The Red Masque
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| The Red Masque | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genre(s) | Progressive rock Avant-progressive rock Art rock |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Label(s) | Big Balloon Music |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | |
| Andrew Kowal Brandon Ross Lynnette Shelley Brian "Vonorn" Van Korn |
|
| Former members | |
| Steven Blumberg Nathan-Andrew Dewin Kiarash Emami Kevin Kelly |
|
The Red Masque is an avant-garde rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
The Red Masque was founded by vocalist Lynnette Shelley and bassist Brandon Ross in February 2001, incorporating elements of psychedelia, heavy rock, rock-in-opposition, zeuhl, gothic, and kraut rock. One of the group’s first concerts was at the Prelude to the 2001 North East Art Rock Festival (NEARFest); other notable shows have included the 2005 The Rogue Independent Music Festival in Atlanta, the 2001 WorldCon Science Fiction Convention, and the NJ Proghouse concert series. [1]
The Red Masque has opened for notable performers and musicians such as Chris Cutler (Henry Cow, Art Bears), The Muffins, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, and Present. In 2006, David Kerman (of Present, 5UUs, Thinking Plague, etc.) and Paul Sears (of The Muffins and Thee Maximalists) performed with the band on stage as guest drummers/percussionists at the NJ Proghouse.
The Red Masque has released one EP ("Death of the Red Masque" in 2001), and two albums ("Victoria and the Haruspex" in 2002 and "Feathers for Flesh" in 2004). "Feathers for Flesh" was released through Big Balloon Music, and has been favorably reviewed in such publications as The Wire (issue no. 248) and Harmonie Magazine (issue no. 52). According to their website, the band is currently working on a third album, "Fossil Eyes", which is due to be released in spring 2007.
Shelley has performed on other progressive/space rock-oriented albums as a guest vocalist, including Magus (on the album "the Garden")[2], Church of Hed (space rock project by Quarkspace founder Paul Williams; Shelley performs on their debut album under the moniker "Sister Mary Haruspex")[3], and Ethereal (on the album "Beyond Neptune"; Ethereal is a solo project by former Alien Planetscapes member Richard Orlando). In June 2007, Shelley performed as a guest vocalist with Bob Drake during his set at NEARfest.
Ross has composed two soundtrack pieces for the website of Karl Welz, inventor of Orgonite and Orgone Radionics.[4]
Kowal has built several of his own electric guitars and has studied with the luthier Tim Huenke of Superior Guitar Works. [5] as well as Victor Baker. [6]
The Red Masque will be performing at the Baltic Prog Festival in Lithuania in July 2008. [7]
[edit] Members
- Lynnette Shelley - vocals, percussion
- Brandon Ross - bass, keyboards
- Brian "Vonorn" Van Korn - drums, keyboards, theremin
- Andrew Kowal - guitar, mandolin, violin
[edit] Former Members
- Kevin Kelly - drums
- Steven Blumberg - guitars
- Nathan-Andrew Dewin - keyboards, concert harp, percussion
- Kiarash Emami - guitar, mandolin.
[edit] Discography
- Death of the Red Masque EP (2001)
- Victoria and the Haruspex (2002)
- Feathers for Flesh (2004)
