Gregor Samsa (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Gregor Samsa


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Origin = Flagicon|USA Richmond, Virginia, USA
Years_active = 2000–present
Label = Iodine Recordings (Past) The Kora Records (US) Own Records (Europe)
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URL = [http://gregorsamsa.com/ Official website] [http://myspace.com/gregorsamsamyspace MySpace]
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Gregor Samsa is a band from Virginia formed in 2000 and fronted by Champ Bennett. It takes its name from the main character of Franz Kafka's short story "The Metamorphosis".

The band's sound, although rooted in the post-rock genre, differs from that of other bands in the genre in that it employs dual vocals by Bennett and Nikki King, a feature which relates them to the shoegazing and slowcore genres. Gregor Samsa has stated on its website that "the early history of the group has been lost in a wash of noise, strange beeps, and outright lies”. [ [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/gregor-samsa/gregor-samsa.htm Stylus Magazine review of "Gregor Samsa"] ]

Reviews of their album contained comparison to acts such as Brian Eno [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:pz3tk6gxukr0 Allmusic.com] ] , Sigur Rós, Múm [ [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/gregor_samsa_5512 Popmatters.com] ] , Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Low [ [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3913%20Stylus%20Magazine Stylusmagazine.com] ] .

In support of its latest release, the band played twenty-one eastern US venues in March before then venturing a 23-date tour of the United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, and Germany during April. Historically, the band has chosen to tour and perform alongside a wide array bands and genres including Spokane, Kayo Dot, Barzin, Part Chimp, Calla, Engine Down, Isis, Pelican, Explosions in the Sky, Interpol, and many others.

Mia Matsumiya and Toby Driver from Kayo Dot, have joined the band in live shows."'

The band completed their new album, "REST", in late 2007 and released it in April 2008."'They are also posting new tracks to their [http://myspace.com/gregorsamsamyspace Myspace] page.

Current members

*Champ Bennett - guitar, vocals, piano
*Billy Bennett - drums, video, samples
*Nikki King - Rhodes piano, keyboard, vocals
*Jeremiah Klinger - guitar, baritone guitar, clarinet, theremin
*Cory Bise - bass guitar
*Mia Matsumiya - violin
*Toby Driver - clarinet

Past Members and Contributors

*Brandon Evans - guitar, keyboard, lap steel guitar
*Jason LaFerrera - bass guitar
*Earl Yevak - drums
*Bobby Donne - bass guitar
*Rick Alverson - guitar
*Jason Wood - bass guitar
*Eric Yevak - guitar
*Amber Blankenship - cello, violin
*Jon Sullivan - double bass
*Nick Wurz - bass guitar (sometimes played with a bow)
*Nathan Altice - guitar, keyboard
*Tony Thaxton - drums [ [http://www.splendidezine.com/testreview.html?reviewid=321657037486406 Splendid E-zine reviews: Gregor Samsa/The Silent Type] ]

Discography

Albums

*"" (CDLP 2006)
*"Rest" (CDLP 2008)

EPs

*"Gregor Samsa" (CDEP 2002)
*"" (CDEP 2003)
*"27:36+2dot" (LP 2004)

plits

*"Split" with The Silent Type (2001)
*"Split" with Red Sparowes (2005)

References

External links

* [http://gregorsamsa.com Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/gregorsamsamyspace MySpace Profile]
* [http://www.thekorarecords.com/pressgs55.html Press Highlights for "55:12"]
* [http://www.last.fm/music/Gregor+Samsa Last.FM Profile]
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Gregor+Samsa+(3) Discography @ Discogs.com]
* [http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/artist_detail.cfm?artist_id=SAMSAGREGO Kennedy Center Performance]