The Gaskets
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Gaskets | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Richmond, Virginia, USA |
| Genre(s) | Synth-pop, Rock |
| Instrument(s) | Yamaha_RM1x Music Sequencer |
| Years active | 2001 - present |
| Label(s) | Independent |
| Website | www.thegaskets.com |
| Members | |
| Teddy Blanks Ross Harman |
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The Gaskets is an American synth-pop/rock duo formed in Richmond, Virginia in 2001 by high school classmates Teddy Blanks (vocals, keyboards) and Ross Harman (sequencer, guitar). Known for their frenetic stage presence and high-energy songs to match, The Gaskets have released two studio albums in their short career, and are frequently seen in the New York City and Washington, DC music scene. They are managed by Nate 'Igor' Smith, an East Coast-based manager.
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[edit] Early History
Blanks and Harman first became friends while attending the Appomattox Regional Governor's School a public magnet school for young artists, located in Petersburg, Virginia. There they recorded their first tracks, using the name "The Fraggle Roc Project". These early songs were almost entirely improvised by the band, with Harman playing chords on his sequencer and Blanks singing (sometimes in a falsetto). Despite their crude recording process, the witty rhymes quickly became popular amongst the school community. The band sold recordings of the improvised music in a self-titled hand-made CD in June, 2001.
As the band grew older, they quickly grew out of the novelty of improvised lyrics and set out to record an independent album, based on their best material. Before the debut, they realized their name violated copyright law, and decided to change it to The Gaskets. The band claims the name was picked by flipping to a random page in the yellow pages.
Their self-titled LP album was sold at their shows starting in January, 2002. This was followed by a second album, Llama Ave. that July. Neither sold more than 100 copies each.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Big Fun (2003)
After a long recording and mastering session, The Gaskets' first studio LP, Big Fun, was released in early 2003. Most reviewers found the recording to be a light, poppy rendition of music popularized by They Might Be Giants, Sparks, and Beck[1]. After its initial success, the band found themselves as the opening act for a wide variety of musical acts, including Violent Femmes, Aaron Carter, Monica, Mario, and then for "Weird Al" Yankovic at a July, 2003 performance at Paramount's Kings Dominion.[2]
[edit] Loose Change (2006)
After the initial success of their first recording, The Gaskets decided to shed their quirky exterior and head into more adult territory. They were courted by famed producer David Lowery of Cracker (band) and Camper Van Beethoven fame, who owns and operates the Sound of Music Studios in Richmond, Virginia. The Gaskets and Lowery then collaborated on the Gaskets' second album, Loose Change, which deals with the concept of money (most notably, not having any). The CD was released in January, 2006. It was greatly received in the East Coast indie scene, landing a few music blogger's Top 10 Lists of 2006[3][4][5]
[edit] Other Works
[edit] Music Videos
The Gaskets' have commissioned multiple music videos for their songs, most notably for the first single for Loose Change, "Eiffel Tower". Directed by Grier Hillman Dill, the video was an official selection in the 2007 SXSW Film Festival[6] Other music videos include a stop-motion video by band-mate Ross Harman for "Left Hand".
[edit] Loose Change Live (2007)
To celebrate the release of their second album, The Gaskets invited Richmond, Virginia-based filmmaker Joe Carabeo to record their release show at local club The Nanci Raygun in January, 2006. Featured on stage with The Gaskets were The Fabulous Catalinas, a live backup band formed by local musicians integral in the recording of the album. The sold-out show was edited by Carabeo into the concert film Loose Change Live. The DVD was released the following year.[7]
[edit] References and notes
- ^ Johnny Loftus. Big Fun Review (allmusic.com). Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ Kate Bredimus. This Week in Local Music: The Gaskets. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ The Music Slut. The Slut Presents Our Top Albums of '06. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ Yeti Don't Dance. Essential 2006: The Gaskets' Loose Change. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ Jason McNeil. The Gaskets Loose Change - PopMatters Music Review. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ SXSW Film Festival. The Gaskets - Eiffel Tower. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ Brent Baldwin. Style Weekly Review: Loose Change Live (DVD). Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
