Gregor Samsa (band)

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Gregor Samsa
Soundcheck in Florence
Soundcheck in Florence
General information
origin Richmond , United States
Genre (s) Post rock
founding 2000
Website gregorsamsa.com
Current occupation
Voice, piano
 Nikki Bennett
various instruments, voice
 Champ Bennett
Jeremiah Klinger
Piano , vocals
 Toby Driver
Cory Bise
violin
 Mia Matsumiya
former members
Cello, violin, piano
 Amber Blankenship
various instruments
 Earl Yevak
bass
 Jason Laferrera
Drums
 Billy Bennett
guitar
 Nick Wurz
Drums
 Nathan Alice

Gregor Samsa is a post-rock / shoegaze band originally from Richmond , Virginia that formed in 2000.

Band history

The band was formed around the turn of the millennium. Head of the band is Champ Bennent, who realizes his version of post rock with changing musicians and his wife Nikki Bennett (nee King).

In 2002 her first self-titled Extended Play was released on the Boston independent label Iodine Recordings. After several appearances, they want to record their first long player, but the money is not enough for a full album. Instead, they release EP 27:36 , which is just as long: 27 minutes and 36 seconds.

The band is not doing very well financially, so that several members leave the group. For the dense sound of the band, however, changing guest musicians have to be engaged. It wasn't until Own Records took over the release of the EP in Europe that they were able to tour again. There was also Billy Bennett, Champ's brother, as the drummer in the band, and Jason Laferrera as the bassist. After the first tour, Gregor Samsa started working on her first long player, but the band fell out again. Champ and Nikki King move to Brooklyn , New York.

After a brief hiatus, the group returned in 2005 with a split 12 '' with Red Sparrowes . The debut album 55:12 was recorded with a new line-up .

The album Rest followed on May 27, 2008 . The album at that time consisted of the Bennett couple, William Bennett, Cory Bise, Toby Driver and Mia Matsumiya. In 2009 the so far last album Over Air followed .

Band name and style of music

The name refers to the protagonist from Franz Kafka's work The Metamorphosis . The band underlines their intellectual claim, which is also reflected in many of the song texts. Musically, it can be assigned to post rock and, at the beginning, also to shoegaze. Relevant comparables are groups like Cocteau Twins , My Bloody Valentine , Godspeed You Black Emperor and Sigur Rós . While the music used to be powerful and repetitive, later releases dominate sound collages and minimalist chamber music carried by the keyboard.

Discography

Albums

  • 2006: 55:12 (The Kora Records)
  • 2008: Rest (Own Records)
  • 2009: Over Air (The Kora Records)

Singles and EPs

  • 2001: Gregor Samsa & The Silent Type (Split-CD-r, in-house production)
  • 2002: Gregor Samsa (EP, Iodine Recordings)
  • 2003: 27:36 (Iodine Recordings)
  • 2005: Red Sparowes / Gregor Samsa (Split-12``, Robotic Empire)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e Gregor Samsa at laut.de
  2. ↑ a b Artist Biography by William Ruhlmann at Allmusic (English). Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  3. ↑ Klaas Tigchelaar: Gregor Samsa . In: Intro . March 12, 2008 ( intro.de [accessed May 14, 2018]).
  4. ^ Gregor Samsa, Germany. In: PRINCE. Retrieved May 14, 2018 .