Bitter Grace
Encyclopedia
Bitter Grace is a Manhattan
goth rock
band active since around 1985. Formed by Gustavo Lapis Ahumad in New York City
, the band is known for their live set that includes lighting, smoke and theatrical effects. Plagued with consistent line-up changes over the past two decades, the band still plays throughout Manhattan with the current line-up of Gustavo Lapis Ahumad (vocals), Dr. Avi (drums), and Brandon (guitar). The follow-up album, Shimmer
is expected in mid-2006.
Bitter Grace has played numerous clubs, but concentrate mostly in Manhattan
where they are located. They've taken the stage at CBGB
, the Gallery, Club Rare, Downtime and Rothko's in recent years.
. The line-up of the band was constantly evolving and for reasons like this it took over ten years for the first album, God and the Abyss
, to finally be released and distributed by Middle Pillar Presents
. The album itself was touched by numerous hands, with multiple drummers, bassists and guitarists being involved until its mastering and release.
. He was replaced by the returning Brandon who played guitar on the recordings of Shimmer prior to leaving the state. This new album, another seven years in the making, is due to be released in the early reaches of 2006. Previously released singles from the album, "Shimmering" and "Slave", have achieved college air play and Internet radio play in the summer of 2005 when they were officially released. The 2005 live shows found Bitter Grace playing throughout Manhattan prior to the release of the new album.
On September 18, 2008, the band announced on their MySpace that Shimmer will be released early 2009, and they are currently working on the third album entitled Critical.
goth rock style on God and the Abyss. Live sets have started to incorporate more lighting and shadow textures for a highly theatrical affect opposed to previous garage-style shows done in the early years.
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
goth rock
Gothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
band active since around 1985. Formed by Gustavo Lapis Ahumad in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the band is known for their live set that includes lighting, smoke and theatrical effects. Plagued with consistent line-up changes over the past two decades, the band still plays throughout Manhattan with the current line-up of Gustavo Lapis Ahumad (vocals), Dr. Avi (drums), and Brandon (guitar). The follow-up album, Shimmer
Shimmer (album)
Shimmer is New York City's Bitter Grace's long awaited follow up to God and the Abyss. While Shimmer did not take as long to release, seven years to the twelve it took to finish the previous, the band still underwent line-up changes through the period of recording and releasing this album, however...
is expected in mid-2006.
Bitter Grace has played numerous clubs, but concentrate mostly in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
where they are located. They've taken the stage at CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
, the Gallery, Club Rare, Downtime and Rothko's in recent years.
History
Bitter Grace was formed by Gustavo Lapis Ahumad in 1985 and almost immediately began playing live throughout New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The line-up of the band was constantly evolving and for reasons like this it took over ten years for the first album, God and the Abyss
God and the Abyss
New York City's Bitter Grace performed for ten years and went through continuous rounds of line-up changes during the making of this album. Similar in vein to the sound of Joy Division, Bauhaus and other post-punk goth rockers, God and the Abyss was a long journey that lasted from the first...
, to finally be released and distributed by Middle Pillar Presents
Middle Pillar Presents
Middle Pillar Presents is a New York based record label that specializes in ambient, gothic, and experimental music. The label began as distributor for other labels and artists entitled Middle Pillar Distribution. Eventually Kevin Dunn and James Babbo established Middle Pillar Presents to showcase...
. The album itself was touched by numerous hands, with multiple drummers, bassists and guitarists being involved until its mastering and release.
Recent
The current line-up has changed already over the past year with Thad Jasonis leaving to join New Vile System in Queens, New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He was replaced by the returning Brandon who played guitar on the recordings of Shimmer prior to leaving the state. This new album, another seven years in the making, is due to be released in the early reaches of 2006. Previously released singles from the album, "Shimmering" and "Slave", have achieved college air play and Internet radio play in the summer of 2005 when they were officially released. The 2005 live shows found Bitter Grace playing throughout Manhattan prior to the release of the new album.
On September 18, 2008, the band announced on their MySpace that Shimmer will be released early 2009, and they are currently working on the third album entitled Critical.
Evolution
The release of "Slave" and "Shimmering" have shown that Bitter Grace have laced an industrial and EBM style into their previous post-punkPost-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
goth rock style on God and the Abyss. Live sets have started to incorporate more lighting and shadow textures for a highly theatrical affect opposed to previous garage-style shows done in the early years.