The Raymond Brake
Encyclopedia
The Raymond Brake was an indie rock
band that formed in the mid-1990s in Greensboro
, North Carolina
, USA. Greensboro being only 45 minutes drive away from Chapel Hill, the city's music scene was an influence and a guiding light. Members of the band included Andy Cabic - guitar/vocals, Ryan Stewart - guitar/vocals, Peder Hollinghurst - bass (1993–1996), Matt Houston - bass (1996–1998), and Joel Darden - drums.
Their first releases were two 7" records, both released in 1994. A debut full length CD, Piles of Dirty Winters was released on Arlington, Virginia indie label Simple Machines
in 1995 followed by a split 7". Reviews of The Raymond Brake's releases often noted that the band's sound blended strange tunings and timings with hooks and melody, observations which in turn led to comparisons to similarly hard to define bands such as Polvo
and Grifters. The band achieved a certain amount of success by embarking on a tour of the U.S. in 1996 with Karate
, Archers of Loaf
, and Liquorice. However, the same year saw The Raymond Brake's final release: the well crafted (and sadly out of print) Never Work Ever CD EP on Hepcat Records. By 1998 the band had played their last show. Singer/guitarist Andy Cabic
took the band's implosion as a cue to change his surroundings, moved to San Francisco, and fell in with Devendra Banhart
and Joanna Newsom
's ragtag band of indie folk
sters. He is currently the driving force behind Vetiver
.
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 that formed in the mid-1990s in Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, USA. Greensboro being only 45 minutes drive away from Chapel Hill, the city's music scene was an influence and a guiding light. Members of the band included Andy Cabic - guitar/vocals, Ryan Stewart - guitar/vocals, Peder Hollinghurst - bass (1993–1996), Matt Houston - bass (1996–1998), and Joel Darden - drums.
Their first releases were two 7" records, both released in 1994. A debut full length CD, Piles of Dirty Winters was released on Arlington, Virginia indie label Simple Machines
Simple Machines
Simple Machines was a record label that operated out of Arlington, Virginia. The label was masterminded by Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson and, at its peak, had four paid workers- Toomey, Thomson, Pat Graham and Mickey Menard...
in 1995 followed by a split 7". Reviews of The Raymond Brake's releases often noted that the band's sound blended strange tunings and timings with hooks and melody, observations which in turn led to comparisons to similarly hard to define bands such as Polvo
Polvo
Polvo is an American indie noise rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The band, formed in 1990, is fronted by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski. Brian Quast plays drums, and Steve Popson plays bass guitar...
and Grifters. The band achieved a certain amount of success by embarking on a tour of the U.S. in 1996 with Karate
Karate (band)
Karate was an American band, formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1993 by Geoff Farina, Eamonn Vitt and Gavin McCarthy. In 1995, Jeff Goddard joined the band as bass player, and Vitt moved to second guitar...
, Archers of Loaf
Archers of Loaf
Archers of Loaf is an American indie-rock band originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, formed in 1990. The group toured extensively and released a total of four studio albums, a collection album, numerous singles and EPs, and a live album which was released after the band broke up in...
, and Liquorice. However, the same year saw The Raymond Brake's final release: the well crafted (and sadly out of print) Never Work Ever CD EP on Hepcat Records. By 1998 the band had played their last show. Singer/guitarist Andy Cabic
Andy Cabic
Andy Cabic is a folk rock singer-songwriter, and lead member of the band Vetiver.He was born in Virginia and attended school at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where he played in a band called The Raymond Brake...
took the band's implosion as a cue to change his surroundings, moved to San Francisco, and fell in with Devendra Banhart
Devendra Banhart
Devendra Obi Banhart is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. He began to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998, but dropped out to perform music in Europe, San...
and Joanna Newsom
Joanna Newsom
Joanna Newsom is an American harpist, pianist and singer-songwriter from Nevada City, California.- Early life :Newsom grew up in the small town of Nevada City, California...
's ragtag band of indie folk
Indie folk
Indie folk is a music genre that arose in the 1990s from singer/songwriters in the indie rock community showing heavy influences from folk music scenes of the 50s, 60s and early 70s, country music, and indie rock. A few early artists included Lou Barlow, Beck, Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith...
sters. He is currently the driving force behind Vetiver
Vetiver (band)
Vetiver are an American folk band headed by songwriter Andy Cabic.- History :Cabic was a member of the Greensboro, North Carolina indie rock band The Raymond Brake who released some records on the now defunct Simple Machines label. He formed Vetiver after moving to San Francisco. The band...
.