Charlene (band)

Charlene
live in 2004
Background information
Origin	Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Genres	Indie rock, shoegazing, dream pop, nu gaze, noise pop
Years active	1996–present
Labels	SharkAttack!
Website	http://www.ourfriendselectric.net/
Members
Matt Mirande John (Randy) Rex
Past members
Federico Petrillo Ian Lawrence Kelly Ferguson Jeff MacIsaac

Charlene is an indie rock band that originated in Allston, Massachusetts in the latter half of the 1990s. The group has released three seven inch singles, an eponymous debut album and, most recently, a digital-only single. The band's esthetic sense has been likened to the shoegazing scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s with favorably drawn comparisons to Slowdive, Spiritualized, and Ride as well as post-punk touchstones like New Order and the Jesus and Mary Chain.^[1]

History

The band began as a four-track recording project between friends, Matt Mirande and John (Randy) Rex in 1996. early recording activity produced a trio of 7" singles self released under their own SharkAttack! imprint (also responsible for 7" and CD releases by the bands, Lockgroove and Compass), the first of which was enthusiastically compared to Spacemen 3 in Brainwashed.^[2] By 2002 Charlene (now expanded to a four piece with the addition of Ian Lawrence [drums] and Kelly Ferguson [bass]) released their eponymous debut album, again under the SharkAttack! label.^[3] East Coast tours with Bloodthirsty Lovers and Mark Gardener (ex-Ride) were undertaken to promote the debut, while Boston area support slots for touring acts such as Bedhead, Low, Elf Power, Fridge, Her Space Holiday and American Analog Set provided additional exposure.^[4]

Since 2005 a fluctuating lineup (Rex and Mirande remain the only permanent members) has made live shows sporadic, although a tour was undertaken with the band Sons (Chapel Hill) in July 2007. In 2008 recordings were completed on a second full length album (with a release expected later in 2010) entitled, Our Friends Electric. A digital-only single, "Oh Hey" was released as a teaser in November 2008.^[5]

Discography

Albums

• Charlene SharkAttack! (2002)

Singles

• Taking a Dive b/w Blackout - 7" SharkAttack! (1999)
• No Fly b/w Basement Songs - 7" SharkAttack! (2000)
• Summertimer b/w Talk Me Down - 7" SharkAttack! (2001)
• Oh Hey b/w Before the Comet Hits & Big Winds - Digital Single SharkAttack! (2008)

Compilation appearances

• "Look for the Line" + "Low Down" + "Radio Son" + "Slow Broadcast Dozer" on 3.5 E.P.s SharkAttack! (2001)

References

1. ^ Wawerna, Beth. Charlene review. Magnet (magazine). Vol. 11 no. 57 (2002).
2. ^ http://brainwashed.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=594:charlene-qtaking-a-diveq-7q&catid=13:albums-and-singles&Itemid=96
3. ^ http://ourfriendselectric.net/ch.php?pg=music&st=nf
4. ^ http://ourfriendselectric.net/ch.php?pg=tours&st=nf
5. ^ http://ourfriendselectric.net/ch.php?pg=music&st=nf

External links

• Official site
• SharkAttack! site
• Video feature including performance footage on Brainwashed