Because of Ghosts

Because of Ghosts is a three-piece post-rock band based in Melbourne, Australia

They are often compared to bands such as Dirty Three [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/cd-reviews/the-tomorrow-we-were-promised-yesterday/2006/10/12/1160246251805.html The Age | The Tomorrow We Were Promised Yesterday] ] or Godspeed You! Black Emperor. [ [http://www.cyclicdefrost.com/blog/?p=997 Cyclic Defrost Magazine | Because of Ghosts interview by Emmy Hennings] ] [ [http://www.halo-17.net/reviews/index/Because%20of%20Ghosts/Your%20House%20is%20Built%20on%20a%20Frozen%20Lake/6187 Halo 17 | Because of Ghosts - Your House is Built on a Frozen Lake] ]

The band is known for their unique take on instrumental rock and their (often hand-made) cd artwork illustrated by guitarist Reuben Stanton. [ [http://www.messandnoise.com/articles/7034 Because of Ghosts: A Tour Diary : Mess+Noise ] ] [ [http://feralmedia.com.au/blog/?p=100 feralmedia.com.au » Canada ] ]

Members

*Reuben Stanton - Guitar, Accordion, Piano.
*Domenic Stanton - Bass, Wine Glasses, Glockenspiel.
*Jacob Pearce - Drums, Samples, Glockenspiel.

All three members of the band are related. Domenic and Reuben are brothers. Jacob is their younger half-brother (maternal). This relationship is often confused and misconstrued in media stories and interviews. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/gig-reviews/because-of-ghosts/2006/10/19/1160851050525.html The Sydney Morning Herald] "The Pearce brothers conjure the kind of moody post-rock..."]

History

Because of Ghosts have been performing since late 2002. The band formed when half brothers Jacob Pearce and Reuben Stanton began experimenting with looped guitars, casio toys, found tapes, field recordings and various percussion instruments. Jacob and Reuben independently recorded and released "No More Reason, No More Doubt" and "Because of Ghosts EP" in late 2002 / early 2003.

Domenic Stanton (bass, glockenspiel, wineglasses) joined the band shortly after. The band recorded a split EP with friends Adlerseri, brothers Reuben, Domenic and Jacob independently recorded and released a mini album, "Make Amends With Your Adversary Before Dawn." This record gained an international release with Japanese label Wonderground Music.

In 2004, the band released an EP entitled "Your House Is Built On A Frozen Lake". This EP established the band's strong Melbourne following and widened their fan base nationally through CD sales, national airplay, and interstate tours.

In October 2004 "the because of ghosts live 12" with an etching on side b" was released on Art School Dropout Records, consisting of four tracks recorded live at the Hopetoun in Sydney.

Notable events from 2005 include Because of Ghosts supporting U.S. group Tortoise in Melbourne and complete a successful tour of Tokyo [ [http://www.messandnoise.com/articles/7034 Mess and Noise | Because of Ghosts: A Tour Diary] ] . The band also signed a 3 album publishing contract with Mushroom Music Publishing. [ [http://www.mushroommusic.com.au/songwriters/songwriter.asp?id=447 Mushroom Music Publishing | Because of Ghosts ] ]

In February 2006, as all of the band's previous recordings had sold out, Because of Ghosts released "No More Reason, No More Doubt - Selected Recordings 2002 - 2004" on Art School Dropout Records. This release consists of 11 recordings from the band's early history, through to live recordings and EP tracks.

Because of Ghosts’ debut album proper, ‘The Tomorrow We Were Promised Yesterday’, was released in Australia and New Zealand in October 2006 on Feral Media. The album is a culmination of many months of both precise and raw production. The band completed their first complete national tour of Australia in support of the album in late 2006.

In July 2007, Because of Ghosts played shows across Canada. A limited Canadian Tour EP was available at the band's final Australian shows and across Canada. Each EP featured unique hand drawn cover art. After the tour, the band recorded a new album at the Hotel2Tango in Montreal with producer Howard Bilerman. The album, "This Culture Of Background Noise" will be released in Australia in September 2008. [ [http://www.myspace.com/becauseofghostsband MySpace.com - Because of Ghosts - Melbourne, AU - Ambiance / Progressive / Expérimentale - www.myspace.com/becauseofghostsband ] ]

Discography

*This Culture Of Background Noise (September 2008)
*Canada EP (2007)
*The Tomorrow We Were Promised Yesterday (2006)
*No More Reason, No More Doubt- selected recordings 2002-2004 (2006)
*My Palace Away From Shore - (2005) - Split 7" with I Want A Hovercraft
*The Because Of Ghosts Live 12" With An Etching On Side B (2004)
*Your House Is Built On A Frozen Lake (2004)
*Make Amends With Your Adversary Before Dawn (Japanese Edition) (2004)
*Make Amends With Your Adversary Before Dawn (2003)
*Small Signs And Wonders (2003) - Split EP with Adlerseri
*Because Of Ghosts EP (2003)
*No More Reason, No More Doubt (2002)

Domenic and Jacob also contributed to the debut album "At Long Last" from Melbourne band Princess One Point Five. The two also appear on the second Princess One Point Five album "The Truth", which was released in May 2006. Jacob is featured on drums for the title track "The Truth" and "Oh So Cold".

Jacob also played drums on half of the new Alex Jarvis album "The New Patriotism", recorded entirely on an old 4-track tape machine with one old microphone. He also appeared on the Mount Eerie "Mount Eerie Dances With Wolves" 12", recorded live to acetate in Melbourne, 2005.

External links

*http://www.becauseofghosts.com - Official band website
*http://www.myspace.com/becauseofghostsband - Official band myspace page
*http://www.feralmedia.com - The band's Australian record label
*http://www.flickr.com/becauseofghosts - The band's photo diary
*http://www.steadycamrecords.com.au - Steadycam Records

Notes and references