Engerica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 Mike Webster, Neil-Ross Gregory, David Gardner |
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| Origin | Essex, England |
| Years active | 2000 – 2006 |
| Genres | punk, metal |
| Labels | Sanctuary Records |
| Members | David Gardner Mike Webster Neil-Ross Gregory |
| Website(s) | http://www.engerica.com |
Engerica were a British, Essex based punk band. They play a variety of punk and metal, with just a hint of grunge and goth, featured on their debut and only album There are no happy endings, which was released on 13 March 2006.
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[edit] Band members
- David Gardner (Vocals,Guitar)
- Mike Webster (Bass, Vocals)
- Twin brother of Jim Webster, drummer for Essex rock band Beep! Beep! Richie
- Neil-Ross Gregory (Drums)
[edit] Band biography
Neil had discovered the likes of Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and Green Day, whose musical influences led him to play drums. Around the age of 13 Mike's twin brother (Jim) announced that he was having drum lessons, he in turn decided he wanted to learn something, he chose bass. During his teens Dave bought his cousin's guitar and started lessons at his school. He found that he didn't really enjoy playing guitar, as he wasn't very good, though eventually developed his talent. Each band member went though phases of discovery of Nirvana and similar bands, these had profound effects on their passion for music; it became a real sense of desire and ambition amongst them, which shows through in their present music. Though they had a band, it did not have a name, Dave spotting the trainers a girl in his class was wearing, which were "Emerica" trainers and he got to thinking of how they came up with that name. He thought it was something to do with England and America and after a few seconds came up with Engerica. Suggested it to the others band members it was the first name they all agreed on and thus Engerica was born. In December 2000 they played their first show, and 4 years later (January 2005) Engerica signed to Sanctuary Records and recorded their debut album shortly after.
[edit] Progression
Engerica were not concerned with being fashionable or being liked by everyone. They sound like the destruction of something beautiful, they sound like the world is about to end. Engerica's songs are sick and twisted odes to the underworld. Sexy with a dark, sadistic humour. Just playing the music they love and crossed their fingers. This soon earned a reputation for exhilarating live shows and an aggressive onstage personality, touring with the likes of Reuben, Sum 41, Yellowcard, Therapy? and Seether. Engerica also appeared at the 2005 and 2006 Download Festivals.
[edit] Mike solo project
Bassist Mike Webster began his own solo project in late 2005. Mike writes and performs songs in a similar style to Engerica, but using only his vocals and an acoustic guitar, though occasionally records with a band, members including his twin brother Jim. Some of the music he has written have ended up as Engerica songs. Mike has performed solo at a smattering of live dates, including Saks in Southend on the May 11, 2006 with Fashoda Crisis, Shouting At Strangers, Kunt and the gang and Deffered Success, and The Good Ship in Kilburn, London on August 31, 2006. Mike has recorded a number of songs, some of which can be downloaded from his MySpace profile [1]. Other songs have made it onto a demo entitled 'Lonely Ol Town', copies which were given away at Engerica gigs. The tracklisting for the demo is as follows:
- Lonely Ol Town
- Amputeen
- Resign
- They Never Change
- Pest
[edit] Split
The band announced on Wednesday 23 August 2006 that they would be going their separate ways as of November 2006. The announcement was made via an email newsletter to fans and reads as follows:
Important Announcement...
Dear everybody,
It is with a sad heart and a weird feeling in our tummies that we announce as of November this year, Engerica will be no more.
All the touring dates with Seether will go ahead as scheduled and there will be some one off headline shows announced shortly including our last ever gig which will be a special Halloween show at Chinnerys, Southend on 26th October.
After this show the members of Engerica will go their separate ways; Dave will be starting a degree and learning to play the piano, Mike will be playing solo and recording some tracks shortly and Neil will be starting a new life away from Essex.
The split is entirely amicable and all members of the band still love each other very much.
We would like to thank all of the many people who have helped the band to do all that we've done and we would especially like to thank all the fans who have supported Engerica over the past six years and made being in this band a very special and brilliant time of our lives that we will always remember, we'll see you all on the tour.
Also a very special thank you to our long serving manager and friend, Warren Higgins, who put up with us through thick and thin. We wish him every luck in the future.
All our love,
Engerica x x x
Their final gig was held on 26th October, as mentioned in the above statement, at Chinnerys in Southend-on-Sea. The venue was influenced with a Halloween style. They were supported by Left Side Brain.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Album
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "My Demise" | CD | (self released) |
| 2003 | "Trick or Treat?" | CD | Wrath Records |
| 2004 | "The Smell" | CD | Kennel Records |
| 2005 | "My Demise (re-release)" | CD / 7" | Sanctuary Records |
| 2005 | Roadkill | CD / Maxi CD / 7" | Sanctuary Records |
| 2006 | The Smell (re-release) | CD1 / CD2 | Sanctuary Records |
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[edit] Music videos
- Roadkill (2005)
- The Smell (2006)[2]
[edit] Other
Demo, compilation albums, compilation EPs
| Year | Title | Type | Featured Song/s |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | The Pink Tape | Demo Cassette | 'Nobody's Saviour', 'Groaner' and 'The Brown Grass' |
| (Never released) | Dont Think! | compilation EP | Unknown |
| 2003 | The Squirrel EP | compilation EP | Crooked Sex |
| 2004 | Doo...Wutchyalike | compilation CD | Crooked Sex |
| 2004 | Metal Hammer: The Razor Vol 1 | compilation CD | Roadkill |
| 2004 | Rocksound compilation | compilation CD | Roadkill |
| 2004 | Subverse Vol 2:'Subverse by Name...Subverse by Nature | compilation CD | Reasons to be Fearful (Part 1) |
[edit] Nominations
Metal Hammer Awards 2006: Best Newcomer
