Sheena, Santa Cruz
Encyclopedia
Sheena is a dance electronica band that originated and resides in Santa Cruz, California
. The core line-up is three members, but the band started initially with four players. Two additional members have played with the band since autumn 2006. They are currently signed to independent label Loves In Heat Records
, and released one album with them, in 2006, Wah-ha Era. The band has made two music videos, "Bread & Water" and "Social Butterfly".
The band can be described as post punk dance electronica
, with signs of other elements, including new wave
.
Early popular hits of this time included "Bread & Water" and "1019 Oh Yeah!", which was written about a frequent hangout of the band's that they have used for shows. The band signed to Santa Cruz independent label Loves In Heat Records and, in spring 2006, released their first album, Wah-Ha Era, recorded at Indigital Studios, also in Santa Cruz, California, during 2005.
Sheena then began a restless schedule of self-promotion, playing shows in locations from Santa Cruz to San Francisco and further north into Oregon. They also released, on the internet, their first music video, "Bread & Water", which is a mix of footage from both the Wah-Ha Era CD release concert and a house show at 1019.
In early fall 2006, the band gained two additional members: Nick O. on drums, percussion and backup vocals, and Charley For Days on sax, backup synth, and backup vocals. The band played a limited set of shows with Of Montreal
in early 2007. Also in early 2007, the band released its second music video, also on the internet, this time for "Social Butterfly" from their first album, with cameos by a plethora of the band's close friends. Both music videos are available on the band's website.
In February 2011, the band had plans to tour again to promote Wah-Ha Era before they settle into a studio to record an EP with new songs, some of which have already been played live at concerts at the end of 2006 and in early 2007, including "Love Me At All". A joint project to produce a 12" vinyl split album with fellow label mates "Gira raffes!" was canceled.
Cover art by Brian Oliveira
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
. The core line-up is three members, but the band started initially with four players. Two additional members have played with the band since autumn 2006. They are currently signed to independent label Loves In Heat Records
Loves In Heat Records
Loves In Heat Records is a CA Bay Area Independent Record Label. Originally based out of Santa Cruz, CA., it is now located in Oakland, CA. The label was started in the Winter of 2006 by Founder/Label Owner Hector Lee Heaviside while he was living in a 1988 Ford Econoline van with a mattress in the...
, and released one album with them, in 2006, Wah-ha Era. The band has made two music videos, "Bread & Water" and "Social Butterfly".
The band can be described as post punk dance electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
, with signs of other elements, including new wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
.
History
Sheena was formed around 2003 with Peter Wallner, Matt Wilson and Joe Weedall having experience together in a creative musical environment. Matt McClain was a member of the early band, as a drummer. He left in 2005. The remaining members decided to carry on with the Sheena name, and began writing material that represented their evolution towards electronica-inspired dance rock.Early popular hits of this time included "Bread & Water" and "1019 Oh Yeah!", which was written about a frequent hangout of the band's that they have used for shows. The band signed to Santa Cruz independent label Loves In Heat Records and, in spring 2006, released their first album, Wah-Ha Era, recorded at Indigital Studios, also in Santa Cruz, California, during 2005.
Sheena then began a restless schedule of self-promotion, playing shows in locations from Santa Cruz to San Francisco and further north into Oregon. They also released, on the internet, their first music video, "Bread & Water", which is a mix of footage from both the Wah-Ha Era CD release concert and a house show at 1019.
In early fall 2006, the band gained two additional members: Nick O. on drums, percussion and backup vocals, and Charley For Days on sax, backup synth, and backup vocals. The band played a limited set of shows with Of Montreal
Of Montreal
Of Montreal is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. It was founded by frontman Kevin Barnes in 1996, named after a failed romance with a woman "of Montreal." The band is one of the bands of the Elephant 6 collective...
in early 2007. Also in early 2007, the band released its second music video, also on the internet, this time for "Social Butterfly" from their first album, with cameos by a plethora of the band's close friends. Both music videos are available on the band's website.
In February 2011, the band had plans to tour again to promote Wah-Ha Era before they settle into a studio to record an EP with new songs, some of which have already been played live at concerts at the end of 2006 and in early 2007, including "Love Me At All". A joint project to produce a 12" vinyl split album with fellow label mates "Gira raffes!" was canceled.
Original
- Matt Wilson: synth, bass guitar, vocals
- Joe Weed: guitar, piano, vocals
- Peter Wallner: bass guitar, synth, drums
Wah-Ha Era
- "GalactaWHAT!"
- "Out of Place"
- "Bread & Water"
- "Pick Me ^Up^"
- "the only Colour is Yellow"
- "Dear Mr. Birdman"
- "1019OHYEAH!"
- "A Day in the Life of..."
- "Social Butterfly"
- "Dial 0"
- Satan's Pet Duck"
- "A Good Time For Talking"
- "Lost in Outer 9"
- "Galactica"
- "!(?Galactic!#$Adventure!@#"
- "Joey Does Not Like to Have Fun?"
Cover art by Brian Oliveira