The Danglers

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The Danglers
Origin	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Genre(s)	Progressive Rock
Years active	1997-present
Label(s)	Unsigned
Website	The Danglers Official Website
Members
Dave Gelting Jason Loveall John Sparrow
Notable instrument(s)
Electric Violin, Contra Bass, Drums

1 Biography
2 Live at Rory's, 1998, Live EP
3 Cocktales, 1999,Live EP
4 Faux Käck, 1999, EP
5 The Danglers, 2000, LP
6 The Suite, 2000, 7" Single
7 Discography
8 References
9 External links
10 Videos
11 Reviews
12 Profiles and Interviews
13 Photos

[edit] Biography

The Danglers are a U.S. experimental and progressive rock band formed in Milwaukee in 1997. Described as a "surreal mix of musical mix and medieval manners," ^[1], this one-of-a-kind original trio of electric violin, standup bass, and drums includes John Sparrow of the Violent Femmes on drums/percussion, Jason Loveall of the Tossers on violin/guitars/vocal and Dave Gelting on bass.

The Danglers' Jason Loveall and Dave Gelting met while playing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee symphony, realized their similar musical tastes and ambitions, and decided to form a band, adding Jason's friend, John Sparrow to the mix. The music they decided to play was simple. Don't play your part; play your instrument. The trio poured through droves of bepop and 20th century composition, while scrutinizing King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Frank Zappa, Jeff Buckley, and Led Zeppelin collectively to infuence its direction.

"Simplicity is necessary to create good music," Jason Loveall said in a 2002 interview with The Press. Yet, it is a blend of "pocket symphonies, orchestral rock with contrasts of cacophony and quietude, harsh astringency and cotton softness," ^[2] that makes The Danglers' music original and "sexy cool".^[3] Self-proclaimed Heavy Wooden because their instruments are made of wood, their first release was a hand-copied cassette called 'Live at Rory's', a stereo mic recording of an early show at the venue that launched the band.

Early in their career the band flooded the Milwaukee music scene playing three weekly residencies while playing shows and conferences in the Midwest and East coast. They continue to record and play live throughout the Midwest.

[edit] Live at Rory's, 1998, Live EP

Auspicious beginnings of a three-piece band looking to redefine the course of rock. Not quite jazz or pop or progressive or emo, The Danglers' Heavy Wooden sounds percolated through the cafe PA system on a humid night in May, 1998. "Dance of the Eggshells" and a brilliant version of "Manic Depression" made first appearances here, and a rare version of "Milestones" thrilled the audience. "Live at Rory's" spawned the perpetuating organism, unleashing it to a world in need of audio salvation.

[edit] Cocktales, 1999,Live EP

Subtitled Memoirs of Milwaukee Nightlife, this EP is a journey through the smoke-filled lounges, coffee houses, and clubs of a city first referred to by British military officers as "Milwacky." Seen through the eyes of a Dangler over the course of two years, CockTales offers a palatte of original compositions and covers suitable for those who desire a history lesson from the bottom of a tall glass. [Sid Barrett], Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix channel their way in, but the originals pull the needle to leave you bleeding.

[edit] Faux Käck, 1999, EP

Faux Käck represents The Danglers first studio release showcasing three musicians prepared to unleash a new sound to the hungry masses yearning to be pleased. "Eggshells" offers a post-Huskeresque, guitar-driven instrumental demonstrating precision and melodic capability. The remaining tracks hit the listener with alternative bouts of brute force and subtle ecstacy, and "Variations", the EP's only live track, is a stunning reminder of why the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.

[edit] The Danglers, 2000, LP

A violin swoons, a contrabass grooves, and a trap set consumes. From the bombastic fuzz of "Aphrodite's Thighs", to the hauntingly beautiful "Phantom Kiss", The Danglers self-titled debut LP defines a new genre in modern music - Heavy Wooden. The Danglers fits like a glove in the disc tray, reminding you of the first time you sat on the living room floor in your underwear with your headphones screaming, and recognized your one true objective - you must become a musician.

[edit] The Suite, 2000, 7" Single

Destined to become an indie progressive-rock classic, The Suite combines the raw power of "Intermission Music" from 1999's Faux Käck EP, with the frenzied percussive stylings of Short Attention Span Theatre (CockTales, 1999), to remind the light-hearted that the night was not created in 4/4. The split 7" single brings its listener back to ground-level with a simple Mantra. You have your orders, now it is up to you.