Cello rock

Apocalyptica accompanying Rammstein in concert

Cello rock and cello metal are subgenres of rock music and heavy metal characterized by the use of cellos (as well as other bowed string instruments such as the violin and viola) as primary instruments, alongside or in place of more traditional rock instruments such as electric guitars, electric bass guitar, and drum set.

Cellos, often in groups of three or more, are used to create a sound, rhythm, and texture similar to that of familiar rock music, but distinctly reshaped by the unique timbres and more traditional genres of the cello (in particular) and other string instruments used. The cellos and other stringed instruments are often amplified and/or modified electronically, and often played in a manner imitative of the sound of electric guitars. They are often combined with other elements typical of rock music such as rock-style vocals and drumming.

Cello rock bands

Cello rock has been developing slowly over the years, with its direct influences dating as far back as the 1930s in Russia and Germany.^{[citation needed]} The 1971 self-titled debut by the Electric Light Orchestra featured rock songs arranged for cellos, and the subsequent tour consisted of a standard rock band augmented by four cellos.

Current prominent bands include:

• Rasputina (formed 1992), an American band that uses distortion effects pedals on their cellos. The band is made up of two cellists, song-writer and vocalist Melora Creager, second chair Daniel DeJesus and drummer Dawn Miceli. They are known for their references to the Victorian era and eccentric song subjects, as well as their string of albums since the mid 1990s. Rasputina opened for Marilyn Manson in their 1997 Dead to the World Tour.

• Apocalyptica (formed 1993), a Finnish quartet. The group originally played instrumental cello covers of heavy metal songs, including songs by Metallica. They now mostly play their own baroque based compositions, some including vocals. Apocalyptica opened for Metallica in 1996 and co-headlined with Rammstein in 2005.

• Murder by Death (formed in 2000) features Sarah Balliet, who plays electric cello live and records with a German cello from the 1880s. They play an eclectic combination of rock, indie and Americana and tour frequently.

• Primitivity (formed in 2000) is a cello rock band from Washington, D.C.. Led by Loren Westbrook-Fritts, the ensemble began by covering songs of Megadeth. The group has performed on National Public Radio. Their debut album titled Plays Megadeth For Cello. was arranged and recorded entirely by Loren Westbrook-Fritts. The group has performed along with Loren Westbrook-Fritts as Artists in Residence at Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, Maryland in February 2010. The band has composed and performed original music for an upcoming album.

• The Loneliest Monk (formed in 2008) is an all original Avant-Garde Art rock duo from Chicago, IL. Front Woman Michelle Morales, who has performed with the Foo Fighters and Kanye West, incorporates melodic looping effects, voice, as well as the occasional piano. She currently plays on a Zeta Electric cello. Miles Benjamin plays drums, sings, and creates toy piano flourishes.

• Judgement Day (formed 2002). A San Francisco instrumental metal trio with Anton Patzner of Bright Eyes on violin, Lewis Patzner on cello and a drummer. The band has toured the US with Mates of State, Margot and the Nuclear So and So's and dredg.

• Cello Fury, based in Pittsburgh, PA, is a cello trio with drums performing original rock music on amplified cellos. This band performs solo shows in rock as well as classical venues and collaborates with artists in other genres throughout the US and abroad. www.cellofury.com

• A Collective of Dirt (formed late 2007) of Olympia, Washington. The four piece performs on amplified Cellos and violin playing fast punkish music with screaming vocals.

• Aaron Minsky, or Von Cello (whose band goes by the same name), is a cellist who pioneered the (self titled) "celtar" style of playing, which is playing the cello like a guitar, held over the knees or with a guitar strap over the neck, and strummed and picked with a guitar pick. When playing as a band, Von Cello consists of cellist Aaron Minsky and others on the bass, drums, vocals, and keyboards. They Von Cello has released CDs covering genres from classical crossover to "metal cello" a genre coined by Von Cello.

• Hyperion, the Czech was formed 2002 in Ostrava, released two demos and one full length album names "Monochrome". Hyperion covered the songs Inquisition Symphony from Sepultura and Nothing Else Matters, Unforgiven from Metallica.

• Break of Reality (formed in 2003), is an American instrumental rock band consisting of three cellists and a percussionist. The band's sound consists of many musical influences, such as metal, classical, and cinematic rock. The group has two original albums to its credit, and is also known for covering bands like System of a Down and Coheed and Cambria.

• Deadweight- a San Francisco based band from 1995–2004, featured Sam Bass on electric cello, Ben Barnes on electric violin and Paulo Baldi on drums. Described as "Charlie Daniels playing Led Zeppelin and Bartok, while listening to Metallica on a roller coaster to hell."

• Skillet (band)- a Memphis, TN, Christian rock band that formed in 1996. The band began using a cellist and violinist (Tate Olsen, Jonathan Chu, resp.) in 2003. While not all of their songs feature Olsen and Chu, they are credited on the albums. Other instruments used include guitars, an electric bass guitar, a keyboard, a synthesizer, and drums.

• The 440 Fort Alliance (formed early 2004) is an American cello rock band from Arlington, Texas. The group is known for their diverse approach to the cello, incorporating electric effects, turntables, piano, and mallet percussion. They received national exposure on NPR's All Songs Considered^[1] and on Fox's musical reality show, The Next Great American Band.^[2] As of 2010, the group has recorded 3 full length albums.

• Akashiaft (formed in 2009) Born by the restlessness of 5 young members of the System of Orchestras of Venezuela, Dedicated to making rock cover bands like Aerosmith, Apocalyptica, The Beatles, Coldplay, Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Oasis, Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Queen, System Of A Down, Sepultura, Judas Priest, Rata Blanca, The Who, among others.

• Coppelius (formed in 1997) Coppelius is a German band which plays metal on drums, double bass, cello and clarinet.
• Unwoman
• Alamaailman Vasarat
• Melo-M
• Hevein
• Clawed Forehead
• Ken Oak Band
• 2CELLOS (formed in 2011) are Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser from Croatia. Some of the covers they performed on their first album: Where The Streets Have No Name, Misirlou (Theme From Pulp Fiction), Use Somebody, Smooth Criminal, Fragile, The Resistance, Hurt, Welcome To The Jungle, Human Nature, Viva La Vida, Smells Like Teen Spirit, With Or Without You
• The Stiletto Formal
• Grammatics
• Grayceon
• Matson Jones

In addition to cello rock groups that feature cello as the primary melodic instruments, some rock groups and artists have featured acoustic or electric celli as part of the band. In most cases, the cello is not a full member of the band, but is used only for a specific song, but a few artists have featured a cellist as a full band member. Such artists include The Walla Recovery,^[3] the singer Poe (featuring cellist Cameron Stone), Tarja (featuring cellist Max Lilja, a former Apocalyptica member), Hevein (also featuring Lilja), Darling Violetta (featuring cellist Gerri Sutyak), Veruca Salt (featuring cellist Eric Remschneider on the album Resolver), the Smashing Pumpkins (also featuring Remschneider on the Siamese Dream album and subsequent tour), and OneRepublic (featuring cellist Brent Kutzle). ^[4] The Red Elvises featured Monica Demarco on keyboards and electric cello on their 2011 summer tour. ^[5]

See also

• Neo-classical metal
• Symphonic metal

References

1. ^ "The 440 Alliance: 'This is Gonna Rock!'". NPR. 2007-06-17. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10872874. Retrieved 2007-12-20. 
2. ^ "Great American Bands". Worth Star Telegram. 2007-10-19. http://startelegram.typepad.com/pop_cultural_district/2007/10/post.html. Retrieved 2007-10-19. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ http://thewallarecovery.com
4. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LmnmkdxYfg
5. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX2PljzyNe8