Goes Cube
Encyclopedia
Goes Cube is an American rock
band formed in late 2003 in Brooklyn
, New York
by guitarist–vocalist David Obuchowski and bassist Matthew Frey. In 2005, drummer Kenny Appell joined the band. The group has released several EPs and two full-length albums. In May 2009, Frey left the band and was replaced by Matt Tyson.
, New Jersey
resident David Obuchowski was part of a punk rock
band called the Sick Terrific Nosebleeds. When a possible record deal with the independent label
Sympathy for the Record Industry
fell through, Obuchowski put his musical prospects on hold.
Later, while attending the University of Illinois, Obuchowski met Matthew Frey, and the two played in several "joke bands" together. The two parted ways after graduating, and Obuchowski became an advertising
copywriter
. This position left him "absolutely miserable," and he moved to Brooklyn
, New York
to reunite with Frey and start a band. Frey obtained the name Goes Cube from a poor Babel Fish
back-translation of the phrase "Go Die" between English and German. During their first few years together, the duo used a drum machine
known as "The Beating Machine", and named their songs numerically based on the rhythm tracks used (e.g. "Goes Cube Song 23").
After releasing a three-song self-titled demo, Obuchowski and Frey found this approach stale and they decided to find a drummer. In 2005 they acquired Kenny Appell, a high school bandmate of Obuchowski. This arrangement gave the band a new momentum which they channeled into their first major EP, Beckon the Dagger God (2007). The EP brought the band attention for "a heavy, assaultive style that's rare among acts from their area."
During their first show with Appell on January 26, 2006, the band met music journalist Matt Tyson, who was impressed with their music. Tyson remained in touch with the band, and eventually suggested he shoot a documentary about their upcoming US tour, to which they agreed. Tyson toured with Goes Cube for five weeks in early 2007. During this period, Tyson became close friends with the band. In early 2009, bassist Matthew Frey decided he wanted to retire from the band in order to pursue his own interests.
Goes Cube released their first full-length album, Another Day Has Passed
, through The End Records
on May 12, 2009. The album was well received. Brent Burton of Revolver
called it "a-tight-and upbeat brand of metal that aims straight at the heart of the mainstream—and mostly hits strikes." Frey retired from the band on May 14, 2009, after the album's release show. Tyson was chosen as Frey's replacement, and joined them for their national tour which began May 15, 2009.
, punk
, and full-on rock
." The band's music has been described as rock
, metal
, hardcore
, post-hardcore
, avant-punk, and power
indie
, among others. The Boston Globe
described the band's music as a mix of "pummeling punk
, art
noise
, and – dare we say it? – sludgy
grunge
."
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band formed in late 2003 in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
by guitarist–vocalist David Obuchowski and bassist Matthew Frey. In 2005, drummer Kenny Appell joined the band. The group has released several EPs and two full-length albums. In May 2009, Frey left the band and was replaced by Matt Tyson.
History
While in high schoolSecondary education in the United States
In most jurisdictions, secondary education in the United States refers to the last six or seven years of statutory formal education. Secondary education is generally split between junior high school or middle school, usually beginning with sixth or seventh grade , and high school, beginning with...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
resident David Obuchowski was part of a punk rock
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...
band called the Sick Terrific Nosebleeds. When a possible record deal with the independent label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Sympathy for the Record Industry
Sympathy for the Record Industry
Sympathy for the Record Industry is a mainly independent garage rock and punk label formed in 1988 by record industry anti-mogul Long Gone John...
fell through, Obuchowski put his musical prospects on hold.
Later, while attending the University of Illinois, Obuchowski met Matthew Frey, and the two played in several "joke bands" together. The two parted ways after graduating, and Obuchowski became an advertising
Advertising agency
An advertising agency or ad agency is a service business dedicated to creating, planning and handling advertising for its clients. An ad agency is independent from the client and provides an outside point of view to the effort of selling the client's products or services...
copywriter
Copywriting
Copywriting is the use of words and ideas to promote a person, business, opinion or idea. Although the word copy may be applied to any content intended for printing , the term copywriter is generally limited to promotional situations, regardless of the medium...
. This position left him "absolutely miserable," and he moved to Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to reunite with Frey and start a band. Frey obtained the name Goes Cube from a poor Babel Fish
Babel Fish (website)
Yahoo! Babel Fish is a web-based machine translation application on Yahoo! that translates text or web pages from one of several languages into another....
back-translation of the phrase "Go Die" between English and German. During their first few years together, the duo used a drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
known as "The Beating Machine", and named their songs numerically based on the rhythm tracks used (e.g. "Goes Cube Song 23").
After releasing a three-song self-titled demo, Obuchowski and Frey found this approach stale and they decided to find a drummer. In 2005 they acquired Kenny Appell, a high school bandmate of Obuchowski. This arrangement gave the band a new momentum which they channeled into their first major EP, Beckon the Dagger God (2007). The EP brought the band attention for "a heavy, assaultive style that's rare among acts from their area."
During their first show with Appell on January 26, 2006, the band met music journalist Matt Tyson, who was impressed with their music. Tyson remained in touch with the band, and eventually suggested he shoot a documentary about their upcoming US tour, to which they agreed. Tyson toured with Goes Cube for five weeks in early 2007. During this period, Tyson became close friends with the band. In early 2009, bassist Matthew Frey decided he wanted to retire from the band in order to pursue his own interests.
Goes Cube released their first full-length album, Another Day Has Passed
Another Day Has Passed
Another Day Has Passed is the debut studio album by American hard rock–heavy metal band Goes Cube. It was released May 12, 2009 on The End Records.-Music:...
, through The End Records
The End Records
The End Records is an independent record label, founded in 1998 in San Diego. Founder Andreas Katsambas initially wanted to bring attention to some underground bands he admired. In 2002, The End moved to Salt Lake City, when his wife took a job at the University of Utah. The label moved...
on May 12, 2009. The album was well received. Brent Burton of Revolver
Revolver (magazine)
Revolver is a bi-monthly rock and heavy metal magazine published by Future US. Before covering heavy metal, rock & hard rock solely, it was a more mainstream oriented magazine. The magazine is structured in a manner similar to publications such as Spin while covering many avenues within the heavy...
called it "a-tight-and upbeat brand of metal that aims straight at the heart of the mainstream—and mostly hits strikes." Frey retired from the band on May 14, 2009, after the album's release show. Tyson was chosen as Frey's replacement, and joined them for their national tour which began May 15, 2009.
Musical style
Goes Cube's musical style features a mix of styles which the band calls a "blend of metalHeavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, 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...
, and full-on rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
." The band's music has been described as rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
, avant-punk, and power
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
indie
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...
, among others. The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
described the band's music as a mix of "pummeling 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...
, art
Art rock
Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
noise
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...
, and – dare we say it? – sludgy
Sludge metal
Sludge metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that melds elements of doom metal and hardcore punk, and sometimes incorporates influences from southern rock, stoner rock and grunge. Sludge metal is typically abrasive; often featuring shouted vocals, heavily distorted instruments and sharply contrasting...
grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
."
Members
- David Obuchowski – 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...
, vocalsHuman voiceThe human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds are the primary...
(2003–present) - Kenny Appell – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2005–present) - Matt Tyson – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2009–present)
EPs
- Goes Cube (2005)
- Beckon the Dagger God (2007)
- Not What We Thought (2008)
- Hutchinson (2008)
Additional references
- Parow, Shawn (February 8, 2006). "New York Press & Oh My Rockness present Indie Label Jones." New York PressNew York PressNew York Press was a free alternative weekly in New York City, that was published from 1988 to 2011. During its lifetime, it was the main competitor to the Village Voice...
. - Singh, Amrit (July 12, 2006). "Goes Cube @ Knitting Factory, NYC 7/11/06." StereogumStereogumStereogum was one of the first MP3 blogs. It was created by Scott Lapatine in January 2002 with a focus on independent and alternative music news, downloads, videos, and gossip. Stereogum has received several awards and citations, including the 2008 Plug Award for best music blog, Blender's...
. - "Oh My Rockness Best of 2006 List!" (December 15, 2006). Oh My Rockness.
- Baum, Jeff (March 22, 2006). "Gothamist Band of the Week: Goes Cube." GothamistGothamistGothamist LLC is the operator of eleven city-centric blogs worldwide that focus on news, events, food, culture, and other local coverage.-History:...
. - "Goes Cube Interview" (March 26, 2009). Absolute Zero Media.
- "Bootleg: Exclusive Goes Cube Track, 'Loose Ends'" (May 18, 2009). RevolverRevolver (magazine)Revolver is a bi-monthly rock and heavy metal magazine published by Future US. Before covering heavy metal, rock & hard rock solely, it was a more mainstream oriented magazine. The magazine is structured in a manner similar to publications such as Spin while covering many avenues within the heavy...
. - Harper, Kevin (May 15, 2009). "Goes Cube – Another Day Has Passed." Exclaim: Aggressive Tendencies.
- "Future Hits 031: Goes Cube" (May 21, 2009). Thrash Hits.