Gruvis Malt

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Grüvis Malt
Origin Providence, Rhode Island
Genres Futurock
Years active 1995–2005
Labels Independent
Lakeshore Records
Associated acts Ebu Gogo
Gavin Castleton
Jonny Classic & the Classic Johns
Priestbird
Blue Cranes
Members Gavin Castleton
Brendan Bell
Erik Nilsson
Scott McPhail
Justin Abene
Steve Geuting
Past members Saunder Jurriaans
Ethan Ruzzano
Steve Martinka
Brandon Clemmens
Josh Hutchins
Reed Wallsmith
Rich Hall
Grüvis Malt was a six piece band founded in Providence, Rhode Island in 1995. Grüvis Malt has released a total of seven full-length albums,[1] one of which was released under Lakeshore Entertainment subsidiary Lakeshore Records, and three EPs. The other albums were released independently under Grüvis Malt's self-run label, Integers Only.

Grüvis Malt is known for their blending of genres (progressive rock, hip hop, jazz, and funk) and intense songwriting. They are the self-proclaimed founders of the "futurock" genre,[2] which features a blending of irregular time signatures (like math rock), unconventional chord progressions, and abnormal song structure. Because of this blending of many genres of music, Grüvis Malt is sometimes called a "musician's band."[3]

The group stopped touring in 2005, after the release of their last album, Maximum Unicorn, in order to pursue solo projects and tangible income.[4]

History

Grüvis Malt was started in March, 1995 in Providence, Rhode Island by high school students Gavin Castleton (keyboards), Brendan Bell (vocals/percussion), Ethan Ruzzano (guitar), and Steve Martinka (bass guitar). The band had its beginnings in experimenting with random time signatures and heavy noise.[5] At the end of the summer, Castleton moved to Portland, Oregon.

Upon Gavin's return in 1996, Josh Hutchins (a.k.a. Johnny Longburns) joined the band as a turntablist, and Breakfast All Day, their first EP, was recorded at Diva Studios with David Stem. In 1997, Martinka and Hutchins both left the band. Brandon Clemmens replaced Martinka on the bass guitar, and the five piece began writing the songs that would become the Fetus EP.

In early 1998, Brandon Clemmens was replaced by Saunder Jurriaans on bass guitar. Erik Nilsson left school to become a full-time saxophonist with band, and Ethan doubled on trombone. With a full fledged horn section, the band wrote songs for the album Sound Soldiers, while reworking the songs on Breakfast All Day and the Fetus EP. The result was Cromagnetic, considered by the band as more of a compilation than a full-fledged album.[6] In 1999, Grüvis Malt released Sound Soldiers, an album many consider to be their musical "starting point".[7] After rigorous regional touring throughout 1998 and 1999, Grüvis Malt went on a month-long tour around the US in 2000.

After the US tour, Ruzzano and Jurriaans resigned from the band and were replaced by Steve Geuting and Justin Abene respectively. Reed Wallsmith joined the band in 2001 on alto saxophone. The band began work on ...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam..., their next full length album (produced and recorded at Diva Studios on their own). DJ Chris Kilmore of the band Incubus, with whom they had played shows, DJ'd on 2 album tracks and one B-side, "Graduated". In spring of 2001 Reed left the band to return to his hometown of Portland, OR. In fall of 2001 the band signed with Lakeshore Records, a subsidiary of Lakeshore Entertainment. Throughout 2002 and 2003, Grüvis Malt toured to promote the album, which was released on March 28, 2003. (The album hit stores April 9). Relations with the label were strained when Lakeshore refused to give the band copies of the record to sell at their record release party and shows throughout their US tour. The band parted ways with the label later that year, citing their having never received royalties as a violation of contract. To date they have still never been paid royalties for ...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam....

In 2003, Grüvis Malt recorded Simon at Sound Station Seven (the last album recorded there before it closed) with engineer Rob Pemberton. In 2004, Gavin and Brenden began working on separate side projects. Directly after the release of Simon, Grüvis Malt stopped touring and began recording Maximum Unicorn in Justin Abene's Fall River studio. Maximum Unicorn was released in November 2005 on Integers Only, without even a record release show.

In 2006, Justin Abene, Gavin Castleton, and Brendan Bell formed Ebu Gogo and toured the US from 2006 to 2009 in support of their two self-released full-lengths: Chase Scenes 1-14 and Worlds.

The members of Grüvis Malt always valued the integrity of the music more than the publicity they received for it; thus, they preferred to remain unsigned[8] and advertised predominantly using a "grassroots" marketing scheme.[9]

Band lineup

  • Gavin Castleton – Keyboard/Vocals
  • Brendan Bell - Vocals/Percussions
  • Erik Nilsson – Saxophone
  • Scott McPhail – Drums
  • Justin Abene - Bass Guitar
  • Steve Geuting - Guitar

Past members

  • Saunder Jurriaans - Bass Guitar
  • Ethan Ruzzano - Guitar, Trombone
  • Steve Martinka - Bass Guitar
  • Brandon Clemmens - Bass Guitar
  • Josh Hutchins (Johnny Longburns) - Turntables
  • Reed Wallsmith - Saxophone

Discography

LPs

EPs

  • Breakfast All Day (Solid Pimpz LLC, 1996)
  • Fetus EP (Solid Pimpz LLC, 1997)
  • Backout Smiling (Integers Only, 2000)

Tour Credits

Grüvis Malt toured the United States several times[10] from 1995-2004. During tours, Grüvis Malt would rarely play their newly released music, usually playing unreleased material or remixed material,[11] "to keep fans on their toes."[12] Some of the bands that they performed with include the following.[13][14]

Awards/Recognition

  • 1997 - #1 Unsigned Band - WBRU Listener Poll - winner[9]
  • 1998 - Rhode Island College Rock Hunt - Winner[8][9]
  • 1998 - #1 Unsigned Band - WBRU Listener Poll - winner[9]
  • 1998 - Best Breathrough Act - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - winner
  • 1998 - WBRU Rock Hunt - finalist
  • 1998 - Rhode Island College Rock Hunt - winner
  • 1999 - Best Alternative Act - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - winner
  • 2000 - Best Jam Act - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - nominated
  • 2000 - Fourth Annual Jim Beam Rock Band Search - finalist[8][9][15]
  • 2001 - Jim Beam Rock Hunt - finalist
  • 2001 - Best Category-defying Act - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - winner
  • 2002 - Best Song - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - winner
  • 2002 - Best Album - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - winner

Notes

  1. ↑ Gavin Castleton to Unveil 'HOME' on gayagenda.com (February 7, 2009)
  2. ↑ CD: Gruvis Malt's ...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam... review, Brandeis University's The Justice (April 30, 2002)
  3. ↑ Hopper, Kevin. "Complex Sound is Elusive." Albuquerque Journal. 07 Feb 2003. <http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-2761021_ITM> (Need temporary library card to view article)
  4. ↑ Gavin Castleton Interview on imeem.com Music (November 21, 2007)
  5. ↑ Gruvis Malt Biography on sing365 (information under 1995)
  6. ↑ Cromagnetic at the Integers Only store
  7. ↑ Sound Soldiers at the Integers Only Store
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 R.I. Rockers found their Gruv - Patriot Ledger, Quincy MA (March 28, 2002)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Feelin' Gruvis - Gruvis Malt Review, Providence Phoenix (Issue: June 1–8, 2000)
  10. ↑ Gruvis Malt, The Boston Phoenix Band Guide
  11. ↑ An Interview with Gruvis Malt (03/10/2003) at the Massachusetts Daily Collegian
  12. ↑ Redefining a Genre - Massachusetts Daily Collegian (March 10, 2003)
  13. ↑ Artist Direct Gruvis Malt Biography
  14. ↑ Gavin Castleton Background at Boom Boom Tickets (December 22, 2005)
  15. ↑ Gruvis Malt Ready To Take The Next Step - Providence Journal (April 27, 2001)

External links

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