was The Emptiness LP (Level PlaneLevel PlaneLevel Plane was a record label based in New York City, that tended to aim towards traditional emo and screamo artists.Level Plane was founded in early 1997 by Greg Drudy in order to put a label and an address on the back of Saetia's first 7"...
, 2000; re-released to CD, Secretly CanadianSecretly CanadianSecretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
, 2005) - In the Grips of the Light CD/LP (Secretly CanadianSecretly CanadianSecretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
, 2002) - Satan's Kickin' Yr Dick In CD/LP (Secretly Canadian, 2002)
- Near and Far, Vol. 2 CD/LP (Backroad Records, 2002)
- "Racebannon / Helen of Troy" split CD (Insound Tour Support, 2003)
- The Inevitable: Singles and Rarities 1997-2005 CD (Alone Records, 2005)
- Acid or Blood CD/LP (Southern RecordsSouthern RecordsSouthern Records is an independent record label closely associated with Crass Records, Corpus Christi Records and Dischord Records. It is based in London and previously had offices in Chicago , Le Havre and Berlin .Southern was originally a recording studio owned and operated by John Loder...
, 2008) - Six Sik Sisters MP3 (Tizona Records, 2011)