Household Gods | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Joshua Tree, California United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2019-2020 |
| Past members | David Pajo Vern Rumsey Conan Neutron Lauren K. Newman |
| Website | www |
Household Gods was an American rock supergroup, featuring: David Pajo (Slint, Zwan, Papa M), Vern Rumsey (Unwound), Conan Neutron (Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends and Replicator), and Lauren K Newman. (LKN, Palo Verde).
Their presence was revealed to the world on May 1, 2020. [1] with the release of the single "Rest in Power" [2]
A second song, "Shine Theory", premiered on May 28, 2020, on the Big Takeover. [3] "What we can say here at Big Takeover is that we’re super-stoked to host the premiere of the desert/post-rock rumination/exaltation “Shine Theory” from the album. Kate Wakefield of Lung guests on airily floating vocals, with Pajo and Neutron on guitars, Rumsey on bass, and Newman on drums."
A third song Hostile Architecture was premiered on the music site I Heart Noise. [4] "Musically its more Slint than Unwound – immensely heavy, but immensely catchy/atmospheric as well, which is exactly how one could describe “Hostile Architecture”. The riffs, the melodies – once you heard it, you would want to hear it again…and again…and again."
The record called Palace Intrigue was released on June 12, 2020. [5] [6] All of the songs were written and recorded on-site at Rancho De La Luna studio in Joshua Tree, California, and produced by David Catching.
The surviving members of the group appeared on the Milwaukee college station WMSE on June 2nd, 2020. [7] calling the record a "creating for the act of creating". The members talk about there being no material prepared ahead of time 4 or 5 days, being inspired by similar projects such as the Desert Sessions and how the four musicians had never played together before recording. "We got together and tried to make something cool. Low to no pressure, and get back to the idea of playing for the sake of playing and the art of creation itself, rather than creation as a means to an end or to achieve a greater function or purpose. There was lots of trading riffs at the kitchen table."
"It was almost a snapshot or documentary of those days together, with the four of us. Especially with Lauren being gone now." Pajo said. The band members then praised Rancho De La Luna as being a place to unlock creativity from people that is at least partially due to the remote environment. "That was the beauty of it for me, we were just four equals doing our part." Pajo said, calling it a "True collaboration" In this interview is also revealed that: (Before the) Avalanche and (After the) Avalanche were borne out of completely misinterpreting Newman's instructions for the song Avalanche.
Drummer/guitarist Lauren K. Newman died on December 4, 2019, from complications of Crohn's Disease. Neutron is quoted in the Portland Mercury as saying "It kills me to know that she won't be around to reap the rewards of this. I felt like this was going to be huge for her, and that people were finally going to get to hear what a world class talent she was. It always seemed like she was one big tour away from everyone freaking the fuck out about her. She never caught that break." [8] [9] [10]
In a joint interview on WMSE and later on Live From the Barrage, the band members mentioned they were originally unaware of Newman's poor health. "She didn't want to be seen as a musician with a disability" [11] and it "wasn't a Make-A-Wish situation or something like that." [12] "She deserves to be mourned, but she deserves to be better recognized. We hope this album provides a path for that."
Rumsey died in August 2020; he was 47. [13] [14] His death sparked an outpouring of support and testimonials amongst many music communities. [15]
After the death of Vern Rumsey a breakup announcement was made on Pitchfork:
Household Gods was a band comprised of four musicians with their own musical histories and challenges to overcome. We came together with no expectations or rules and something cool came out of it. There were vague plans for it to be more than that, more records, shows. More. A little light in a world of darkness. It is fair to say that it was going to be difficult to carry on Household Gods without Lauren K. Newman, but there definitely cannot be any Household Gods without Vern and LKN. [16]
Zwan was an American alternative rock supergroup formed in 2001 by lead singer and guitarist Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, from The Smashing Pumpkins. Other members included bassist Paz Lenchantin of A Perfect Circle, and guitarists David Pajo of Slint, and Matt Sweeney. The band released only one album, Mary Star of the Sea (2003), before breaking up acrimoniously that year during their world tour to promote the album.
Slint was an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky, formed in 1986. The band consisted of Brian McMahan, David Pajo (guitar), Britt Walford, Todd Brashear, and Ethan Buckler. Slint's first album, Tweez, was recorded by engineer Steve Albini in 1987 and released in obscurity on the Jennifer Hartman Records label in 1989. It was followed two years later by the critically acclaimed Spiderland, released on the independent label Touch and Go Records.
Polvo is an American indie rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The band formed in 1990 and is fronted by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski, with Steve Popson playing bass guitar and Brian Quast playing drums. Eddie Watkins was the band's original drummer, but did not rejoin the band upon its reunion in 2008, after breaking up in 1998.
Replicator was an American noise rock band from Oakland, California. The band consisted of Conan Neutron, Ben Adrian, and Chris Bolig (drums). The band was joined by Todd Grant on rhythm guitar for live performances in later years.
Spiderland is the second and final studio album by the American rock band Slint. It was released by Touch and Go Records on March 27, 1991. Slint's lineup at the time of recording comprised Brian McMahan on vocals and guitar, David Pajo on guitar, Todd Brashear on bass guitar and Britt Walford on drums. Spiderland was engineered by Brian Paulson and recorded over four days in August 1990. The music and vocal melodies were composed throughout the summer of 1990, while lyrics were written in-studio.
Unwound is an American post-hardcore band. Formed in 1988 in Tumwater and Olympia, Washington, the band currently consists of Justin Trosper, Jared Warren, Sara Lund (drums), and Scott Seckington (guitar).
David Pajo is an American alternative rock musician. He has played a wide variety of music, loosely fitting into several other genres such as hardcore punk, math rock, post-rock, electronica, folk rock and indie pop. Though a multi-instrumentalist, he is best known for his guitar work, most notably with Slint. He is currently a member of Gang of Four.
XBXRX is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Mobile, Alabama, United States. Their early sound was no wave-influenced, but became more improvised and deconstructed, moving away from using the synthesizers that typify new wave. They are a collective with a revolving cast of musicians, including Steve Touchstone, Weasel Walter, and Vice Cooler. In 2002, Wesley Willis wrote a song dedicated to the band. For many years the collective resided in Oakland, California, where they finished working on their last full-length record, Wars, which was released in April 2007. In 2008 they were working on a record of improv based pieces titled "Sound" and splits with Mika Miko and Japanther. As of 2010, they have regrouped, and relocated to Los Angeles releasing new music and playing shows around California with their new line up.
Tweez is the debut studio album by American rock band Slint and the only studio recording released before their disbandment. It was originally released on the label Jennifer Hartman Records in 1989 as the only record put out by the label, which was run by their friend, Jennifer Hartman. It is the only Slint album to feature bassist Ethan Buckler.
Fake Train is the debut studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on July 7, 1993 by Kill Rock Stars.
New Plastic Ideas is the second studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on March 21, 1994 by Kill Rock Stars.
Jared Michael Warren is an American musician who is the bassist of Big Business and formerly the Melvins.
Rancho De La Luna is a recording studio in Joshua Tree, California that was founded in 1993 by Fred Drake and David Catching. After Drake's death in 2002 to cancer, the studio was operated by David Catching and Drake's collaborators Tony Mason, Ted Quinn, Dean Chamberlain, Billy Bizeau and Fred Burke until 2004. It has since doubled as Catching's home, where he serves as engineer, producer, joins as guest musician and cooks for bands.
Challenge for a Civilized Society is the sixth studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on January 13, 1998 by Kill Rock Stars. It was produced by Steve Fisk and recorded from August 1, 1997, to August 15, 1997, at John and Stu's in Seattle, Washington. The album received positive reviews from critics.
Vernon Emmry Aldo Rumsey was an American musician. He is best known for his work as the bassist of the post-hardcore band Unwound, in which he was a co-founding member. He was also in the bands Long Hind Legs, Oslo, Fitz of Depression, and Witchypoo, and was playing in the band Flora v. Fauna.
Brian McMahan is an American musician from Louisville, Kentucky. He was a guitarist and vocalist in the seminal rock bands Squirrel Bait and Slint. After the breakup of the latter in November 1990, he went on to play with Will Oldham on his project Palace Brothers. In 1994, McMahan formed The For Carnation which acted as a creative outlet; he remains the only permanent member of the band. He was also part of King Kong, a band formed by original Slint bassist Ethan Buckler. McMahan plays guitar on the song "Why I'm So Unhappy" by Dntel.
Lowercase was a band from Palm Desert, California, led by Imaad Wasif on vocals and guitar and Brian Girgus on drums. The band put out 2 full-length albums on the Minneapolis label Amphetamine Reptile before recording their last LP for Vern Rumsey of Unwound's label, Punk in my Vitamins. Tours with Sebadoh, Karp, Unwound, Hovercraft, Caustic Resin, The Lies, Faith No More, and Chokebore helped gain them a national as well as international following.
Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends is a rock band formed in Oakland, California in 2015 by vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Conan Neutron and intended as a vehicle for his songwriting. Featuring Melvins drummer Dale Crover on drums and Tony Ash on bass and with production work by Toshi Kasai, their style is influenced by classic rock, noise rock and post-punk, and the live shows feature a revolving cast of players. They are a touring act predominately based in Wisconsin.
Tropical Fuck Storm are an Australian rock band and supergroup from Melbourne, Victoria, formed by Gareth Liddiard and Fiona Kitschin from The Drones. Lauren Hammel, from the band High Tension, plays drums, and Erica Dunn, from the bands Mod Con, Harmony, and Palm Springs, plays guitars, keyboards, and other instruments. Their sound is characterised by elements of art punk, noise rock and experimental rock.
Live From the Barrage is a combination music, call-in, and comedy Internet radio show/podcast hosted independently by John Houlihan since 2012, in a bar in a garage in Queens, New York. The show's slogan is: "it's Friday night and we're in fuggin' Queens". The show began on livestream 2012-2015 and then Radio NOPE from 2015–Present (119-Present). The format is largely talk based, ranging from music, sports, national events & more with both call-in and in-person guests.