Blue Giant (band)

Last updated
Blue Giant
Blue Giant PDX Tour.jpg
Blue Giant - Portland Tour, 2008
Background information
Origin Portland, Oregon, USA
Genres Country, psychedelic rock, indie rock
Years active2008-present
Labels Amore!Phonics
Jealous Butcher
Vanguard Records
Members Kevin Leigh Robinson
Anita Lee Elliott
Evan Railton
W.C.Beck
Jesse Bates
Past members Chris Funk
Seth Lorinczi
Dave Depper
Website Blue Giant Official Site

Blue Giant was an American rock band from Portland, Oregon. An eclectic mix of country, indie rock, and psychedelic styles, Blue Giant have been called a Portland supergroup. [1] The band was originally composed of the songwriters and musicians from Viva Voce, Kevin Leigh Robinson and Anita Lee Elliott, Chris Funk of The Decemberists, Evan Railton of Swords, and Seth Lorinczi of The Golden Bears, Circus Lupus & The Quails. Musically, Blue Giant could be characterized as rural psychedelic rock, with one music critic calling them a perfect country rock band. [2]

Contents

History

After touring extensively in 2007 with The Shins [3] and Jimmy Eat World, [4] Kevin and Anita of Viva Voce took a brief hiatus. Tiring of the confines of a two-piece band, they began writing songs they considered for another band. Evan Railton of Swords was asked to play drums. Seth Lorinczi of The Golden Bears & Circus Lupus was invited to play bass. Last to join on pedal steel was Chris Funk of The Decemberists, who, upon hearing the band's early demos, demanded to join the band. [5] Infused with their own respective indie-rock, punk and DIY backgrounds, the Blue Giant songs reflect a greater part of the Robinson's Southern heritage. [6]

The band name is a reference to a blue giant star, a transitory phase in the life cycle of a star, and one of the brightest types of stars in the universe. [7]

Blue Giant played their first show in June 2008 headlining the Wonder Ballroom in Portland. The band gave each audience member a free download of their first recording.

Collaborations

Blue Giant has recorded and performed with Corin Tucker of Sleater Kinney. [8] Tucker's distinct voice is featured on a duet with Kevin Robinson on Blue Giant's debut EP.

Portland tour

Delving further in their collaborative spirit, Blue Giant went on a mini-tour of Portland in October 2008, each night bolstered by special guests such as Corin Tucker of Sleater Kinney, Sam Coomes of Quasi, Corrina Repp and Rachel Blumberg of Norfolk & Western, and M. Ward. The tour culminated in a collaboration with The Portland Cello Project, which saw Blue Giant accompanied by nine cellists. [9]

Target Heart

Prior to release, Kevin was asked to talk about Blue Giant and the Target Heart EP in an eMusic Selects Q&A, on November 10, 2008. [10] The 6 track CD EP was subsequently released by the imprint label Amore!Phonics. The 12" vinyl version of the album contains two additional tracks ("Wasn't Born To Follow" by The Byrds, and "Got To Be Free" by The Kinks) and was released through Jealous Butcher Records, the same label that printed the vinyl edition of Viva Voce's Rose City .

New tour, record deal, and lineup change

In February 2010, the band announced a nationwide tour [11] and a recording deal with Vanguard Records, with plans to release a debut LP album on July 13, 2010. The announcement also stated that Funk and Lorinczi had relinquished their duties on pedal steel and bass, being replaced by Jesse Bates and Dave Depper, respectively. [12]

Discography

YearTitleLabel
2009 Target Heart EP Amore!Phonics / Jealous Butcher
2010Blue Giant Vanguard Records

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleater-Kinney</span> American rock band

Sleater-Kinney is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The band's lineup features Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, following the departure of longtime member Janet Weiss in 2019. Sleater-Kinney originated as part of the riot grrrl movement and has become a key part of the American indie rock scene. The band is also known for its feminist and progressive politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Decemberists</span> American indie rock band

The Decemberists are an American indie rock band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 2000. The band consists of Colin Meloy, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query (bass), and John Moen (drums).

Heavens to Betsy was an American punk band formed in Olympia, Washington in 1991 with vocalist and guitarist Corin Tucker and drummer Tracy Sawyer. The duo were part of the DIY riot grrrl, punk rock underground, and were Tucker's first band before she co-formed Sleater-Kinney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corin Tucker</span> American musician

Corin Lisa Tucker is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for her work with rock band Sleater-Kinney. Tucker is also a member of the alternative rock supergroup Filthy Friends, and previously recorded with the indie rock group Heavens to Betsy and The Corin Tucker Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrie Brownstein</span> American musician, writer, and actress (born 1974)

Carrie Rachel Brownstein is an American musician, actress, writer, director, and comedian. She first came to prominence as a member of the band Excuse 17 before forming the rock trio Sleater-Kinney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viva Voce (band)</span> American indie rock band

Viva Voce was an American indie rock band from Portland, Oregon, formed by Kevin Robinson and Anita Robinson. Their music drew on several influences including psychedelic rock, classic rock, folk and R&B.

<i>The Woods</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Sleater-Kinney

The Woods is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Sleater-Kinney. It was released in 2005 on Sub Pop. The album was produced by Dave Fridmann and recorded in late 2004. The album received widespread critical acclaim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janet Weiss</span> American rock drummer (born 1965)

Janet Lee Weiss is an American rock drummer, a member of Quasi and former member of Sleater-Kinney. She was the drummer for Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, leaving after the album Mirror Traffic, and contributed to the Shins' fourth studio album, Port of Morrow (2012). She was also the drummer for the supergroup Wild Flag.

<i>Sleater-Kinney</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Sleater-Kinney

Sleater-Kinney is the debut studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released in 1995 by Chainsaw Records. The album received favorable reviews from critics.

<i>One Beat</i> 2002 studio album by Sleater-Kinney

One Beat is the sixth studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released on August 20, 2002, by Kill Rock Stars. It was produced by John Goodmanson and recorded between March and April 2002 at Jackpot! Studio in Portland, Oregon. The album peaked at number 107 in the United States on the Billboard 200 and entered the Billboard Top Independent Albums at number five. One Beat was very well received by critics. Praise centered on its cathartic musical delivery and progressive politics.

<i>Dig Me Out</i> 1997 studio album by Sleater-Kinney

Dig Me Out is the third studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released on April 8, 1997, by Kill Rock Stars. The album was produced by John Goodmanson and recorded from December 1996 to January 1997 at John and Stu's Place in Seattle, Washington. Dig Me Out marked the debut of Janet Weiss, who would become the band's longest-serving drummer. The music on the record was influenced by traditional rock and roll bands, while the lyrics deal with issues of heartbreak and survival. The album cover is an homage to the Kinks' 1965 album The Kink Kontroversy.

<i>All Hands on the Bad One</i> 2000 studio album by Sleater-Kinney

All Hands on the Bad One is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released on May 2, 2000, by Kill Rock Stars. The album was produced by John Goodmanson and recorded from December 1999 to January 2000 at Jackpot! Studio in Portland, Oregon and John & Stu's Place in Seattle, Washington. The music on the record ranges from softer melodies to fast punk rock guitar work, while the lyrics address issues such as women in rock, morality, eating disorders, feminism, music journalism, and media.

<i>The Hot Rock</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Sleater-Kinney

The Hot Rock is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released on February 23, 1999, by Kill Rock Stars. It was produced by Roger Moutenot and recorded at the Avast! recording studio in Seattle, Washington in July 1998. The Hot Rock marks a considerable change in the band's sound, veering into a more relaxed and gloomy direction than the raucous punk rock style of its predecessors. The lyrical themes of the album explore issues of failed relationships and personal uncertainty.

<i>Call the Doctor</i> 1996 studio album by Sleater-Kinney

Call the Doctor is the second studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney. It was released on March 25, 1996, by Chainsaw Records to critical acclaim.

The Quails were an American punk band from San Francisco, California. The band was formed in 1999 by Seth Lorinczi, formerly of Circus Lupus, Jen Smith and Julianna Bright. They released three albums, the second of which, Atmosphere (2002), was praised for its "strangeness" and "artistic value" by Kerry L. Smith in Rolling Stone magazine. The band toured with artists like Sleater Kinney, Tracy and the Plastics, Hella and Aislers Set. Their most performed venue was San Francisco's legendary Eagle Tavern, where they were affectionately dubbed the house band.

<i>1,000 Years</i> 2010 studio album by the Corin Tucker Band

1,000 Years is the first album by the Corin Tucker Band, released on October 5, 2010, and the first album Tucker released since Sleater-Kinney went on "hiatus" in 2006. She recorded the album along with Seth Lorinczi and Julianna Bright of both Golden Bears and Circus Lupus, as well as Sara Lund of Hungry Ghost and Unwound. Lorinzci was also the album's producer. The only single released from 1,000 Years was "Doubt".

<i>Kill My Blues</i> 2012 studio album by Corin Tucker Band

Kill My Blues is the second solo album by Corin Tucker and her band, released on September 18, 2012 by Kill Rock Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filthy Friends</span> Alternative rock supergroup

Filthy Friends is an alt-rock supergroup based in Portland, Oregon. The band is fronted by Corin Tucker and guitarist Peter Buck. The other members of the band include alumni from bands such as the Minus 5, King Crimson, The Baseball Project and Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3.

<i>The Center Wont Hold</i> 2019 studio album by Sleater-Kinney

The Center Won't Hold is the ninth studio album by American rock band Sleater-Kinney, released on August 16, 2019 by Mom + Pop Music. The album was produced by St. Vincent and is the last album with drummer Janet Weiss, who announced her departure from the band on July 1, 2019, a month before the album was released. Upon release, the album received generally favorable reviews from critics.

<i>Path of Wellness</i> 2021 studio album by Sleater-Kinney

Path of Wellness is the tenth studio album by the American rock band Sleater-Kinney. The album was released on June 11, 2021 by Mom + Pop Music.

References

  1. ↑ Daily Vanguard: If Ever There Was A Portland Super Group , retrieved 2008-10-08[ permanent dead link ]
  2. ↑ eMusic : The Rainy Pacific Northwest Sprouts A Perfect Country-Rock Band , retrieved 2008-11-11
  3. ↑ Pitchfork Media: Anita Robinson to join Shins on SNL, Letterman, archived from the original on 2008-02-11, retrieved 2007-01-12
  4. ↑ Pitchfork Media: Viva Voce tour with Jimmy Eat World, archived from the original on 2008-01-01, retrieved 2007-09-27
  5. ↑ Kevin Leigh Robinson Q & A , retrieved 2008-10-07
  6. ↑ Enter Blue Giant, archived from the original on 2011-05-27, retrieved 2008-06-19
  7. ↑ Blue Giant Show Program , retrieved 2008-06-22
  8. ↑ Pitchfork Media: Blue Giant EP, archived from the original on 2008-12-17, retrieved 2008-11-14
  9. ↑ Blue Giant Portland Tour , retrieved 2008-09-11[ permanent dead link ]
  10. ↑ eMusic Selects Blue Giant , retrieved 2008-11-10
  11. ↑ Blue Giant Tour Dates, archived from the original on 2010-06-18, retrieved 2010-02-19
  12. ↑ New Label and Band Members, archived from the original on 2011-07-08, retrieved 2010-02-26
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.