The Black Queen (band)

Last updated

The Black Queen
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2015–present
Members Greg Puciato
Joshua Eustis
Steven Alexander
Website theblackqueen.com

The Black Queen is an American electronic supergroup formed in Los Angeles in 2015. It was founded by lead singer Greg Puciato (of The Dillinger Escape Plan), keyboardist and guitarist Joshua Eustis (of Telefon Tel Aviv and ex-Nine Inch Nails) and keyboardist and guitarist Steven Alexander (former tech for The Dillinger Escape Plan and Nine Inch Nails). [1]

Contents

The Black Queen self-released their debut album Fever Daydream (2016). Following the announcement of their sophomore album Infinite Games (2018) came the formation of the label Federal Prisoner. Puciato elaborating in a blog post for Spotify that they would be "giving more than we would be gaining" by signing to an outside label, and that "everything I used to see as help, I suddenly saw as unnecessary at best, and a liability at worst."

History

Formation and debut album (2013)

In January 2013, Greg Puciato revealed plans for a new project with Joshua Eustis in an interview with Revolver Magazine, [2] later releasing a teaser video on their official homepage under the name The Black Queen in 2015. [3] The following month, in April 2015, they released the music video for "The Still Point of My Turning World", directed by Mitch Massie. [4]

Fever Daydream (2015–2016)

On June 14, 2015, the band revealed their single "The End Where We Start" on BBC Radio 1 Rock Show. [5] Two days later, they released its accompanying music video on their official YouTube account, premiering it on the Rolling Stone website. [6] The video was again directed by Mitch Massie. [7] The band later randomly selected fans who had entered a contest via their homepage entering shipping address and subscribing to their mailing list in the process, and randomly distributed 33 limited edition copies of a tape labeled Fever Daydream Cassette MMXV free of charge to the contest winners. This cassette tape contained one song on each side, each of them running 33 minutes long. [8]

Following this, 233 limited edition copies of The End Where We Start were made available for purchase on 12" vinyl, and sold only from the band's official website on July 9, 2015. [9] The band did not promote this news on any social networking websites; only fans who had subscribed to their website's mailing list were notified with information about the vinyl sales. Since then, the band has continued to use their mailing list to update fans with their most current news and given notification of items for sale.

The music video for "Ice to Never (12" Extended Dance Mix)" was released on August 18, 2015. [10] This video was directed by Rob Sheridan. The following month, 233 limited edition 12" vinyl copies of "Ice to Never" were made available for purchase on the band's homepage. [11] The release contains the album version of the song, a shorter "single" version, and the extended version. The music video for "Ice to Never" was released in September 2015, again directed by Rob Sheridan, and premiering on Noisey. [12] The video is shot on location in Los Angeles, largely in the skid row area, near where the band resided together during the creation of the album. [13]

The music video for "Maybe We Should" was released December 1, 2015. [14] The video is set around a club called Das Bunker in Los Angeles, and was filmed by Los Angeles-based fine artist Jesse Draxler and the band. Through their mailing list, the band announced schedules for concerts to be held on January 29, 2016 in Los Angeles, and February 5, 2016 in London. The same day, the band's debut album, Fever Daydream, became available for purchase through their official Bandcamp account, limited to 1000 copies on black vinyl and CD, as well as worldwide in independent record stores. It quickly sold out in all formats. [15]

The music video for "Distanced" was released on December 30, 2015. [16] The band also announced a further 250 copies of the album were to be made available for purchase on clear vinyl with alternate artwork by Jesse Draxler.

On July 21, 2016, the band released a video for "Secret Scream", this time choosing to premier it on the website of the LGBT publication Out Magazine. [17] An accompanying EP was released, again with artwork from Jesse Draxler, and limited to 499 copies on vinyl. [18] [19] The EP contains an extended version of "Secret Scream", as well as the instrumental and an a cappella version of the song.

A final version of Fever Daydream, limited to 233 copies, was released on white vinyl, with yet another alternate cover. This cover is an inversion of the cover from the clear vinyl release. [20] All physical versions of their recordings have become extremely rare and highly coveted on aftermarket sites such as Discogs. [21]

Infinite Games (2017–present)

On June 15, 2018, the band announced that a new album called Infinite Games would be released on September 28, as well as the formation of a label named Federal Prisoner with Jesse Draxler. Puciato called the label "as much an act of refusal as it is a statement of intent", [22] further elaborating in a blog post for Spotify that they would be "giving more than we would be gaining" by signing to an outside label, and that "everything I used to see as help, I suddenly saw as unnecessary at best, and a liability at worst." [23]

Josh Eustis took a break from Touring in The Black Queen to focus on new material for Telefon Tel Aviv, But remains a full-time member of the band. Justin McGrath, formerly a gear tech for Nine Inch Nails, Puscifer, and A Perfect Circle, was recruited to fill in for him on tour.

Band members

Touring members

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US
[24] 		AUS
[25]
Fever Daydream — [upper-alpha 1] —
Infinite Games
  • Released: September 28, 2018
  • Label: Federal Prisoner
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
— [upper-alpha 2] 60

Notes

  1. ↑ Fever Daydream did not enter the Billboard 200, but peaked at number 4 on the US Heatseekers Albums.
  2. ↑ Infinite Games did not enter the Billboard 200, but peaked at number 8 on the US Heatseekers Albums.

EPs

TitleEP details
BBC Session February 4, 2016
  • Released: February 21, 2016
  • Label: Self released
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

TitleYear
"Fever Daydream" [lower-alpha 1] 2015
"The End Where We Start"
"Ice to Never"
"Secret Scream"2016
"Thrown Into the Dark"2018

Music videos

Notes

  1. ↑ "Fever Daydream" was released as a limited edition cassette tape under the title "Fever Daydream Cassette MMXV"

Related Research Articles

<i>I Against I</i> 1986 studio album by Bad Brains

I Against I is the third studio album by the American rock band Bad Brains. It was released on November 21, 1986 through SST Records with the catalog number SST 065. The best-selling album in the band's catalog, I Against I finds the band branching out from their early hardcore punk style to touch on funk, soul, reggae and heavy metal. It is also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The title track was a Paul Rachman-directed video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dillinger Escape Plan</span> American metalcore band

The Dillinger Escape Plan was an American metalcore band. The band was formed in 1997 in Morris Plains, New Jersey by guitarist Ben Weinman, bassist Adam Doll, vocalist Dimitri Minakakis, and drummer Chris Pennie. The band's use of dissonance, odd time signatures, polyrhythms and unconventional drum patterns became a staple of their sound, although later albums incorporated more melody, and influences from a range of genres. The band's lineup shifted numerous times throughout its existence; by the time the group dissolved, Weinman was the only remaining founding member. The last surviving lineup also included longtime members Liam Wilson on bass, Greg Puciato as lead vocalist, and Billy Rymer on the drum kit, alongside then-newcomer Kevin Antreassian as rhythm guitarist.

<i>Miss Machine</i> 2004 studio album by The Dillinger Escape Plan

Miss Machine is the second studio album by American mathcore band The Dillinger Escape Plan released in July 2004 through Relapse Records. It is the first album by the band to feature vocalist Greg Puciato and bassist Liam Wilson. Miss Machine marks a change to a more experimental style by the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telefon Tel Aviv</span> American band

Telefon Tel Aviv is an American electronic music act formed in 1999 by musicians Charles Cooper and Joshua Eustis. Since Cooper's accidental death in 2009, Telefon Tel Aviv has continued with Eustis as the sole official member.

Mathcore is a subgenre of hardcore punk and metalcore influenced by post-hardcore, extreme metal and math rock that developed during the 1990s. Bands in the genre emphasize complex and fluctuant rhythms through the use of irregular time signatures, polymeters, syncopations and tempo changes. Early mathcore lyrics were addressed from a realistic worldview and with a pessimistic, defiant, resentful or sarcastic point of view.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Puciato</span> American musician

Gregory John Puciato is an American musician best known as the former lead vocalist and lyricist of the metalcore band the Dillinger Escape Plan. He is also the lead singer of the Black Queen, Better Lovers, and Killer Be Killed, in which he also plays guitar. In 2018, Puciato and visual artist Jesse Draxler co-founded the art collective and record label Federal Prisoner.

Dimitri Minakakis is an American musician and graphic designer best known as the original singer of the band The Dillinger Escape Plan from 1997 to 2001. Minakakis is of Greek descent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Hornbrook</span> American musician

Christopher Aaron Hornbrook is an American drummer and a founding member of Metalcore/Post-hardcore band, Poison the Well. He also is working with Dhani Harrison and Killer Be Killed and The Black Queen singer, Greg Puciato. From 2014 to 2018, Hornbrook was also a member of Senses Fail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gil Sharone</span> American drummer

Gil Sharone is an American drummer and member of the rock bands Stolen Babies, Team Sleep, and formerly The Dillinger Escape Plan and Marilyn Manson. He was also a fill in for the punk rock band +44. His twin brother is Rani Sharone, also of Stolen Babies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dillinger Escape Plan discography</span>

The discography of The Dillinger Escape Plan, an American mathcore band, consists of six studio albums, six extended plays (EPs), two split EPs, eight singles, one video album, 15 music videos and seven other appearances. Formed in Morris Plains, New Jersey in 1997, the band originally featured vocalist Dimitri Minakakis, guitarists Ben Weinman and Derek Brantley, bassist Adam Doll and drummer Chris Pennie; Brantley left after two shows and was replaced briefly by touring guitarist John Fulton, who himself left in 1998. In 1997 the band released its self-titled debut EP on New Jersey independent label Now or Never Records, after which they were signed by Relapse Records who issued their second EP Under the Running Board in 1998. The EP charted on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 194.

<i>Option Paralysis</i> 2010 studio album by The Dillinger Escape Plan

Option Paralysis is the fourth studio album by American mathcore band The Dillinger Escape Plan, released on March 23, 2010. After having fulfilled their contract with Relapse Records, the band released the album through Party Smasher Inc., their own new imprint in collaboration with French record label Season of Mist. It marks The Dillinger Escape Plan's first release to feature Billy Rymer on drums, since Gil Sharone left the band in September 2008 due to the frequent touring schedule and to focus on his brother's band Stolen Babies.

Billy Rymer is an American musician, most notable for being the drummer for The Dillinger Escape Plan from 2009 until the band played its final shows in December 2017.

<i>One of Us Is the Killer</i> 2013 studio album by The Dillinger Escape Plan

One of Us Is the Killer is the fifth studio album by American mathcore band The Dillinger Escape Plan, released on May 14, 2013. One of Us Is the Killer is the band's second release under their Party Smasher, Inc. imprint. The CD was released as a standard version that can be picked up at most record stores, and a limited version with a scratch-off cover that can only be bought at Best Buy containing two bonus tracks.

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

Killer Be Killed is an American heavy metal supergroup founded by Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato and Soulfly frontman Max Cavalera in early 2011. The lineup also features Mastodon bassist and co-vocalist Troy Sanders and Converge drummer Ben Koller. The band had slowly been working on material before announcing its name in October 2013, along with their signing to Nuclear Blast. The group's self-titled debut record was released in 2014. In September 2020, the group returned with a new single, and released their second album Reluctant Hero in November of that year.

"Honey Bucket" is a song by American rock band Melvins. The song was released as the third single from their fifth album, Houdini (1993). It is the fifth track off the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joshua Eustis</span> Musical artist

Joshua Leeds Eustis is an American musician, singer-songwriter and record producer, best known as the current sole member of electronic music act, Telefon Tel Aviv, since the death of bandmate Charles Cooper in 2009. He served as a touring member for industrial rock act Nine Inch Nails in 2013 and has collaborated heavily over the years with Maynard James Keenan's solo project Puscifer, for which he also served as a touring member. Eustis' solo project is Sons of Magdalene, of which he began releasing music under in 2008. He is also a founding member of the band The Black Queen.

<i>Dissociation</i> (album) 2016 studio album by The Dillinger Escape Plan

Dissociation is the sixth and final album by American metal band The Dillinger Escape Plan. It was released on October 14, 2016 by Party Smasher Inc. Alongside the announcement of the album, the band revealed it would be their last, breaking up after the album's touring cycle.

<i>Fever Daydream</i> 2016 studio album by the Black Queen

Fever Daydream is the debut studio album by American electronic band The Black Queen. It was released independently on January 29, 2016. The album was released in Australia under Universal Music Australia and was initially limited to 1,000 copies.

<i>Child Soldier: Creator of God</i> 2020 studio album by Greg Puciato

Child Soldier: Creator of God is the debut solo album by American musician Greg Puciato of the Black Queen and the disbanded the Dillinger Escape Plan, released through his own Federal Prisoner record label. It was originally set to be released on October 23, 2020, but due to a leak, Puciato decided to release it three weeks early on October 1, 2020.

Jesse Draxler is an American visual artist, illustrator and art director.

References

  1. ↑ Geist, Brandon (June 15, 2015). "Dillinger Escape Plan Singer on Cathartic New Electronic Project". rollingstone.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Interview: Greg Puciato of Dillinger Escape Plan Talks New Album and Side Projects". revolvermag.com. January 17, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Listen: www.theblackqueen.com". ninhotline on twitter.com. March 3, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  4. ↑ "youtu.be/iybXBE-BBUs". The Black Queen on twitter.com. April 7, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  5. ↑ "BBC Radio One Rock Show With Daniel P. Carter Tonight From 7pm GMT". The Black Queen on twitter.com. June 14, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Inside Dillinger Escape Plan Singer's Electronic Reinvention". Rolling Stone . Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  7. ↑ "The End Where We Start. From upcoming full length "Fever Daydream". Directed by Mitch Massie". The Black Queen on twitter.com. June 16, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  8. ↑ "instagram.com/p/4XNNfeCsTI". The Black Queen on twitter.com. June 25, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  9. ↑ ""The End Where We Start" 12" vinyl single. Limited to 233. Announced to our mailing list first. Now nearly gone". The Black Queen on twitter.com. July 9, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Ice To Never(12" Extended Dance Mix) youtu.be/EfiPMJfp2ro". The Black Queen on twitter.com. August 18, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Ice To Never (Limited 12" Single)". Store.theblackqueen.com. September 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Escaping Dillinger to Depeche Mode: Check Out The Black Queen's New Synth-Pop Video "Ice to Never"". Noisey.vice.com. September 24, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Escaping Dillinger To Depeche Mode: Check Out The Black Queen's New Synth-pop Video "Ice To Never"". noisey.vice.com. September 24, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Hear Moody New Song by Dillinger Escape Plan Singer's Electronic Band". rollingstone.com. December 1, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  15. ↑ "The Black Queen - Fever Daydream". Theblackqueen.bandcamp.com. December 1, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Distanced. youtu.be/OmtaN0XHdXU". Twitter. December 31, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Exclusive: The Black Queen Drops a Dark Video for 'Secret Scream'". Out.com. July 21, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  18. ↑ The Black Queen - Secret Scream on YouTube
  19. ↑ "The Black Queen - Secret Scream". Discogs. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  20. ↑ "The Black Queen - Fever Daydream". Discogs.
  21. ↑ "Buy Vinyl Records and CDs at Discogs Marketplace". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  22. ↑ "The Black Queen Plot New Album 'Infinite Games,' Tease Music in Preview Video". Revolver. June 15, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Greg Puciato of The Dillinger Escape Plan on Going His Own Way – News – Spotify for Artists". artists.spotify.com.
  24. ↑ "The Black Queen Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  25. ↑ "ARIA Chart Watch #493". auspOp. October 6, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
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.