Red Sparowes
Encyclopedia
Red Sparowes is a Los Angeles
post-rock
band comprising current and former members of Isis
, Halifax Pier, Angel Hair and Pleasure Forever. Their sound is characteristic of soundscape
-influenced experimental rock
, with an otherwise uncommon extensive use of a pedal steel guitar
.
, Neurosis
' record label, Red Sparowes toured with The Dillinger Escape Plan
and Made Out of Babies
in 2004 after recording demos for their debut album. The debut was recorded in May 2004 by engineer Desmond Shea, with the resulting sound in the vein of guitarist
s Bryant Clifford Meyer
and Jeff Caxide
's band Isis
, Chicago post-rock
/metal
outfit Pelican
, as well as bands as varied as Sonic Youth
and The Cure
. Members Jeff Caxide
and Dana Berkowitz relocated in late 2004, thus forcing them out of the band.
Red Sparowes' first studio album
, At the Soundless Dawn
, was released in February 2005, following Clifford Meyer's Isis in their initial tours in support of Panopticon
. Shortly after this release, a split 12" album was released with Gregor Samsa
. The Red Sparowes side contained the second track from At the Soundless Dawn, "Buildings Began to Stretch Wide Across the Sky, And the Air Filled With A Reddish Glow," as well as a track recorded during the album's recording sessions with guitar by Michael Gallagher
of Isis, initially only available on the Japanese release of the album. Following the release of the album, the band headlined a tour in Europe
and participated in an American tour with Pelican
, Big Business
and Breather Resist
. After touring the band released their follow-up record, Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun
, in 2006. This release was followed by more touring of North America and Europe, including shows in the US with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
.
In 2008 Josh Graham parted ways with the rest of the band to pursue musical project A Storm of Light
.
In May 2008, Red Sparowes recorded new material with engineer Toshi Kasai (Melvins
, Big Business, Tool
), and in August that year the EP
Aphorisms
was released digitally.
Red Sparowes began recording their third full length studio album with Kasai on August 24, 2009. The album, entitled The Fear Is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer
, was released on April 6, 2010.
Former members
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
band comprising current and former members of Isis
Isis (band)
Isis was a Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, with a career spanning from 1997 to 2010...
, Halifax Pier, Angel Hair and Pleasure Forever. Their sound is characteristic of soundscape
Soundscape
A soundscape is a sound or combination of sounds that forms or arises from an immersive environment. The study of soundscape is the subject of acoustic ecology...
-influenced experimental rock
Experimental rock
Experimental rock or avant-garde rock is a type of music based on rock which experiments with the basic elements of the genre, or which pushes the boundaries of common composition and performance technique....
, with an otherwise uncommon extensive use of a pedal steel guitar
Pedal steel guitar
The pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that uses a metal bar to "fret" or shorten the length of the strings, rather than fingers on strings as with a conventional guitar. Unlike other types of steel guitar, it also uses pedals and knee levers to affect the pitch, hence the name "pedal"...
.
History
Red Sparowes formed in 2003 as another project for its members. Through signing to Neurot RecordingsNeurot Recordings
Neurot Recordings is an independent American record label founded by members of Neurosis and Tribes of Neurot. The label was founded to release the side projects of Neurosis and its members. It has since expanded to a fully functioning label, releasing music from artists...
, Neurosis
Neurosis (band)
Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music...
' record label, Red Sparowes toured with The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Dillinger Escape Plan is an American mathcore band from Morris Plains, New Jersey. The group originated in 1997 after the disbanding of Arcane, a hardcore punk trio consisting of Ben Weinman, Dimitri Minakakis, and Chris Pennie. The band's current line-up consists of guitarist Ben Weinman,...
and Made Out of Babies
Made Out of Babies
-Biography:Drawing equally from noise-rock bands like The Jesus Lizard and post-metal bands like Isis, the band developed a following after the release of their debut album, Trophy. Their first two albums were released by Neurot Recordings, the label of post-metal and post-rock bands like Isis,...
in 2004 after recording demos for their debut album. The debut was recorded in May 2004 by engineer Desmond Shea, with the resulting sound in the vein of guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
s Bryant Clifford Meyer
Bryant Clifford Meyer
Bryant Clifford Meyer is a keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist, best known for his tenure with Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band Isis. He was with the band since its debut full-length, Celestial, in 2000. Previously, he was a formative member of Boston-based rock band The Gersch...
and Jeff Caxide
Jeff Caxide
Jeff Caxide is an American bassist, best known for his time with post-metal band Isis, of which he was a founding member and present until its dissolution in 2010. He was also a founding member of Red Sparowes, but left after the release of their first full-length. He also contributed to...
's band Isis
Isis (band)
Isis was a Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, with a career spanning from 1997 to 2010...
, Chicago post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
/metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
outfit Pelican
Pelican (band)
Pelican is a post-metal quartet from Chicago, Illinois.-Biography and description:The band is known for its dense combinations of different melodies and extended track lengths. Its distinctive sound draws from stoner rock, doom metal, post-rock, and other influences...
, as well as bands as varied as 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...
and The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
. Members Jeff Caxide
Jeff Caxide
Jeff Caxide is an American bassist, best known for his time with post-metal band Isis, of which he was a founding member and present until its dissolution in 2010. He was also a founding member of Red Sparowes, but left after the release of their first full-length. He also contributed to...
and Dana Berkowitz relocated in late 2004, thus forcing them out of the band.
Red Sparowes' first studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, At the Soundless Dawn
At the Soundless Dawn
The eighth track, "I Saw the Sky in the North Open to the Ground and Fire Poured Out", was initially only available on Japanese releases of the album. It was later released in the United States on a split EP with Gregor Samsa.- Personnel :Band members...
, was released in February 2005, following Clifford Meyer's Isis in their initial tours in support of Panopticon
Panopticon (album)
Panopticon is the third full-length album by Los Angeles, California based post-metal band Isis, released by Ipecac Recordings in 2004. The album's title is derived from philosopher Jeremy Bentham's panopticon prison ideal and philosopher/historian Michel Foucault's later allegorical appropriation...
. Shortly after this release, a split 12" album was released with Gregor Samsa
Gregor Samsa (band)
Gregor Samsa is a band from Virginia formed in 2000 and fronted by Champ Bennett. It takes its name from the main character of Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis....
. The Red Sparowes side contained the second track from At the Soundless Dawn, "Buildings Began to Stretch Wide Across the Sky, And the Air Filled With A Reddish Glow," as well as a track recorded during the album's recording sessions with guitar by Michael Gallagher
Michael Gallagher (Isis guitarist)
Michael Gallagher is an American guitarist, best known for his work with post-metal band Isis. He joined them in 1999 for their debut LP Celestial, having previously been a member of Cast Iron Hike...
of Isis, initially only available on the Japanese release of the album. Following the release of the album, the band headlined a tour in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and participated in an American tour with Pelican
Pelican (band)
Pelican is a post-metal quartet from Chicago, Illinois.-Biography and description:The band is known for its dense combinations of different melodies and extended track lengths. Its distinctive sound draws from stoner rock, doom metal, post-rock, and other influences...
, Big Business
Big Business (band)
Big Business is a stoner metal/sludge metal band from Seattle who are currently signed to Gold Metal Records.-History:Big Business started as a two piece band composed of Jared Warren of Karp and The Tight Bros From Way Back When, and Coady Willis of Murder City Devils...
and Breather Resist
Breather Resist
-History:Breather Resist formed in 2002 and recorded 8 songs, 4 which were on handmade demos. These 8 songs became their first EP, "Only in the Morning", released on Deathwish, Inc.. Their first LP, Charmer, was released on Jade Tree Records in October 2004, having been produced by Kurt Ballou...
. After touring the band released their follow-up record, Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun
Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun
- Personnel :* Tim Green – audio engineering, audio mixing and production* Greg Burns – bass guitar, pedal steel* David Clifford – drums* Josh Graham – guitar, keyboard* Bryant Clifford Meyer – guitar, organ, piano* Andy Arahood – guitar...
, in 2006. This release was followed by more touring of North America and Europe, including shows in the US with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are an Australian alternative rock band, formed in Melbourne in 1983. The band is fronted by Nick Cave and has featured international personnel throughout their career.-Formation and early releases :...
.
In 2008 Josh Graham parted ways with the rest of the band to pursue musical project A Storm of Light
A Storm of Light
A Storm of Light is a band from Brooklyn,which is sometimes referred to as post-metal. Critic Leech has described them as "Doom Metal/Post-Rock".- History :...
.
In May 2008, Red Sparowes recorded new material with engineer Toshi Kasai (Melvins
The 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...
, Big Business, Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
), and in August that year the EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Aphorisms
Aphorisms (album)
Aphorisms is an EP by post-rock band Red Sparowes, released on Amazon.com as a digital download on July 9, 2008. It was also released a few days later on iTunes...
was released digitally.
Red Sparowes began recording their third full length studio album with Kasai on August 24, 2009. The album, entitled The Fear Is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer
The Fear Is Excruciating, but Therein Lies the Answer
-References:...
, was released on April 6, 2010.
Band members
Current members- Bryant Clifford MeyerBryant Clifford MeyerBryant Clifford Meyer is a keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist, best known for his tenure with Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band Isis. He was with the band since its debut full-length, Celestial, in 2000. Previously, he was a formative member of Boston-based rock band The Gersch...
(guitar) of IsisIsis (band)Isis was a Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, with a career spanning from 1997 to 2010... - Andy Arahood (guitar/bass) formerly of Angel Hair
- Greg Burns (bass/pedal steel) of Halifax Pier
- David Clifford (drums) of Pleasure Forever, The VSSThe VSS-History:The VSS formed in 1995 after the breakup of the hardcore group Angel Hair. Vocalist Sonny Kay and guitarist Josh Hughes had both played in Angel Hair; the rest of the lineup consisted of bassist Andrew Douglas Rothbard and Dave Clifford...
- Emma Ruth Rundle (guitar) of The Nocturnes
Former members
- Josh Graham (guitar) of NeurosisNeurosis (band)Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music...
(visuals), Battle of MiceBattle of MiceBattle of Mice was a post-metal supergroup consisting of Julie Christmas , Josh Graham , Joel Hamilton , Tony Maimone , and Joe Tomino .The band was formed when vocalist Julie Christmas and guitarist/keyboardist Josh Graham met in Austin, Texas while...
, A Storm of LightA Storm of LightA Storm of Light is a band from Brooklyn,which is sometimes referred to as post-metal. Critic Leech has described them as "Doom Metal/Post-Rock".- History :... - Jeff CaxideJeff CaxideJeff Caxide is an American bassist, best known for his time with post-metal band Isis, of which he was a founding member and present until its dissolution in 2010. He was also a founding member of Red Sparowes, but left after the release of their first full-length. He also contributed to...
(guitar/bass) of IsisIsis (band)Isis was a Los Angeles, California-based post-metal band, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, with a career spanning from 1997 to 2010... - Dana Berkowitz (drums)
- Brendan Tobin (guitar) of Made Out of BabiesMade Out of Babies-Biography:Drawing equally from noise-rock bands like The Jesus Lizard and post-metal bands like Isis, the band developed a following after the release of their debut album, Trophy. Their first two albums were released by Neurot Recordings, the label of post-metal and post-rock bands like Isis,...
Studio albums
| Title | Released | Format | Label |
| At the Soundless Dawn At the Soundless Dawn The eighth track, "I Saw the Sky in the North Open to the Ground and Fire Poured Out", was initially only available on Japanese releases of the album. It was later released in the United States on a split EP with Gregor Samsa.- Personnel :Band members... |
February 22, 2005 | CD, 2xLP | Neurot Recordings Neurot Recordings Neurot Recordings is an independent American record label founded by members of Neurosis and Tribes of Neurot. The label was founded to release the side projects of Neurosis and its members. It has since expanded to a fully functioning label, releasing music from artists... |
| Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun - Personnel :* Tim Green – audio engineering, audio mixing and production* Greg Burns – bass guitar, pedal steel* David Clifford – drums* Josh Graham – guitar, keyboard* Bryant Clifford Meyer – guitar, organ, piano* Andy Arahood – guitar... |
September 19, 2006 | CD, 2xLP | CD by Neurot Recordings Neurot Recordings Neurot Recordings is an independent American record label founded by members of Neurosis and Tribes of Neurot. The label was founded to release the side projects of Neurosis and its members. It has since expanded to a fully functioning label, releasing music from artists... LP by Robotic Empire Robotic Empire Robotic Empire is an American record label based out of Richmond, Virginia. They specialize in hardcore punk, metalcore, and alternative rock. Some of the most popular bands signed to the label over the years have been pg.99, City of Caterpillar, Crowpath, The Red Chord, Circle Takes the Square,... |
| The Fear Is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer The Fear Is Excruciating, but Therein Lies the Answer -References:... |
April 6, 2010 | CD, LP | Sargent House |
Other Works
| Title | Released | Format | Label |
| Self-titled (demo) | 2004 | CD | Self-released |
| Untitled split with Gregor Samsa Gregor Samsa (band) Gregor Samsa is a band from Virginia formed in 2000 and fronted by Champ Bennett. It takes its name from the main character of Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis.... |
2005 | 12" (2005) CD (2006) |
Robotic Empire Robotic Empire Robotic Empire is an American record label based out of Richmond, Virginia. They specialize in hardcore punk, metalcore, and alternative rock. Some of the most popular bands signed to the label over the years have been pg.99, City of Caterpillar, Crowpath, The Red Chord, Circle Takes the Square,... |
| Triad split with Made Out of Babies Made Out of Babies -Biography:Drawing equally from noise-rock bands like The Jesus Lizard and post-metal bands like Isis, the band developed a following after the release of their debut album, Trophy. Their first two albums were released by Neurot Recordings, the label of post-metal and post-rock bands like Isis,... and Battle of Mice Battle of Mice Battle of Mice was a post-metal supergroup consisting of Julie Christmas , Josh Graham , Joel Hamilton , Tony Maimone , and Joe Tomino .The band was formed when vocalist Julie Christmas and guitarist/keyboardist Josh Graham met in Austin, Texas while... |
2006 | CD, 3x7 | Neurot Recordings Neurot Recordings Neurot Recordings is an independent American record label founded by members of Neurosis and Tribes of Neurot. The label was founded to release the side projects of Neurosis and its members. It has since expanded to a fully functioning label, releasing music from artists... |
| Black Tar Prophecies Vol. I split with Grails Grails (band) Grails is an American instrumental rock band from Portland, Oregon.-Biography:Initially going by the name "Laurel Canyon", guitarist Alex Hall, drummer Emil Amos and second guitarist Paul Spitz garnered positive reactions following their first show, played on a whim... |
2006 | 12" | Robotic Empire Robotic Empire Robotic Empire is an American record label based out of Richmond, Virginia. They specialize in hardcore punk, metalcore, and alternative rock. Some of the most popular bands signed to the label over the years have been pg.99, City of Caterpillar, Crowpath, The Red Chord, Circle Takes the Square,... |
| Oh Lord, God of Vengeance, Show Yourself! Oh Lord, God of Vengeance, Show Yourself! Oh Lord, God of Vengeance, Show Yourself! is a live album released by Red Sparowes in 2006 with the purpose of allowing the band to replace equipment which was stolen from their van while touring in Europe.... (live album) |
2006 | CD | Neurot Recordings Neurot Recordings Neurot Recordings is an independent American record label founded by members of Neurosis and Tribes of Neurot. The label was founded to release the side projects of Neurosis and its members. It has since expanded to a fully functioning label, releasing music from artists... |
| Aphorisms Aphorisms (album) Aphorisms is an EP by post-rock band Red Sparowes, released on Amazon.com as a digital download on July 9, 2008. It was also released a few days later on iTunes... |
August 1, 2008 | Digital Download (2008),12-inch (2009) | Sargent House Sargent House Sargent House is a Los Angeles based management company and record label. It was founded in June 2006 by Cathy Pellow, who is a music video commissioner for Atlantic Records and who also owns a music video production company called Refused TV. Pellow began managing the rock outfit RX Bandits in 2006... |
External links
- Red Sparowes
- Red Sparowes' Myspace
- Red Sparowes' Bandcamp
- Red Sparowes collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive - Neurot Recordings
- Robotic Empire
- Sargent House