Seahorse orchestra

the Seahorse Orchestra are a psychedelic rock/pop group from Tampa, Florida, that was formed in February of 2005. The group's sound is similar to Pink Floyd in the early Syd Barrett days, Os Mutantes, The Zombies, The Kinks, Can, Serge Gainsbourg and Donovan. The Seahorse Orchestra wrote melodic mod-flavored songs peppered with the artistic philosophy of aestheticism, raucous wit in the vein of Oscar Wilde, mystical pondering in the vein of William Blake and general jovial fairytale weirdness not unlike early Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Originally, it sprang from a series of hallucinations followed by loose jam sessions with Sir Robert Davis, Shannon Lyn and Jonathan Beadle with each member singing and switching instruments (acoustic guitar and organ) from song to song.

Following "psychic visions", Robert first incorporated Shannon and Jonathan into the group. He then added poet/keyboardist Cole Bellamy to the group after one conversation, following that with the addition of masterful jazz bassist Bob Massicotte - again after a psychic vision and a single conversation. He knew the lineup wasn't straight because he saw himself with a theremin that he didn't have.

Six months into the band's life, Jonathan switched over to drums and quit the group a little over a month later. After a vision and a single conversation, drummer Eric Haase was added to the lineup. Eric brought a theremin to the group and Robert began playing it and incorporating it into the band's songs immediately.

The band quickly wrote and recorded "The Clockwork Giant", "Good Day Mr. Musk Ox" and "Thomas Habercorn". As soon as a myspace page http://www.myspace.com/theseahorseorchestra was up (with a sampling of songs), the band were offered a variety of shows. According to Reax Music Magazine, WMNF 88.5 and The Tampa Tribune, The Seahorse Orchestra quickly built a reputation as one of the greatest bands ever to hail from the sunshine state and continued writing songs. Audience members reacted to the fierce pomp, charisma and sparkle of the thrilling live performances and referred to the band as "Wizards on Acid" (according to Reax).

Near the end of 2006, Eric broke a bone in his right foot - which required three months to heal - and the band took a break from performing. Shannon and Robert wrote new songs and he began having visions again, this time regarding the future direction of the band.

The Seahorse Orchestra have officially been place on hold, perhaps permanently. Fret not, for Robert has a new project in the works tentatively called "Lord Paisley".

Line-up

*Robert Davis- Vocals, Theremin, Guitar
*Shannon Lyn- Guitar, Organ, Vocals
*Cole Bellamy- Keyboard, Vocals, Percussion
*Bob Massicotte- Double Bass
*Eric Haase- Drums, Percussion

Discography

*Astronaut Breakfast- EP- 2006

External links

* [http://www.theseahorseorchestra.com The Seahorse Orchestra official website]