Tanner (band)
Encyclopedia
Tanner was a 1990s rock
band from San Diego
, California
that arose from the ashes of the band Fishwife.
In San Diego, the guitar rules. And not too long ago, before the word got out about the city's abundant six-stringed talent, there was one band that flew wildly ahead of its time, cranking out a chaotic, sometimes zany frenzy. In 1993 that band, Fishwife (perhaps significantly, the first group signed to pioneering S.D. label Headhunter), lost its vocalist--on the best of terms--and went into a sort of hibernation. Call it Summer vacation. Matt Ohlin and Gar Wood hit the road to do sound and sell T-shirts for pals Drive Like Jehu. Chris Prescott played around town with Hemlock. After a few months, the remaining Fishwife members regrouped, rethought, and reformed... as Tanner. "No big deal" says Gar. "The natural process was to continue on," he explains. "We already had a chemistry together, and we all kind of knew what we were into. It was pretty easy to start writing. It was gonna be different, and everyone was inspired to get going." Within a year, the fierce, efficient trio had recorded two singles and was back on the road with Jehu, this time opening shows across the United States and Canada. When not occupied with all things Tanner, Gar's working up a solid rep as a local engineer from his garage studio. Tanner teamed up with Jehu drummer Mark Trombino to record it's Caroline debut, Ill-Gotten Gains. It's a perfect combination, as the thirteen-track album proves. Intricate, complicated, and rife with rhythmic tension. Ill-Gotten Gains surges blindingly through explosive passages, melding melody with anxiety, pushing the trio's dynamic, edgy songwriting straight into he cranium. Tanner taunts you with hooks, but then bulldozes you with power. During Tanner's lifetime, (1993 - 1997) they put out 2 full length albums, half a dozen 7"s and toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Bands that shared the stage on tour included Jawbreaker, Drive Like Jehu, Rocket from the Crypt, Doo Rag, Custom Floor, Jawbox and Delta 72. ----------------From Caroline Records press release for Ill-Gotten Gains LP. 1995 Written by Mark Woodlief
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band from San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
that arose from the ashes of the band Fishwife.
In San Diego, the guitar rules. And not too long ago, before the word got out about the city's abundant six-stringed talent, there was one band that flew wildly ahead of its time, cranking out a chaotic, sometimes zany frenzy. In 1993 that band, Fishwife (perhaps significantly, the first group signed to pioneering S.D. label Headhunter), lost its vocalist--on the best of terms--and went into a sort of hibernation. Call it Summer vacation. Matt Ohlin and Gar Wood hit the road to do sound and sell T-shirts for pals Drive Like Jehu. Chris Prescott played around town with Hemlock. After a few months, the remaining Fishwife members regrouped, rethought, and reformed... as Tanner. "No big deal" says Gar. "The natural process was to continue on," he explains. "We already had a chemistry together, and we all kind of knew what we were into. It was pretty easy to start writing. It was gonna be different, and everyone was inspired to get going." Within a year, the fierce, efficient trio had recorded two singles and was back on the road with Jehu, this time opening shows across the United States and Canada. When not occupied with all things Tanner, Gar's working up a solid rep as a local engineer from his garage studio. Tanner teamed up with Jehu drummer Mark Trombino to record it's Caroline debut, Ill-Gotten Gains. It's a perfect combination, as the thirteen-track album proves. Intricate, complicated, and rife with rhythmic tension. Ill-Gotten Gains surges blindingly through explosive passages, melding melody with anxiety, pushing the trio's dynamic, edgy songwriting straight into he cranium. Tanner taunts you with hooks, but then bulldozes you with power. During Tanner's lifetime, (1993 - 1997) they put out 2 full length albums, half a dozen 7"s and toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Bands that shared the stage on tour included Jawbreaker, Drive Like Jehu, Rocket from the Crypt, Doo Rag, Custom Floor, Jawbox and Delta 72. ----------------From Caroline Records press release for Ill-Gotten Gains LP. 1995 Written by Mark Woodlief
Band members
- Gar Wood - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, lead vocals - Matt Ohlin - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Chris PrescottChris PrescottChristopher Prescott is a professional musician from San Diego, California. He currently plays drums for the band Pinback and plays guitar, keyboard, and does backup vocals for The Jade Shader. He was previously a member of No Knife, Tanner, Fishwife, and Hemlock. In 1998 he toured as the...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Discography
- Ill Gotten Gains - (Caroline Records, 1995)
- (Germo) Phobic - (Headhunter RecordsHeadhunter RecordsHeadhunter Records is a record label distributed by Cargo Music, Inc. Headhunter records is based out of San Diego, California. It was launched in 1989.-Other Notable Artists:*Creedle* Slap Of Reality*Inch*Deadbolt*Drive Like Jehu*Fishwife...
, 1997)
External links
- official band site
- [ on allmusic.com]
- on myspace.com