Concubine Forming
Encyclopedia
Concubine Forming was a noise rock
band that were part of the burgeoning punk
scene in Buffalo, New York
during the early part of the 21st century.
The band was formed in 1999 by singer/guitarist Eric Witz, guitarist Mike Hart, and bassist Ed Lover. Their name was a combination of song titles from two of their influences, Butthole Surfers
and The Germs
. They soon self-released an EP, Rape. Their abrasive sound and use of a drum machine drew inevitable comparisons to Big Black
, much to the chagrin of the band who would never be able to shake the comparisons during the rest of their time together.
Concubine Forming soon signed to Big Neck Records
and released a 7" entitled Stiff in 2002. The record was extremely popular in their hometown, and the lead track "Yo Mama" became a concert highlight.
The band's live performances (and Witz's penchant for doing potentially dangerous stunts like backflips while playing guitar, in particular) garnered them a sizable following.
But the band was temporarily halted with the departure of Ed Lover. After a lengthy search, they selected Traci Volker as a replacement. Shortly after, they entered the studio to record their full length debut, The Guilt Will Kill. The album, produced by members of The Lost Sounds, was released in 2004 on Big Neck. A cover of Billy Squier
's "The Stroke" was included as a hidden track.
Concubine Forming then brought former Sera Eclipsed drummer Jason Molina into the fold. The addition of a drummer gave the music a more organic feel. But, Jason accepted an offer to join up and coming recording artists Longwave
not long afterwards.
Rather than attempt to recapture the magic with a new drummer, the band decided to call it quits, playing their final show on 25 January 2005. Following the dissolution of Concubine Forming, Mike went on to join The Trailerpark Tornados and The Next Syphilis; Traci joined The Blowtops; and Eric grew a beard
, prompting a bizarre in-joke
among the Buffalo punk scene, best exemplified by the line "Where did it come from? What's it doing it here? Is it something that I should fear?" from the song "Eric's Beard" by The Next Syphilis.
Noise rock
Noise rock describes a style of post-punk rock music that became prominent in the 1980s. Noise rock makes use of the traditional instrumentation and iconography of rock, but incorporates atonality and especially dissonance, and also frequently discards usual songwriting conventions.-Style:Noise...
band that were part of the burgeoning punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
scene in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
during the early part of the 21st century.
The band was formed in 1999 by singer/guitarist Eric Witz, guitarist Mike Hart, and bassist Ed Lover. Their name was a combination of song titles from two of their influences, 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 The Germs
The Germs
The Germs are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band's early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and their most consistent drummer Don Bolles. Germs have since reformed in 2005 with Shane...
. They soon self-released an EP, Rape. Their abrasive sound and use of a drum machine drew inevitable comparisons to Big Black
Big Black
Big Black was an American punk rock band from Evanston, Illinois, active from 1981 to 1987. Founded by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band's initial lineup also included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun...
, much to the chagrin of the band who would never be able to shake the comparisons during the rest of their time together.
Concubine Forming soon signed to Big Neck Records
Big Neck Records
Big Neck Records is an independent record label founded and operated by Bart Hart. It was started in Buffalo, New York, in 1995, with the release of the first Blowtops and Baseball Furies 7-inch EP records as an offshoot of The Sanctuary nightclub...
and released a 7" entitled Stiff in 2002. The record was extremely popular in their hometown, and the lead track "Yo Mama" became a concert highlight.
The band's live performances (and Witz's penchant for doing potentially dangerous stunts like backflips while playing guitar, in particular) garnered them a sizable following.
But the band was temporarily halted with the departure of Ed Lover. After a lengthy search, they selected Traci Volker as a replacement. Shortly after, they entered the studio to record their full length debut, The Guilt Will Kill. The album, produced by members of The Lost Sounds, was released in 2004 on Big Neck. A cover of Billy Squier
Billy Squier
William Haislip "Billy" Squier is an American rock musician. Squier had a string of arena rock hits in the 1980s. He is best known for the song "The Stroke" on his 1981 album release Don't Say No...
's "The Stroke" was included as a hidden track.
Concubine Forming then brought former Sera Eclipsed drummer Jason Molina into the fold. The addition of a drummer gave the music a more organic feel. But, Jason accepted an offer to join up and coming recording artists Longwave
Longwave (band)
Longwave is an American indie rock band. The band was formed in 1999 by guitarist, songwriter and vocalist Steve Schiltz, guitarist Shannon Ferguson, bassist Dave Marchese and drummer Jeremy Greene.-History:...
not long afterwards.
Rather than attempt to recapture the magic with a new drummer, the band decided to call it quits, playing their final show on 25 January 2005. Following the dissolution of Concubine Forming, Mike went on to join The Trailerpark Tornados and The Next Syphilis; Traci joined The Blowtops; and Eric grew a beard
Beard
A beard is the collection of hair that grows on the chin, cheeks and neck of human beings. Usually, only pubescent or adult males are able to grow beards. However, women with hirsutism may develop a beard...
, prompting a bizarre in-joke
In-joke
An in-joke, also known as an inside joke or in joke, is a joke whose humour is clear only to people who are in a particular social group, occupation, or other community of common understanding...
among the Buffalo punk scene, best exemplified by the line "Where did it come from? What's it doing it here? Is it something that I should fear?" from the song "Eric's Beard" by The Next Syphilis.