Craw (band)
Encyclopedia
Craw is an independent band from Cleveland, Ohio
, USA
. They belong to the harder-edged branch of the math rock
or post rock movement, in the same category as bands such as Colossamite
, Keelhaul, Zeni Geva
, Dazzling Killmen
, and Ruins.
) and Marcus Rosinski (alto saxophone
) both on record and live performances. Ultimately the group parted ways with both Chastain and Apanius, who were replaced by Will Scharf and Zak Dieringer respectively.
The group's first three full length recordings were recorded with the help of Steve Albini
. The last release, entitled Bodies for Strontium 90, was engineered by Bill Korecky at Mars studios, and is available on the indie label HydraHead Records.
As of 2007 Craw is still a semi-functional four-piece outfit, but does not tour.
, with the distinction that its compositions complex rhythmic shifts, which are executed in perfect synchronization. While many earlier rock groups favoring mixed or compound meters, such as Rush
, tended to remain in a single meter (such as 5/4 or 7/4) for long stretches, Craw songs typically change meter every few seconds, making the group's music closer rhythmically to much contemporary classical music
than most rock. Rather than being sung conventionally (using melodic pitches) or "growled" in a conventional manner, vocals are generally declaimed in a forceful sing-song manner which is not composed of rhyme but rather of prose, and is rhythmically delivered according to the rhythmic flow of the musical context and as such being treated as an instrument rather than just "singing". Lyrics are usually obscure, focusing on esoteric scientific subjects and themes of industrial breakdown.
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. They belong to the harder-edged branch of the math rock
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...
or post rock movement, in the same category as bands such as Colossamite
Colossamite
Colossamite was a mid-to-late 1990s math rock band based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They were one of the most prominent exponents of the genre....
, Keelhaul, Zeni Geva
Zeni Geva
Zeni Geva is a Japanese heavy metal group led by singer and guitarist KK. Null, together with guitarist Mitsuru Tabata and drummer Tatsuya Yoshida...
, Dazzling Killmen
Dazzling Killmen
Dazzling Killmen was a math rock band from the St. Louis, Missouri area. The band combining a punk-inspired noisy ruckus with jazzy Sun Ra-type intelligence and complex arrangements.-Biography:...
, and Ruins.
History
Formed in 1989, the group originally consisted of Joe McTighe on vocals, David McClelland and Rockie Brockway on electric guitars, Chris Apanius on bass and Neil Chastain on drums. Eventually the group parted ways with David McClelland, making them a four-piece outfit. After the first album (self-titled "Craw") the group sometimes also featured saxophones by Matt Dufresne (baritone saxophoneBaritone saxophone
The baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
) and Marcus Rosinski (alto saxophone
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
) both on record and live performances. Ultimately the group parted ways with both Chastain and Apanius, who were replaced by Will Scharf and Zak Dieringer respectively.
The group's first three full length recordings were recorded with the help of 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...
. The last release, entitled Bodies for Strontium 90, was engineered by Bill Korecky at Mars studios, and is available on the indie label HydraHead Records.
As of 2007 Craw is still a semi-functional four-piece outfit, but does not tour.
Style
Craw's music is superficially similar in sound to that of metal groups such as HelmetHelmet (band)
Helmet is an alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, Helmet has had numerous lineup changes, and Hamilton has been the only constant member....
, with the distinction that its compositions complex rhythmic shifts, which are executed in perfect synchronization. While many earlier rock groups favoring mixed or compound meters, such as Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, tended to remain in a single meter (such as 5/4 or 7/4) for long stretches, Craw songs typically change meter every few seconds, making the group's music closer rhythmically to much contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
than most rock. Rather than being sung conventionally (using melodic pitches) or "growled" in a conventional manner, vocals are generally declaimed in a forceful sing-song manner which is not composed of rhyme but rather of prose, and is rhythmically delivered according to the rhythmic flow of the musical context and as such being treated as an instrument rather than just "singing". Lyrics are usually obscure, focusing on esoteric scientific subjects and themes of industrial breakdown.
Full-length Releases
- 1994 - craw s/t CD/Cass - Choke, Inc.
- 1994 - Lost Nation Road CD/LP - Choke, Inc.
- 1997 - Map, Monitor, Surge CD - Cambodia Recordings
- 2002 - Bodies for Strontium 90 CD - Hydra Head RecordsHydra Head RecordsHydra Head Records is an independent record label which specializes in heavy metal music, founded in New Mexico by Aaron Turner in 1993...
Singles
- Elliot b/w My Sister's Living Room 7" - Hit&Run Records
- 405 b/w Stomp 7" - Choke, Inc.
- Cancerman comic book 7" - Supermodel Records
- Butterflies b/w $10000 Reward split 7" w/ Primitive - No Lie Records
- Space is the Place split 7" w/ Sicbay - Obtuse Mule Records
Compilations
- Hotel Cleveland Vol. 3 Comp. - Scat RecordsScat RecordsScat Records is a St. Louis, Missouri-based independent record label. It was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1989, and many of the bands released on the label are originally from Ohio....
- 3128 Seconds Over Cleveland Comp. - WUJC/Scat Records
- Ballyhoo Guns Records Comp. - Ballyhoo Guns Records (?)
- Digging Out The Switch Again - Tribute to The Dazzling Killmen (covering "My Lacerations") - The Subversive Workshop
- CLE Magazine Comp. - CLE Magazine
- Decline of the Midwestern Civilization Comp. - Ant Records
Final line-up
- Rockie Brockway (guitar)
- Zak Dieringer (bass)
- Joe McTighe (voice)
- Will Scharf (drums)
Previous musicians
- David McClelland (guitar)
- Neil Chastain (drums)
- Chris Apanius (bass)
- Matt Dufresne (baritone sax)
- Marcus Rosinski (alto sax)