Engerica

Infobox musical artist
Name = Engerica


Img_capt = Mike Webster, Neil-Ross Gregory, David Gardner
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Essex, England
Genre = twee, metal
Years_active = 2000 – 2006
Label = Sanctuary Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.engerica.com/ http://www.engerica.com]
Current_members = David Gardner Mike Webster Neil-Ross Gregory
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Engerica were a British, Essex based punk band. The group incorporated several styles into their repertoire, varying from punk and metal, to instances of grunge and goth-inspired lyrics. Their debut and only album "There Are No Happy Endings", which was released on 13 March 2006, included an eclectic mix of styles, reflecting a variety of influences and musical sensibilities.

Band members

*David Gardner (Vocals,Guitar)
**Former manager of Southend rock band Fashoda Crisis
*Mike Webster (Bass, Vocals)
**Twin brother of Jim Webster, former drummer of Essex rock band Beep! Beep! Richie
*Neil-Ross Gregory (Drums)

Band biography

Neil had discovered the likes of Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and Green Day, whose musical influences led him to play drums. Around the age of 13 Mike's twin brother (Jim) announced that he was having drum lessons, he in turn decided he wanted to learn something, he chose bass.During his teens vocalist and guitarist David bought his cousin's guitar and started lessons at school. Initially he did not find the experience at all enjoyable, although this soon changed as his talent developed. As each band member went though phases of musical discovery, Nirvana and similar bands, had profound effects on their passion for music.

It soon became a real sense of desire and ambition amongst the band to develop their own sound, an innovative approach which shows through in their debut album. Although the band by this point was fully formed, it did not have a name. The name "Engerica" seems to have been created after David saw the "Emerica" shoes a girl in his class was wearing. Thinking there was a link in the name between the USA and the UK he suggested it to the others band members. This was the first name the entire band agreed on and thus Engerica was born. In December 2000 they played their first show, and 4 years later (January 2005) Engerica signed to Sanctuary Records and recorded their debut album shortly after.

Progression

Engerica seemed unconcerned with conforming to the current trends in music or fashion, and felt inspired by horror themes, S&M, and puerile humour. The Engerica sound tends to be melodic and leans toward the melodic pop-punk influences of Green Day and Offspring. This soon earned the band a reputation for exhilarating live shows and an aggressive onstage personality, touring with the likes of Reuben, Sum 41, Yellowcard, Therapy? and Seether. Engerica also appeared at the 2005 and 2006 Download Festivals.

Mike solo project

Bassist Mike Webster began his own solo project in late 2005. Mike writes and performs songs in a similar style to Engerica, but using only his vocals and an acoustic guitar, although he occasionally records with a backing group, whose members include his twin brother Jim. Some of the music written in this solo project has also been included in the Engerica catalogue of songs. Mike performed solo on several occasions, playing in Saks in Southend on the May 11 2006 with Fashoda Crisis, Shouting At Strangers, Kunt and the gang and Deffered Success, and The Good Ship in Kilburn, London on August 31 2006. Mike has recorded a number of songs, some of which can be downloaded from his MySpace profile [http://www.myspace.com/michaelwebster] . Other songs have made it onto a demo entitled 'Lonely Ol Town', copies which were given away at Engerica gigs. The tracklisting for the demo is as follows:
#Lonely Ol Town
#Amputeen
#Resign
#They Never Change
#Pest

Since recording this demo, the solo project has become a full band named 'Baddies'. The Line-up is as follows.Michael Webster (ex-engerica) : Vocals / GuitarsJim Webster (ex-resin/shouting at strangers/Beep! Beep! Richie!) : Drum Kit / VocalsSimon Bellamy (Ex- Fashoda Crisis) : Vocals / GuitarDanny Rowton : Bass / VocalsThe band were originally to be called 'Electric Chairs'

plit

The band announced on Wednesday 23 August 2006 that they would be going their separate ways as of November 2006. The announcement was made via an email newsletter to fans and reads as follows:

"Important Announcement...

"Dear everybody,"

"It is with a sad heart and a weird feeling in our tummies that we announce as of November this year, Engerica will be no more."

"All the touring dates with Seether will go ahead as scheduled and there will be some one off headline shows announced shortly including our last ever gig which will be a special Halloween show at Chinnerys, Southend on 26th October."

"After this show the members of Engerica will go their separate ways; Dave will be starting a degree and learning to play the piano, Mike will be playing solo and recording some tracks shortly and Neil will be starting a new life away from Essex."

"The split is entirely amicable and all members of the band still love each other very much."

"We would like to thank all of the many people who have helped the band to do all that we've done and we would especially like to thank all the fans who have supported Engerica over the past six years and made being in this band a very special and brilliant time of our lives that we will always remember, we'll see you all on the tour."

"Also a very special thank you to our long serving manager and friend, Warren Higgins, who put up with us through thick and thin. We wish him every luck in the future."

"All our love,"

"Engerica x x x"

Their final gig was held on 26th October, as mentioned in the above statement, at Chinnerys in Southend-on-Sea. The venue was influenced with a Halloween style. They were supported by Left Side Brain.

Discography

Album

*"There Are No Happy Endings" (13 March, 2006) Sanctuary Records

Singles

Music videos

*Roadkill (2005)
*The Smell (2006) [http://www.engerica.com/player/?show=thesmell]

Other

Demo, compilation albums, compilation EPs

Nominations

Metal Hammer Awards 2006: Best Newcomer

See also

*List of bands from England

External links

* [http://engerica.com/ Engerica's Official site ]
* [http://www.myspace.com/michaelwebster Mike Webster Official Myspace profile ]
* [http://www.didyouhearwhatsylviasaid.co.uk Engerica's Official Fan Site]
* [http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/ Download Festival]
* [http://engerica.com/forum/index.php Official Fan Forum]