Girth (band)
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| Girth | |
|---|---|
| Origin |  Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Genre(s) | Avant-garde metal |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Label(s) | Hector Stentor |
| Associated acts | The Abodox Sean (band) Lesbian (band) |
| Website | Official Site |
| Members | |
| Peijman Kouretchian Dave Webb |
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| Former members | |
| Andrew McGinnis B.R.A.D. Mark Blane |
|
Girth were a avant-garde metal band from Seattle, Washington. Dave Webb (guitar) and Peijman Kouretchian (drums) began the band in 2003.
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[edit] Girth duo
Initially the band was simply the duo of Webb and Kouretchian. The played frequently in Seattle throughout 2004 and 2005. They would often perform on the floor of the venue, directly in front of the bar, as opposed to the stage. Their performances garnered them descriptions such as "mercurial, unpredictable dynamics and time signatures; caustic guitar tones that sting like lye." (Segal, Dave, The Stranger, 7/25/05)
In 2004 they released their first album, "Living in Truth," on local Hector Stentor records. Many of the album's song titles were references to Milan Kundera's novel, The Unbearable Lightness of Being. The album was recorded by Randall Dunn (has also worked with Critters Buggin, Earth (band), Sunn 0))) & Boris' Altar (album), Eyvind Kang, Lesbian (band)). The artwork was done by Stephen O'Malley. The record received positive reviews and comparisons to bands such as Slayer, The Fucking Champs, Don Caballero, and Black Flag.
In the Spring of 2005 the duo successfully toured the West Coast.
[edit] Blackened Psychedelic Trio
In 2005, the band added Andrew McGinnis (formerly of Golgothan Sunrise) on keyboards. They began to puruse a new direction, often improvising the entirety of their live sets. Kouretchian also took the chance to fill sets with political speeches.
In November of 2005, the band performed a concert with Sean and The Abodox at Seattle's ReBar. The three bands were set-up simultaneously and would play songs in turn. Eventually all three bands began performing together.
Performances were centered around the piece, "Free Jazz," which Kouretchian wrote on drums and then Webb added guitar parts. The band recorded the piece with Dunn at Aleph. It also featured B.R.A.D. (Crack Sabbath, Master Musicians of Bukkake, ASVA) on vocals. Webb was quoted in The Stranger as saying, "The playing is much more emotional and on the edge than the last record. This should be a killer headphone record, but it'll still bite your head off." The album, titled The Sleeper Awakens, will be released on Web of Mimicry Records in late 2007.
[edit] Girth-Hordes
Webb and Kouretchian parted ways with McGinnis in 2006. They added Mark and Blane from legendary Seattle metal group, The Swarming Hordes on guitar. The lineup now featured three guitars and drums. Turning from the experimental phase of the previous lineup, the group now played relatively straight-ahead metal.
In April 2006, The Seattle Weekly nomiated Girth for "Best Hard Rock/Metal Band" in the 2006 Seattle Weekly Music Awards. (The honor went to Kinski.) The magazine said, "In early April, Girth added to their considerable two-man breadth by taking on two members of Swarming Hordes. Pulverizing progressions times breakneck speed plus ultraheavy layers of thick, dark sludge—with some acoustic guitars, perhaps, thrown in here and there for good measure? Whoa. These purveyors of new-math metal-core splunge (that’s like grunge, but with more spleening) have built a name on making plenty out of not too much. Just imagine what they’ll do as a four-piece."
[edit] Other Activities
Webb also records and releases music on his personal label, 1/2 Ass Universe. He performs and plays throughout the West Coast, playing guitar with the progressive rock group Wah Wah Exit Wound, drums in bar rock band Beer Sandwich, and as a member of the noise/experimental collective Wolf-Horse/R.I.G.E.L.. Webb released a black metal single under the moniker, Nam-Shub of Enki, in 2006. He is currently recording on a self-produced solo record in which he also performs all the instruments.
In Spring 2007, Kouretchian joined Secret Chiefs 3 as their touring drummer for North American dates. He also performed in Lemons & Stallions, a guitar/drums avant-garde jazz duo, with McGinnis.
A third Girth album, to be recorded with the three guitar line-up, is rumored to be forthcoming.
