Colossal (band)
Encyclopedia
Colossal was an indie-punk band from Elgin, Illinois. Formed in 2001, they are currently on hiatus. They have one EP and one full-length, and have appeared on multiple compilations. Their lyrics and musicianship display a depth much like that found in math rock
.
released their debut, a self-titled, six-song EP, in January 2003. The band’s genre-crossing ways were already evident on the EP, as the songs fuse elements of punk, jazz, and jangly pop with a focused singularity. The sound is intricate and dense but still accessible and unified. The EP received universal critical acclaim and attendance at shows steadily increased. The band's first tour, of eastern Canada and the East Coast, was that summer.
The following months were spent writing what would become their first full-length. In early 2004, Feucht left the band to dedicate more time to his teaching career. He was replaced by Eli Caterer (of venerable croon-punks Smoking Popes
), who finished writing and recording the new album. Welcome the Problems, the debut full-length, was released on Asian Man in September 2004 on the heels of a western U.S. tour. Musically, the full-length is the logical next step from the EP; the songs are more concise in their arrangements and the sounds are more developed and cohesive. Critical reaction to the album was overwhelmingly complimentary, and the band’s following continued to expand at a rapid pace. After the album’s release, Neil Hennessy (of The Lawrence Arms), who’d been sitting in as a second drummer since the first Colossal tour, joined the band, as did Chris Perrin, who replaced Caterer on bass. A brief east coast tour with the new lineup followed the release of Problems. The vinyl version of the album was released by Grey Flight Records in January 2005. Also in January, Jason, Pat, and Rob assisted Asian Man Records/Plea for Peace Foundation founder Mike Park
in the writing and recording of his second album, North Hangook Falling
, which was co-released by Sub City Records
& Asian Man Records in July 2005. In 2005, the band did a western and midwestern tour with Mike Park, an eastern jaunt with Alkaline Trio
, and a small tours of the Midwest and eastern Canada.
Flaks left the band in fall 2005 and was replaced on guitar by the returning Eli Caterer. In December 2006, Caterer's old band, Smoking Popes, announced their reunion, with Colossal drummer Kellenberger taking over on the skins. Kellenberger has since left the Popes, and Caterer again left Colossal, this time to concentrate on the Popes. Colossal is currently on hiatus.
Math rock
Math rock is a rhythmically complex guitar-based style of experimental rock that emerged in the 1980s and that was very influenced by progressive rock like King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Henry Cow - and 20th century composers such as Steve Reich and John Cage...
.
Band members
- Eli Caterer - Guitar
- Pat Ford - Guitar and Voice
- Neil HennessyNeil HennessyNeil Kevin Hennessy is a musician and music producer/engineer from Chicago, Illinois.Hennessy currently plays in The Lawrence Arms, Colossal, The Falcon, The Smoking Popes and Demon Beach. He has also been a member of Noise By Numbers, Baxter, The Killing Tree, and Quattro.Hennessy works at Atlas...
- Drums - Rob Kellenberger - Drums
- Chris Perrin - Bass
Band history
Colossal was formed in Elgin, Illinois, in late 2001 by friends Jeff Feucht (bass), Jason Flaks (trumpet, guitar, vocals), Rob Kellenberger (drums, backup vocals), and Pat Ford (vocals, guitar). They began playing shows in spring of 2002 in and around Chicago, Illinois. Asian Man RecordsAsian Man Records
Asian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:...
released their debut, a self-titled, six-song EP, in January 2003. The band’s genre-crossing ways were already evident on the EP, as the songs fuse elements of punk, jazz, and jangly pop with a focused singularity. The sound is intricate and dense but still accessible and unified. The EP received universal critical acclaim and attendance at shows steadily increased. The band's first tour, of eastern Canada and the East Coast, was that summer.
The following months were spent writing what would become their first full-length. In early 2004, Feucht left the band to dedicate more time to his teaching career. He was replaced by Eli Caterer (of venerable croon-punks Smoking Popes
Smoking Popes
The Smoking Popes are an American pop punk from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1991. They play punk-influenced pop music with crooning vocals...
), who finished writing and recording the new album. Welcome the Problems, the debut full-length, was released on Asian Man in September 2004 on the heels of a western U.S. tour. Musically, the full-length is the logical next step from the EP; the songs are more concise in their arrangements and the sounds are more developed and cohesive. Critical reaction to the album was overwhelmingly complimentary, and the band’s following continued to expand at a rapid pace. After the album’s release, Neil Hennessy (of The Lawrence Arms), who’d been sitting in as a second drummer since the first Colossal tour, joined the band, as did Chris Perrin, who replaced Caterer on bass. A brief east coast tour with the new lineup followed the release of Problems. The vinyl version of the album was released by Grey Flight Records in January 2005. Also in January, Jason, Pat, and Rob assisted Asian Man Records/Plea for Peace Foundation founder Mike Park
Mike Park
Mike Park is a Korean American musician and progressive activist. His musical ventures include Skankin' Pickle for whom he both played the saxophone and sang, The Chinkees, The Bruce Lee Band, and most recently an acoustic solo project under his own name...
in the writing and recording of his second album, North Hangook Falling
North Hangook Falling
North Hangook Falling is the second solo album by Mike Park. The title translates to "North Korea Falling" in English. The album was recorded in a week in January of 2005 at a total cost of $2,800...
, which was co-released by Sub City Records
Sub City Records
Sub City Records is a record label which was created by Hopeless Records to raise funding and awareness for non-profit organizations. Sub City has been active for eleven years now, and has now over 30 releases....
& Asian Man Records in July 2005. In 2005, the band did a western and midwestern tour with Mike Park, an eastern jaunt with Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock band that formed in McHenry, Illinois, in 1996. The band's line-up consists of Matt Skiba , Dan Andriano , and Derek Grant...
, and a small tours of the Midwest and eastern Canada.
Flaks left the band in fall 2005 and was replaced on guitar by the returning Eli Caterer. In December 2006, Caterer's old band, Smoking Popes, announced their reunion, with Colossal drummer Kellenberger taking over on the skins. Kellenberger has since left the Popes, and Caterer again left Colossal, this time to concentrate on the Popes. Colossal is currently on hiatus.
External links
- Colossal at MySpace.com
- Colossal at Asian Man Records
- [ Colossal at Allmusic.com]
- Colossal at Last.fm