Ancestors (band)
Encyclopedia
Ancestors is a five-piece psychedelic/progressive rock/doom metal ensemble residing in Los Angeles.
They released their debut in Europe in April 2008 on North Atlantic Sound (a division of Tee Pee Records) and in August 2008 in the United States on Tee Pee Records
. Artwork for the record was produced by Arik Roper
: a psychedelic and fantasy artist who has worked with such bands as Sleep
, High on Fire
and Earth
.
In October 2009 the band released their second album, Of Sound Mind
on Tee Pee Records. The double LP was produced by the band and Pete Lyman and the artwork was done by Derek Albeck. It featured cameo performances by David Scott Stone
(Melvins, Unwound
, Slug), Sera Timms (Black Math Horseman) and cellist Ramiro Zapata.
In 2010 the band the band parted ways with Chico Foley and synth/guitar player Matt Barks joined the band in his place. They entered the studio in early 2011 to record the Invisible White EP, which sees a release on June 26, 2011 on Tee Pee Records. The EP was produced by Kenny Woods and marks a departure from the band's usual style of music.
, psychedelic rock
, and heavier stoner rock
and doom metal
. They have also tried to implement an amount of experimental music
and musique concrète
influence. However, despite their influences, they never set out to have any specific sound when they write music.
Former
Biography
Justin Maranga, Nick Long and Brandon Pierce began a three-piece project in the summer of 2006, then shortly after added Englishman Chico Foley, who had met Brandon shortly after taking up what was at the time a temporary residence in Los Angeles. The band then finally found its final member: Jason Christopher Watkins.They released their debut in Europe in April 2008 on North Atlantic Sound (a division of Tee Pee Records) and in August 2008 in the United States on Tee Pee Records
Tee Pee Records
Tee Pee Records is an independent record label located in New York City in the United States, made popular by the signing of The Brian Jonestown Massacre.-Artists :*Ancestors*Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound*The Atomic Bitchwax...
. Artwork for the record was produced by Arik Roper
Arik Roper
Arik Roper is a freelance illustrator and painter based in New York City. Born in New York City, Roper grew up in Richmond, Virginia. His parents both being artists, his creativity was encouraged and he spent a great deal of time drawing...
: a psychedelic and fantasy artist who has worked with such bands as Sleep
Sleep (band)
Sleep is a stoner doom metal band from San Jose, California. Active during the 1990s, Sleep earned critical and record label attention early in their career. Critic Eduardo Rivadavia describes them as "perhaps the ultimate stoner rock band" and notes they exerted a strong influence on heavy metal...
, High on Fire
High on Fire
High on Fire is a stoner metal band from Oakland, California, that was formed in 1998. Matt Pike, the band's frontman and founder, previously played guitar for the influential stoner doom band Sleep.-History:...
and Earth
Earth (band)
Earth is an American musical group based in Seattle, Washington, formed in 1989 and led by guitarist Dylan Carlson.Earth's music is nearly all instrumental, and can be divided into two distinct stages...
.
In October 2009 the band released their second album, Of Sound Mind
Of Sound Mind
Of Sound Mind is the second album by Los Angeles-based metal band Ancestors, released on October 6, 2009 by Tee Pee Records.The album's artwork was created by Derek Albeck.-Track listing:# "From Nothing" - 1:01# "Mother Animal" - 14:32...
on Tee Pee Records. The double LP was produced by the band and Pete Lyman and the artwork was done by Derek Albeck. It featured cameo performances by David Scott Stone
David Scott Stone
David Scott Stone is a musician who has recorded and toured with artists like The Melvins, Unwound, Fantômas, The Locust, Jello Biafra, Keiji Haino, Mike Patton, Adam Jones , Merzbow, Masonna, Big Business, No Age, Joe Lally and others. He is currently a member of LCD Soundsystem...
(Melvins, Unwound
Unwound
Unwound was a United States post-hardcore band based in Tumwater/Olympia, Washington. Formed in 1991, the band consisted of Justin Trosper , Vern Rumsey , and Brandt Sandeno , all of whom had previously been in a band called Giant Henry. Brandt Sandeno quit Unwound in 1992 and was replaced by...
, Slug), Sera Timms (Black Math Horseman) and cellist Ramiro Zapata.
In 2010 the band the band parted ways with Chico Foley and synth/guitar player Matt Barks joined the band in his place. They entered the studio in early 2011 to record the Invisible White EP, which sees a release on June 26, 2011 on Tee Pee Records. The EP was produced by Kenny Woods and marks a departure from the band's usual style of music.
Influences
Ancestors have been influenced by progressive rockProgressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
, and heavier stoner rock
Stoner rock
Stoner rock or stoner metal is a subgenre of heavy metal, combining elements of psychedelic rock, blues rock, traditional heavy metal and doom metal. Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo and features a bass-heavy sound, melodic vocals, and 'retro' production...
and doom metal
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
. They have also tried to implement an amount of experimental music
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
and musique concrète
Musique concrète
Musique concrète is a form of electroacoustic music that utilises acousmatic sound as a compositional resource. The compositional material is not restricted to the inclusion of sounds derived from musical instruments or voices, nor to elements traditionally thought of as "musical"...
influence. However, despite their influences, they never set out to have any specific sound when they write music.
Band members
Current- Justin Maranga - vocals, guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Nick Long - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Jason Watkins - organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, vocals, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, mellotron, various midi keys - Matt Barks - modular synthesizerModular synthesizerThe modular synthesizer is a type of synthesizer consisting of separate specialized modules connected by wires to create a so-called patch. Every output generates a signal – an electric voltage of variable strength...
, Moog synthesizerMoog synthesizerMoog synthesizer may refer to any number of analog synthesizers designed by Dr. Robert Moog or manufactured by Moog Music, and is commonly used as a generic term for older-generation analog music synthesizers. The Moog company pioneered the commercial manufacture of modular voltage-controlled...
, vocals, guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Brandon Pierce - drums
Former
- Chico Foley - synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, electronicsElectronicsElectronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
, vocals
Albums
- Neptune With FireNeptune With FireNeptune With Fire is the debut release by Los Angeles-based metal band Ancestors.Neptune With Fire is a concept album that tells of metaphorical characters , and their cosmic, psychological journey through war, celebration, remorse and revelation...
(Tee Pee RecordsTee Pee RecordsTee Pee Records is an independent record label located in New York City in the United States, made popular by the signing of The Brian Jonestown Massacre.-Artists :*Ancestors*Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound*The Atomic Bitchwax...
) (2008) - Of Sound MindOf Sound MindOf Sound Mind is the second album by Los Angeles-based metal band Ancestors, released on October 6, 2009 by Tee Pee Records.The album's artwork was created by Derek Albeck.-Track listing:# "From Nothing" - 1:01# "Mother Animal" - 14:32...
(Tee Pee RecordsTee Pee RecordsTee Pee Records is an independent record label located in New York City in the United States, made popular by the signing of The Brian Jonestown Massacre.-Artists :*Ancestors*Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound*The Atomic Bitchwax...
) (2009)
EP's and Singles
- Ancestors / Graveyard - Split 7" (Volcom EntertainmentVolcom EntertainmentVolcom Entertainment, officially founded in 1995, in Newport Beach, California, and currently based in Costa Mesa, CA is the brainchild of Volcom founder Richard Woolcott and theLINE's singer/guitarist Ryan Immegart. Ryan being Volcom's first sponsored snowboarder and having a love for music...
) (2009) - Invisible White (EP) (Tee Pee RecordsTee Pee RecordsTee Pee Records is an independent record label located in New York City in the United States, made popular by the signing of The Brian Jonestown Massacre.-Artists :*Ancestors*Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound*The Atomic Bitchwax...
) (2011)