Epitaph (band)

Last updated
Epitaph
Origin Dortmund, West Germany
Genres
Years active1969–1982, 2000–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website epitaph-band.de
MembersCliff Jackson
Fritz Randow
Harvey Janssen
Michael Karch
Heinz Glass
Past membersNorbert Lehmann
Achim Wielert
Jim McGillivray
Bernd Kolbe
Klaus Walz

Epitaph is a German rock band, formed in Dortmund in 1969. Playing initially what Allmusic described as "post-psych progressive rock, spiced with occasional jazz accents and widespread twin-guitar harmonies," [1] in 1973 they started shifting towards more straightforward hard rock (later heavy metal) stylings and, having released six studio albums, disbanded in 1982. In 2000 Epitaph reunited and several new releases followed, including two studio albums (Remember the Daze, 2005, and Dancing With Ghosts, 2009). [1] [2]

Contents

Band history

The band was formed (originally as Fagin's Epitaph) in the late 1969 in Dortmund, by Yorkshire singer and guitarist Cliff Jackson, Scottish drummer James McGillivray, and German bassist Bernd Kolbe. After several appearances as a support band for such acts as Black Sabbath, Rory Gallagher, Yes and Argent, they signed a record deal with Polydor, shortened their name and moved to Hannover. Having enlisted the second guitarist Klaus Walz, the band travelled to Wessex Studios in London to start recording the eponymous debut album which was finished in Windrose Studios, Hamburg, [3] and released in the autumn of 1971. After numerous gigs throughout Germany including a 1972 live appearance in the TV show Beat Club, the band recorded (in Audio Tonstudio, Berlin) [3] the sophomore, Stop, Look and Listen , again for Polydor. Both releases were described by Allmusic as "post-psych progressive rock, spiced with occasional jazz accents and widespread twin-guitar harmonies." [1] [4]

In 1972, McGillivray left and was replaced by Achim Wielert whose style of playing accounted for the band taking a stronger rock direction, [4] showcased by the two 1973 singles, "Autumn '71" and "We Love You Alice". Still, the sales were disappointing and Polydor dropped the band. [1] Almost instantly Epitaph travelled to the USA and signed there to the newly formed independent Billingsgate record label whose boss Gary Pollack went on to produce the third (and their strongest, according to Allmusic) [5] album, Outside the Law . [1] The band (now with Norbert Lehmann, ex-Karthago, on drums) was ready to embark upon a US tour when Billingsgate went broke. Having lost all their money, Epitaph disbanded in January 1975, so as to avoid sharing their record company's debts. [2] [3]

In 1976 they re-surfaced in Germany (with the line-up of Cliff Jackson, Bernd Kolbe, Klaus Walz and Jim McGillivray) and recorded a gig in Cologne for the musical TV show Rockpalast . Shortly before the recording, in January 1977, McGillivray left the band (he joined Eloy in 1980) [4] and was replaced by Fritz Randow (ex-Eloy). Later that year Walz and Kolbe departed, while guitarist Heinz Glass, bass guitarist Harvey Janssen and Michael Karch on keyboards, came in. This new line-up then joined the Hungarian progressive rock band Omega on the latter's 36-date European tour, which culminated in three major concerts in Budapest, before the audiences of over 30,000. [2]

Epitaph's fourth album Return to Reality was released by Brain Records in April 1979. A boogie rock record, marked by heavy metal influences, it was described as "mediocre" [3] and was poorly received. See You in Alaska followed, again for the Brain label and stylistically in the same vein. Later that year Epitaph toured Germany with Uli Roth and Accept. [2] After Karch's departure the band continued without keyboards. In 1981 Live came out, recorded in Wertheim, Dallau and Triburg, in the course of the See You in Alaska tour. Later that year Waltz and Kolbe returned, and Norbert Lehmann replaced Fritz Randow. This new line-up recorded Danger Man for the small Rockport record label. "Better than the Brain albums," it was still "unable to recapture the spirit of the past times," according to the reviewer Alex Gitlin. [3]

In 1982 Epitaph appeared at the Pfingst Festival in Würzburg and Munich, on the bill that featured ZZ Top, Saxon, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Extrabreit, Saga and Spliff. [1] In 1983 they disbanded, but briefly returned in 1986 to support Grobschnitt at their 15th anniversary concert at the Stadthalle Hagen. This resulted in the birth of the band Kingdom (led by Kolbe and Jackson) which then changed its name to Domain, and released three studio albums. Randow joined Victory, then Sinner and later Saxon. [4]

Post-reunion

In 1999 guitarist Heinz Glass invited members of Epitaph to take part in a concert in Kaiserslautern venue Kammgarn, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his professional career. This led (apparently at the instigation of Rudolf Schenker) [4] to Epitaph's reunion concert in January 2000 at the Lindenbrauerei in Unna. Featuring Cliff Jackson, Heinz Glass, Bernd Kolbe and Achim Wielert in the line-up, it was documented on DVD as Live at the Brewery and later released on CD as Resurrection, by Hurricane Records. In 2007 the band (Jackson, Kolbe, Heinz Glass and Achim Poret) released their seventh studio album Remember the Daze to be followed by Dancing with Ghost (2009), both on in-akustik label. [2]

Discography

Related Research Articles

Scorpions (band) German rock band

Scorpions are a German rock band formed in 1965 in Hanover by Rudolf Schenker. Since the band's inception, its musical style has ranged from hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal, and soft rock. The lineup from 1978 to 1992 was the most successful incarnation of the group, and included Klaus Meine (vocals), Rudolf Schenker, Matthias Jabs, Francis Buchholz (bass), and Herman Rarebell (drums). The band's only continuous member has been Schenker, although Meine has appeared on all of Scorpions' studio albums, while Jabs has been a consistent member since 1978, and bassist Paweł Mąciwoda and drummer Mikkey Dee have been in the band since 2003 and 2016 respectively.

Glass Harp is a rock band formed in Youngstown, Ohio in 1968 consisting of Phil Keaggy, drummer John Sferra and bassist Daniel Pecchio.

Southern rock Subgenre of rock music and a genre of Americana

Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music and a genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues and is focused generally on electric guitars and vocals. Author Scott B. Bomar speculates the term "southern rock" may have been coined in 1972 by Mo Slotin, writing for Atlanta's underground paper, The Great Speckled Bird, in a review of an Allman Brothers Band concert.

Bad Religion American punk rock band

Bad Religion is an American punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1980. The band's lyrics cover topics related to religion, politics, society, the media and science. Musically, they are noted for their melodic sensibilities and extensive use of three-part vocal harmonies. The band has experienced multiple line-up changes, with singer Greg Graffin being the band's only constant member, though fellow founding members Jay Bentley and Brett Gurewitz have also been with the band for most of their history while guitarist Brian Baker has been a member of the group since 1994. Guitarist Mike Dimkich and drummer Jamie Miller have been members of the band since 2013 and 2015 respectively. To date, Bad Religion has released seventeen studio albums, two live albums, three compilation albums, three EPs, and two live DVDs. They are considered to be one of the best-selling punk rock acts of all time, having sold over five million albums worldwide.

<i>Ignition</i> (The Offspring album) 1992 studio album by the Offspring

Ignition is the second studio album by American rock band the Offspring, released on October 16, 1992, by Epitaph Records. Issued during the alternative rock and grunge era, the album brought the band small success in Southern California as they started to gather a following. This success would continue to grow with their next album, Smash (1994). It is the first and only album to include photos of each band member in the liner notes.

Simon Phillips (drummer) English drummer (born 1957)

Simon Phillips is a US-based English jazz, pop and rock drummer, songwriter, and record producer. He worked with rock bands during the 1970s and 1980s and was the drummer for the band Toto from 1992 to 2014.

<i>Ribbed</i> 1991 studio album by NOFX

Ribbed is the third studio album by the American punk rock band NOFX, released in 1991 through Epitaph Records. It was their last album to feature Steve Kidwiller on guitar; he was replaced by El Hefe. Ribbed is also the last NOFX album produced by Brett Gurewitz, who also produced their first two Epitaph albums. The album sold 8,000 copies upon its release.

Quicksand (American band) American post-hardcore band

Quicksand is an American post-hardcore band from New York City, founded in 1990. Their debut self-titled EP was followed by two major-label albums, Slip (1993) and Manic Compression (1995). Quicksand's sound has been compared to that of post-hardcore bands Fugazi and Helmet. The band supported their releases with extensive touring but fell short of the mainstream success anticipated by their labels. These factors and internal stress led them to separate first in 1995 and again in 1999 following a failed year-and-a-half reunion. In June 2012, Quicksand reunited for a special one-night performance and since has been playing additional live shows. The band's third album, Interiors, was released on November 10, 2017.

Jane is a German progressive rock Krautrock band, that was formed in October 1970 in Hanover, Germany.

U.P.O. was an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1997. The band's line-up originally included Shawn Albro, Chris Weber (guitar), Ben Shirley (bass) and Tommy Holt (drums). Shirley and Holt left and were replaced by Zoltan Bathory and Philippe Mathys shortly before the band's breakup in 2004.

Derek St. Holmes American musician (born 1953)

Derek St. Holmes is an American musician, best known as the vocalist and rhythm guitar player for Ted Nugent's early solo career. After splitting from Nugent in 1978, St. Holmes worked with various artists, most notably the Whitford/St. Holmes project with Brad Whitford, who had recently parted ways with Aerosmith.

George Bruno "Zoot" Money is an English vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader. He is best known for his playing of the Hammond organ and association with his Big Roll Band. Inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles, he was drawn to rock and roll music and became a leading light in the vibrant music scene of Bournemouth and Soho during the 1960s. He took his stage name 'Zoot' from Zoot Sims after seeing him in concert.

The Tony Williams Lifetime was a jazz fusion group led by jazz drummer Tony Williams.

Victory (band)

Victory is a German heavy metal and hard rock band from Hanover, most successful in the 1980s. With extensive tours and radio airplay, the band also made a breakthrough in North America.

The Higher American band

The Higher was an American pop rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada. They were originally known as "September Star". They have released three full-length albums, On Fire, It's Only Natural, and Histrionics, and EPs named "Pace Yourself" and "Star is Dead." The band was signed to Fiddler Records, Epitaph Records, and Sony Japan. The Higher toured with the bands Panic! at the Disco, Motion City Soundtrack, The Temper Trap, Less Than Jake, Ludo, Escape the Fate, Silverstein, Emery, Alexisonfire, There For Tomorrow, We The Kings, Rookie of the Year, The Matches, Sherwood, Meg and Dia, Quiet Drive, Take Cover, I Am Ghost, The Forecast, This Providence, Name Taken, Sing it Loud, Runner Runner, Rufio, Tokyo Rose, and others.

<i>Chronicles II</i> (album) 1994 compilation album by Eloy

Chronicles II is the second of a two parts re-recorded hits compilation by German rock band Eloy. The album has been released in 1994 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the band. The first part Chronicles I has been released the preceding year.

Carcrash International was an English post-punk band associated with the Batcave scene, formed by Dave Roberts, original bass player of Sex Gang Children, who used the name for two projects.

Descendents discography

The discography of the Descendents, a punk rock band formed in Manhattan Beach, California in 1977, consists of eight studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums, three EPs, several singles, and four music videos.

Letlive American rock band

Letlive, stylized letlive., was an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band's final lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jason Aalon Butler, guitarist Jeff Sahyoun, bassist Ryan Jay Johnson and drummer Loniel Robinson. Butler was the band's only constant member. The band has released four full-length albums and one EP, with their final album If I'm the Devil being released on June 10, 2016. The band was last signed to Epitaph Records.

The Weakerthans discography

The discography of The Weakerthans, a Canadian indie rock band, consists of four studio albums, one live album and concert video, one EP, one single, and eight music videos.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Eduardo Rivadavia. "Epitaph. Band history". Allmusic. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Band history". epitaph-band.de. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Epitaph. Band history". www.alexgitlin.com. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Epitaph". musicmight.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  5. ↑ Eduardo Rivadavia. "Outside the Law review". Allmusic. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
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.