Tantrum Of The Muse

Tantrum Of The Muse was a heavy metal art-rock band based out of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Beginning in 1998, when founding member Stephen Mark Sarro (guitar, vocals) and long time music mate, Udrick Wise (drums) decided to turn their studio project into an actual live band. They recruited their hometown friend, Jason Stauffer (bass) to play with them and put together a couple songs and began playing shows.

The band soon went into the studio to record a new batch of songs, Jason Stauffer was replaced by Jim Settle. Stephen and Udrick, recorded the songs that became the band's debut album. Entitled "The Heart Is A Two Headed Sperm". The album, which was originally slated for release on Philadelphia's punk label, "Sofa Records", but Sofa decided not to release the record and the band made copies and sold them DIY at their shows. The band was offered a record deal with Seattle's Tooth & Nail records, but passed. In 1999, the band played Cornerstone Music Festival, where there reputation for originality caught the attention of Takehold Records, who signed the band and re-released "The Heart Is A Two Headed Sperm", officially.

In 2000, the band entered the studio to record their followup album, "Modernmu$ick(2000)!" which was released July 2000. The band spent three months on the road, touring with Underoath, Narcissus, and FewLeftStanding. Much like their debut, this record's musical chemistry was unique, and heartfelt. The album was was a groundbreaking and original sound, using fretless bass, detuned guitar work, freak-out style drum work, that blended elements of hardcore punk, metal, prog-rock, and electronic music to overwhelming effects. The response to the album and its content was met with critical praise and controversy. During the band's stint with Takehold Records, Jim was dealing with major issues at home. The band continued to play for the rest of the year, with Jim struggling to keep up the momentum.

In 2001, the band agreed to release a live album with Ohio based Burning Records. Burning released "The Downtrodden & The Sidhe". Unable to deal with the intense personal stress, and after much conflict, Jim was asked to leave the band. The band went on a temporary hiatus. Jim moved to FL. Udrick quit the band to join The Huntingtons. Stephen continued to look for a new bassist, and drummer.

In 2002, the band worked out their issues with Jim. The band agreed to play once that year together at the Chameleon club in Lancaster PA, with Today Is The Day. After that show, Stephen moved to FL with Jim to work on piecing Tantrum Of The Muse back together. While staying in FL, Stephen recorded a solo improvisational album called "Sympathy For The Living". While in FL, Takehold records alerted the band that the label had been merged with Tooth & Nail Records, and the label would no longer operate. The band had a 2nd option to sign to T&N, but this time agreed that the state the band was in, would make it impossible to fill the new duties of signing to such a big label. Stephen and Jim declined to merge on. Devastated by the turn of events, the band again went on a hiatus. Shortly after recording, Stephen moved back to PA.

In 2003, Stephen decided that the band was going to continue with all new members and began auditions. Udrick, who was still in the Huntingtons, agreed to come back to Tantrum Of The Muse. With the musical direction the band was about to take, they asked a friend, Seth Luzier to join as a keyboard player. Through Seth, they met bassist Tyler Lambert, and asked him to join. The new line up began playing again. Shortly after, Jim Settle moved to PA. Naturally, the band decided to ask Jim to return, and try to continue what they started in 1998. Stephen, Jim, Udrick, and newly recruited Seth began to re-record older songs with new keyboard arrangements.

in 2004, Seth's wife left him, resulting in more stress and conflict. Udrick, deciding to again move on. The band played once more at the annual "Screaming At The Sky" hardcore music festival. Shortly after, Stephen decided to offically end Tantrum Of The Muse, and went to the press. HM magazine shared the details in a length interview.

Discography

* "The Heart Is A Two Headed Sperm" (Takehold Records - 1999)
* "Modernmu$ick(2000)!" (Takehold Records - 2000)
* "The Downtrodden & The Sidhe" (Burning Records - 2001)