His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/ project from
Livonia, MichiganLivonia is a city in the northwest part of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Livonia is a very large suburb with an array of traditional neighborhoods connected to the metropolitan area by freeways. The population was 100,545 at the 2000 census...
. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label. Throughout the band's long history, leader
Warren DefeverWarren Defever is a musician and producer from Livonia, Michigan. He is most known for his chameleonic project His Name Is Alive, though he is active in numerous other circles...
has been the only constant member, with a variety of musicians and singers contributing over the years.
Defever began recording in his basement in 1985, while still in high school.
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/ project from
Livonia, MichiganLivonia is a city in the northwest part of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Livonia is a very large suburb with an array of traditional neighborhoods connected to the metropolitan area by freeways. The population was 100,545 at the 2000 census...
. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label. Throughout the band's long history, leader
Warren DefeverWarren Defever is a musician and producer from Livonia, Michigan. He is most known for his chameleonic project His Name Is Alive, though he is active in numerous other circles...
has been the only constant member, with a variety of musicians and singers contributing over the years.
Biography
Defever began recording in his basement in 1985, while still in high school. His initial work consisted primarily of Defever alone recording the music to a 4-track recorder, with friend Angie Carozzo providing vocals. After Defever went off to college and met
Karin OliverKarin Oliver is a former singer for Livonia, Michigan's His Name Is Alive. During her tenure with the band , she became a fan favorite because of her impressive vocal range. After leaving the band following the USA release party for the Ft. Lake album, she pursued a career in marketing full time...
, she became the band's primary vocalist.
The group's work initially resulted in a self-released cassette. Defever sent the tape to
4AD4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
in hopes of being signed to the label. Despite label president
Ivo Watts-RussellIvo Watts-Russell is the founder and ex-president of the English indie record label 4AD. He has also produced several records, himself preferring to use the term "musical director" to explain his role in the creation....
's initial rejection of the band, Defever continued to send him tapes, with new and improved versions of the songs appearing on each new tape. Ivo signed the band in 1989, believing that (along with his
This Mortal CoilThis Mortal Coil was a dream pop supergroup led by Ivo Watts-Russell, founder of the British record label 4AD. Although Watts-Russell and John Fryer were technically the only two official members, the band's recorded output featured a large rotating cast of supporting artists, many who were signed...
partner
John FryerJohn Fryer was the sailing master on the HMAV Bounty, a British vessel made famous by the Mutiny on the Bounty....
) he could re-mix the songs into a proper album 4AD could release.
LivoniaLivonia is the debut LP by His Name Is Alive, originally released on 4AD in the UK in 1990, and in 1992 on 4AD/Rykodisc in the USA.-History:...
appeared in the summer of the 1990, and became one of the label's biggest sellers of the year. "He took it apart, and he didn't put it back together," Defever would later comment on Ivo's production style.
A second album of songs similarly recorded in Defever's home studio (which he later dubbed Time Stereo) and remixed in England by Ivo and Fryer,
Home Is In Your HeadHome Is in Your Head is an album by His Name Is Alive, originally released in 4AD in the UK in 1991, and in 1992 on 4AD/Rykodisc in the USA.-History:...
, appeared in 1991. Over most of the rest of the 1990s, Defever improved Time Stereo to record more professionally, and the band became a favorite of 4AD's devoted fanbase.
In 1993, HNIA released
Mouth by Mouth-History:After two moderately successful LPs and one EP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever was in a position to vastly improve his home recording studio, and spent the fall of 1992 recording his most polished album yet, Mouth by Mouth...
, their third full length for
4AD4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
, and embarked on their first full North American tour with Defever on guitar,
Karin OliverKarin Oliver is a former singer for Livonia, Michigan's His Name Is Alive. During her tenure with the band , she became a fan favorite because of her impressive vocal range. After leaving the band following the USA release party for the Ft. Lake album, she pursued a career in marketing full time...
on vocals, and Trey Many on drums. This album and tour showed a different side of HNIA to their fans, marking the first time Defever had full control of the mixing and assembly of a HNIA release.
Mouth by Mouth-History:After two moderately successful LPs and one EP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever was in a position to vastly improve his home recording studio, and spent the fall of 1992 recording his most polished album yet, Mouth by Mouth...
was a more ambitious noisy pop record that lacked some of the earlier sparse gothic sounds people came to expect from the first two releases. Defever's wide musical taste became more apparent as
Mouth by Mouth-History:After two moderately successful LPs and one EP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever was in a position to vastly improve his home recording studio, and spent the fall of 1992 recording his most polished album yet, Mouth by Mouth...
showcased his love for obscure '60s pop, reggae, Japanese noise and free jazz.
Defever then took an extended break to work on new projects and write songs for 1996's
Stars On ESP-History:Stars on ESP had the longest gestation period of any His Name Is Alive album, a project that band leader Warren Defever spent three years crafting before it saw release. In his notes written at the time of the album's release, he mentions that he began work on "I Can't Live in This World...
, an ambitious project three years in the making. He continued to collaborate with
Karin OliverKarin Oliver is a former singer for Livonia, Michigan's His Name Is Alive. During her tenure with the band , she became a fan favorite because of her impressive vocal range. After leaving the band following the USA release party for the Ft. Lake album, she pursued a career in marketing full time...
and Trey Many on this release but also wrote songs with
Matthew SmithMatthew Smith is the name of:*Matthew Smith , British painter*Matthew Smith , former acting Colonial Secretary of Western Australia...
of
Outrageous CherryOutrageous Cherry is an alternative pop-rock band from Michigan. Matthew Smith is the group's lead singer, songwriter, and producer. Their music is influenced by 1960s pop and psychedelic rock, often containing surreal imagery in the lyrics...
,
Mark KozelekMark Kozelek is an American singer/songwriter and frontman of Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters.-History:...
of
Red House PaintersRed House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek. They, along with American Music Club, are considered the linchpins of the slowcore movement in alternative rock...
,
Ian MastersIan Masters may refer to:*Ian Masters , Australian-born American journalist; host of radio programs, Background Briefing, and Live From the Left Coast...
of
Pale SaintsPale Saints was formed in 1987 by Ian Masters , Graeme Naysmith , and Chris Cooper in Leeds, England. The group began as a jangly indie pop band, influenced by Primal Scream's early sound.-History:...
, Erika Hoffman.
Stars on ESP-History:Stars on ESP had the longest gestation period of any His Name Is Alive album, a project that band leader Warren Defever spent three years crafting before it saw release. In his notes written at the time of the album's release, he mentions that he began work on "I Can't Live in This World...
was a breakthrough for the band as Defever began to fully realize his potential as a musician able to paste many influences together in one cohesive work "On their fourth album for 4AD, Stars on ESP, the group mixes dub, dream pop, surf, country, and Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys into something altogether unique."
In 1991 and 1993,
4AD4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
commissioned videos from famed British animators the Quay Brothers. The brothers Stephen and Timothy were allowed to choose which songs they would like to create videos or short films for. They choose the songs "Are We Still Married?" and "Can't Go Wrong Without You" .
1998 was a year of big change for both 4AD and HNIA, as Ivo sold the label to
Beggars BanquetBeggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
, resulting in major changes in the label. The band signed a more traditional contract with the label, bringing with it increased commercial expectations. When 1998's
Ft. Lake-History:Work on Ft. Lake began shortly after completion of the Nice Day EP, with the same newly-stable lineup of leader Warren Defever on guitar, Chad Gilchrist on bass, Trey Many on drums, and vocalists Karin Oliver and Lovetta Pippen...
failed to meet those expectations, most of the band left for full-time jobs or more commercially successful endeavors. Stripped down to Defever and vocalist
Lovetta PippenLovetta Pippen is a singer best known as a member of Livonia, Michigan's His Name Is Alive . She first appeared on the band's 1996 LP Stars on ESP as part of a gospel choir on the song "Last One."...
(an experienced soul and gospel singer before joining HNIA after appearing as part of a gospel choir on
Stars On ESP), the duo released two soul and R&B-influenced albums in 2001 and 2002, alienating much of the band's fanbase. After having sold a respectable (but far from commercially successful), 100,000 albums for 4AD from 1990 through 2002, the band was dropped by the label, leaving the band's future in doubt.
Defever kept the band's name alive through several notable appearances on compilations like Kill Rock Stars "Tracks and Fields," and "We Could Live in Hope," the Low tribute album. Several full-length releases on the Time Stereo label were mostly instrumental music, live recordings, and a few new experimental recordings. In 2005, Defever co-founded the Silver Mountain Media label, and secured distribution for HNIA with major label Sony-BMG. 2006's
DetrolaDetrola is an album by His Name Is Alive, released in 2006. Four years after being dropped from the 4AD roster, HNIA released this album on their own Silver Mountain Media Group label...
was the first full-length release on the label, and was met with much acclaim, winning back many of the old fans from the 4AD days, and earning success on college rock radio and modern rock charts.
DetrolaDetrola is an album by His Name Is Alive, released in 2006. Four years after being dropped from the 4AD roster, HNIA released this album on their own Silver Mountain Media Group label...
primarily features newly-discovered Andy FM on vocals, although Lovetta Pippen and Erika Hoffmann make guest appearances as well. Andy FM previously was best known as the keyboardist for Detroit underground favorites the Tranzistors and Sonapanic. In interviews Defever has often described her as "the best singer ever to sing me Elvis songs and Patsy Cline songs at my birthday party. She plays an important role in HNIA, she's a great singer and she's not afraid when the trombonist takes off his pants and pees in his trombone."
The follow up to
Detrola, titled
Xmmer, was released on September 18, 2007.
Sweet Earth FlowerSweet Earth Flower is a tribute album His Name is Alive recorded to honor the music of Marion Brown. Although it appeared after the Xmmer album, it was recorded between the release of Detrola and Xmmer...
, the band's tribute to free jazz saxophonist
Marion BrownMarion Brown is a jazz alto saxophonist and ethnomusicologist. He is most well-known as a member of the 1960s avant-garde jazz scene in New York City, playing alongside musicians such as John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, and John Tchicai...
was released by
High TwoHigh Two is a record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was launched in 2004 with the release of music by Dave Burrell and Sonic Liberation Front....
on November 6, 2007.
Main albums
- Livonia (1990) (4AD)
- Home Is in Your Head
Home Is in Your Head is an album by His Name Is Alive, originally released in 4AD in the UK in 1991, and in 1992 on 4AD/Rykodisc in the USA.-History:...
(1991) (4AD)
- Mouth by Mouth
-History:After two moderately successful LPs and one EP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever was in a position to vastly improve his home recording studio, and spent the fall of 1992 recording his most polished album yet, Mouth by Mouth...
(1993) (4AD)
- Stars on ESP
-History:Stars on ESP had the longest gestation period of any His Name Is Alive album, a project that band leader Warren Defever spent three years crafting before it saw release. In his notes written at the time of the album's release, he mentions that he began work on "I Can't Live in This World...
(1996) (4AD)
- Ft. Lake
-History:Work on Ft. Lake began shortly after completion of the Nice Day EP, with the same newly-stable lineup of leader Warren Defever on guitar, Chad Gilchrist on bass, Trey Many on drums, and vocalists Karin Oliver and Lovetta Pippen...
(1998) (4AD)
- Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth
Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth is an album by His Name Is Alive, released by 4AD in 2001.-History:Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth marked a huge change in the sound of His Name Is Alive, and is a controversial record among some of the band's fans...
(2001) (4AD)
- Last Night
-History:Last Night was recorded during a particularly low point in His Name Is Alive's long career. Due to the changes in the band and at their label, 4AD, in the last few years, the album was recorded knowing that it would be their last for 4AD. -History:Last Night was recorded during a...
(2002) (4AD)
- Detrola
Detrola is an album by His Name Is Alive, released in 2006. Four years after being dropped from the 4AD roster, HNIA released this album on their own Silver Mountain Media Group label...
(2006) (Silver Mountain/ Sony BMG)
- XMMER
Xmmer is His Name Is Alive's follow-up to 2006's Detrola, released in the USA on September 18, 2007. Stylistically, it is very similar to its predecessor, featuring a wide variety of the many styles the band had explored in the past...
(2007) (Silver Mountain/ Sony BMG)
- Sweet Earth Flower
Sweet Earth Flower is a tribute album His Name is Alive recorded to honor the music of Marion Brown. Although it appeared after the Xmmer album, it was recorded between the release of Detrola and Xmmer...
(2007) (High TwoHigh Two is a record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was launched in 2004 with the release of music by Dave Burrell and Sonic Liberation Front....
)
Singles and EPs
- The Dirt Eaters EP
The Dirt Eaters in an EP by His Name Is Alive, originally released by 4AD in early 1992. It has never been released on its own in the United States, as it was included on the 4AD/Rykodisc USA reissue of Home Is In Your Head in 1992.-History:...
(1992) (4AD)
- Universal Frequencies EP (1996) (4AD)
- Nice Day EP
-History:After the completion of the tour for Stars on ESP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever found himself with a steady lineup for perhaps the first time in the band's history: veterans vocalist Karin Oliver and drummer Trey Many; newer members vocalist Lovetta Pippen and bassist Chad...
(1997) (4AD)
- Melody Farm EP [split with Little Princess] (1997) (Shaolin Temple / timeSTEREO)
- Pets Farm EP [split with Little Princess] (1997) (Motorway/ timeSTEREO)
- Drugs Farm EP [split with Little Princess] (1998) (Rocket Science / timeSTEREO)
- Woodstock/Mothers Day" 7" included with LP of Fort Lake(1998) (4AD)
- Can't Always Be Loved (1998) (4AD)
- Happy Blues / One Year (2001) (4AD)
- Nothing Special (2001) (4AD)
- Raindrops Rainbow EP (2005) (Silver Mountain Media)
- Silver Makeup EP (2007) (Silver Mountain Media)
- Firefly Dragonfly (2007) (Acuarela Discos)
Independent projects, compilations and remixes
- Sings Man on the Silver Mountain and 8 Other Songs
Despite being an American band, His Name Is Alive was signed to the British 4AD label, and had no American distribution for their first three releases on 4AD. USA-based Rykodisc re-issued the albums in the summer of 1992, shortly before 4AD signed a distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records so...
(1992) (Rykodisc)
- King of Sweet
King of Sweet is a compilation album by His Name Is Alive, originally released in a limited run by the Perdition Plastics label in 1993. Most, if not all, of the songs had previously appeared on the band's many self-released cassettes in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and some of them had...
(1993) (Perdition Plastics, reissued in 2005 via timeSTEREO as MP3)
- Sampler (1993) (4AD)
- Radio LP (1998) (timeSTEREO)
- Always Stay Sweet
Always Stay Sweet is a compilation album of songs by His Name Is Alive, released by 4AD in 1999.-History:Always Stay Sweet is one of the rare 4AD albums that was released in the USA only, and not the label's native UK...
(1999) (4AD)
- Emergency (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- When the Stars Refuse to Shine (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- Early Music Volume 1 (1985-1989) (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- RMX's 1995-2000 (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- Rare Tracks in the Snow (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most (2001) (timeSTEREO)
- Heart and Hand [10 CD box set] (2001) (timeSTEREO)
- Cloud Box [10 CD box set] (2004) (timeSTEREO)
- Brown Rice (2005) (timeSTEREO)
- Leaf Club (2005) (timeSTEREO)
- Summer Bird LP (2005) (Ypsilanti)
- Ufo Catcher (2005) (En/of)
- Someday RMX (2006) (Silver Mountain Media)
- Detrola Instrumental (2007) (Silver Mountain Media) (iTunes only purchase)
- Xmmer Instrumental (2007) (Silver Mountain Media)
Live
- Sound of Mexico (1995) (timeSTEREO)
- Finer Twilights (1997) (timeSTEREO)
- Golden City (1997) (timeSTEREO)
- Great Lake States Blues (1997) (timeSTEREO)
- Ten Years Long Time (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- In the West (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- In the East (2000) (timeSTEREO)
Video
External links