National Skyline
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| National Skyline | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Origin | Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, U.S.A.  |
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| Genre(s) | Alternative rock Shoegaze Synth rock |
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| Years active | 1996 - 2001; 2006 - present | |
| Label(s) | Hidden Agenda/ Parasol File 13 |
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| Website | http://www.nationalskyline.org | |
| Members | ||
| Jeff Garber Jeff Dimpsey Jeff Minor |
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| Former members | ||
| Nick Macri, Derek Niedringhaus, Steve Lamos | ||
Contents |
[edit] Overview
National Skyline is a conceptual band formed in late 1996 by Jeff Dimpsey of Hum. Dimpsey originallly formed the band in order to perform a 45-minute long song that he had written. They were initially an indie rock supergroup of sorts, with a rotating cast of prominent Champaign/Chicago area musicians. They did record the 45-minute song/album with Rick Valentin (of The Poster Children) in spring 1997, but it has never been released. The band's name is apparently a reference to Bob Dylan's album Nashville Skyline, though their music betrays no stylistic debt to Dylan, nor to country & western music.
The group's core members Dimpsey (bass) and Jeff Garber (singer/guitarist/songwriter) released two full-lengths, National Skyline and This = Everything, and the 18-minute EP Exit Now. They also contributed the song "Eurorak" to the Parasol Records compilation Sweet Sixteen, Volume 2. Their sound has been described as aesthetically similar to Radiohead, Slowdive, mid-'80s U2, Catherine Wheel, Jeff Buckley, Antarctica, and My Bloody Valentine, among others. Subtle synthesizer playing is used to color the band's songs, although they are primarily vocal- and guitar-driven.
[edit] Band characteristics/quirks
They are known for utilizing an elaborate light show at all of their concerts. No photo of the band members has appeared in any of their albums or EP, further adding to the group's mystique. Cover art generally consists of things such as empty buildings and blurred car lights at night; the band's artwork is always done by Ohio Girl Design. Rather than listing individual credits as all bands do, the phrase "Audio: National Skyline" is given in the liner notes of each album/EP. Garber usually sings in a frail, androgynous falsetto similar to those of Jeff Buckley and Thom Yorke. They generally use a drum machine instead of live drumming. The song "Karolina" was released on the self-titled album. A different, greatly-extended (12+ minute) version called "Karolina II" came out on Exit Now; this version featured walls of Glenn Branca-esque guitar and ominous synth lines.
[edit] Touring/ possible hiatus
James Minor of Compound Red joined as a touring guitarist in 2000; Dimpsey did not participate in the 2000 - 2001 touring. National Skyline has apparently not performed live since 2001. Nothing was heard from the band for five years, leading to speculation of a breakup. In June 2006, Garber leaked information about a new project on the group's MySpace site, without involvement from Dimpsey, including the new track "Pack Up." He also launched the group's homepage - a surrealiast series of cryptic images in a Flash animation, ending with a logo and the words "FAUX EVIL." Faux Evil Twin Theory is said to be the title of their upcoming album.
Before joining National Skyline, Garber was the singer for indie rock band Castor. He is also a guitarist in Year of the Rabbit and the lead singer/guitarist of post-punk influenced band The Joy Circuit. (No relation to the '80s group also named The Joy Circuit.)
[edit] Discography
- unreleased full-length album (one 45-minute song) (1997)
- National Skyline (2000, Hidden Agenda Records/ Parasol Records) (CD)
- Exit Now EP (2001, File 13 Records) (CD)
- This = Everything (2001, File 13 Records) (CD/LP) ("A Million Circles" full mp3: http://www.file-13.com/mp3/ft36.mp3)
