Ken Andrews
Encyclopedia
Ken Andrews is an American
musician
and producer
, based out of Los Angeles, California
.
Andrews was born in Seattle, Washington
, and attended film school
in Los Angeles
before his band Failure
received a record deal from Slash Records
.
He was the co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist
, and co-songwriter
of the rock band
Failure
, and also played in Replicants
, a cover band
side project that also included members of Tool
. After the breakup of Failure, he also recorded music under the moniker ON
, and later assembled and fronted the band Year of the Rabbit
. Currently, Andrews is performing as a solo artist, as well as collaborating in a self-described "digital band" called Los Angeles Digital Noise Academy with Brad Laner (Medicine
), Sharky Laguana (Creeper Lagoon
), and Charlotte Martin
(whom Andrews married in 2005), among others.
Apart from his work as a musician, Andrews has also produced and/or mixed material for many artists, such as Pete Yorn
, A Perfect Circle
, Tenacious D
, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
, Mae
, Future of Forestry
, and others. Also notable is his participation in the production of "You Know My Name
", the theme for the 2006 James Bond
movie Casino Royale
, performed by ex-Soundgarden
/Audioslave
frontman Chris Cornell
.
In March 2007, Andrews released Secrets Of The Lost Satellite
, his first solo album under his own name, and helped oversee its release via his own label, Dinosaur Fight Records. The initial inspiration for the album came when he was invited by Beck
to contribute to songs that he and his backing band were working on for the Nacho Libre
soundtrack, recording sessions which Andrews described as "one of the most exciting of my life". Beck's live musical director, session musician
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
, was already a friend of Andrews', and shortly afterward, they and other members of Beck's band (including Matt Mahaffey
of Self
) began working on material that eventually became the album. Andrews also brought in another old friend, Jordon Zadorozny
of Blinker the Star
, to assist with songwriting and arrangement
s, and Zadorozny also ended up playing various instruments on some songs, as well. Both Meldal-Johnsen and Zadorozny are listed as co-producers of Secrets of the Lost Satellite. Andrews went on tour that spring for the first time since 2003, with the opening band, San Diego
's First Wave Hello, also serving as his backing band.
The members of Failure and Tool
have been friends since the early 1990s; the two bands toured together repeatedly, and some members collaborated occasionally. Andrews is often credited for directing the music video for Tool's "Hush
", but this is incorrect. He did, however, edit the video for their later single "Prison Sex
". Andrews is also mistakenly credited with involvement in the post-grunge arena-rock band Neon Steam Dreams; that Andrews is a different musician by the same name.
He was featured on an episode of WIRED Science
discussing the pros and cons of digital vs. analog recording. Andrews argued that more can be done (with greater ease) with digital while Steve Albini
argued that he can accomplish just as much with analog.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, based out of Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
Andrews was born in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, and attended film school
Film school
The term film school is used to describe any educational institution dedicated to teaching aspects of filmmaking, including such subjects as film production, film theory, digital media production, and screenwriting. Film history courses and hands-on technical training are usually incorporated into...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
before his band Failure
Failure (band)
Failure was an American rock band that was active from 1990 to 1997, during which they recorded and released three critically acclaimed albums...
received a record deal from Slash Records
Slash Records
Slash Records is a record label in Los Angeles, originally specializing in local and punk rock bands.The label was formed in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los Angeles-based fanzine, Slash. Biggs, a painter, initiated the label with a seven-inch single from The Germs in 1978. A full album...
.
He was the co-founder, lead vocalist, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, and co-songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
of the rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
Failure
Failure (band)
Failure was an American rock band that was active from 1990 to 1997, during which they recorded and released three critically acclaimed albums...
, and also played in Replicants
Replicants (band)
Replicants was a four-piece band, consisting of Ken Andrews, Paul D'Amour, Greg Edwards, and Chris Pitman, which has been on hiatus since 1996. The group has only released one album, a self-titled cover album, in 1995...
, a cover band
Cover band
A cover band , is a band that plays mostly or exclusively cover songs. New or unknown bands often find the cover band format marketable for smaller gigs, and these bands may be known as a wedding band, party band and function band. A band whose covers consist mainly of songs that were chart hits is...
side project that also included members of Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
. After the breakup of Failure, he also recorded music under the moniker ON
ON (music)
ON was a solo project of Ken Andrews, which he started after the breakup of his previous band, Failure. The music of ON was not unlike that of Failure, in terms of songwriting, but the overall sound was more based on electronics, with less emphasis on guitars and the typical heavy rock sound.ON...
, and later assembled and fronted the band Year of the Rabbit
Year of the Rabbit
Year of the Rabbit is a rock band assembled and fronted by Ken Andrews, formerly of Failure and ON. After the commercial disappointment of ON, Andrews and ON's touring drummer Tim Dow first recruited Dow's friend Jeff Garber , and Solomon Snyder Year of the Rabbit is a rock band assembled and...
. Currently, Andrews is performing as a solo artist, as well as collaborating in a self-described "digital band" called Los Angeles Digital Noise Academy with Brad Laner (Medicine
Medicine (band)
Medicine is an alternative noise-pop/rock band from the San Fernando Valley, United States. They were formed in 1991 by guitarist Brad Laner and signed to Rick Rubin's American Recordings label the following year...
), Sharky Laguana (Creeper Lagoon
Creeper Lagoon
Creeper Lagoon is a San Francisco indie rock band originally started by Sharky Laguana as a solo project in 1991. They are currently on Sharky's digital record label, Neglektra.- History :...
), and Charlotte Martin
Charlotte Martin
Charlotte Ann Martin is an American singer-songwriter, who performs predominantly on the piano. She has written several studio albums, two of which have received mainstream commercial releases, 2004's On Your Shore and 2006's Stromata...
(whom Andrews married in 2005), among others.
Apart from his work as a musician, Andrews has also produced and/or mixed material for many artists, such as Pete Yorn
Pete Yorn
Peter Joseph Yorn is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who first gained international recognition after his debut record, Musicforthemorningafter, was released to critical acclaim in 2001.-Early history:Yorn's father is a dentist and his mother is a former concert pianist who worked as a...
, A Perfect Circle
A Perfect Circle
A Perfect Circle is an American rock supergroup formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan. The original incarnation of the band also included Paz Lenchantin on bass, Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar, and Tim Alexander on drums...
, Tenacious D
Tenacious D
Tenacious D is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. Composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Black and lead guitarist and vocalist Kyle Gass, the band has released two albums – Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny...
, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, now based in Los Angeles. BRMC is known for their garage rock, blues, folk revival, neo-psychedelia sound. They are influenced by bands such as: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Verve, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, T...
, Mae
Mae
Mae was an American alternative/indie band that formed in Norfolk, Virginia in 2001. The band's name is an acronym for "Multi-sensory Aesthetic Experience," based on a course taken by drummer Jacob Marshall while a student at Old Dominion University....
, Future of Forestry
Future of Forestry
Future of Forestry is a Christian rock alternative band from Southern California, USA.-History:Eric Owyoung, lead singer and song writer, started the band Something Like Silas in 2000. After playing at Hume Lake for 3 years and planting Flood Church in San Diego, the band signed with Sparrow Records...
, and others. Also notable is his participation in the production of "You Know My Name
You Know My Name
"You Know My Name," performed by Chris Cornell, is the theme song to the 2006 James Bond film, Casino Royale. Cornell wrote it jointly with David Arnold, the soundtrack's composer. The film producers went after Cornell because they wanted a strong male singer...
", the theme for the 2006 James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
movie Casino Royale
Casino Royale (2006 film)
Casino Royale is the twenty-first film in the James Bond film series and the first to star Daniel Craig as fictional MI6 agent James Bond...
, performed by ex-Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
/Audioslave
Audioslave
Audioslave was an American rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles, California in 2001. It consisted of former Soundgarden lead singer/rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell and the former instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine: Tom Morello , Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk...
frontman Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell is an American rock musician best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and as the former lead vocalist for Audioslave. He is also known for his numerous solo works and soundtrack contributions since 1998...
.
In March 2007, Andrews released Secrets Of The Lost Satellite
Secrets Of The Lost Satellite
Secrets Of The Lost Satellite is the 2007 debut solo album from Ken Andrews.The album cover features the Nazca Lines taken by photographs from the Spot satellite in which the album was most likely named after. The tour that followed involved the band First Wave Hello opening for Ken and supporting...
, his first solo album under his own name, and helped oversee its release via his own label, Dinosaur Fight Records. The initial inspiration for the album came when he was invited by Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
to contribute to songs that he and his backing band were working on for the Nacho Libre
Nacho Libre
Nacho Libre is a 2006 comedy film directed by Jared Hess. It is a production of Nickelodeon Movies.The script was written by Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess and Mike White. It was loosely based on the story of Fray Tormenta , aka Rev. Sergio Gutiérrez Benítez, a real-life Mexican Catholic priest who had a...
soundtrack, recording sessions which Andrews described as "one of the most exciting of my life". Beck's live musical director, session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Justin Meldal-Johnsen is an American musician and bassist, best known for his work with Grammy Award-winning artist Beck. He served as the touring bassist for Nine Inch Nails during their final tours.-Recording career:...
, was already a friend of Andrews', and shortly afterward, they and other members of Beck's band (including Matt Mahaffey
Matt Mahaffey
Matt Mahaffey is an American multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and recording engineer best known for his band Self.-Personal:Matt grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee and was involved with music from a young age...
of Self
Self (band)
Self is an American alternative pop/rock band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and largely the brainchild of writer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Matt Mahaffey....
) began working on material that eventually became the album. Andrews also brought in another old friend, Jordon Zadorozny
Jordon Zadorozny
-External links:...
of Blinker the Star
Blinker the Star
Blinker the Star is a Canadian indie rock band, originally from Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. Band leader Jordon Zadorozny is known for having cowritten songs with Courtney Love...
, to assist with songwriting and arrangement
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
s, and Zadorozny also ended up playing various instruments on some songs, as well. Both Meldal-Johnsen and Zadorozny are listed as co-producers of Secrets of the Lost Satellite. Andrews went on tour that spring for the first time since 2003, with the opening band, San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
's First Wave Hello, also serving as his backing band.
The members of Failure and Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
have been friends since the early 1990s; the two bands toured together repeatedly, and some members collaborated occasionally. Andrews is often credited for directing the music video for Tool's "Hush
Hush (Tool song)
"Hush" is a song by Tool from their 1992 EP Opiate. The song was first recorded on a self-titled demo tape variously known as Toolshed and 72826, recorded in mid-1991...
", but this is incorrect. He did, however, edit the video for their later single "Prison Sex
Prison Sex (song)
"Prison Sex" is a song by American rock band Tool. The song was released as their first single from their debut album Undertow. The song is unique for its use of modified drop-B tuning.-Music video:...
". Andrews is also mistakenly credited with involvement in the post-grunge arena-rock band Neon Steam Dreams; that Andrews is a different musician by the same name.
He was featured on an episode of WIRED Science
WIRED Science
Wired Science is a weekly high-definition television program that covers modern scientific and technological topics. In January 2007 PBS aired pilot episodes for three different science programs, including Wired Science. Using Nielsen ratings, CPB-sponsored research and public feedback, PBS...
discussing the pros and cons of digital vs. analog recording. Andrews argued that more can be done (with greater ease) with digital while 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...
argued that he can accomplish just as much with analog.
With Failure
- ComfortComfort (album)Comfort is the first studio album by the American rock band Failure.-Track listing:All tracks by Ken Andrews#"Submission" – 3:23#"Macaque" – 4:59#"Something" – 2:53#"Screen Man" – 6:15#"Swallow" – 2:31#"Muffled Snaps" – 3:55#"Kindred" – 2:21...
(1992) (see also 1992 in music1992 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
) - MagnifiedMagnified-Personnel:*Ken Andrews – vocals, guitar, bass*Greg Edwards – bass guitar, guitar, drums*John Dargahi - drums...
(1994) (see also 1994 in music1994 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
) - Fantastic PlanetFantastic Planet (album)Fantastic Planet is the third and final studio album by the American rock band Failure. It was the last album released on Slash Records as distributed by Warner Bros. The album failed to chart on Billboards Top 200 albums, but did produce a charting single with "Stuck on You", which reached #23 on...
(1996) (see also 1996 in music1996 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
) - Golden (2004) (see also 2004 in music2004 in musicSee also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
) - Essentials (2006) (see also 2006 in music2006 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
)
With Year of the Rabbit
- HuntedHunted (album)Hunted is the 2003 debut EP from Year of the Rabbit, the band best known for being Ken Andrews' second post-Failure project.Hunted was financed independently by Ken Andrews, and was made available only from CD Baby, the iTunes Store, and the band themselves."Hunted" and "Rabbit Hole" are both...
(2003) (see also 2003 in music2003 in music-January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested...
) - Year of the RabbitYear of the Rabbit (album)Year of the Rabbit is the first full-length album from Year of the Rabbit, Ken Andrews' second post-Failure project.-Track listing:All songs composed by Ken Andrews except where noted.#"Rabbit Hole" - 2:33#"Lie Down" - 4:09#"Last Defense" - 3:29...
(2003) (see also 2003 in music2003 in music-January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested...
)
Solo discography
- Secrets Of The Lost SatelliteSecrets Of The Lost SatelliteSecrets Of The Lost Satellite is the 2007 debut solo album from Ken Andrews.The album cover features the Nazca Lines taken by photographs from the Spot satellite in which the album was most likely named after. The tour that followed involved the band First Wave Hello opening for Ken and supporting...
(2007) (see also 2007 in music2007 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
) - Secret Things: Remixes From The Lost SatelliteSecret Things: Remixes From The Lost SatelliteSecret Things: Remixes From The Lost Satellite is the 2007 remix of the debut solo album from Ken Andrews.-Track listing:#"Secret Things"#"Secret Things" [I-L-O-V-E-U remix) Secret Things: Remixes From The Lost Satellite is the 2007 remix of the debut solo album from Ken Andrews.-Track...
- EP (2007) (see also 2007 in music2007 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
) - Secrets Of The Lost Satellite Tour, Spring 2007Secrets Of The Lost Satellite Tour, Spring 2007Secrets Of The Lost Satellite Tour, Spring 2007 is the 2007 live album from Ken Andrews Secrets Of The Lost Satellite tour.-Track listing:#"Stuck On You"#"In Your Way"#"Up Or Down"#"Secret Things"#"Write Your Story"#"C'mon Collapse"#"Soluble Words"...
- Live (2007) (see also 2007 in music2007 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
)