Bedhead
Encyclopedia
Bedhead were a Texas-based indie rock
band active in the 1990s (1991–1998). Bedhead's music was generally subdued, with a polyphonic sound based on the interlocking of single-line melodies played by three electric guitars and one electric bass guitar (often played with a capo), nearly always using clean (undistorted) tones, prompting comparisons to the Velvet Underground. The group's vocals were often delivered in such a low key manner that they were quite difficult to decipher. This unusual sound was dubbed by some critics as "slo-core," referring to the slow tempos of many of the band's songs, though the band's members objected to the labeling in interviews. In reality, many of the group's songs do not remain slow and quiet throughout, instead beginning very slowly and quietly and gradually building in intensity and volume. Bedhead also experimented with time signatures less commonly used in rock music, by playing some songs in 7/8 or 5/4 meter.
In 1999, a year after the breakup of Bedhead, Matt and Bubba Kadane went on to form a band called The New Year
, whose style is similar to Bedhead's.
, drummer of the Butthole Surfers
and founder of Trance Syndicate Records, who signed them to Trance Syndicate shortly after hearing them. Bedhead's debut album, WhatFunLifeWas, was released in 1994, to positive reviews. They released two EPs before their second full-length, Beheaded. Their last LP, Transaction De Novo, was recorded by Steve Albini
and released in 1998. In a departure from their usual sound, Transaction De Novo featured more up-tempo, heavily distorted songs than its predecessors.
, and signed onto Touch and Go Records
. The joint album Macha Loved Bedhead was released in 2000, featuring the Kadane brothers and the members of Macha. Tench Coxe went on to earn a PhD in Russian Literature from Columbia University.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band active in the 1990s (1991–1998). Bedhead's music was generally subdued, with a polyphonic sound based on the interlocking of single-line melodies played by three electric guitars and one electric bass guitar (often played with a capo), nearly always using clean (undistorted) tones, prompting comparisons to the Velvet Underground. The group's vocals were often delivered in such a low key manner that they were quite difficult to decipher. This unusual sound was dubbed by some critics as "slo-core," referring to the slow tempos of many of the band's songs, though the band's members objected to the labeling in interviews. In reality, many of the group's songs do not remain slow and quiet throughout, instead beginning very slowly and quietly and gradually building in intensity and volume. Bedhead also experimented with time signatures less commonly used in rock music, by playing some songs in 7/8 or 5/4 meter.
In 1999, a year after the breakup of Bedhead, Matt and Bubba Kadane went on to form a band called The New Year
The New Year
The New Year is an American indie rock band, formed in 1999, a year after the demise of the band Bedhead by former Bedhead members Bubba and Matt Kadane.-Band lineup:The New Year is often unable to escape frequent comparisons by critics and Bedhead fans...
, whose style is similar to Bedhead's.
History
The roots of the band trace back to brothers Matt and Bubba Kadane playing music together as children in Wichita Falls, Texas. Drummer Trini Martinez was the first addition to the band, followed by guitarist Tench Coxe and bassist Kris Wheat. They released two early singles on Dallas-based record label Direct Hit Records.Signing with Trance Syndicate
In 1993 the band came to the attention of King CoffeyKing Coffey
King Coffey is an American drummer, best known for being the drummer of the psychedelic/noise rock band the Butthole Surfers. He began drumming in a Fort Worth hardcore punk band called The Hugh Beaumont Experience. Around that same time he published a fanzine called Throbbing Cattle...
, drummer of the Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
and founder of Trance Syndicate Records, who signed them to Trance Syndicate shortly after hearing them. Bedhead's debut album, WhatFunLifeWas, was released in 1994, to positive reviews. They released two EPs before their second full-length, Beheaded. Their last LP, Transaction De Novo, was recorded by Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
and released in 1998. In a departure from their usual sound, Transaction De Novo featured more up-tempo, heavily distorted songs than its predecessors.
Breakup
Bedhead broke up shortly after the release of Transaction De Novo. The Kadane brothers went on to form The New YearThe New Year
The New Year is an American indie rock band, formed in 1999, a year after the demise of the band Bedhead by former Bedhead members Bubba and Matt Kadane.-Band lineup:The New Year is often unable to escape frequent comparisons by critics and Bedhead fans...
, and signed onto Touch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous...
. The joint album Macha Loved Bedhead was released in 2000, featuring the Kadane brothers and the members of Macha. Tench Coxe went on to earn a PhD in Russian Literature from Columbia University.
Band personnel
- Matt Kadane (electric guitar, vocals)
- Bubba Kadane (electric guitar, vocals)
- Tench Coxe (electric guitar)
- Kris Wheat (electric bass guitar)
- Trini Martinez (drum set)
Singles
- 1992 - Bedside Table/Living Well (Direct Hit RecordsDirect Hit RecordsDirect Hit Records was a record label and store based in Dallas, Texas. The record label is notable for releasing early recordings by North Texas musicians who would eventually go on to prominence at a national level...
) - 1993 - The Rest of the Day/I'm Not Here (Direct Hit RecordsDirect Hit RecordsDirect Hit Records was a record label and store based in Dallas, Texas. The record label is notable for releasing early recordings by North Texas musicians who would eventually go on to prominence at a national level...
)
EPs
- 1994 - 4songCDEP19:10 (Trance SyndicateTrance SyndicateTrance Syndicate was an independent record label founded in 1990 by King Coffey, drummer of Austin, TX band the Butthole Surfers.. Its first release was Crust's The Sacred Heart of Crust EP...
) - 1996 - The Dark Ages (Trance SyndicateTrance SyndicateTrance Syndicate was an independent record label founded in 1990 by King Coffey, drummer of Austin, TX band the Butthole Surfers.. Its first release was Crust's The Sacred Heart of Crust EP...
) - 1998 - Lepidoptera (Trance SyndicateTrance SyndicateTrance Syndicate was an independent record label founded in 1990 by King Coffey, drummer of Austin, TX band the Butthole Surfers.. Its first release was Crust's The Sacred Heart of Crust EP...
) - 2000 - Macha Loved Bedhead (Jetset RecordsJetset RecordsJetset Records was a New York-based indie rock record label. The label has released a variety of independent bands, including Firewater, Sun Kil Moon and Mogwai.-Roster:*16 Horsepower*Arab Strap*Black Box Recorder*Dean and Britta*Congo Norvell...
)
LPs
- 1994 - WhatFunLifeWas (Trance SyndicateTrance SyndicateTrance Syndicate was an independent record label founded in 1990 by King Coffey, drummer of Austin, TX band the Butthole Surfers.. Its first release was Crust's The Sacred Heart of Crust EP...
) - 1996 - Beheaded (Trance SyndicateTrance SyndicateTrance Syndicate was an independent record label founded in 1990 by King Coffey, drummer of Austin, TX band the Butthole Surfers.. Its first release was Crust's The Sacred Heart of Crust EP...
) - 1998 - Transaction de Novo (Trance SyndicateTrance SyndicateTrance Syndicate was an independent record label founded in 1990 by King Coffey, drummer of Austin, TX band the Butthole Surfers.. Its first release was Crust's The Sacred Heart of Crust EP...
)