Piebald (band)

Last updated

Piebald
Piebald - Sitcks and Stones Fest - Worcester, MA - 20220604 163727.jpg
Background information
Origin Andover, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres
Years active1994–2008, 2010, 2016–present
Labels Iodine, SideOneDummy, Hydra Head, Rise, Big Wheel Recreation
MembersAndrew Bonner
Luke Garro
Travis Shettel
Aaron Stuart
Past membersAlex Garcia Rivera
Jon Sullivan
Website piebald.com

Piebald is an American rock band. Piebald started as a hardcore punk band in Andover, Massachusetts, out of the same scene that produced Converge and Cave In. [1] Originally a key Massachusetts post-hardcore band often seen touring with fellow DIY hardcore bands such as Jesuit, Reversal of Man, and Harvest during the mid to late 1990s, they later moved to the Boston suburb of Somerville and became a staple of the Greater Boston indie rock scene.

Contents

History

Their first gig, a "Battle of the Bands", is chronicled on their two-CD set Barely Legal/All Ages. From the liner notes: "... from the sound board 1994 battle of the bands, Piebald lost."

From then on, they recorded and played shows together semi-seriously. In 1995, Piebald started recording, which amounted to a four-track demo and a two-track split record. Their driving hardcore sound during these years was highlighted by the technical playing of drummer Jon Sullivan and the deep screams of vocalist/guitarist Travis Shettel.

Post-hardcore

A turning point in Piebald's career came when they recorded seven tracks for a self-release that came to be known as Sometimes Friends Fight. Their musical sound had greatly matured, and Shettel's lyricism and singing was finally brought to the forefront of the band's music. Another two seven-inches later, Piebald was ready for another metamorphosis.

Eleven tracks recorded at Salad Days became the first record to showcase Piebald's signature sound and wry jokes. Traditionally the most sought-after Piebald recording (before it was immortalized in its entirety on All Ages), When Life Hands You Lemons was considered to be Piebald's best music yet. This release furthered the lyrical style that had been growing within the band, and also showcased the first lead vocals by lead guitarist Aaron Stuart, and a piano track by Shettel.

Breakthrough

Following If it Weren't for Venetian Blinds, It Would Be Curtains for Us All, Piebald released We Are the Only Friends We Have . It featured the singles Just a Simple Plan and American Hearts which were played on MTV and college radio. [2]

The following album, All Ears, All Eyes, All the Time, the band's first release on Side One Dummy Records, featured piano-driven compositions, along with horn arrangements and vocal harmonies. Music videos for the songs Part of Your Body is Made Out of Rock and I Haven't Tried It were produced.

Accidental Gentlemen, their last album of original work, was released in 2007.

Retirement

On August 19, 2007, a bulletin was posted from the band's official MySpace page as well as in the "News" section of their official website, announcing the dissolution of Piebald.

"Friends, friends, friends…we have not posted anything anywhere in quite some time and our word on the street is that this is our last tour. All the preceding words are true and we have decided to put Piebald to rest. The past fifteen years or so have been nothing short of extremely incredible. We have met lots of people, been to lots of places and experienced a whole lot of life. In 1994 we started making music, screenprinting our own seven inch covers and borrowing our parents cars to get to shows. Since then, we have traveled the globe, released many records, and played thousands of shows; pedaling the righteous name of piebald to all whose paths we crossed. In celebration of the many years of good times and incredible accomplishments, we have decided to dedicate this tour to us; Piebald. Thanks to all who have helped in any and every way…families, friends, girlfriends, vans, bands, fans, promoters, labels, booking agent, lawyer, clubs, engineers, producers, and those who we forgot to mention. Now, this is not a teary eyed time, people. This is a time of new beginnings, positive vibes, and a congratulatory nod to the past. There has been talk of a few shows to give the band an official sendoff, but as of yet, those shows are not booked and unknown. Thanks for all the undying support. We love you."

The band played three final farewell shows in April 2008: April 17 at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City and April 18 and 19 at The Middle East nightclub in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Their final release is a live DVD / documentary called Nobody's Robots: A Farewell to Piebald. It includes the entire farewell show in 5.1 surround sound, a retrospective documentary and an anthology of the band's several music videos. Audio from the show is exclusively available through iTunes. The DVD was released nationwide July 13, 2010, on Sidehatch Entertainment Group.

Reunion

Piebald reunited for two shows at the Bamboozle music festivals in Anaheim, California, on March 28, 2010, and in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on May 2, 2010. [3] Between these two shows, Rise Records released a three-volume set containing out-of-print releases from the band. The set contains material recorded and released by Piebald while signed with Big Wheel Recreation from 1999 to 2002. Each disc also includes various B-sides and rarities.

On March 22, 2016, Piebald was listed on the lineup for the Wrecking Ball festival on August 12–14 at The Masquerade in Atlanta, a final series of performances celebrating the soon-to-be-vacated legendary venue which prompted several retired bands to play one-off reunions. This was the first hint that Piebald might return for more shows; then, on April 6, 2016, Piebald announced an 11-show 2016 reunion tour, playing the Wrecking Ball along the way. [4] This included east coast dates as well as 5 shows out west with their past tour buddies Limbeck, bringing them through San Francisco, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix.

Following this well-received string of shows, Piebald has toured at least once a year from 2017 through 2023. [5]

On June 7, 2024, the band signed with Iodine Recordings.

Other significant reunion shows:

Other projects

Since Piebald, Travis Shettel has performed in The Was, TS and The Past Haunts, and The Hunting Accident with Aaron Stuart.

Band members

Timeline

Piebald (band)

Discography

Studio Albums

TitleLabelYear
When Life Hands You Lemons Hydra Head Records 1997
If It Weren't for Venetian Blinds, It Would Be Curtains for Us AllBig Wheel Recreation1999
We Are the Only Friends We Have Big Wheel Recreation/Iodine Recordings 2002
All Ears All Eyes All the Time SideOneDummy Records 2004
Accidental GentlemenSideOneDummy Records2007

EPs, Singles, and Splits

TitleRecording Artist(s)LabelYearType
Piebald / Sevenpercentsolution Split Piebald, Seven percent solutionFederation Records1995Split 7"
Sometimes Friends FightPiebaldPoint the Blame Records1996EP
Cave In / PiebaldCave In, PiebaldMoo Cow Records1996Split 7"
Even After Thirteen Years, He's Still Not Coming BackPiebaldHydra Head Records19967"
In Vain / Piebald SplitIn Vain, PiebaldContrast Records1997Split 7"
The Rock Revolution Will Not Be TelevisedPiebaldBig Wheel Recreation2000EP
Piebald & River City High SamplerPiebald, River City HighBig Wheel Recreation, Doghouse Records 2001Split CD Sampler
Just a Simple PlanPiebaldBig Wheel Recreation, Defiance Records2002EP
American HeartsPiebaldBig Wheel Recreation2002Single
Accidental Gentlemen SamplerPiebaldSideOneDummy Records2007CD Sampler
Piebald Presents To You, A Musical Christmas AdventurePiebaldPhoto Finish Records2019EP

Other Releases

TitleRecording Artist(s)LabelYearType
Geek of the WeekPiebaldSelf-Released1995Cassette
A Tribute to WeezerVarious ArtistsDead Droid Records2000Compilation
Barely Legal & All AgesVarious ArtistsBig Wheel Recreation2001Compilation
Killa Bros and Killa BeesPiebaldSideOneDummy Records2005Studio Album + DVD
Nobody's Robots: A Farewell to PiebaldPiebaldSidehatch Entertainment Group2010DVD
Vol. I-IIIPiebald Rise Records 2011Compilation
Marshall's BasementPiebaldSelf-Released2016Cassette

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Get Up Kids</span> American rock band

The Get Up Kids are an American rock band from Kansas City. Formed in 1995, the band was a major act in the mid-1990s Midwest emo scene, otherwise known as the "second wave" of emo music. Their second album Something to Write Home About remains their most widely acclaimed album, and is considered to be one of the quintessential albums of the second-wave emo movement. They are considered forefathers of the emo genre, and have been widely credited as being an influence, both by contemporaries Saves the Day and later bands such as Fall Out Boy, Taking Back Sunday and the Wonder Years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mission of Burma</span> American post-punk band

Mission of Burma was an American post-punk band from Boston, Massachusetts. The group formed in 1979 with Roger Miller on guitar, Clint Conley on bass, Peter Prescott on drums, and Martin Swope contributing audiotape manipulation and acting as the band’s sound engineer. In this initial lineup, Miller, Conley, and Prescott all shared singing and songwriting duties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thursday (band)</span> American post-hardcore band

Thursday is an American post-hardcore band formed in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1997. The band consists of Geoff Rickly, Tom Keeley, Steve Pedulla, Tim Payne (bass), and Tucker Rule (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunny Day Real Estate</span> American rock band

Sunny Day Real Estate is an American emo band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1992. The band currently consists of founding members Jeremy Enigk, Dan Hoerner (guitar) and William Goldsmith (drums), alongside Greg Suran (guitar), who originally played with the band between 2000 and 2001, and Chris Jordan (bass), who joined the band in 2022. Founding bass guitarist Nate Mendel was a member of the band during three of its four incarnations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something Corporate</span> American rock band

Something Corporate is an American rock band from Laguna Niguel, Orange County, California, formed in 1998. Their currently active line-up includes vocalist and pianist Andrew McMahon, guitarists Josh Partington and William Tell, bassist Kevin Page and drummer Brian Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Youth of Today</span> American hardcore punk band

Youth of Today is an American hardcore punk band, initially active from 1985 to 1990 before reforming in 2010. The band played a major role in establishing the "Youth Crew" subculture of hardcore, both espousing and evolving the philosophies of the straight edge and vegetarian lifestyles.

DYS is an American straight edge hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts, who were part of the "Boston Crew" in the 1980s, along with contemporaries such as SSD and Negative FX. The group later expanded their sound, becoming one of the first hardcore bands to veer into heavy metal.

Lifetime is an American melodic hardcore band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. It was formed in 1990 and disbanded in 1997. In late 2005, they announced their reunion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Converge (band)</span> American metalcore band

Converge is an American metalcore band formed by vocalist and artist Jacob Bannon and guitarist and producer Kurt Ballou in Salem, Massachusetts in 1990. While recording their landmark fourth album Jane Doe in 2001, the group became a four-piece with the departure of guitarist Aaron Dalbec and the addition of bassist Nate Newton and drummer Ben Koller. This lineup has remained intact since. The members have also been involved in various side-projects and collaborations, including the bands Supermachiner (Bannon), Old Man Gloom (Newton), and Mutoid Man (Koller). With their extremely aggressive and boundary-pushing sound, rooted in hardcore and heavy metal, they are pioneers of metalcore and its subgenre mathcore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bane (band)</span> American hardcore punk band

Bane is an American hardcore punk band that began in 1995 as a side project between Aaron Dalbec and Damon Bellorado. Dalbec approached Matt Firestone to sing and they played under the moniker of Gateway for a few shows, before Firestone parted ways to focus on other projects. Dalbec then approached Aaron Bedard about singing for Bane. They went into the studio in December 1995 with a few friends and released a five-song demo. The next year saw the release of their first EP, and many shows throughout central Massachusetts. In early 1997, Bane released Free to Think, Free to Be EP, and in 1998 the band released the Holding This Moment 7" and CD collection, and embarked upon their first US tour. Like many other hardcore bands, Bane are known for their promotion of tolerance and unity within the scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Negative Approach</span> American hardcore punk band

Negative Approach is an American hardcore punk band, formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1981. The band is considered among the pioneers of hardcore punk, particularly in the Midwest region. Like most hardcore bands, Negative Approach was little known in its day outside of its hometown. It is now idolized in the Detroit rock underground and the punk subculture, considered to be one of the elite bands of the "old school" era, and continues to be influential. Negative Approach initially broke up in 1984 with singer John Brannon moving on to the Laughing Hyenas, and later Easy Action, but the band has reformed as of 2006 and continues to tour sporadically.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Nightmare (band)</span> American hardcore punk band

American Nightmare is an American hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts. They have released three albums, one EP and a compilation of earlier released material under the name American Nightmare.

Hot Rod Circuit (HRC) is an American emo band from Auburn, Alabama, established in 1997.

Northstar was an American band formed in 1997 in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Bamboozle was an annual three-day music festival which was held in New Jersey from 2003 to 2012, and was scheduled for a 2023 revival in Atlantic City by its founder. Every year, new bands competed for spots during the two days. The event evolved out of the Skate and Surf Festival. The 2012 event was the final one of its original run, as founder John D'Esposito subsequently left Bamboozle due to creative differences with organizing partners.

Vanna was an American hardcore punk band from Boston that was formed in 2004. On December 15, 2017, the band played their final show at the Worcester Palladium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Have Heart</span> American hardcore punk band

Have Heart are an American straight edge hardcore punk band formed in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 2002. The band recorded a demo that was released in 2003. In 2004, they released the What Counts EP, with their debut full-length, The Things We Carry arriving in 2006. Their last full-length, Songs to Scream at the Sun, garnered much critical acclaim from hardcore critics and fans alike, winning 'album of the year' from many hardcore-oriented websites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Last Night</span> American post-hardcore band

Our Last Night is an American post-hardcore band formed in 2004, consisting of brothers Trevor (vocals) and Matthew Wentworth and Timothy Molloy (drums). The band is known for its post-hardcore and alternative metal renditions of popular pop songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Therefore I Am</span> 2000s Boston-based post-hardcore band

Therefore I Am was an American post-hardcore band formed in Boston in May 2004. After recording two independent extended plays, they signed to Epitaph Records in 2005 and later to Equal Vision Records in 2008, on which they recorded one full-length studio album. They disbanded on November 20, 2010.

Alex Garcia-Rivera is an American rock drummer, drum-tech and recording engineer from Boston, Massachusetts. He has been the drummer for the bands Shelter, Piebald, Good Clean Fun, Bloodhorse, 454 Big Block, Saves The Day, Cold Cave, but is best known as the drummer for hardcore/punk band American Nightmare. He also performs all instruments in a solo band under the moniker Chrome Over Brass and owns and operates Mystic Valley Studio, an all-analog recording studio in Medford, Massachusetts.

References

  1. Bayer, Jonah (April 6, 2016). "Hey! You're Part of This Piebald Reunion". Vice. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  2. "About Piebald". Spotify . Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  3. "Piebald Reuniting for Bamboozle, Releasing First Ten Years Collection | BUZZGRINDER". Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  4. "Piebald announce 2016 reunion tour". Brooklynvegan.com. April 6, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  5. "Piebald performances". Setlist.fm. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  6. Kevin Slane (January 12, 2017). "The 2017 Boston Calling lineup is here". Boston.com. Retrieved March 11, 2020.

Piebald – Killa Bros and Killa Bees. 2005. Retrieved June 8, 2022. https://www.amazon.com/Piebald-Killa-Bros-Bees/dp/B000BKSJ3O