Zen Guerrilla
Encyclopedia
Zen Guerrilla were a rock band originally from Newark, Delaware and currently from San Francisco, California
. Musically, the band evolved over their career. Their early sound was characterized by psychedelic
elements, such as delayed guitar
s and noise washes. Their unique sound gained a growing local following (winning several Philly music awards), however, did not increase marketability. Later, Zen Guerrilla fused blues, rock
and gospel to create a sound which could be likened to bands such as the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.
in the late 80s. Band members Andy Duvall (drums), Marcus Durant (vocals/harmonica), Carl Horne (bass), and Rich Millman (guitar) came together from local bands Marcus Hook, The Gollywogs, Stone Groove and No Comment.
The band released their self-titled CD on Philadelphia-based Compulsiv Records
in 1992 and Recorded at the world famous Third Story Recording Studio in Walnut Hill. Soon after, Zen Guerrilla moved to Philadelphia and were regular performers around the city at clubs such as the Kyber Pass Pub. Around this time the band began a heavy touring schedule, which would have them cross the country multiple times through the end of the decade.
Zen Guerrilla relocated to San Francisco in 1994. Their constant touring increased their exposure, and, combined with their explosive live show, helped to release albums first with Alternative Tentacles
and later Sub Pop, which is known for being the original record company of Nirvana
.
The band's version of the song "Empty Heart" was featured in the 2000 PlayStation game Grind Session
.
The band dissolved sometime around 2003.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. Musically, the band evolved over their career. Their early sound was characterized by psychedelic
Psychedelic
The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ψυχή and δηλοῦν , translating to "soul-manifesting". A psychedelic experience is characterized by the striking perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly...
elements, such as delayed guitar
Guitar
The 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...
s and noise washes. Their unique sound gained a growing local following (winning several Philly music awards), however, did not increase marketability. Later, Zen Guerrilla fused blues, 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...
and gospel to create a sound which could be likened to bands such as the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.
History
Zen Guerrilla formed in Newark, DelawareNewark, Delaware
Newark is an American city in New Castle County, Delaware, west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.- History :...
in the late 80s. Band members Andy Duvall (drums), Marcus Durant (vocals/harmonica), Carl Horne (bass), and Rich Millman (guitar) came together from local bands Marcus Hook, The Gollywogs, Stone Groove and No Comment.
The band released their self-titled CD on Philadelphia-based Compulsiv Records
Compulsiv Records
Compulsiv Records was a record label that operated out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.- History :The label was founded by Bryan Dilworth and James Payne.Dilworth found and signed the talent...
in 1992 and Recorded at the world famous Third Story Recording Studio in Walnut Hill. Soon after, Zen Guerrilla moved to Philadelphia and were regular performers around the city at clubs such as the Kyber Pass Pub. Around this time the band began a heavy touring schedule, which would have them cross the country multiple times through the end of the decade.
Zen Guerrilla relocated to San Francisco in 1994. Their constant touring increased their exposure, and, combined with their explosive live show, helped to release albums first with Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
and later Sub Pop, which is known for being the original record company of Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
.
The band's version of the song "Empty Heart" was featured in the 2000 PlayStation game Grind Session
Grind Session
Grind Session is a skateboarding game, developed by Shaba Games, released on the PlayStation in 2000.- Skaters :Grind Session features six professional skaters and nine hidden characters...
.
The band dissolved sometime around 2003.
Albums
- Zen Guerrilla - CompulsivCompulsiv RecordsCompulsiv Records was a record label that operated out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.- History :The label was founded by Bryan Dilworth and James Payne.Dilworth found and signed the talent...
1992 - Invisible "Liftee" Pad / Gap-Tooth Clown - Alternative TentaclesAlternative TentaclesAlternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
1997 - Positronic Raygun - Alternative TentaclesAlternative TentaclesAlternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
1998 - Trance States in Tongues - Sub Pop 1999
- Shadows on the Sun - Sub Pop 2001
- Heavy Mellow - Flapping Jet 2002 (LP picture disc)
EPs
- Creature Double Feature - Insect 1995
- Invisible "Liftee" Pad - Insect 1996
- Gap-Tooth Clown - Insect 1997
- Plasmic Tears and the Invisible City - Insect 2002
Singles
- Pull b/w Nile Song - Union Hall 1993
- Crow b/w Unusual - Union Hall 1994
- Trouble Shake b/w Change Gonna Come - Alternative TentaclesAlternative TentaclesAlternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
1997 - Ghetto City Version b/w Hungry Wolf - EpitaphEpitaph RecordsEpitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
1999 - Mama's Little Rocket - Allied Recordings 2000
- Dirty Mile b/w Ham and Eggs - EstrusEstrus RecordsEstrus Records is an independent record label from Bellingham, Washington that makes surf, garage and trash rock music.They have released such bands as Soledad Brothers, The Drags, The Mummies, Impala, Man or Astro-man?, the Makers, Gas Huffer, The Mooney Suzuki, DMBQ, The Cherry Valence, Midnight...
2000 - Pocketful of String b/w Wigglin' Room - Fanboy 2000
- The Seeker b/w Half Step - Sub Pop 2000
- Mob Rules b/w The Trooper - Safety Pin 2001
Podcasts
External links
- http://www.carltonmeltonmusic.com/ Andy Duvall's new band 'Carlton Melton'
- The Carl Horne Experiment solo act of bassist.
- Browntown West 3/4 of band doing cover songs with Christa DiBiase on vocals.