An Albatross

Infobox musical artist
Name = An Albatross


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Origin = Wilkes-Barre, PA
Genre = Psychedelic
Post-Hardcore
Years_active = 1999 - Present
Label = Ace Fu Records
GSL
Bloodlink Records
Kitty Play Records
Eyeball Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.analbatross.com/ www.analbatross.com]
Current_members = Jake Lisowski
Jay Hudak
Edward B. Gieda III
Steven Vaiani
Phillip Reynolds Price
Daniel Schlett
Past_members = Kat Paffett
Ed Klinger
Jeremy Gewertz
Robert Stitzer
Christopher Abbott
Carl Golembeski
Notable_instruments =

An Albatross is a noise rock band based in Wilkes-Barre, PA, known for their chaotic live shows and psychedelic/circus-like presentation.

Formed in the fall of 1999 by guitarist Jake Lisowski, vocalist Edward B. Gieda III, drummer Chris Abbott, bassist Jason Hudak, and organist Phillip Price, the band quickly amassed material and recorded their cassette demo "1.)Sex 2.)Bird 3.)Cake." The following summer marked the first of many expansive tours that An Albatross has become renowned for.

In 2001, Philadelphian upstart label and 90's hardcore staple Bloodlink Records released the "Eat Lightning, Shit Thunder" CD/LP. The record was completed in two sessions during the winter months of 2000-2001 at Dungeon Studios in Upper Darby, PA. Creatively "Eat Lightning, Shit Thunder" was a departure from the grindcore-based, deep/growled-vocal laiden 1999 demo and resembled a hybrid of early 1990s screamo, speed metal, and hints of prog rock. The CD/LP debut spawned an exhaustive tour that bled into the writing and recording process of their second album, "We Are The Lazer Viking" CD-EP.

During the writing process of "We Are The Lazers Viking", percussionist Jeremy Gewertz replaced Christopher Abbott, and synth player, Kat Paffett was added. The six person line-up heightened the creative potential of the group and eventually culminated in the Ace Fu Records 2003 release, "We Are The Lazer Viking". The eleven-song/eight-minute "fetid noise rock blither" was recorded at the defunct Fun City Studio in Manhattan and produced by Wharton Tiers, who had previously worked with Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. and Helmet. The composition and recording of "We Are The Lazer Viking" is markedly more complex and progressive, making heavy usage of synthesizers and erratic time signatures.

The EP fueled nearly three years of extensive national stouring (which landed the group a spot at France's 2004 Eurockéennes festival) and created a hugely devoted cult-like following throughout North America & Europe. The buzz also caught ear of English DJ/journalist John Peel, which precipitated into an invite to record a session for BBC Radio 1, which the band recorded in March 2005.

Prior to the band's second trip to Europe, Jeremy Gewertz was replaced by drummer Ed Klinger. An Albatross toured nearly 130-odd dates with Klinger throughout the US and Europe (including the BBC session). In the summer of 2005, the group labored in Park Slope, Brooklyn, composing the impossible Blessphemy...of the Peace Beast Feastgiver and the Bear Warp Kumite, which would be recorded months later at the unlikely Don One Studios in Brooklyn by Carl Golembeski and Mike Peccio.

Drummer Steven Vaiani took the percussion reigns for the subsequent Blessphemy tours (2006-08), which have amounted in more than 200 shows since January 2006 in the supporting the likes of Blue Cheer, Melt Banana, DMBQ, and Lightning Bolt throughout US, Canada, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemborg, Austria, Germany, Czec Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Spain c& France. In October 2007, former leader of New Jersey's The Post Office Gals, Daniel Schlett, joined on guitars and the group quickly amassed material for a future album. In a quick succession of events, the band announced a spring 2008/SXSW tour sans guitarist Lisowski, a signing with New Jersey's Eyeball Records in April 2008, an unveiling of a new song from their February '08 sessions: "And Now Emerges The Silver Pilgrim", and an announcement of an October 21, 2008 release of the group's third full length album "The An Albatross Family Album".

Discography

Demos

*"1.)Sex 2.)Bird 3.)Cake" (Cassette tape - 1999)
*"An Albatross & Carl G." (3" CD's - tour only 2000)

Compilations (Exclusive Tracks Only)

*"Hoags 2xCD" - "Channel 96.2" (2003)

Albums

*"Eat Lightning, Shit Thunder" (2001, Bloodlink Records)
*"Freedom Summer Live" (2005, Bootleg, Kitty Play Records)
*"Blessphemy...of the Peace Beast Feastgiver and the Bear Warp Kumite" (2006, Ace Fu Records)
*"The An Albatross Family Album" (2008, Eyeball Records)

ingles and EPs

*"We Are the Lazer Viking" (2003, Ace Fu Records).
*"An Albatross / XBXRX split 7-inch" (2004. GSL Records)

Videography

*"Godass" Soundtrack (2000) Directed by Esther Bell
*"Presto Majesto" (2003) - Included as part of the bonus material on the "We Are the Lazer Viking" CD, along with several videos of live performances.
*"Lab Results Volume One" (2006) - A collection of videos and live performances from Gold Standard Labs Records artists.
*"Kevin Dougherty Presents" (2006) - A collection of animations & edited/raw live footage from local shows & rehearsals. Available on tour-only.
*"Viva La Bam (2006) Episode 204: Mardi Gras Part 1

External links

* [http://www.analbatross.com Official An Albatross website]
*myspace|analbatross23|An Albatross
* [http://www.acefu.com Ace Fu Records]
* [http://www.goldstandardlabs.com GSL Records]
* [http://www.yellowisthenewpink.com/articles_detail.php?idno=10 An Albatross Interview]