Russian Circles
Encyclopedia
Russian Circles is a three piece instrumental
rock/metal band from Chicago
. Russian Circles play instrumental, sprawling music which runs the gamut of heavy discordant metal, to soft delicate passages. They are also known for their energetic live shows, mostly headlining now but in their earlier days they toured with the likes of Boris
, Isis
, Red Sparowes
, Minus the Bear
, Daughters, Coheed & Cambria, Mono
, and Pelican
as well as appearances at the 2006 SXSW
, and 2009's Bonnaroo. They were also the opening band for Tool
while playing their first tour in the United Kingdom in 2007. Their name is taken from a drill exercise used in the game of ice hockey
.
band Riddle of Steel.
In the autumn of 2007, it was announced that the band had parted ways with Colin DeKuiper. As a result, the bass tracks on their second album, titled Station
, were handled by ex-Botch
/These Arms Are Snakes
bass player Brian Cook
. The group's third full-length, Geneva
, was released on October 20, 2009 and reached No. 24 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.
In 2011, Russian Circles signed to Sargent House who had previously only exclusively released the band's albums on limited edition vinyl. Their fourth studio album Empros
was released on October 25, 2011. A supporting tour with Deafheaven
followed the release.
, the band is noted for being able to replicate and even expand upon their recorded material through Sullivan and Cook's use of sampling
, extensive array of effects pedals and loop pedals to build layers of sound.
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
rock/metal band from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Russian Circles play instrumental, sprawling music which runs the gamut of heavy discordant metal, to soft delicate passages. They are also known for their energetic live shows, mostly headlining now but in their earlier days they toured with the likes of Boris
Boris (band)
is a Japanese experimental rock band, known for often combining and switching between different music genres including drone metal, sludge metal, noise rock, psychedelic rock, ambient and pop...
, 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...
, Red Sparowes
Red Sparowes
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.-History:Red Sparowes...
, Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2001, the group features current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving...
, Daughters, Coheed & Cambria, Mono
Mono (Japanese band)
Mono are a Japanese post rock band, formed in 1999 in Tokyo, Kantō, Honshū. The band consists of Takaakira Goto , Yoda , Tamaki Kunishi , and Yasunori Takada .Mono have released five studio albums...
, and 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 appearances at the 2006 SXSW
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
, and 2009's Bonnaroo. They were also the opening band for 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...
while playing their first tour in the United Kingdom in 2007. Their name is taken from a drill exercise used in the game of ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
.
History
Formed in late 2004 by guitarist Mike Sullivan and bassist Colin DeKuiper (both formerly of instrumental band Dakota/Dakota), they quickly recruited drummer Dave Turncrantz, formerly of St. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
band Riddle of Steel.
In the autumn of 2007, it was announced that the band had parted ways with Colin DeKuiper. As a result, the bass tracks on their second album, titled Station
Station (album)
Station is the second full-length album by the instrumental rock band Russian Circles, and was released on May 6, 2008. This is the band's second release and first with their new label, Suicide Squeeze.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
, were handled by ex-Botch
Botch (band)
Botch was a four-piece mathcore band from Tacoma, Washington, United States, that formed in 1993 and disbanded in 2002.-History:The band released two full-length albums and a handful of smaller releases including several singles and an EP. Its members went on an indefinite hiatus to form Roy,...
/These Arms Are Snakes
These Arms Are Snakes
These Arms Are Snakes was an American post-hardcore band that formed in 2002 and featured former members of Botch and Kill Sadie. The band was known for their intense live shows, which often feature vocalist Steve Snere crowd surfing and spending a large portion of the live performance in the...
bass player Brian Cook
Brian Cook (musician)
Brian Cook is an American bass guitarist currently in the band Russian Circles. He was also previously a full-time member of Botch, These Arms Are Snakes and Roy, and also a session musician for Mouth of the Architect...
. The group's third full-length, Geneva
Geneva (Russian Circles album)
-Personnel:* Mike Sullivan − guitar* Dave Turncrantz − drums* Brian Cook − bass guitar* Alison Chesley − cello* Susan Voelz − violin* Greg Norman − engineering, trumpet, trombone* Brandon Curtis − production, additional piano* Joe Lambert − mastering...
, was released on October 20, 2009 and reached No. 24 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.
In 2011, Russian Circles signed to Sargent House who had previously only exclusively released the band's albums on limited edition vinyl. Their fourth studio album Empros
Empros
Empros is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Russian Circles. The album was released on October 25, 2011 through Sargent House. This is Russian Circles' first album released solely through Sargent House...
was released on October 25, 2011. A supporting tour with Deafheaven
Deafheaven
Deafheaven is an American black metal band that formed in 2010. The group signed to Deathwish Inc. and released their debut album Roads to Judah in April 2011.- History :...
followed the release.
Sound
When performing liveLive Music
Live Music is a reggaeton company owned by DJ Giann.-Artists:* Jowell & Randy* Tony Lenta* Watussi* De La Ghetto* Guelo Star* Galante "El Emperador"-Producers:*DJ Blass*Dexter*Mr. Greenz*DJ Giann*Los Hitmen*Dirty Joe*ALX...
, the band is noted for being able to replicate and even expand upon their recorded material through Sullivan and Cook's use of sampling
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
, extensive array of effects pedals and loop pedals to build layers of sound.
Albums
- Enter – May 16, 2006 (FlameshovelFlameshovel RecordsFlameshovel Records is a record label from Chicago, Illinois formed in the summer of 2000. Founded by Jesse Woghin and long time friend Nash Grey, the duo were later joined by James Kenler...
/ Vinyl on Sargent HouseSargent HouseSargent 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...
) - StationStation (album)Station is the second full-length album by the instrumental rock band Russian Circles, and was released on May 6, 2008. This is the band's second release and first with their new label, Suicide Squeeze.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
– May 6, 2008 (Suicide Squeeze RecordsSuicide Squeeze RecordsSuicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, WA - based independent record label that presses a significant number of 7" vinyl singles in addition to the more prevalent compact discs. The label was started in August 1996 with the release of a 7" single from 764-Hero. The label quickly grew from owner...
/ Vinyl on Sargent HouseSargent HouseSargent 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...
) - GenevaGeneva (Russian Circles album)-Personnel:* Mike Sullivan − guitar* Dave Turncrantz − drums* Brian Cook − bass guitar* Alison Chesley − cello* Susan Voelz − violin* Greg Norman − engineering, trumpet, trombone* Brandon Curtis − production, additional piano* Joe Lambert − mastering...
– October 20, 2009 (Suicide Squeeze RecordsSuicide Squeeze RecordsSuicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, WA - based independent record label that presses a significant number of 7" vinyl singles in addition to the more prevalent compact discs. The label was started in August 1996 with the release of a 7" single from 764-Hero. The label quickly grew from owner...
/ Vinyl on Sargent HouseSargent HouseSargent 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...
) - EmprosEmprosEmpros is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Russian Circles. The album was released on October 25, 2011 through Sargent House. This is Russian Circles' first album released solely through Sargent House...
– October 25, 2011 Sargent HouseSargent HouseSargent 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...
Singles/Splits
- Upper NinetyUpper NinetyUpper Ninety is a single by instrumental rock band Russian Circles, released on Suicide Squeeze Records. The single was limited to only 2,000 copies. "Upper Ninety" is also featured on Suicide Squeeze's compilation album Slaying Since 1996....
– July 25th, 2006 (Suicide Squeeze RecordsSuicide Squeeze RecordsSuicide Squeeze Records is a Seattle, WA - based independent record label that presses a significant number of 7" vinyl singles in addition to the more prevalent compact discs. The label was started in August 1996 with the release of a 7" single from 764-Hero. The label quickly grew from owner...
) - Russian Circles / These Arms Are SnakesRussian Circles / These Arms Are SnakesRussian Circles / These Arms Are Snakes is a split 12″ EP released for the These Arms Are Snakes and Russian Circles European tour in November 2008. 500 copies were sold on tour and 500 were available on Sargent House's webstore.-Track listing:...
12" (Split with These Arms Are SnakesThese Arms Are SnakesThese Arms Are Snakes was an American post-hardcore band that formed in 2002 and featured former members of Botch and Kill Sadie. The band was known for their intense live shows, which often feature vocalist Steve Snere crowd surfing and spending a large portion of the live performance in the...
) (Sargent House, 2008)