Akimbo (band)
Encyclopedia
Akimbo is an American hardcore
band from Seattle, Washington.
The band was founded by its two original members, Jon Weisnewski (bass
, vocals) and Nat Damm (drums
). The two met in 1995 in a high school gym class after noticing each others' home-made punk t-shirts. They quickly became friends, sharing a love of DC hardcore and punk rock. Akimbo played its first show on Halloween of 1998.
Akimbo has had eleven guitarists over the course of its existence. The first, Kyle Iman, was featured on two albums: a split 10" with Seattle's Teen Cthulhu, and a 7" released in 1999 entitled An Army of Evil Robots Programmed for Human Destruction (Rock and Roleplay records).
Iman was replaced in 2000 by full-time guitarist Jared Burke Eglington. "Burke", as he is known by friends, served the band from 2000 to 2006, and is featured on several records. It was with him that Akimbo developed what would come to be known as their signature sound.
The constraints of Eglington's career as a financial analyst caused the band to enlist the help of several part-time guitarists to fill-out their lineup for their rigorous touring schedule. Among these guitarists are Chuck Rowell, Dustin Brown (featured on City of the Stars), Demian Johnston (of Playing Enemy), Patrick Cunningham (featured on Forging Steel and Laying Stone), and Stacy Schrag (a notable fixture of the Southern Oregon hardcore scene.)
In 2006, Aaron Walters was recruited to join Akimbo for a 10-day West Coast tour. Shortly thereafter, he accompanied the band on a month-long tour of the US. His collaboration with the band eventually led to his replacement of Eglington as Akimbo's sole guitarist.
In 2005, Akimbo was approached by punk icon Jello Biafra
after opening for him and Melvins. The next year, they released Forging Steel and Laying Stone on Biafra's Alternative Tentacles
label. In 2007, the same label released Navigating the Bronze, which was the band's first recording with Aaron Walters on guitar.
After a show with Converge
and Neurosis
, the Akimbo was asked by members of Neurosis to join Neurot Recordings
' roster. Neurot, owned by Neurosis guitarist/singer Steve Von Till, released Akimbo's latest and most critically acclaimed album entitled Jersey Shores in October 2008.
Jersey Shores is a concept album inspired by a series of mysterious shark attacks which occurred on the beaches of New Jersey in 1916. This latest effort showed a substantial deviation in style from previous recordings, which can be attributed in part to Aaron Walters' contributions as a guitarist/writer.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band from Seattle, Washington.
The band was founded by its two original members, Jon Weisnewski (bass
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
, vocals) and Nat Damm (drums
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
). The two met in 1995 in a high school gym class after noticing each others' home-made punk t-shirts. They quickly became friends, sharing a love of DC hardcore and punk rock. Akimbo played its first show on Halloween of 1998.
Akimbo has had eleven guitarists over the course of its existence. The first, Kyle Iman, was featured on two albums: a split 10" with Seattle's Teen Cthulhu, and a 7" released in 1999 entitled An Army of Evil Robots Programmed for Human Destruction (Rock and Roleplay records).
Iman was replaced in 2000 by full-time guitarist Jared Burke Eglington. "Burke", as he is known by friends, served the band from 2000 to 2006, and is featured on several records. It was with him that Akimbo developed what would come to be known as their signature sound.
The constraints of Eglington's career as a financial analyst caused the band to enlist the help of several part-time guitarists to fill-out their lineup for their rigorous touring schedule. Among these guitarists are Chuck Rowell, Dustin Brown (featured on City of the Stars), Demian Johnston (of Playing Enemy), Patrick Cunningham (featured on Forging Steel and Laying Stone), and Stacy Schrag (a notable fixture of the Southern Oregon hardcore scene.)
In 2006, Aaron Walters was recruited to join Akimbo for a 10-day West Coast tour. Shortly thereafter, he accompanied the band on a month-long tour of the US. His collaboration with the band eventually led to his replacement of Eglington as Akimbo's sole guitarist.
In 2005, Akimbo was approached by punk icon Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
after opening for him and Melvins. The next year, they released Forging Steel and Laying Stone on Biafra's Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
label. In 2007, the same label released Navigating the Bronze, which was the band's first recording with Aaron Walters on guitar.
After a show with Converge
Converge (band)
Converge is an American band from Salem, Massachusetts. Playing a blend of hardcore punk and metal since 1990, Converge has helped to define many of the elements of the metalcore genre.-Description:...
and Neurosis
Neurosis (band)
Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music...
, the Akimbo was asked by members of Neurosis to join Neurot Recordings
Neurot Recordings
Neurot Recordings is an independent American record label founded by members of Neurosis and Tribes of Neurot. The label was founded to release the side projects of Neurosis and its members. It has since expanded to a fully functioning label, releasing music from artists...
' roster. Neurot, owned by Neurosis guitarist/singer Steve Von Till, released Akimbo's latest and most critically acclaimed album entitled Jersey Shores in October 2008.
Jersey Shores is a concept album inspired by a series of mysterious shark attacks which occurred on the beaches of New Jersey in 1916. This latest effort showed a substantial deviation in style from previous recordings, which can be attributed in part to Aaron Walters' contributions as a guitarist/writer.
Selected discography
- An Army of Evil Robots Programmed for Human Destruction (Rock and Roleplay records, 1999)
- Harshing Your Mellow (CD - Dopamine records / Vinyl - Seventh Rule RecordingsSeventh Rule RecordingsSeventh Rule Recordings is a record label based in Chicago, Illinois that formed in 2003 to release underground metal and Hardcore punk. Founded by Scott and Cara Flaster, who still operate the label today, they have released albums by bands such as Akimbo, Buried at Sea, and Sweet Cobra.- Bands...
, 2001) - Elephantine (CD - Dopamine records / Vinyl - Seventh Rule RecordingsSeventh Rule RecordingsSeventh Rule Recordings is a record label based in Chicago, Illinois that formed in 2003 to release underground metal and Hardcore punk. Founded by Scott and Cara Flaster, who still operate the label today, they have released albums by bands such as Akimbo, Buried at Sea, and Sweet Cobra.- Bands...
, 2003) - City of the Stars (Seventh Rule RecordingsSeventh Rule RecordingsSeventh Rule Recordings is a record label based in Chicago, Illinois that formed in 2003 to release underground metal and Hardcore punk. Founded by Scott and Cara Flaster, who still operate the label today, they have released albums by bands such as Akimbo, Buried at Sea, and Sweet Cobra.- Bands...
, 2004) - Forging Steel and Laying Stone (Alternative TentaclesAlternative TentaclesAlternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
, 2006) - Navigating the Bronze (Alternative TentaclesAlternative TentaclesAlternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
, 2007) - Jersey Shores (Neurot RecordingsNeurot RecordingsNeurot Recordings is an independent American record label founded by members of Neurosis and Tribes of Neurot. The label was founded to release the side projects of Neurosis and its members. It has since expanded to a fully functioning label, releasing music from artists...
, 2008)