The Mercury Program
Encyclopedia
The Mercury Program is an American
musical group composed of Dave Lebleu
on drums
, Sander Travisano on bass guitar
, Tom Reno on guitar
, and Whit Travisano on vibraphone
and piano
. They are based in Gainesville
, FL
. The first three members formed a trio in August 1997 and Whit Travisano joined in late 1999. The band members live in different cities across the United States.
Their first two albums featured sparse, spoken vocals. However, with the release of the EP 'All the Suits Began to Fall Off' and onwards they become entirely instrumental
. Their style is described as intricate and groove-led with many categorizing them as post-rock
.
After the release of 'Confines of Heat' in 2003, The Mercury Program took a much needed break. Then over the next several years they worked on new material in a much more relaxed manner. But in October 2006, the band got back together and recorded a new record with Andy Baker in Athens
GA
. This much anticipated new record, named "Chez Viking" was released November 24, 2009 on Lovitt Records
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musical group composed of Dave Lebleu
Dave Lebleu
Dave LeBleu is an American drummer, percussionist and multi-instrumentalist best known for his role in the band The Mercury Program. He also has been producing music under the moniker Textual, since 2000. Lebleu was part of the Boredoms performance piece 77 Boadrum, and was the drummer in the group...
on drums
Drum kit
A 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 ....
, Sander Travisano on bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, Tom Reno on guitar
Guitar
The 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...
, and Whit Travisano on vibraphone
Vibraphone
The vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp or simply the vibes, is a musical instrument in the struck idiophone subfamily of the percussion family....
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. They are based in Gainesville
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
, FL
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The first three members formed a trio in August 1997 and Whit Travisano joined in late 1999. The band members live in different cities across the United States.
Their first two albums featured sparse, spoken vocals. However, with the release of the EP 'All the Suits Began to Fall Off' and onwards they become entirely instrumental
Instrumental rock
Instrumental rock is a type of rock music which emphasizes musical instruments, and which features very little or no singing.Examples of instrumental rock can be found in practically every subgenre of rock, often from musicians who specialize in the style, most notably Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Link...
. Their style is described as intricate and groove-led with many categorizing them as 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...
.
After the release of 'Confines of Heat' in 2003, The Mercury Program took a much needed break. Then over the next several years they worked on new material in a much more relaxed manner. But in October 2006, the band got back together and recorded a new record with Andy Baker in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
GA
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. This much anticipated new record, named "Chez Viking" was released November 24, 2009 on Lovitt Records
Lovitt Records
Lovitt Records is an independent record label that was founded in 1995 by Brian Lowit who was a student at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina at the time...
.
Discography
- Albums
- The Mercury Program (BoxcarBoxcar Records-Catalogue:-External links:* * *...
, 1999) - From The Vapor of Gasoline (Tiger StyleTiger Style RecordsTiger Style Records is an independent record label located in New York City, New York. It is owned and operated by Insound. As of 2004, it is on hiatus.- Artists who have worked with Tiger Style :*764-HERO*The Album Leaf*American Analog Set...
, 2000) - A Data Learn the Language (Tiger StyleTiger Style RecordsTiger Style Records is an independent record label located in New York City, New York. It is owned and operated by Insound. As of 2004, it is on hiatus.- Artists who have worked with Tiger Style :*764-HERO*The Album Leaf*American Analog Set...
, 2002) - Chez Viking (Lovitt RecordsLovitt RecordsLovitt Records is an independent record label that was founded in 1995 by Brian Lowit who was a student at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina at the time...
, 2009)
- The Mercury Program (Boxcar
- EPs
- All the Suits Began to Fall Off (BoxcarBoxcar Records-Catalogue:-External links:* * *...
, 2001) - Confines of Heat (KindercoreKindercore RecordsKindercore Records is an independent record label based in Athens, Georgia, which was founded in 1996 by Ryan Lewis and Daniel Geller to document the emerging music scene in Athens, Georgia....
, 2003) (split release with MaseratiMaserati (band)Maserati is a band from Athens, Georgia, United States whose sound is best described as a combination of post-rock and psychedelic influences. Their music is instrumental, relying on the standard rock instrumentation of guitar, bass, and drums...
+ DVD)
- All the Suits Began to Fall Off (Boxcar
- Compilations
- Back to Donut CD Comp (No IdeaNo Idea RecordsFor other uses, see No Idea .No Idea Records is an independent record label based in Gainesville, Florida which produces both vinyl records and compact discs...
, 1998)
- Back to Donut CD Comp (No Idea
- 7 inches
External links
- Official Webpage
- 77 Boadrum Site Profile Viva Radio, Sep 2007. (FlashAdobe FlashAdobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
)