The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guideline for music .(September 2016) |
Steve Honoshowsky | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Basking Ridge, NJ |
Genres | avant-garde, electronica, drum n' bass, experimental, punk, etc. |
Years active | 1989 - Present |
Labels | Independent |
Website | http://www.nouseforhumans.com |
Steve Honoshowsky is a professional musician raised in Basking Ridge, NJ. He began playing drums at the age of ten, inspired by the likes of Neil Peart, Bill Bruford, and Terry Bozzio. In 2008, Honoshowsky represented the United States at the YMCA Europe Festival in Prague, Czech Republic, giving two solo drum performances on the center stage. Honoshowsky studied briefly under Chris Pennie (Dillinger Escape Plan, Coheed and Cambria) and is currently studying under percussionist Billy Martin (Medeski Martin and Wood). He has performed with Cyro Baptista and Billy Martin's Student Bodies, with Billy's Mystery Riddim Band (featuring Kato Hidecki and Shahzad Ismaily), as well as Billy's Fang Percussion Ensemble. He is also featured in Billy's DVD entitled "Life on Drums", which was released on October 8, 2010. Honoshowsky is most commonly known as the founder of No Use For Humans (NUFH), an avant-garde electronica band from New Jersey, and he's also the founder of the drumming collective Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick. Honoshowsky has performed and recorded with many metro New York City/ New Jersey bands, from hip-hop band Universal Rebel to world/avant-garde group In Petto, has toured the United States with hardcore band Hungry Housewives, and also performs solo sets under the name Soul Amputation. [1] In addition to performing, Honoshowsky teaches private lessons, hosts drum workshops, and is a facilitator The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP) program for therapy and to increase coordination and motor skills for physically and mentally disabled people. In addition, Honoshowsky plays bass and a variety of keyboards/electronics/vocals.
Steve was born on February 7, 1979, in Morristown, NJ. Growing up, he had aspirations to play the electric guitar, but was dissuaded by his parents who informed him he could not play guitar in the high school concert band, which like his older brothers he intended on joining. Drums were the next best thing in his mind, so he picked up the sticks and began practicing his rudiment every day while listening to bands like Rush, Yes, and Frank Zappa. Beginning in middle school, Steve performed with guitarist Jay Sorce and bassist Rob Gorman in the band Pigs In Space. Pigs in Space gained a cult following in central New Jersey in the early 1990s until eventual breakup in 1995. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas College, graduating in 2001.
In 2008, Honoshowsky founded the drumming collective Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick. Speak Softly has opened doors to what can be created in the medium of "percussion only music". Each guest drummer was asked to record a drum piece. They were given no parameters as to what to play. Upon receiving each recording, Honoshowsky would listen to them just once and then record a duet piece over top of it. The idea was to keep it sounding as "in the moment" as possible. On Valentine's Day 2008, Honoshowsky and Amir Ziv performed their drum duets at the Issue Project Room in Brooklyn, NY, as part of Billy Martin's Week of Drums and Percussion. [2]
NUFH was formed in 2003 when Honoshowky and keyboardist Sean Wegeler got together and performed and recorded as a duo, creating music that was structured compositionally and sonically in a way neither had experienced before. This style was dubbed "experimental electronic math rock". "The music was based on a freewheeling style blending imrpov-centric electronics and ethnic motifs with a complex patchwork of oddly linked themes and shifting time signatures." [3] Their debut self-titled EP was recorded in October 2003 and was often compared to the likings of a Frank Zappa [4] or Mike Patton [5] project, while much of the sound gives it the feel of an obscure Sci-Fi or video game soundtrack. "Almost entirely instrumental (only "Robots! (V. Brue)" contains some distorted vocals), the music is based on quickly rotating riffs, each seldom lasting more than a few bars." [6] Lesson From A Dying Breed was their sophomore release. Its eight studio tracks were recorded in September 2004, followed by 6 tracks recorded live at the Brighton Bar on September 14, 2004 in Long Branch, NJ, during an opening act for the band Captured! By Robots. As read on jambands.com, Lesson's "...eight studio tracks careen cinematically through bizarre melodic percussion, hip-hop, metal, and other sonic chicanery...No Use For Humans is the virtual definition of what it means to be adventurous, to abandon received wisdom (and musical traditions) and just get loose." [7] An uncovering of Honoshowsky's love for 1970s and 1980s music and soundtracks is exposed with covers of "99 Luftballons" by Nena, "The Imperial March" from Star Wars , and "Obituaries/Candyman" by Danny Elfman and Philip Glass, respectively.
In March 2005, Alicia Testa joined the band and added a new dynamic with her powerful vocals, keyboards, flute, and the 1980s-esque omnichords. This trio went into the studio in March 2005 and recorded a full-length, self-titled album. A common reaction to the album was an appreciation of the originality of its sound. High Times magazine described it as there being "no way to satisfactorily pigeonhole this music. Compositions will begin with fits of high energy, synthesized drumming, then dissipate and dissolve into a mellow and melodious groove then snap into something else...it is musical experimentation the mainstream frowns upon and its power is in keeping listeners on their toes." [8] Music journalist Jesse Jarnow explained "they prove themselves steeped in the maximalist tradition — though not in a theatrical wanky way, and not in a jamband way, either. The music is almost all synthesized. If there's anything acoustic present, it just sounds like a really good imitation." [9] Also in 2005, Steve began performing as a solo act under the name "Soul Amputation". This project allowed Steve to improvise on a drum kit while incorporating keyboards and other electronics.
This lineup of No Use For Humans includes Honoshowky, Mike Biskup on electric guitar, and Willy Carmona on trumpet, keyboards, and percussion. Biskup and Honoshowsky have history performing together, going back to the 1990s when they both performed in the NYC-based world/avant-garde band, In Petto. In June 2008, this lineup, including Sean Wegeler on keyboards, entered the studio and recorded the album An Index of Fecal-Oral Transmission. [10] "The tracks of An Index of Fecal-Oral Transmission blend jazz-fusion and world-beat flourishes with soundtrack-style/ambient textures." [11] According to the album's cover, "Since time existed, this planet's unseen organisms had wiped out billions of humans before they could earn their immunity to them. Bacteria is ever changing; ever evolving...This music was inspired by the little creatures humans infect each other with when they are affected by one another".
2011 found Steve shifting gears, moving from an evenly balanced acoustic and electronic mix to an almost all electronic presentation. "Live at Retromedia" serves as the debut release of this direction, and features a mostly solo Steve with a few NUFH alumni sitting in for a song or two. A vast repertoire of synth, percussion, keyboard, reverb, echo, and wave manipulation make the electronic orchestration a strong suit of this album. [12] Following the release of "Retromedia", Steve was quick to enter the studio again, this time recruiting a core group of guests in a strictly collaborative effort. Not only does "Humanoids: A No Use For Humans Collective" contain some very deep electronic music, several tracks have him back behind the acoustic drums.
Formed in the winter of 2013, Steve and fellow NJ musician Brian Powell have teamed up to form the electro-pop power duo "Daughter Vision". Formed in late 2012, they released their self-titled debut under the NJ label Nacht Records. DV is known for having a visually stimulating live show as well as a mostly electronic, dance party sound.
No Use For Humans
Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick
Soul Amputation
Universal Rebel
In Petto
The Hungry Housewives
The South Jersey Seashore Lifeguard Convention Band
The Community
Daylow
Intense Men
Giggle the Ozone
Ballroom
Sylvana Joyce & The Moment
Daughter Vision
Billy Martin releases
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals, and sometimes other auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The drummer typically holds a pair of matching drumsticks or special wire or nylon brushes; and uses their feet to operate hi-hat and bass drum pedals.
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument that creates percussion sounds, drum beats, and patterns. Drum machines may imitate drum kits or other percussion instruments, or produce unique sounds, such as synthesized electronic tones. A drum machine often has pre-programmed beats and patterns for popular genres and styles, such as pop music, rock music, and dance music. Most modern drum machines made in the 2010s and 2020s also allow users to program their own rhythms and beats. Drum machines may create sounds using analog synthesis or play prerecorded samples.
A keyboardist or keyboard player is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, such as synthesizers and digital piano, requiring a more general term for a person who plays them. In the 2010s, professional keyboardists in popular music often play a variety of different keyboard instruments, including piano, tonewheel organ, synthesizer, and clavinet. Some keyboardists may also play related instruments such as piano accordion, melodica, pedal keyboard, or keyboard-layout bass pedals.
Add Insult to Injury is the fourth studio album by British electronic musicians Add N to (X). It was released on 16 October 2000 by Mute Records. The album is essentially two mini-albums fused together, as half was written and performed by Ann Shenton and Steve Claydon, while the other half was written and performed by Barry 7, with occasional help from Dean Honer from The All Seeing I.
Carl Frederick Kendall Palmer is an English drummer best known as a founding member of the supergroups Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Asia. He previously was a touring drummer for The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and a founding member of Atomic Rooster. He has toured with his own bands since 2001, including Palmer, the Carl Palmer Band, and currently, Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy.
Jon Fishman is an American drummer and co-founder of the band Phish, which was, in part, named after him. He is credited with co-writing nineteen Phish songs, eight with a solo credit.
Brooks Wackerman is an American musician. He is the current drummer of heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, which he joined in 2015. His first album with Avenged Sevenfold was The Stage (2016). He was previously the drummer for the punk rock band Bad Religion. Wackerman has also performed, either as a member or a session or touring member, with Blink-182, Bad4Good, Infectious Grooves, Glenn Tipton, Mass Mental, Suicidal Tendencies, The Vandals, Avril Lavigne, Korn, Kidneys, Fear and the Nervous System, Tenacious D, Farmikos, Tom Delonge, and Big Talk. His brothers, Chad Wackerman, and John Wackerman, are also drummers.
Richard John Cyril Allen is an English musician who has been the drummer of the hard rock band Def Leppard since 1978. He overcame the amputation of his left arm in January 1985 and continued to play with the band, which went on to its most commercially successful phase. He is known as "The Thunder God" by fans. He is ranked No. 7 on the UK website Gigwise in The Greatest Drummers of All Time list.
Stephen Kendall Gadd is an American drummer, percussionist, and session musician. Gadd is one of the best-known and highly regarded session and studio drummers in the industry, recognized by his induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1984. Gadd's performances on Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (1976) and "Late in the Evening", Herbie Mann's "Hi-jack" (1975) and Steely Dan's "Aja" (1977) are examples of his style. He has worked with other popular musicians from many genres including Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Chick Corea, Chuck Mangione, Eric Clapton and Michel Petrucciani.
Dennis Milton Chambers is an American jazz fusion and funk drummer. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2001.
Tierra is an American Latin R&B band, originally from Los Angeles, California, United States, that was first established in 1972 by former El Chicano members Rudy Salas (guitar) and his brother Steve Salas (vocals). The other original members were Bobby Loya, Bobby Navarrete (reeds), Joey Guerra (keyboards), Steve Falomir, Philip Madayag (drums), and Andre Baeza (percussion). Their biggest hit was the 1980 remake of The Intruders' 1967 hit "Together", written by Gamble & Huff, which reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 9 on the US Billboard R&B chart. It was a number one record on Los Angeles radio.
Gary Wallis is a British drummer, percussionist, drum programmer, producer and musical director. He has worked with a wide range of artists and bands, including Nik Kershaw, Pink Floyd, 10cc, Il Divo, Westlife, Girls Aloud, Atomic Kitten, Paul Carrack, Dusty Springfield, Bonnie Tyler, Mike Rutherford, Mike + The Mechanics, Spice Girls, All Saints, Tom Jones, Jean-Michel Jarre, Helene Fischer and Schiller.
I Am Kurious Oranj is the eleventh studio album by English post-punk band the Fall. It was released on 24 October 1988 through record label Beggars Banquet.
Big City Rock was an American pop rock band based in Los Angeles, California, United States, who were signed to Atlantic Records. Their music type is self-described as "energetic, anthemic pop" with "an uplifting sound", with keyboards, guitar, and drums. Due to shifts in the band's membership, the remaining members of the group created a new band called The Remainers.
The ProjeKcts are a succession of spin-off projects associated with the band King Crimson.
EOTO was an electronic band consisting of Michael Travis and Jason Hann. On July 22, 2021 the band announced via social media that they would no longer be performing, due to irreconcilable creative differences. The post indicated that the decision did not impact The String Cheese Incident, which they both play in.
Japan is an album by the British band Japan, released in the United States in March 1982 on the Epic Records label. It was the first US release of the band's material recorded for Virgin Records in the UK, and was a combination of most of Tin Drum with three tracks from Gentlemen Take Polaroids. It was released at a time when the band was beginning to break up. Despite the group's popularity in Europe and Asia, and a cult following in the US, the album did not break into the Billboard 200 chart. However, it did peak at number 204 on the Bubbling Under the Top LPs chart.
Dan Pinto is a BMI composer/keyboardist/drummer-percussionist who writes and performs music in the styles of jazz-fusion and orchestral film score and soundtrack. Beginning in 1991, his original music compositions were used for many Robin Leach hosted television shows that ran in syndication for several years including Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and Runaway with the Rich & Famous. His music was also used for the 1993 syndicated television show World's Best 1992.
HUMANFOLK is the musical collaboration and concept band of guitarist-composer Johnny Alegre with the New York City–based Fil-Am percussionist Susie Ibarra and her husband, drummer Roberto Juan Rodriguez, together with the multi-instrumentalist Cynthia Alexander and the electronica exponent Malek Lopez. This collective is a pioneering effort marking the convergence in a contemporary Philippine setting of multiple musical idioms. The group's name is a deliberate conjoining of the words "human" and "folk", akin to "menfolk" and "womenfolk", without prejudice to gender and frequently set in all caps to distinguish it from a dictionary term.
Live in Toronto is a live album by the band King Crimson, released by Discipline Global Mobile records in 2016. The album was recorded on 20 November at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto, Canada during the band's The Elements of King Crimson tour of 2015. It is the second full-length release by the current seven-piece incarnation of the band and featured new compositions never before released by the band on record.