Echobrain

Last updated
Echobrain
Echobrain2002 in.jpg
Echobrain in 2002. From left to right: Brian Sagrafena, Dylan Donkin, and Jason Newsted
Background information
Genres Alternative rock, alternative metal [1] [2]
Years active2000–2005
Labels Surfdog
Past members Dylan Donkin
Brian Sagrafena
Jason Newsted
David Borla
Chris Scianni
Adam Donkin
Andrew Gomez

Echobrain was an American rock/metal musical group formed in 2000, prominent for featuring bass guitarist Jason Newsted after his departure from Metallica. They released three albums and disbanded in 2005.

Contents

History

Echobrain was formed in 2000 by Newsted, drummer Brian Sagrafena and singer/guitarist Dylan Donkin, who had close contact with one another throughout the late-1990s after they met at a Super Bowl party at Newsted's home in 1995. On a road trip to Baja, Mexico, Sagrafena and Donkin recorded some rough demos. These recordings eventually caught Newsted's attention, who then offered to help out on bass guitar and assist with songwriting. In May 2000, they entered a studio to record the demos more professionally, with help from several musicians including Newsted's then-colleague and Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, and former Faith No More guitarist Jim Martin.

Newsted funded Echobrain himself, later claiming that he lost a great deal of money in the project. [3] The tension created out of Newsted's work in Echobrain ultimately led to his departure from Metallica after over 14 years with the group. Metallica frontman James Hetfield expressed disapproval of Newsted's new focus, saying, "When someone does a side project, it takes away from the strength of Metallica" [4] and pondered, "Where would it end? Does he start touring with it? Does he sell shirts? Is it his band?" [4] Newsted responded by pointing out Hetfield's side projects with members of Corrosion of Conformity and his playing and singing on the South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut film. The remaining members of Metallica with producer Bob Rock were also filmed going to an Echobrain performance in the 2004 documentary Metallica: Some Kind of Monster . After the performance, they hoped to speak with Newsted in congratulations, but he was nowhere to be found; however, it was revealed in the DVD commentary by Kirk Hammett that he had met with Jason outside of the venue and talked with him there.

In 2002, Echobrain was sued by Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas funk rock band Echo Drain for trademark infringement. [5] The United States District Court, C.D. California, dismissed that lawsuit in Echobrain's favor on Aug. 29, 2003 in Echo Drain v. Newsted, 307 F.Supp.2d 1116 (C.D.Cal., 2003). The Court found that "Echo Drain" mark was descriptive and not protectable; there was no likelihood of confusion; even if band had protectable trademark, its rights in mark were limited to geographical area of Dallas–Fort Worth; and Echobrain were not guilty of cybersquatting.

Echobrain opened several shows for Neil Young and appeared in his film Greendale . [6]

Echobrain has since become inactive and all of its members have moved on to other projects. Dylan Donkin is a solo artist. His brother Adam is a producer who focuses on producing emerging artists, including Dylan. Andrew Gomez fronts the acoustic rock outfit, the Cons. Newsted joined Voivod for a time as their studio bass player.

Line-ups

Discography

YearTitleLabel
March 5, 2002EchobrainSurfdog
Jul 23, 2002Strange EnjoymentChophouse
Jan 1, 2004GleanSurfdog

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Hammett</span> American guitarist (born 1962)

Kirk Lee Hammett is an American musician who has been the lead guitarist of heavy metal band Metallica since 1983. Prior to joining Metallica, he co-formed the thrash metal band Exodus in 1979. In 2003, Hammett, along with bandmate James Hetfield, was ranked 23rd on Rolling Stone's list of Greatest Guitarists of All Time. In 2009, Hammett was ranked number 15 in Joel McIver's book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists.

<i>Metallica</i> (album) 1991 studio album by Metallica

Metallica is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on August 12, 1991, by Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles over an eight-month span that frequently found Metallica at odds with their new producer Bob Rock. The album marked a change in the band's music from the thrash metal style of their previous four albums to a slower, heavier, and more refined sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metallica</span> American heavy metal band

Metallica is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrumentals and aggressive musicianship made them one of the founding "big four" bands of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer. Metallica's current lineup comprises founding members and primary songwriters Hetfield and Ulrich, longtime lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo. Guitarist Dave Mustaine, who formed Megadeth after being fired from Metallica, and bassists Ron McGovney, Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted are former members of the band.

<i>St. Anger</i> 2003 studio album by Metallica

St. Anger is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on June 5, 2003. It was the last Metallica album released through Elektra Records and the final collaboration between Metallica and longtime producer Bob Rock, with whom the band had worked since 1990. This is also Metallica's only album as an official trio, as bassist Jason Newsted left the band prior to the recording sessions. Rock played bass in Newsted's place, and Robert Trujillo joined the band following its completion. Although he does not play on the album, Trujillo is credited in the liner notes and appears in photos with the band in the album's booklet.

<i>The $5.98 E.P. – Garage Days Re-Revisited</i> 1987 EP by Metallica

The $5.98 E.P. – Garage Days Re-Revisited is the first extended play by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on August 21, 1987, by Elektra Records. It consists of covers of late-'70s and early-'80s new wave of British heavy metal bands and punk rock music rehearsed in Lars Ulrich's soundproofed garage and then recorded in Los Angeles over the course of six days. It is the group's first release following the death of bassist Cliff Burton and the first to feature his successor, Jason Newsted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Newsted</span> American bassist (born 1963)

Jason Curtis Newsted is an American musician, best known as the bassist of heavy metal band Metallica from 1986 to 2001. He first performed with thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam from 1981 to 1986 before joining Metallica to succeed the deceased Cliff Burton. Newsted performed on the albums ...And Justice for All (1988), Metallica (1991), Load (1996), and Reload (1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Hetfield</span> American musician (born 1963)

James Alan Hetfield is an American musician. He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, co-founder, and a primary songwriter of heavy metal band Metallica. He is mainly known for his intricate rhythm playing, but occasionally performs lead guitar duties and solos both live and in studio. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering an advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler. Metallica has won nine Grammy Awards and released 11 studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays, and 24 singles. Hetfield is often regarded as one of the greatest heavy metal rhythm guitar players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One (Metallica song)</span> 1989 single by Metallica

"One" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica, released as the third and final single from the band's fourth studio album, ...And Justice for All (1988). Written by band members James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, the song portrays a World War I soldier who is severely wounded—arms, legs and jaw blown off by a landmine, blind and unable to speak or move—begging God to take his life. In the music video, attempting to communicate with the hospital staff he jolts in his bed, spelling SOS in Morse code. Production of the song was done by the band alongside Flemming Rasmussen. The song was the band's first to chart in the U.S., reaching number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also a number one hit in Finland.

<i>Metallica: Some Kind of Monster</i> 2004 documentary film

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster is a 2004 American documentary film about American heavy metal band Metallica. The film follows the band from 2001 to 2003, a turbulent period in the band's history which included the production of their 2003 album St. Anger, frontman James Hetfield entering into rehab for alcoholism and the departure of bassist Jason Newsted as well as the hiring of his replacement Robert Trujillo. The title of the film shares its name with the song of the same name from St. Anger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fade to Black (Metallica song)</span> 1984 promotional single by Metallica

"Fade to Black" is a song and the first power ballad by the American heavy metal band Metallica, released as the first promotional single from their second studio album, Ride the Lightning (1984). The song was ranked as having the 24th best guitar solo ever by Guitar World readers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whiplash (Metallica song)</span> 1983 single by Metallica

"Whiplash" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the first single from their debut album, Kill 'Em All, and the band's debut single overall, released on August 8, 1983. The song has been covered a number of times, most notably by Motörhead, whose version won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sad but True</span> 1993 single by Metallica

"Sad but True" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released in February 1993 as the fifth and final single from their 1991 self-titled album. The music video for the single was released in October 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't My Bitch</span> 1996 promotional single by Metallica

"Ain't My Bitch" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica from their sixth album, Load (1996). It is the opening track of the album and was released as a promotional single in Mexico. It reached number 15 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

Wherever We May Roam was a concert tour by the American heavy metal band Metallica in support of their eponymous fifth studio album. It began in autumn of 1991. The North American legs ran through summer 1992, followed by the Guns N' Roses/Metallica Stadium Tour, the Wherever We May Roam European leg, and finally the Nowhere Else to Roam tour of smaller markets in North America, Mexico, Asia, Australia, South America, Europe and Israel, ending in the summer of 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guns N' Roses/Metallica Stadium Tour</span> 1992 concert tour

The Guns N' Roses/Metallica Stadium Tour was a co-headlining concert tour by American rock bands Guns N' Roses and Metallica during 1992. It took place in the middle of Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion Tour, promoting their Use Your Illusion I and II albums, and between Metallica's Wherever We May Roam Tour and Nowhere Else to Roam, promoting their eponymous fifth album Metallica. The tour's initial opening act was Faith No More as Axl Rose had originally wanted Seattle rock band Nirvana to be the opening act, but frontman Kurt Cobain refused.

Dylan Donkin is an American rock musician.

"The God That Failed" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica from their 1991 self-titled album. The song was never released as a single, but was the first of the album's songs to be heard by the public. It is one of Metallica's first original releases to be tuned a half step down.

The Damage, Inc. Tour was a concert tour by American heavy metal band Metallica in support of the band's third studio album, Master of Puppets. The name of the tour is taken from the last song on the album. It began on March 27, 1986, and ended on February 13, 1987.

<i>Limited-Edition Vinyl Box Set</i> 2004 box set by Metallica

Limited-Edition Vinyl Box Set is a vinyl box set by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on November 23, 2004.

References

  1. ↑ "Newsted Makes Peace With Metallica Past". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
  2. ↑ "The Return of Jason Newsted". Rolling Stone India. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  3. ↑ Korn, Mike Interview Voi Vod's Jason Newsted Music Street Journal (2003). Retrieved March 9, 2007.
  4. 1 2 "The Playboy Interview – Metallica". Playboy. Archived from the original on 2007-10-19. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
  5. ↑ "Knac Magazine - Echo Drain sues Echobrain". Knac.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  6. ↑ "Echobrain". Surfdog Records. Archived from the original on 2010-05-30. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
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.