The Apples in Stereo
Encyclopedia
The Apples in Stereo, styled The Apples in stereo, is an American indie rock
band associated with The Elephant Six Collective, a group of bands also including Neutral Milk Hotel
and The Olivia Tremor Control
. The band is largely a product of lead vocalist/guitarist Robert Schneider
, who writes the majority of the band's music and lyrics. Currently, The Apples in Stereo also includes longstanding members John Hill
(rhythm guitar) and Eric Allen (bass), as well as new members Bill Doss
(keyboards), John Dufilho
(drums) and John Ferguson
(keyboards). The band's sound draws strong comparisons to the psychedelic rock
of The Beatles
and The Beach Boys
during the 1960s.
met Jim McIntyre
on a commuter bus in Denver, Colorado
. Schneider had recently moved to Colorado from Ruston, Louisiana
, and often initiated conversations with McIntyre. When Schneider asked McIntyre what his music interests were, McIntyre named his favorite band: The Beach Boys
— a band Schneider was particularly fond of. Realizing that they shared many musical interests, McIntyre introduced Schneider to Hilarie Sidney
. McIntyre already had a band called Von Hemmling
in which McIntyre played bass and Sidney played drums. With Schneider, they discussed the idea of starting a band and perhaps a recording label. Schneider later met Chris Parfitt
, who was also already in a band at the time. Schneider and Parfitt also became friends, however, and toyed with the idea of having a rock band similar to The Velvet Underground
or Black Sabbath
, with production qualities similar to that of The Beach Boys.
Schneider then spent two weeks in Athens, Georgia
recording music and spending time with his childhood friends Will Cullen Hart
, Bill Doss
and Jeff Mangum
. He discussed the idea of starting a record label with them (which soon became The Elephant 6 Recording Company). It was also at this time that the name "The Apples" came about, inspired by the Pink Floyd
song "Apples and Oranges
".
The earliest incarnation of the band began to form in 1992 upon Schneider's return to Denver, first between Schneider and Parfitt, both of whom played guitar. The two recruited McIntyre and Sidney during the autumn of that year, practicing material through the winter. Their first few live shows took place the following January, many of which were with the band Felt Pilotes. From February to April 1993, the band recorded their debut 7" EP
, Tidal Wave, and released it in June as the first record ever to bear the Elephant 6 logo.
, a former bandmate of McIntyre's, would join the band as a rhythm guitarist while Schneider began to grow more comfortable playing lead guitar. It was also at this time that Schneider began to take stronger creative control of the band, shifting its sound from its stronger rock qualities to a spacier pop sound. The band started work on a debut full-length album, but it instead became Hypnotic Suggestion
, a second EP. However, after SpinART Records
offered to buy the band an 8-track
in return for an album, new plans for an LP arose.
In mid-1994, after Hypnotic Suggestion, McIntyre would be the second to leave the band, due to a number of personal distresses as well as the newfound artistic constraints that arose with Parfitt's departure. Having great difficulty finding a new permanent bassist, the band would rotate a number of frequent contributors, including Jeff Mangum
of Neutral Milk Hotel
, Kurt Heasley of The Lilys, Kyle Jones, and Joel Evans, among others. Jim McIntyre would also occasionally guest on bass. This continued to be the makeup of the band as they toured the country in late 1994, recording the first half of their new album in Glendora, California
. In early 1995, the band finished the album, Fun Trick Noisemaker
, at Kyle Jones's house (the birthplace of Schneider's Pet Sounds Studio
).
Now with a full-length LP to support, the band began touring again. Eric Allen, whom the band had previously auditioned as a guitarist after the departure of Chris Parfitt, joined the band as a much welcomed permanent bassist. Late 1995, Schneider relocated Pet Sounds Studio to Jim McIntyre's house.
A significantly different band from the original 1992 four-piece, the official name of the band gradually became "The Apples in Stereo", with the "in stereo" usually somewhat under-emphasized, whether in lower-case or in parenthesis. Schneider described this in an interview: "It's very clearcut, actually: we're The Apples, the music's in stereo. It's not actually the band name – it's a step back from it, a band name once removed. We're The Apples, in stereo. Kind of like a TV show, 'in stereo!' That always seemed to be a really big deal, that it was in stereo." McIntyre later remarked, "It's cool the name changed cause the Apples and the Apples in Stereo were really two different entities."
, but the members were dissatisfied with the quality of the recordings. The majority of the album's songs were re-recorded at Studio .45 in Hartford, Connecticut
before the album's release. In 1998, Chris McDuffie
joined the band, playing various instruments including organs, synthesizers and assorted percussion. He would leave the band before Velocity of Sound was released in 2002.
Several more albums were released by the band through the years, including the psychedelic "concept EP" Her Wallpaper Reverie
, The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone
and Velocity of Sound
; both of the latter of which were progressively aimed at capturing the live sound of the band, which continued to tighten as they continued to perform hundreds of live shows (about 100 a year). In particular, the 2002 album Velocity of Sound rejects most of the psych-pop production sensibilities that would come to be associated with the band, instead featuring stripped-down production and sparse, rock instrumentation.
The band members would also continue to pursue careers in side bands and solo projects, with Schneider producing several albums for Elephant 6 artists. Schneider and drummer Hilarie Sidney were married for a time, with a son Max born in 2000. They have since been divorced.
The band went on a brief hiatus during 2004 as Schneider released the debut album from a new band called Ulysses
and Sidney released the debut album from her new band The High Water Marks
; both were released on Eenie Meenie Records
. In 2005, The Apples in Stereo contributed "Liza Jane" to the Eenie Meenie compilation, Dimension Mix
. It was also around this time that news began to circulate among various websites concerning the band's next studio album.
officially announced her departure from the band during the band's closing set at the Athens Popfest music festival in Athens, Georgia
. Her replacement, John Dufilho
, lead singer and principal songwriter of The Deathray Davies
, was announced in October 2006. 2006 touring member Bill Doss
of The Olivia Tremor Control
also quietly joined the band "officially" as its new keyboardist. John Ferguson
of Big Fresh
and Ulysses
joined the Apples in 2007, also playing keyboards, and wearing a Doctor Who
-esque space suit on stage.
In December 2006, Robert Schneider appeared on the popular television show The Colbert Report to kick off a guitar solo contest between the show's host Stephen Colbert
and Chris Funk
of The Decemberists
.
On February 6, 2007, The Apples in Stereo released their sixth studio LP, New Magnetic Wonder
. Finishing a ten year deal with spinART Records
, New Magnetic Wonder was the premiere release on Simian Records
, a newly formed record label founded by Elijah Wood
. This was followed by a long-awaited b-sides
and rarities compilation titled Electronic Projects for Musicians
, released on April 1.
In 2008, spinART Records
went out of business. Rights for all major releases by The Apples in Stereo on the label have since been acquired by One Little Indian Records
. In a recent interview, Schneider noted that the band's EPs have yet to have been re-released, but will likely be collected for another compilation. Such a compilation would probably include the re-releases of Look Away + 4
, Let's Go! and a number of non-album songs released alongside New Magnetic Wonder.
On August 4, 2008, the band appeared again on The Colbert Report. They performed their song Can You Feel It? to promote the release of the Japanese picture disc.
In early 2008, their song "Same Old Drag" won in The 7th Annual Independent Music Awards
for Best Pop/Rock Song. The same year Apples in Stereo were nominated for Independent Music Awards
Pop/Rock Album of the Year. The band members also joined the 9th annual Independent Music Awards
judging panel to assist independent musicians' careers.
, an Apples in Stereo best-of album, on Sept. 1, 2009.
In early 2009, Schneider confirmed that the band was recording their new album at Trout Recording in Brooklyn, New York. He described the album to sound like early 70s
R&B as it would sound played by aliens
and emanating from an alien spaceship.
The result is the band's seventh album Travellers in Space and Time
, released on April 20, 2010 on Simian Records
. Described by Schneider as a "retro-futuristic" concept album intended as a time capsule for listeners of the future, Travellers has drawn comparisons to the style of Electric Light Orchestra
. The record is the first Apples in Stereo album without Hilarie Sidney, making Schneider the last founding member remaining in the group, although John Hill joined before "in stereo" was added to the name. The band have been chosen by Jeff Mangum
of Neutral Milk Hotel
to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties
festival that he will curate in December 2011 in Minehead, England.
In recent years, Schneider has explored a number of experimental music projects, such as the Teletron mind-controlled synthesizer and Non-Pythagorean scale
of his own invention.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band associated with The Elephant Six Collective, a group of bands also including Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
and The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control is an indie rock band prominent in the mid to late 1990s which, along with The Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel, was one of the three original Elephant 6 projects...
. The band is largely a product of lead vocalist/guitarist Robert Schneider
Robert Schneider
Robert Peter Schneider is one of the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, along with Will Cullen Hart, Bill Doss, and Jeff Mangum...
, who writes the majority of the band's music and lyrics. Currently, The Apples in Stereo also includes longstanding members John Hill
John Hill (musician)
John Hill is an American guitarist best recognized as a member of The Apples in Stereo and Dressy Bessy.Hill, a college friend of drummer Hilarie Sidney and bassist Jim McIntyre, joined The Apples in January, 1994 after the departure of lead guitarist Chris Parfitt...
(rhythm guitar) and Eric Allen (bass), as well as new members Bill Doss
Bill Doss
Bill Doss is among the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, based in Athens, Georgia, and one of the key creative forces behind The Olivia Tremor Control, one of the leaders of the collective, and later, following the band's break-up, The Sunshine Fix...
(keyboards), John Dufilho
John Dufilho
John Dufilho is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known as the lead creative talent behind indie rock band The Deathray Davies. He partnered with Davies bassist Jason Garner and released an eponymous CD in 2002 under the name I Love Math. A second release, "Getting To...
(drums) and John Ferguson
John Ferguson (musician)
John Roger Ferguson is an American musician. He is currently a member of The Apples in Stereo, and he was a founding member of Big Fresh. His father, Roger Ferguson, was an associate of underground DIY figure, R. Stevie Moore, and John appeared on Moore's recordings and radio shows by age three...
(keyboards). The band's sound draws strong comparisons to the psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
and The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
during the 1960s.
1991–1993: The Apples
In late 1991, Robert SchneiderRobert Schneider
Robert Peter Schneider is one of the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, along with Will Cullen Hart, Bill Doss, and Jeff Mangum...
met Jim McIntyre
Jim McIntyre (musician)
Jim McIntyre is a musician best known as the man behind the Elephant 6 band Von Hemmling. He was also the original bassist for The Apples in Stereo before leaving in 1993. He has written or co-written many early songs for the band, including "Stop Along the Way", "Touch The Water", "To Love The...
on a commuter bus in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. Schneider had recently moved to Colorado from Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston is a city in and the parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,546 at the 2000 census. Ruston is near the eastern border of the Ark-La-Tex and is the home of Louisiana Tech University. Its economy caters to its college population...
, and often initiated conversations with McIntyre. When Schneider asked McIntyre what his music interests were, McIntyre named his favorite band: The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
— a band Schneider was particularly fond of. Realizing that they shared many musical interests, McIntyre introduced Schneider to Hilarie Sidney
Hilarie Sidney
Hilarie Sidney is a musician most famously recognized as the longtime drummer for The Apples in Stereo. She was previously married to Apples in Stereo frontman and Elephant 6 co-founder Robert Schneider. Their divorce became publicly acknowledged in 2004...
. McIntyre already had a band called Von Hemmling
Von Hemmling
Von Hemmling is the solo project of Jim McIntyre and one of many experimental music projects associated with The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Though Jim McIntyre is the band's primary performer, Hilarie Sidney and John Hill have both been members of Von Hemmling before becoming members of The...
in which McIntyre played bass and Sidney played drums. With Schneider, they discussed the idea of starting a band and perhaps a recording label. Schneider later met Chris Parfitt
Chris Parfitt
Chris Parfitt is an American guitarist who was one of the founding members of the Elephant 6 indie pop band The Apples in Stereo. Before his 1993 departure, he co-wrote the songs "Tidal Wave" and "Not the Same" with Robert Schneider and his performances appear on the band's original self-titled EP...
, who was also already in a band at the time. Schneider and Parfitt also became friends, however, and toyed with the idea of having a rock band similar to The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
or Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, with production qualities similar to that of The Beach Boys.
Schneider then spent two weeks in Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
recording music and spending time with his childhood friends Will Cullen Hart
Will Cullen Hart
William "Will" Cullen Hart is one of the co-founders of the Elephant Six Collective, as well as the rock band The Olivia Tremor Control...
, Bill Doss
Bill Doss
Bill Doss is among the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, based in Athens, Georgia, and one of the key creative forces behind The Olivia Tremor Control, one of the leaders of the collective, and later, following the band's break-up, The Sunshine Fix...
and Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum is a musician best known for being the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the band Neutral Milk Hotel, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Mangum, along with the other founding members of the Elephant 6, attended Ruston High School in the late...
. He discussed the idea of starting a record label with them (which soon became The Elephant 6 Recording Company). It was also at this time that the name "The Apples" came about, inspired by the Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
song "Apples and Oranges
Apples and Oranges (song)
"Apples and Oranges" is the third United Kingdom single by Pink Floyd and the final one written by Syd Barrett. The B-side was "Paint Box" written by Richard Wright. The song is about a girl whom the narrator meets at the supermarket...
".
The earliest incarnation of the band began to form in 1992 upon Schneider's return to Denver, first between Schneider and Parfitt, both of whom played guitar. The two recruited McIntyre and Sidney during the autumn of that year, practicing material through the winter. Their first few live shows took place the following January, many of which were with the band Felt Pilotes. From February to April 1993, the band recorded their debut 7" EP
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, Tidal Wave, and released it in June as the first record ever to bear the Elephant 6 logo.
1994–1995: Hypnotic Suggestion and Fun Trick Noisemaker
Several conflicts would lead Parfitt to leave the band in early 1994. John HillJohn Hill (musician)
John Hill is an American guitarist best recognized as a member of The Apples in Stereo and Dressy Bessy.Hill, a college friend of drummer Hilarie Sidney and bassist Jim McIntyre, joined The Apples in January, 1994 after the departure of lead guitarist Chris Parfitt...
, a former bandmate of McIntyre's, would join the band as a rhythm guitarist while Schneider began to grow more comfortable playing lead guitar. It was also at this time that Schneider began to take stronger creative control of the band, shifting its sound from its stronger rock qualities to a spacier pop sound. The band started work on a debut full-length album, but it instead became Hypnotic Suggestion
Hypnotic Suggestion EP
Hypnotic Suggestion EP is the second EP by The Apples in Stereo. The album was released in 1994.The EP's four tracks were later re-released on 1996 compilation album Science Faire, after the release of the band's debut full-length LP Fun Trick Noisemaker.-Track listing:All tracks written by Robert...
, a second EP. However, after SpinART Records
SpinART Records
spinART Records is a now-defunct New York City-based independent record label that released recordings by artists such as The Apples in Stereo, Clem Snide, Frank Black and Michael Penn....
offered to buy the band an 8-track
Multitrack recording
Multitrack recording is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole...
in return for an album, new plans for an LP arose.
In mid-1994, after Hypnotic Suggestion, McIntyre would be the second to leave the band, due to a number of personal distresses as well as the newfound artistic constraints that arose with Parfitt's departure. Having great difficulty finding a new permanent bassist, the band would rotate a number of frequent contributors, including Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum is a musician best known for being the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the band Neutral Milk Hotel, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Mangum, along with the other founding members of the Elephant 6, attended Ruston High School in the late...
of Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
, Kurt Heasley of The Lilys, Kyle Jones, and Joel Evans, among others. Jim McIntyre would also occasionally guest on bass. This continued to be the makeup of the band as they toured the country in late 1994, recording the first half of their new album in Glendora, California
Glendora, California
Glendora is a municipality in Los Angeles County, California, United States, east of downtown Los Angeles. As of the 2010 census, the population of Glendora was 50,073....
. In early 1995, the band finished the album, Fun Trick Noisemaker
Fun Trick Noisemaker
Fun Trick Noisemaker is the debut studio album from The Apples in Stereo, recorded in a house in Los Angeles, in Robert Schneider's portable Pet Sounds Studio. The album is perhaps the most raw example of the Apples, with the rather lo-fi recording values being eclipsed somewhat by their later...
, at Kyle Jones's house (the birthplace of Schneider's Pet Sounds Studio
Pet Sounds Studio
The Pet Sounds Recording Studio, , was a recording studio located in Lexington, Kentucky , founded by Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo and Jim McIntyre of Von Hemmling...
).
Now with a full-length LP to support, the band began touring again. Eric Allen, whom the band had previously auditioned as a guitarist after the departure of Chris Parfitt, joined the band as a much welcomed permanent bassist. Late 1995, Schneider relocated Pet Sounds Studio to Jim McIntyre's house.
A significantly different band from the original 1992 four-piece, the official name of the band gradually became "The Apples in Stereo", with the "in stereo" usually somewhat under-emphasized, whether in lower-case or in parenthesis. Schneider described this in an interview: "It's very clearcut, actually: we're The Apples, the music's in stereo. It's not actually the band name – it's a step back from it, a band name once removed. We're The Apples, in stereo. Kind of like a TV show, 'in stereo!' That always seemed to be a really big deal, that it was in stereo." McIntyre later remarked, "It's cool the name changed cause the Apples and the Apples in Stereo were really two different entities."
1996–2005: Tone Soul Evolution to Velocity of Sound
The band continued touring through 1996, playing in Japan for the first time. Several early recording sessions were held at Pet Sounds for the band's second album, Tone Soul EvolutionTone Soul Evolution
Tone Soul Evolution is the second album from The Apples in Stereo. It was recorded from February to June and released in September 1997.The vinyl edition of the album was released with a bonus 7" that included the songs "Man You Gotta Get Up" and "The Golden Flower".-Track listing:All tracks...
, but the members were dissatisfied with the quality of the recordings. The majority of the album's songs were re-recorded at Studio .45 in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
before the album's release. In 1998, Chris McDuffie
Chris McDuffie
Chris McDuffie is an American musician. A keyboardist, he performed with the Elephant 6 band The Minders and appeared on their 1996 debut EP Come On and Hear. McDuffie later became a member of The Apples in Stereo, first appearing on the album Her Wallpaper Reverie in 1999...
joined the band, playing various instruments including organs, synthesizers and assorted percussion. He would leave the band before Velocity of Sound was released in 2002.
Several more albums were released by the band through the years, including the psychedelic "concept EP" Her Wallpaper Reverie
Her Wallpaper Reverie
Her Wallpaper Reverie is the third album from The Apples in Stereo.The fifteen tracks listed for the album give the impression that it is about the same length as the band's previous two albums, but only seven of the tracks are "actual" songs. The other eight tracks play a variation of the same...
, The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone
The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone
The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone is the fourth album from The Apples in Stereo. It received generally good reviews as a showcase for the band’s experimental/psychedelic pop....
and Velocity of Sound
Velocity of Sound
Velocity of Sound is an album by The Apples in Stereo. It was the group's fifth album, released in October 2002. The American release has an orange album cover, while the European version is green and the Japanese version is blue...
; both of the latter of which were progressively aimed at capturing the live sound of the band, which continued to tighten as they continued to perform hundreds of live shows (about 100 a year). In particular, the 2002 album Velocity of Sound rejects most of the psych-pop production sensibilities that would come to be associated with the band, instead featuring stripped-down production and sparse, rock instrumentation.
The band members would also continue to pursue careers in side bands and solo projects, with Schneider producing several albums for Elephant 6 artists. Schneider and drummer Hilarie Sidney were married for a time, with a son Max born in 2000. They have since been divorced.
The band went on a brief hiatus during 2004 as Schneider released the debut album from a new band called Ulysses
Ulysses (band)
Ulysses is an indie rock band formed by Robert Schneider along with John Ferguson and Ben Fulton in the spring of 2003. Robert Beatty joined later that year. They released their first album, 010, on October 26, 2004 through Eenie Meenie Records...
and Sidney released the debut album from her new band The High Water Marks
The High Water Marks
The High Water Marks is an indie rock band associated with the Elephant 6 collective. The band has two lead creative members, Hilarie Sidney and Per Ole Bratset, who co-write the band's music.-Band history:...
; both were released on Eenie Meenie Records
Eenie Meenie Records
Eenie Meenie Records is an independent record label that specializes in signing indie pop, indie rock and electronica artists, such as The Faraway Places, From Bubblegum to Sky, Seksu Roba and Troubled Hubble...
. In 2005, The Apples in Stereo contributed "Liza Jane" to the Eenie Meenie compilation, Dimension Mix
Dimension Mix
Dimension Mix is a compilation album from indie record label Eenie Meenie Records released on August 23, 2005. The CD is a tribute to Dimension 5 Records and the music of electronic sound pioneers Bruce Haack and Esther Nelson....
. It was also around this time that news began to circulate among various websites concerning the band's next studio album.
2006–2008: New Magnetic Wonder and new lineup
In August 2006, longtime drummer Hilarie SidneyHilarie Sidney
Hilarie Sidney is a musician most famously recognized as the longtime drummer for The Apples in Stereo. She was previously married to Apples in Stereo frontman and Elephant 6 co-founder Robert Schneider. Their divorce became publicly acknowledged in 2004...
officially announced her departure from the band during the band's closing set at the Athens Popfest music festival in Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. Her replacement, John Dufilho
John Dufilho
John Dufilho is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known as the lead creative talent behind indie rock band The Deathray Davies. He partnered with Davies bassist Jason Garner and released an eponymous CD in 2002 under the name I Love Math. A second release, "Getting To...
, lead singer and principal songwriter of The Deathray Davies
The Deathray Davies
-History:The band formed as a solo side-project for Dallas musician John Dufilho, who sent in a demo tape to the 1999 SXSW performance; he recruited friends from other local Dallas bands in order to perform...
, was announced in October 2006. 2006 touring member Bill Doss
Bill Doss
Bill Doss is among the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, based in Athens, Georgia, and one of the key creative forces behind The Olivia Tremor Control, one of the leaders of the collective, and later, following the band's break-up, The Sunshine Fix...
of The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control is an indie rock band prominent in the mid to late 1990s which, along with The Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel, was one of the three original Elephant 6 projects...
also quietly joined the band "officially" as its new keyboardist. John Ferguson
John Ferguson (musician)
John Roger Ferguson is an American musician. He is currently a member of The Apples in Stereo, and he was a founding member of Big Fresh. His father, Roger Ferguson, was an associate of underground DIY figure, R. Stevie Moore, and John appeared on Moore's recordings and radio shows by age three...
of Big Fresh
Big Fresh
Big Fresh was opened in 1988 with its first store in Mount Wellington Auckland. Big Fresh offered a wide range of fresh foods, discount groceries in large market-style store. The concept for Big Fresh was based on a Farmers Market with their focus being on their extensive range of fresh foods...
and Ulysses
Ulysses (band)
Ulysses is an indie rock band formed by Robert Schneider along with John Ferguson and Ben Fulton in the spring of 2003. Robert Beatty joined later that year. They released their first album, 010, on October 26, 2004 through Eenie Meenie Records...
joined the Apples in 2007, also playing keyboards, and wearing a Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
-esque space suit on stage.
In December 2006, Robert Schneider appeared on the popular television show The Colbert Report to kick off a guitar solo contest between the show's host Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Tyrone Colbert is an American political satirist, writer, comedian, television host, and actor. He is the host of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, a satirical news show in which Colbert portrays a caricatured version of conservative political pundits.Colbert originally studied to be an...
and Chris Funk
Chris Funk
Christopher Lyman Funk is a multi-instrumentalist and member of the Portland, Oregon, indie rock band The Decemberists. He is originally from Valparaiso, Indiana where he worked at Front Porch Music which inspired his love of American Folk Music. He plays guitar, pedal steel, piano, violin,...
of The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
.
On February 6, 2007, The Apples in Stereo released their sixth studio LP, New Magnetic Wonder
New Magnetic Wonder
New Magnetic Wonder is the sixth studio album from The Apples in Stereo. The album was produced by Robert Schneider with additional production and mixing by Bryce Goggin and was recorded in three separate states...
. Finishing a ten year deal with spinART Records
SpinART Records
spinART Records is a now-defunct New York City-based independent record label that released recordings by artists such as The Apples in Stereo, Clem Snide, Frank Black and Michael Penn....
, New Magnetic Wonder was the premiere release on Simian Records
Simian Records
Simian Records is a record label founded by actor and The Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood in 2005. The label's first album, New Magnetic Wonder by The Apples in Stereo, was released on February 6, 2007...
, a newly formed record label founded by Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood
Elijah Jordan Wood is an American actor. He made his film debut with a minor part in Back to the Future Part II , then landed a succession of larger roles that made him a critically acclaimed child actor by age 9. He is best known for his high-profile role as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's...
. This was followed by a long-awaited b-sides
B-Sides
B-Sides is an iTunes-exclusive album from the Coventry Trio The Enemy, consisting of ten songs that were B-sides to the single releases from their debut album We'll Live and Die in These Towns.-Track list:#Fear Killed the Youth of Our Nation...
and rarities compilation titled Electronic Projects for Musicians
Electronic Projects for Musicians
Electronic Projects for Musicians is a b-sides and rarities compilation album by The Apples in Stereo. It was released April 1, 2008 under the Simian Records, Yep Roc Records, and Elephant 6 labels...
, released on April 1.
In 2008, spinART Records
SpinART Records
spinART Records is a now-defunct New York City-based independent record label that released recordings by artists such as The Apples in Stereo, Clem Snide, Frank Black and Michael Penn....
went out of business. Rights for all major releases by The Apples in Stereo on the label have since been acquired by One Little Indian Records
One Little Indian Records
One Little Indian Records is a London-based independent record label that rose from the ashes of punk record company Spiderleg Records. It was set up in 1985 by members of various anarchist punk bands, and managed by ex-Flux of Pink Indians Derek Birkett. The first success came with A.R. Kane and...
. In a recent interview, Schneider noted that the band's EPs have yet to have been re-released, but will likely be collected for another compilation. Such a compilation would probably include the re-releases of Look Away + 4
Look Away + 4
Look Away + 4 is the third EP from The Apples in Stereo. It contains five songs, featuring the song "Look Away" from the album The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone...
, Let's Go! and a number of non-album songs released alongside New Magnetic Wonder.
On August 4, 2008, the band appeared again on The Colbert Report. They performed their song Can You Feel It? to promote the release of the Japanese picture disc.
In early 2008, their song "Same Old Drag" won in The 7th Annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
for Best Pop/Rock Song. The same year Apples in Stereo were nominated for Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
Pop/Rock Album of the Year. The band members also joined the 9th annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
judging panel to assist independent musicians' careers.
2009–present
Yep Roc released #1 Hits ExplosionNumber 1 Hits Explosion
#1 Hits Explosion is a greatest hits compilation album by The Apples in Stereo. It was released on September 1, 2009 by Yep Roc Records. The album culls songs from various LPs and EPs released by the band between 1995 and 2007....
, an Apples in Stereo best-of album, on Sept. 1, 2009.
In early 2009, Schneider confirmed that the band was recording their new album at Trout Recording in Brooklyn, New York. He described the album to sound like early 70s
1970s
File:1970s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: US President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office after the Watergate scandal in 1974; Refugees aboard a US naval boat after the Fall of Saigon, leading to the end of the Vietnam War in 1975; The 1973 oil...
R&B as it would sound played by aliens
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
and emanating from an alien spaceship.
The result is the band's seventh album Travellers in Space and Time
Travellers in Space and Time
Travellers in Space and Time is the seventh studio album by The Apples in Stereo. It is the first album by the band to feature new drummer John Dufilho, as well as the first album to cite Bill Doss and John Ferguson as permanent band members...
, released on April 20, 2010 on Simian Records
Simian Records
Simian Records is a record label founded by actor and The Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood in 2005. The label's first album, New Magnetic Wonder by The Apples in Stereo, was released on February 6, 2007...
. Described by Schneider as a "retro-futuristic" concept album intended as a time capsule for listeners of the future, Travellers has drawn comparisons to the style of Electric Light Orchestra
ELO
- Music :* Electric Light Orchestra, a British rock music group** The Electric Light Orchestra , the group's debut album** ELO 2, the group's second album* ELO Part II, an offshoot band of Electric Light Orchestra- Sports and games :...
. The record is the first Apples in Stereo album without Hilarie Sidney, making Schneider the last founding member remaining in the group, although John Hill joined before "in stereo" was added to the name. The band have been chosen by Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum is a musician best known for being the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the band Neutral Milk Hotel, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Mangum, along with the other founding members of the Elephant 6, attended Ruston High School in the late...
of Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
festival that he will curate in December 2011 in Minehead, England.
In recent years, Schneider has explored a number of experimental music projects, such as the Teletron mind-controlled synthesizer and Non-Pythagorean scale
Non-Pythagorean scale
The Non-Pythagorean scale is a musical scale first conceived and developed by Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo. It is based on natural logarithms...
of his own invention.
Current members
- 1992 to present – Robert SchneiderRobert SchneiderRobert Peter Schneider is one of the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, along with Will Cullen Hart, Bill Doss, and Jeff Mangum...
; guitar, lead vocals - 1994 to present – John HillJohn Hill (musician)John Hill is an American guitarist best recognized as a member of The Apples in Stereo and Dressy Bessy.Hill, a college friend of drummer Hilarie Sidney and bassist Jim McIntyre, joined The Apples in January, 1994 after the departure of lead guitarist Chris Parfitt...
; guitar - 1995 to present – Eric Allen; bass
- 2006 to present – Bill DossBill DossBill Doss is among the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, based in Athens, Georgia, and one of the key creative forces behind The Olivia Tremor Control, one of the leaders of the collective, and later, following the band's break-up, The Sunshine Fix...
; keyboards - 2006 to present – John DufilhoJohn DufilhoJohn Dufilho is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist best known as the lead creative talent behind indie rock band The Deathray Davies. He partnered with Davies bassist Jason Garner and released an eponymous CD in 2002 under the name I Love Math. A second release, "Getting To...
; drums - 2006 to present – John FergusonJohn Ferguson (musician)John Roger Ferguson is an American musician. He is currently a member of The Apples in Stereo, and he was a founding member of Big Fresh. His father, Roger Ferguson, was an associate of underground DIY figure, R. Stevie Moore, and John appeared on Moore's recordings and radio shows by age three...
; vocals, keyboards
Former members
- 1992 to 2006 – Hilarie SidneyHilarie SidneyHilarie Sidney is a musician most famously recognized as the longtime drummer for The Apples in Stereo. She was previously married to Apples in Stereo frontman and Elephant 6 co-founder Robert Schneider. Their divorce became publicly acknowledged in 2004...
; drums, vocals - 1999 to 2002 – Chris McDuffieChris McDuffieChris McDuffie is an American musician. A keyboardist, he performed with the Elephant 6 band The Minders and appeared on their 1996 debut EP Come On and Hear. McDuffie later became a member of The Apples in Stereo, first appearing on the album Her Wallpaper Reverie in 1999...
; keyboards - 1992 to 1994 – Jim McIntyreJim McIntyre (musician)Jim McIntyre is a musician best known as the man behind the Elephant 6 band Von Hemmling. He was also the original bassist for The Apples in Stereo before leaving in 1993. He has written or co-written many early songs for the band, including "Stop Along the Way", "Touch The Water", "To Love The...
; bass - 1992 to 1993 – Chris ParfittChris ParfittChris Parfitt is an American guitarist who was one of the founding members of the Elephant 6 indie pop band The Apples in Stereo. Before his 1993 departure, he co-wrote the songs "Tidal Wave" and "Not the Same" with Robert Schneider and his performances appear on the band's original self-titled EP...
; guitar
Selected discography
- Fun Trick NoisemakerFun Trick NoisemakerFun Trick Noisemaker is the debut studio album from The Apples in Stereo, recorded in a house in Los Angeles, in Robert Schneider's portable Pet Sounds Studio. The album is perhaps the most raw example of the Apples, with the rather lo-fi recording values being eclipsed somewhat by their later...
(1995) - Tone Soul EvolutionTone Soul EvolutionTone Soul Evolution is the second album from The Apples in Stereo. It was recorded from February to June and released in September 1997.The vinyl edition of the album was released with a bonus 7" that included the songs "Man You Gotta Get Up" and "The Golden Flower".-Track listing:All tracks...
(1997) - Her Wallpaper ReverieHer Wallpaper ReverieHer Wallpaper Reverie is the third album from The Apples in Stereo.The fifteen tracks listed for the album give the impression that it is about the same length as the band's previous two albums, but only seven of the tracks are "actual" songs. The other eight tracks play a variation of the same...
(1999) - The Discovery of a World Inside the MooneThe Discovery of a World Inside the MooneThe Discovery of a World Inside the Moone is the fourth album from The Apples in Stereo. It received generally good reviews as a showcase for the band’s experimental/psychedelic pop....
(2000) - Velocity of SoundVelocity of SoundVelocity of Sound is an album by The Apples in Stereo. It was the group's fifth album, released in October 2002. The American release has an orange album cover, while the European version is green and the Japanese version is blue...
(2002) - New Magnetic WonderNew Magnetic WonderNew Magnetic Wonder is the sixth studio album from The Apples in Stereo. The album was produced by Robert Schneider with additional production and mixing by Bryce Goggin and was recorded in three separate states...
(2007) - Travellers in Space and TimeTravellers in Space and TimeTravellers in Space and Time is the seventh studio album by The Apples in Stereo. It is the first album by the band to feature new drummer John Dufilho, as well as the first album to cite Bill Doss and John Ferguson as permanent band members...
(2010)
External links
- Official message board
- The Apples in Stereo at Elephant6.com
- Tractor Beam Management
- The Apples in Stereo at Live Music 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...
- Interview with the Cornell Daily Sun
- Step Through the Portal