Trans Am (band)
Encyclopedia
Trans Am is a three-piece band which originated in Bethesda, Maryland
that was one of the originators of "post-rock
" in the mid 90s. Their work centers on a cerebrally robotic, usually instrumental, semi-danceable, minimalistic format, with influences including Krautrock
, heavy metal
, hardcore punk
, synthpop
, electronic music
, and folk music
. They are known for constant touring (with bands such as Tortoise
, Pan Sonic
, The Fucking Champs
, and Tool
), cryptic album artwork, and continual thematic re-invention.
.
The band started as a HarDCore
project but the sound evolved as the members finished college to include additional influences: new wave
, classic rock
and experimental rock
.
In 1995 they began recording their music, which until 1998 was almost entirely instrumental. Their sound is generally marked with acoustic and electronic drums, guitars, electronics, and a varying amount of often-heavily processed vocals. Instrumental virtuosity (especially with the drums) is a focal point. All of their albums have been released on the Chicago-based independent record label, Thrill Jockey
.
Their self-titled debut, recorded after just a few rehearsals, contained instrumentals which were largely improvised versions of simple rock-oriented motifs based loosely on '70s bands such as Boston
, Bachman–Turner Overdrive and Yes
. The album was produced by John McEntire
of labelmates Tortoise at Chicago's Idful Studios. Afterwards, the band opened for Tortoise on a brief US tour.
In the fall of 1996, Trans Am released a self-titled EP which showed a greater reliance on electronics. The group expanded that approach to album length on Surrender to the Night
(1997) and The Surveillance (1998). The band's sound during this period was reminiscent of such acts as Kraftwerk
, Can
and New Order
interspersed with more rock-oriented material. Their previously-unreleased track "Starjammer" was included on the highbrow electronica label Mille Plateaux
's double-CD compilation In Memoriam Gilles Deleuze. In their live shows, the band began to incorporate trigger devices and MIDI-wired beatboxes in order to perform their electronics-heavy songs. Around the time of the release of The Surveillance, the band started to perform material with vocorder-heavy vocals by Nathan Means.
Their fourth album, Futureworld
, followed in 1999. The first side of this album featured songs with vocoder and the second side has all instrumentals, including the sprightly "Cocaine Computer". A music video for the title song was filmed and released. In 2000, the group followed up with the double album Red Line
, recorded in the band's own National Recording Studio.
A rarities collection
, You Can Always Get What You Want, was also released that year.
In 2002, Trans Am released T.A., complete with tongue-in-cheek promo photos featuring the band in boy band
-esque matching white outfits. T.A.s cover art was a parody of a REO Speedwagon
best-of collection. Though the album was essentially a spoof of the electroclash
genre, it was mostly panned by music critics.
During the 2004 U.S. election year, the band released the politically-charged Liberation, an album which questioned the George W. Bush
presidency and addressed such issues as the 2003 invasion of Iraq
, the War on Terror
and paranoia.
Sex Change
, the band's sixth studio album, was released in 2007.
Following the release, Trans Am did a tour of the United States with Zombi
and The Psychic Paramount
, seventeen arena shows opening for Tool
, and played the Thrill Jockey 15th anniversary show in Chicago, Illinois.
Also in 2007, Trans Am contributed to the soundtrack of the video game After Burner: Black Falcon
for the PSP
.
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
that was one of the originators of "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...
" in the mid 90s. Their work centers on a cerebrally robotic, usually instrumental, semi-danceable, minimalistic format, with influences including Krautrock
Krautrock
Krautrock is a generic name for the experimental music scenes that appeared in Germany in the late 1960s and gained popularity throughout the 1970s, especially in Britain. The term is a result of the English-speaking world's reception of the music at the time and not a reference to any one...
, heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
, electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, and folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
. They are known for constant touring (with bands such as Tortoise
Tortoise (band)
Tortoise is an American post-rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1990.-Music:Tortoise's almost entirely instrumental music defies easy categorization, and the group gained significant attention from their early career. The members have roots in Chicago's fertile music scene, playing in...
, Pan Sonic
Pan sonic
Pan Sonic was a Finnish experimental electronic music duo consisting of Mika Vainio and Ilpo Väisänen.-Music:...
, The Fucking Champs
The Fucking Champs
The Fucking Champs are a three-piece progressive rock band from San Francisco, California. They are known for their heavy metal appeal, based largely around shifting time signatures, guitar harmonies, and lots of rhythm. Most songs are instrumental. They are currently signed to Drag City...
, and Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
), cryptic album artwork, and continual thematic re-invention.
Biography
Nathan Means (bass, keyboard, vocoder, vocals), Philip Manley (lead guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals) and Sebastian Thomson (drums, bass, keyboard, guitar, vocals) formed Trans Am in 1990 near Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
The band started as a HarDCore
Hardcore
Hardcore may refer to:* soft core, the members of a group or movement who form an intransigent nucleus resistant to change...
project but the sound evolved as the members finished college to include additional influences: 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...
, classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
and experimental rock
Experimental rock
Experimental rock or avant-garde rock is a type of music based on rock which experiments with the basic elements of the genre, or which pushes the boundaries of common composition and performance technique....
.
In 1995 they began recording their music, which until 1998 was almost entirely instrumental. Their sound is generally marked with acoustic and electronic drums, guitars, electronics, and a varying amount of often-heavily processed vocals. Instrumental virtuosity (especially with the drums) is a focal point. All of their albums have been released on the Chicago-based independent record label, Thrill Jockey
Thrill Jockey
Thrill Jockey Records is an American independent record label established in 1992 in New York City by former Atlantic Records A&R representative Bettina Richards.-History:...
.
Their self-titled debut, recorded after just a few rehearsals, contained instrumentals which were largely improvised versions of simple rock-oriented motifs based loosely on '70s bands such as Boston
Boston (band)
Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts that achieved its most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of classic rock radio playlists...
, Bachman–Turner Overdrive and Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
. The album was produced by John McEntire
John McEntire
John McEntire is an American recording engineer, drummer and multi-instrumentalist. He is best-known for being in Tortoise and The Sea and Cake, as well as being a highly in-demand producer and engineer....
of labelmates Tortoise at Chicago's Idful Studios. Afterwards, the band opened for Tortoise on a brief US tour.
In the fall of 1996, Trans Am released a self-titled EP which showed a greater reliance on electronics. The group expanded that approach to album length on Surrender to the Night
Surrender To The Night
Surrender To The Night is the second album by Trans Am, released in 1997.-Track listing:# MOTR – 3:42# Cologne – 4:05# Illegalize It – 3:49# Love Commander – 4:54# Rough Justice – 3:31# Zero Tolerance – 1:53# Tough Love – 4:28...
(1997) and The Surveillance (1998). The band's sound during this period was reminiscent of such acts as Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
, Can
Can (band)
Can was an experimental rock band formed in Cologne, West Germany in 1968. Later labeled as one of the first "krautrock" groups, they transcended mainstream influences and incorporated strong minimalist and world music elements into their often psychedelic music.Can constructed their music largely...
and New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
interspersed with more rock-oriented material. Their previously-unreleased track "Starjammer" was included on the highbrow electronica label Mille Plateaux
Mille Plateaux
Mille Plateaux is an influential electronica record label founded 1993 by Achim Szepanski in Frankfurt, Germany. It is known for mostly releasing minimal techno, glitch music and other experimental electronic music.-History:...
's double-CD compilation In Memoriam Gilles Deleuze. In their live shows, the band began to incorporate trigger devices and MIDI-wired beatboxes in order to perform their electronics-heavy songs. Around the time of the release of The Surveillance, the band started to perform material with vocorder-heavy vocals by Nathan Means.
Their fourth album, Futureworld
Futureworld (album)
Futureworld is the fourth full-length album by Trans Am, released in 1999. The album is the first that the band use lyrics in their songs, done using vocoder synthesis.-Track listings:# "1999"# "Television Eyes"# "Futureworld"# "City In Flames"...
, followed in 1999. The first side of this album featured songs with vocoder and the second side has all instrumentals, including the sprightly "Cocaine Computer". A music video for the title song was filmed and released. In 2000, the group followed up with the double album Red Line
Red Line (album)
Red Line is the fifth full-length album by Trans Am, released in 2000.The track "Let's Take The Fresh Step Together" uses a timestretched sample of the default Windows 98 startup sound....
, recorded in the band's own National Recording Studio.
A rarities collection
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, You Can Always Get What You Want, was also released that year.
In 2002, Trans Am released T.A., complete with tongue-in-cheek promo photos featuring the band in boy band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
-esque matching white outfits. T.A.s cover art was a parody of a REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon is an American rock band. Formed in 1967, the band grew in popularity during the 1970s and peaked in the early 1980s. Hi Infidelity is the group's most commercially successful album, selling over ten million copies and charting four Top 40 hits in the US...
best-of collection. Though the album was essentially a spoof of the electroclash
Electroclash
Electroclash is a style of music that fuses New Wave and electronic dance music. It emerged in New York and Detroit in the later 1990s, pioneered by acts including I-F and those associated with Gerald Donald, and is associated with acts including Peaches, Adult, and Fischerspooner...
genre, it was mostly panned by music critics.
During the 2004 U.S. election year, the band released the politically-charged Liberation, an album which questioned the George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
presidency and addressed such issues as the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
, the War on Terror
War on Terror
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
and paranoia.
Sex Change
Sex Change (album)
-Track listing:# "First Words" – 4:14# "North East Rising Sun" – 4:45# "Obscene Strategies" – 3:45# "Conspiracy of the Gods" – 4:33# "Exit Management Solution" – 1:05# "Climbing up the Ladder " – 3:30# "4,738 Regrets" – 3:50...
, the band's sixth studio album, was released in 2007.
Following the release, Trans Am did a tour of the United States with Zombi
Zombi (band)
Zombi is a space rock duo from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, consisting of Steve Moore on bass and synthesizers and Anthony Paterra on drums. The group makes use of looping to create multi-layered compositions...
and The Psychic Paramount
The Psychic Paramount
The Psychic Paramount is an American experimental rock group from New York City.-History:The band was formed by guitarist Drew St. Ivany and bassist Ben Armstrong after the dissolution of Laddio Bolocko. Beginning with solo acoustic recordings by St. Ivany, they soon booked a European tour with a...
, seventeen arena shows opening for Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
, and played the Thrill Jockey 15th anniversary show in Chicago, Illinois.
Also in 2007, Trans Am contributed to the soundtrack of the video game After Burner: Black Falcon
After Burner: Black Falcon
After Burner: Black Falcon is a flight combat simulation video game. Unlike previous games in the series, it is exclusive to the PlayStation Portable and not a port of an arcade game.-Overview:...
for the PSP
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
.
Albums
- Trans AmTrans Am (album)Trans Am is the debut self-titled album by Trans Am, released in 1996.-Track listing:# Ballbados – 3:28# Enforcer – 1:31# Technology Corridor – 0:50# Trans Am – 2:21# – 0:33# Firepoker – 3:09...
- CD/LP (Thrill JockeyThrill JockeyThrill Jockey Records is an American independent record label established in 1992 in New York City by former Atlantic Records A&R representative Bettina Richards.-History:...
, 1996) - Surrender To The NightSurrender To The NightSurrender To The Night is the second album by Trans Am, released in 1997.-Track listing:# MOTR – 3:42# Cologne – 4:05# Illegalize It – 3:49# Love Commander – 4:54# Rough Justice – 3:31# Zero Tolerance – 1:53# Tough Love – 4:28...
- CD/LP (Thrill Jockey, 1997) - The Surveillance - CD/LP (Thrill Jockey, 1998)
- FutureworldFutureworld (album)Futureworld is the fourth full-length album by Trans Am, released in 1999. The album is the first that the band use lyrics in their songs, done using vocoder synthesis.-Track listings:# "1999"# "Television Eyes"# "Futureworld"# "City In Flames"...
- CD/LP (Thrill Jockey, 1999) - Red LineRed Line (album)Red Line is the fifth full-length album by Trans Am, released in 2000.The track "Let's Take The Fresh Step Together" uses a timestretched sample of the default Windows 98 startup sound....
- CD/2xLP (Thrill Jockey, 2000) - TA - CD/LP (Thrill Jockey, 2002)
- Liberation - CD/LP (Thrill Jockey, 2004)
- Sex ChangeSex Change (album)-Track listing:# "First Words" – 4:14# "North East Rising Sun" – 4:45# "Obscene Strategies" – 3:45# "Conspiracy of the Gods" – 4:33# "Exit Management Solution" – 1:05# "Climbing up the Ladder " – 3:30# "4,738 Regrets" – 3:50...
(Thrill Jockey, 2007) - Thing (Thrill Jockey, 2010)
EPs, singles
- Trans Am - 7" (split with Thigh Mastersson) (S.K.A.M., 1996)
- Tuba Frenzy - 12" (split with Wingtip Sloat) (1996)
- Illegal Ass - 12" (Happy Go Lucky, 1996)
- Who Do We Think You Are? - Australian Tour CD EP (Spunk!, 1999)
- You Can Always Get What You Want - rarities compilation CD (Thrill Jockey, 2000)
- Extremixxx - CD EP (remixes) (Thrill Jockey, 2002)
Live albums
- What Day Is It Tonight? - Trans Am Live 1993-2008 - 2xLP + DVD limited to 1500 copies (Thrill Jockey, 2009)
With The Fucking Champs
- Double Exposure - CD/LP - recorded as TransChamps (Thrill Jockey, 2001)
- GoldGold (The Fucking Am album)Gold is a 2004 album by The Fucking Am, a collaboration between The Fucking Champs and Trans Am. It was the second of two collaborations between the bands; they had previously recorded an EP in 2001 under the name TransChamps.-Track listings:#Bad Leg...
- CD/LP - recorded as The Fucking Am (Drag CityDrag City (record label)Drag City is a Chicago-based independent record label. It was established with a Royal Trux release in 1990 in Chicago, Illinois by Dan Koretzky and Dan Osborn.Drag City specializes in experimental indie rock acts...
, 2004)