Amoebic Ensemble

Infobox musical artist
Name = Amoebic Ensemble


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Origin = Providence, Rhode Island
Background = group_or_band
Genre = Experimental music
Years_active = 1992–1998
Label = Stupeur et Trompette!
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Past_members = Alec K. Redfearn
Shawn Wallace
Jonathan Thomas
Matthew Everett
Laura Gulley
Steve Jobe
Paige Van Antwerp

Amoebic Ensemble (or The Amoebics) [Massimo, Rick. "Alec K. Redfearn's music of and about weird detail", "The Providence Journal", 2005-02-03, p. L13.] were an instrumental band in the 1990s, from Providence, Rhode Island, headed by Alec K. Redfearn, who wrote the music and arrangements for the group, and played accordion.McLennan, Scott. "Two cutting-edge approaches to music on display", "Telegram & Gazette", 1994-03-17, p. C5.] The band emerged from the remnants of Redfearn's former band, Space Heater. [Massimo, Rick. "Granted Wishes: Present at the creation of an accordionist", "The Providence Journal", 2005-03-06, p. E6.]

Although the band members referred most often to their style as experimental music,Smith, Andy. "Sonic strangeness from the Amoebic Ensemble", "The Providence Journal", 1998-01-01, p. D3.] their music has been characterized as free jazz, and as punk jazz. [McLennan, Scott. "Yes, it's "avant-garde,' but it's still wholesome", "Telegram & Gazette", 1994-03-10, p. C5.] Their music has also been compared to that of Frank Zappa.McLennan, Scott. "Juggling Suns makes fresh tracks along the jam-band trail", "Telegram & Gazette", 1998-01-22, p. C3.]

Their album "Amoebiasis", although recorded in Providence in late 1996 and early 1997, was released on the French record label Stupeur et Trompette! The people who ran the label also organized the "Mouvement Internationale des Musiques Innovatrices" experimental music festival, and took notice when Amoebic Ensemble performed there in 1996. The album was produced by Tom Buckland, except for "Lay Down in the Road", which was produced by Joe Auger.

Subsequent to "Amoebiasis"'s release, primarily as a result of members being busy in other music projects, percussionists Paige Van Antwerp and Jonathan Thomas, as well as trumpeter Shawn Wallace all left the band. Gerry Heroux took over as trumpeter, and Mark Pedini joined on drums. Matthew Everett changed from bouzouki and mandolin to electric guitar instead.

Members

* Alec K. Redfearn – accordion, vocals
* Shawn Wallace – trumpet
* Jonathan Thomas – percussion
* Matthew Everett – bouzouki, mandolin, electric guitar
* Laura Gulley – violin
* Steve Jobe – bassoon, hurdy gurdy, vocals
* Paige Van Antwerp – drums

Discography

Infobox Album | Name = Limbic Rage
Type = Album
Artist = Amoebic Ensemble


Released = 1995
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Limbic Rage

#"Chapter 11" - 3:11
#"Birdfight" - 1:06
#"Limbic Rage" - 2:20
#"The Circus Has Been Cancelled" - 2:50
#"Tango" - 3:35
#"Gimme a Buck or I'll Touch You" - 5:54
#"Boilermaker" - 3:52
#"Repet Tive Motion Sickness" - 2:20
#"Three-Ring Bathtub" - 3:24
#"What I Did Last Summer" - 2:58
#"Scratch" - 6:08
#"Owls Are Actually Very Stupid" - 2:39
#"Tertullian Dance" - 2:26
#"Mayday in the Tunnel / Waxing Neuralgic" - 9:00

Infobox Album | Name = Amoebiasis
Type = Album
Artist = Amoebic Ensemble


Released = 1998
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Amoebiasis

#Wire Up - 1:20
#Big Head Of A Tom - 1:57
#Amoebiasis - 5:24
#Devil's Picnic - 3:08
#Ubu U - 5:00
#Why Are We Whispering? - 2:13
#Downtown - 5:35
#Palindrome - 1:30
#Who's That Glamourpuss? - 1:42
#Lelonia - 2:07
#Lay Down In The Road - 6:41

References