The Phlegmatics
Encyclopedia
The Phlegmatics are a power pop
band
from Houston, Texas
. They are distinguished by their songs about video games, sexual angst, ancient history
, social ineptitude and other viewpoints of the societal outsider, set to a powerful, melodic and quirky sound. Sara Cress of The Houston Chronicle
described The Phlegmatics music as “…a sound that's smarter than blink-182
and less slick than Weezer
(that's a good thing), but within the same family of rock.”
doctor
Hippocrates
(460-370 BC), who believed certain human moods, emotions and behaviors were caused by body fluids (called "humors"): blood
, yellow bile
, black bile, and phlegm
. A phlegmatic person is calm and unemotional. Phlegmatic means "pertaining to phlegm
", corresponds to the season of winter
(wet and cold), and connotes the element of water
.
While phlegmatics are generally self-content and kind, their shy personality can often inhibit enthusiasm in others and make themselves lazy and resistant to change.
), (Greytown) in what was originally an attempt to create a musical vehicle for Jonathan’s younger brother Ethan. Jonathan, who had previously written songs in a style more akin to Depeche Mode
, or The Cure
, was already considering writing in some new style for a solo recording when he conceived of a song that would suit Ethan well. Both Jonathan’s bandmates and his producer Dave Hartung loved the song, and it was agreed that Jonathan’s solo recording would become The Phlegmatics first album Alumnus.
With the release of their first recording, The Phlegmatics were widely regarded as one of the best groups of its type from the Houston area. The band was nominated in both 2005 and 2006 for a Houston Press
Music Award, and The Houston Chronicle declared them “Houston’s Ultimate Geek Band” in their 2005 Ultimate Houston section.
In 2007, Jonathan and Ethan’s father, Dave Marshall, a veteran lead guitarist who, with Kemper Crabb
, has fronted bands such as ArkAngel and Radio Halo, joined while Ethan moved to the drums.
The band then recorded and released their sophomore effort, Billy the Starfighter Pilot vs. The Phlegmatics.
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...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. They are distinguished by their songs about video games, sexual angst, ancient history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, social ineptitude and other viewpoints of the societal outsider, set to a powerful, melodic and quirky sound. Sara Cress of The Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
described The Phlegmatics music as “…a sound that's smarter than blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
and less slick than Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
(that's a good thing), but within the same family of rock.”
Name
The Phlegmatics draw their name from the ancient four humors theory of the GreekGreeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
Hippocrates
Hippocrates
Hippocrates of Cos or Hippokrates of Kos was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles , and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine...
(460-370 BC), who believed certain human moods, emotions and behaviors were caused by body fluids (called "humors"): blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
, yellow bile
Bile
Bile or gall is a bitter-tasting, dark green to yellowish brown fluid, produced by the liver of most vertebrates, that aids the process of digestion of lipids in the small intestine. In many species, bile is stored in the gallbladder and upon eating is discharged into the duodenum...
, black bile, and phlegm
Phlegm
Phlegm is a liquid secreted by the mucous membranes of mammalians. Its definition is limited to the mucus produced by the respiratory system, excluding that from the nasal passages, and particularly that which is expelled by coughing . Phlegm is in essence a water-based gel consisting of...
. A phlegmatic person is calm and unemotional. Phlegmatic means "pertaining to phlegm
Phlegm
Phlegm is a liquid secreted by the mucous membranes of mammalians. Its definition is limited to the mucus produced by the respiratory system, excluding that from the nasal passages, and particularly that which is expelled by coughing . Phlegm is in essence a water-based gel consisting of...
", corresponds to the season of winter
Winter
Winter is the coldest season of the year in temperate climates, between autumn and spring. At the winter solstice, the days are shortest and the nights are longest, with days lengthening as the season progresses after the solstice.-Meteorology:...
(wet and cold), and connotes the element of water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
.
While phlegmatics are generally self-content and kind, their shy personality can often inhibit enthusiasm in others and make themselves lazy and resistant to change.
History
Formed in 2003, The Phlegmatics reunited former bandmates Jonathan Marshall and Jonas Velasco (Atomic OperaAtomic Opera
Atomic Opera are a hard rock band from Houston, Texas. Their style blends progressive rock, art rock, metal, medieval influences, and eastern music.-History:...
), (Greytown) in what was originally an attempt to create a musical vehicle for Jonathan’s younger brother Ethan. Jonathan, who had previously written songs in a style more akin to Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
, or The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, was already considering writing in some new style for a solo recording when he conceived of a song that would suit Ethan well. Both Jonathan’s bandmates and his producer Dave Hartung loved the song, and it was agreed that Jonathan’s solo recording would become The Phlegmatics first album Alumnus.
With the release of their first recording, The Phlegmatics were widely regarded as one of the best groups of its type from the Houston area. The band was nominated in both 2005 and 2006 for a Houston Press
Houston Press
The Houston Press is an alternative weekly newspaper published in Houston, Texas, United States. It is headquartered in Downtown Houston....
Music Award, and The Houston Chronicle declared them “Houston’s Ultimate Geek Band” in their 2005 Ultimate Houston section.
In 2007, Jonathan and Ethan’s father, Dave Marshall, a veteran lead guitarist who, with Kemper Crabb
Kemper Crabb
Kemper Crabb is an American musician. His style is reminiscent of 'Olde English'. His music has been described as 'Celtic, Medieval, intelligent and sacred'. He has produced over 8 records, the first 'The Vigil' in 1982, which sold over one hundred thousand copies on vinyl...
, has fronted bands such as ArkAngel and Radio Halo, joined while Ethan moved to the drums.
The band then recorded and released their sophomore effort, Billy the Starfighter Pilot vs. The Phlegmatics.
Band members
- Jonathan Marshall - vocals, electric 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...
- Jonas Velasco - vocals, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Ethan Marshall - drums, vocals guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Dave Marshall Marshall - electric 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...
, vocals, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, dobroDobroDobro is a registered trademark, now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and used for a particular design of resonator guitar.The name has a long and involved history, interwoven with that of the resonator guitar...
Discography
- Alumnus (2005)
- ”Billy the Starfighter Pilot vs. The Phlegmatics (2009)
Further reading
- http://www.29-95.com/music/bands-and-artists/phlegmatics A review by Sara Cress
- http://www.spacecityrock.com/bands.shtml#phlegmatics A review by Space City Rock.com