Aleka's Attic

Aleka's Attic were an alternative folk/rock band from Gainesville, Florida, formed by River Phoenix and his sister Rain.

History

The original line up of Aleka's Attic included River as lead singer and played guitar; his younger sister Rain sang, but, contrary to many incorrect reports, did not play keyboards in the band (although she did play various percussion, such as tambourine); Josh McKay was the bass player; Josh Greenbaum, a friend of River’s from Florida, was the drummer.

River had a two-year development deal with Island Records to develop the band and record a marketable album, which was not accomplished in the time allotted due to River's ongoing film work schedule. So Island, retaining the option to continue or not, opted out of the deal based on the non-marketability of River's newer material. River then decided to record an album independently for the band.

The group disbanded due to River Phoenix's death on October 31, 1993, from a drug overdose.

The unreleased album

The release of the album, with the proposed titles Never Odd Or Even and Zero, was postponed due to River's death. Though Rain spent two years weeding through unfinished tracks and mixing what was a slew of performances, the album got "shelved". The reason is that there has been communication problems between the Phoenix family and former-members, Tim Hankins and Sasa Raphael. Josh Greenbaum and Josh Mckay had readily signed a release form allowing their tracks to be used, hence the early enthusiasm about the potential release of the record. A quote from Greenbaum, "The reason River signed with Island in the first place was because he obviously wanted to get his music out to the world. I just want to see that happen, even if I never see a penny from it. That would make the investment of five years of my life worth it."

In 1997, Phoenix's friend Michael Stipe of R.E.M. bought over the rights to all of Aleka's Attic's material from Island Records.^[1]

The album and many other songs by the band can be found on various sites throughout the internet.

In the film Sneakers, the character played by Dan Aykroyd wears an Aleka's Attic T-shirt in one scene.

Released tracks

• The group sold tapes between 1989 and 1990 with the songs "Goldmine", "Too Many Colors", "Across The Way" and "Blue Period".
• "Across The Way", which was written by River and Josh McKay, was included on the 1989 PETA benefit album, Tame Yourself.
• "Note To A Friend", featuring River's friend Michael "Flea" Balzary of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on bass, was released on the 1996 compilation 'In Defense Of Animals: Volume II'
• The song "Too Many Colors", was featured on the un-released soundtrack of "My Own Private Idaho", a 1991 film starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves, directed by Gus Van Sant.

Songs

(Included here to increase awareness and prevent the circulation of fakes.)

Zero (aka neveroddoreven)

• Alone We Elope
• Below Beloved
• Bliss Is...
• Dog God
• Get Anything
• Note To a Friend
• Safety Pins and Army Boots
• Scales and Fishnails
• Senile Felines
• You're So Ostentatious

Others

• Goldmine
• In The Corner Dunce
• Blue Period
• Popular Thinks
• Too Many Colors
• Where I'd Gone
• Across The Way

References

External links

• Aleka's Attic discography at MusicBrainz
• Aleka's Attic Music at Myspace