Today Is the Day
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| Origin | Nashville, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Genre(s) | Noise Rock Metal Sludge Metal Grindcore |
| Label(s) | Amphetamine Reptile Records Relapse Records SuperNova Records |
| Website | Official Website |
Today Is The Day is an experimental heavy metal\noise rock band from Nashville, Tennessee.
Contents |
[edit] Band History
Today Is The Day is an experimental heavy metal band founded by Steve Austin. The band saw its beginnings take root in Nashville, Tennessee in the early 1990s when Today Is The Day released their debut EP, entitled How To Win Friends And Influence People, in 1992. This self-financed release garnered the attention of Amphetamine Reptile Records (AmRep) who signed the band (at this time consisting of Austin on vocals and guitar, Brad Elrod on drums, and Mike Herrell on bass) in February 1993 and released the full-length Supernova later that year.
In September 1994, Today Is The Day saw its popularity in the metal underground gather steam with the release of their second album, entitled Willpower. That same year, Willpower was followed by the Clusterfuck '94 split EP with labelmates Chokebore and Guzzard. Today Is The Day made another appearance on 7" that year, as they contributed to the tenth volume of AmRep's Dope-Guns-'N-Fucking In The Streets 7" series with Brainiac and Steel Pole Bath Tub.
Today Is The Day's eponymously-titled March 1996 effort furthered the band's legacy within the metal community. This album was the first Today Is The Day release recorded at Austin's own studio, Austin Enterprise, in Nashville. For this release, Steve Austin shifted the band's sound slightly and opted to replace bassist Mike Herrell with keyboardist Scott Wexton. Today Is The Day would be the band's final recording for AmRep.
In 1997 Today Is The Day left the AmRep fold and signed with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based metal label Relapse Records. Temple Of The Morning Star was released in September of 1997. For this release, Steve Austin built an entirely new lineup, this time joining forces with bassist/keyboardist Christopher Reeser and drummer Mike Hyde link title. In addition to Temple Of The Morning Star, Today Is The Day added to their 1997 output by contributing to the In These Black Days 7" series. Released by Hydra Head Records, this series is comprised of six volumes of Black Sabbath covers performed by the following bands in addition to Today Is The Day: Anal Cunt, Eyehategod, Converge, Brutal Truth, Coalesce, Cavity, Cable, Jesuit, Overcast, Cave In, Botch, Neurosis, and Soilent Green. For this series, Today Is The Day contributed their rendition of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, which can also be found as a secret track at the end of Temple Of The Morning Star.
For Today Is The Day's August 1999 release, entitled In The Eyes Of God, Steve Austin once again altered Today Is The Day's lineup. For this record Reeser and Hyde were replaced with bassist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor, formerly of Rochester, New York's Lethargy and current members of Atlanta, Georgia-based Mastodon. Audiences got their first glimpses of this new lineup live at the Milwaukee Metalfest and the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival. Having moved to Massachusetts in 1998, this was the first Today Is The Day album to be recorded at Austin Enterprise's new location in Clinton, Massachusetts.
The years 2000 and 2001 were relatively quiet for Today Is The Day in terms of releasing new material. Live Till You Die was released in August of 2000, and included live tracks recorded during the tours in support of Temple Of The Morning Star and In The Eyes Of God, covers of songs by The Beatles, Bad Company, and Chris Isaak, and various odds and ends compiled from studio sessions held at Austin Enterprise during the late-1990s. In 2001 fans were treated to new Today Is The Day songs that were released on splits with Metatron and 16, the first glimpse of new material since 1999.
The new songs put out on the split releases in 2001 would prove to be but the tip of the iceberg, as these songs would appear on Today Is The Day's monolithic release Sadness Will Prevail. Sadness Will Prevail was released as a double album in September of 2002 and clocks in at approximately 2 1/2 hours. Taking roughly three years to record, mix, and master, Sadness Will Prevail is the band's most ambitious project to date. In addition, this album kept with Steve Austin's habit of rotating band personnel and Kelliher and Dailor were replaced by Chris Debari and Marshall Kilpatric, respectively. Despite the sheer size of Sadness Will Prevail, Today Is The Day also released their second live album, entitled Temple Of The Morning Star Tour, in 2002.
Today Is The Day returned in June of 2004 with an incredibly fast, brutal, and short album entitled Kiss The Pig. While Sadness Will Prevail plays like a progressive rock album, Kiss The Pig exists to be its predecessor's antithesis. Kiss The Pig featured the debut of new drummer Mike Rosswog, previously of Circle Of Dead Children. Rosswog replaced Anal Cunt's John Gillis, who performed live with the band in 2003. Kiss The Pig was the last album released by Today Is The Day on Relapse Records.
In December 2006 it was announced that former Hate Eternal drummer Derek Roddy had joined the band and would appear on their next studio album, Axis Of Eden, due in 2007. Roddy is the latest entry in Today Is The Day's rotating drummer slot, following short stints by drummers Jeff Lohrber and Graham Leduc.
[edit] SuperNova Records
2006 saw the launch of Steve Austin's own record label, SuperNova Records, which was founded in order to properly release material by Today Is The Day, among others. As of April 2007, SuperNova has released DVDs of live Today Is The Day shows from 1995 and 1996, as well as reissuing a remastered version of their Willpower record, previously released on Amphetamine Reptile Records. Other bands that call SuperNova Records home are as follows: Christine, Defcon 4, Diesel Theory, The Orange Man Theory, Presley, Roanoke, and Taipan.
More Today Is The Day releases via SuperNova Records are slated for the near future, as are records from all bands listed above.
[edit] Influences, Sound, And Style
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Often categorised as noise rock by critics, by listening to their discography, Today Is The Day can be heard to have a rather large and diverse number of influences on their sound and style. While drawing from the "usual suspects" of heavy rock influences such as Black Sabbath, Slayer, and Motörhead, early Today Is The Day releases (particularly the first three AmRep records) showcase Steve Austin's love for eccentric rock bands such as The Jesus Lizard, Slint, and various Steve Albini projects. These influences can be heard in Austin's use of unique guitar tunings and riffs that were written in very unorthodox time signatures. In addition to this, Austin's style of playing atmospheric and spacy guitar leads has led to his being likened to progressive rock guitarists Robert Fripp and David Gilmour of King Crimson and Pink Floyd, respectively. The influence of the progressive rock of Pink Floyd and King Crimson is particularly apparent on the Sadness Will Prevail album. A love of the legendary bands Mayhem, Napalm Death, and Morbid Angel has led to mid and later-era Today Is The Day releases (excluding Sadness Will Prevail) shifting away from the "AmRep-esque" style of rock towards a much more intense form of heavy metal. Complete with the use of blast beats, demonic or Satanic lyrics and imagery, and death metal influenced vocals, these releases have in turn brought Steve Austin's black metal, death metal, and grindcore influences to the forefront. Furthermore, in keeping with the band's eclectic and experimental nature, Austin is known to have an affinity for such adventurous musical artists as jazz great Miles Davis, the 1970s jazz fusion band Mahavishnu Orchestra, country legend Johnny Cash, punk rock and sludge sonic tricksters the Melvins, and alternative rock songstress PJ Harvey.
[edit] Past And Present Members
| Year(s) | Band Lineup |
| 1992-1996 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Mike Herrell - Bass Brad Elrod - Drums |
| 1996 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Scott Wexton - Keyboards Brad Elrod - Drums |
| 1996 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Christopher Reeser - Keyboards Brad Elrod - Drums |
| 1997-1998 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Christopher Reeser - Bass/Keyboards Mike Hyde - Drums |
| 1999 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Bill Kelliher - Bass Brann Dailor - Drums |
| 2000-2002 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Chris Debari - Bass Marshall Kilpatric - Drums |
| 2002 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Chris Debari - Bass John Gillis - Drums |
| 2004 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Chris Debari - Bass Mike Rosswog - Drums |
| 2005 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Chris Debari - Bass Jeff Lohrber - Drums |
| 2005 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Chris Debari - Bass Aaron Kotilainen - Keyboards Jeff Lohrber - Drums |
| 2006 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Chris Debari - Bass Graham Leduc - Drums |
| 2006-2008 | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
Chris Debari - Bass Derek Roddy - Drums |
| 2008 - TOTAL RESISTANCE TOUR | Steve Austin - Guitar and Vocals
John Judkins - Bass Mike Rosswog - Drums |
[edit] Guest Appearances
Vocals:
Guitar:
Violin:
- Kris Force
Cello:
- Jackie Gratz
The above personnel are featured on Sadness Will Prevail. It has been rumoured that Rob Fusco of Most Precious Blood will contribute guest vocals to the upcoming Axis Of Eden.
[edit] Discography
| Album Cover | Year of Release | Title | Label | Additional Information |
| 1992 | How To Win Friends And Influence People | Self-Released | EP. | |
| 1993 | I Bent Scared | Amphetamine Reptile Records | 7" EP. | |
| 1993 | Supernova | Amphetamine Reptile Records | First full-length release. | |
| 1994 | Willpower | Amphetamine Reptile Records | ||
| 1994 | Clusterfuck '94 | Amphetamine Reptile Records | Tour split with Chokebore and Guzzard. | |
| 1994 | Dope-Guns-'N-Fucking In The Streets: Volume 10 | Amphetamine Reptile Records | Split 7" with Steel Pole Bath Tub and Brainiac. | |
| 1996 | Today Is The Day | Amphetamine Reptile Records | ||
| 1997 | Temple Of The Morning Star | Relapse Records | First release for Relapse Records. | |
| 1997 | In These Black Days: Volume 3 | Hydra Head | Split 7" with Coalesce. | |
| 1999 | In The Eyes Of God | Relapse Records | ||
| 2000 | Live Till You Die | Relapse Records | ||
| 2001 | Today Is The Day/16 | Trash Art Records | Split release. | |
| 2001 | Today Is The Day/Metatron | Dark Reign Records | Split release. | |
| 2002 | Temple Of The Morning Star Live | Blue Blood Records | ||
| 2002 | Sadness Will Prevail | Relapse Records | ||
| 2004 | Kiss The Pig | Relapse Records | ||
| 2007 | Axis Of Eden | Supernova Records |
[edit] Filmography
| Film Cover | Year of Release | Title | Label | Additional Information |
| 2003 | Recollection: Relapse Video Collection | Relapse Records | The first volume of music videos of artists signed to Relapse Records. Includes the Today Is The Day song Pinnacle. | |
| 2004 | Dope, Guns And Fucking Up Your Video Deck, Vol. 1-3 1990-1994 | Amphetamine Reptile Records | Features music videos from bands signed to Amphetamine Reptile Records. Includes the Today Is The Day songs 6 Dementia Satyr and Realization. | |
| 2004 | Relapse Records Contamination Fest 2003 | Relapse Records | In addition to Today Is The Day, features live performances from Mastodon, Neurosis, High on Fire, Pig Destroyer, Bongzilla, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Alabama Thunderpussy, Burnt By The Sun, and Cephalic Carnage. Filmed at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the 18th and 19th of January, 2003. This particular release is interesting because it is the only official Today Is The Day release on which John Gillis plays with the band. | |
| 2004 | Recollection 2: Relapse Video Collection | Relapse Records | The second volume of music videos of artists signed to Relapse Records. Includes the Today Is The Day song The Descent. | |
| 2005 | Recollection 3: Relapse Video Collection | Relapse Records | The third volume of music videos of artists signed to Relapse Records. Includes the Today Is The Day song Mother's Ruin. | |
| 2006 | Willpower Live | SuperNova Records | Filmed on 16th May, 1995 at Barrister's in Memphis, Tennessee. Features the Willpower album performed in its entirety. | |
| 2006 | Today Is The Day Live | SuperNova Records | Filmed on 29th April, 1996 at The Wetlands in New York, New York. Features the Today Is The Day album performed in its entirety. |
[edit] Affiliated And Related Bands
- Alien In The Land Of Our Birth of Nashville started in 1989 and consisted of Brad Elrod on drums, Billy Loffler III on guitar, Leo Granados on bass, and Scot Upshaw Carter on vocals. The band didn't really hit their creative stride until Christopher Frey (bass, PORCH {S.F., CA.}& LOS COBRA) & Steve Austin joined the fold. Other members came and went. After a ridiculous move to Detroit, MI. the band self-destructed. The band broke up in the early 1990s.
- Taipan is a current Steve Austin side project that includes Today Is The Day bassist Chris Debari and Ironboss drummer Patrick Kennedy. Their debut album, entitled 1002: A Rock Odyssey, was released in May 2006 via Austin's own SuperNova Records.
- Cyclops was a musical endeavour that featured Steve Austin on guitar, Aaron King of Metatron on Bass, and Dave Witte and Brann Dailor on drums. This band is no longer together, though master tapes do exist. However, it is unknown whether or not this material will ever be properly released.
- KGB came into being as a result of a jam session that took place between Steve Austin (guitar), Rob Fusco (vocals), Chris Debari (bass), and a mutual friend named Jonah (drums). Master tapes exist, but, much like Cyclops, any plans to release this material are currently not known.
- Somniis was the band in which Chris Debari played guitar and contributed backup vocals. Starting in 1997, the original lineup, in addition to Debari, included Bryan Milkie on vocals, Dylan Cram on bass, and Jeff Sullivan on drums. Later, Dan Miller took over on bass, Mark Giulano assumed drumming duties, and Mike Garcia joined on second guitar. The band called it quits in early 2000.
- Malevolent Creation, Nile, Divine Empire, Aurora Borealis, Council Of The Fallen, Hate Eternal have all been projects with which current drummer Derek Roddy was a member.
- Mastodon is the current band of ex-members Brann Dailor and Bill Kelliher. Originally releasing albums via Relapse Records, they are now signed to Warner Brothers.
- Circle Of Dead Children was the Pittsburgh-based band in which ex-drummer Mike Rosswog played from 2002 to 2003. He played on their 2003 album entitled Human Harvest. C.O.D.C. is still very much active.
- Complete Failure is the current band of Mike Rosswog.
- Harlots is an Ohio-based band that features ex-drummer Jeff Lohrber. They continue to actively record and tour.
- The Esoteric is the current band of ex-drummer Marshall Kilpatric. They are based in Lawrence, Kansas. Kilpatric now plays in "Black Light Burns", along with former Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland.
[edit] Miscellaneous Information
- Today Is The Day has shifted their home base four times. Originally hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Austin moved to Clinton, Massachusetts in 1998 and then to Lunenberg, Massachusetts a few years later. In 2006, Austin and Today Is The Day once again moved, this time back to Nashville.
- Steve Austin owns Austin Enterprise and has produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered albums from myriad bands at his studio, including Lamb of God, Anal Cunt, Circle Of Dead Children, Bane, Defcon 4, Bongzilla, Converge, Unsane, Cable, Deadguy and Goatsblood.
- Steve Austin is known to use samples of dialogue from films in Today Is The Day songs. Films that appear on Today Is The Day albums include, but are not limited to, Memento, Rosemary's Baby, Dune, Chopper, Goodfellas, Requiem for a Dream, and Paradise Lost.
- Today Is The Day made a cameo as a "Christian Rock Band" in Duck! The Carbine High Massacre. This also appears on the band's website as the video for the song Spotting A Unicorn on the In The Eyes Of God record.
- Steve Austin plays and is endorsed by Paul Reed Smith guitars.
- Chris Debari plays Kubicki X-Factor basses.
- American tattoo artist Paul Booth provided the artwork for In The Eyes Of God.
- Japanese artist Takanami Kazuhiko, who Austin met after a Today Is The Day gig at the Knitting Factory, provided the artwork for Kiss The Pig.
- The track "Willpower" was contributed to the mashup album Threat: Music That Inspired The Movie, where it was remixed by darph/nadeR and dubbed "I Know That You're Lying."
