Blood On The Wall
Encyclopedia
Blood on the Wall is a lo-fi, Brooklyn-based indie rock
band, influenced by bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain
, Pavement
, Pixies, and Sonic Youth
. Band members include siblings Courtney (bassist
/vocalist
) and Brad Shanks (guitar
ist/vocalist) and drummer
Miggy Littleton. They have released three full-length albums, Blood on the Wall
(2003), Awesomer
(2005), and Liferz
(2008). Blood on the Wall are signed to the Brooklyn based label The Social Registry
.
The band toured with Yeah Yeah Yeahs
in 2006.
to Brooklyn with the intention of starting a band with veteran drummer Miggie Littleton. The three began playing around the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn recording a single in April 2001 with the help of Hall of Fame drummer Dan Brown and Brooklyn based recording engineer Nicholas Vernhes. The two songs, "Waking Dead" and "Baby Likes to Holler", were issued as a 7-inch record with the label being credited as Rejoice/Big Deal 001. Rejoice being the Shanks' Vintage clothing
store on Orchard Street and Big Deal being Miggie Littleton's used record store in Brooklyn, both of which sold the single.
The band came to the attention of the newly formed Brooklyn-based imprint The Social Registry
in 2002, who began distributing their 7-inch and began work on what would be their self titled debut. Working with Nicholas Vernhes again at the Rare Book Room the trio recorded their first full length in a handful of days in fall 2002. The Social Registry issued Blood on the Wall's self titled debut in May 2003 on CD and LP.
With the release of their first record Blood on the Wall began to play clubs outside of New York City. Their first tour was with Black Dice which was followed by a three week tour with Enon in the Midwest
. After the tour, Miggie Littleton took a hiatus from the band to play drums with White Magic. Drummer Dave Schneider filled in for Miggie for a few months, which included a tour of Norway with Norwegian band Silver.
After Miggie Littleton's departure from White Magic
and subsequent rejoining of Blood on the Wall, the band took up a heavy schedule of regional appearances through the spring of 2005. The band then reentered Rare Book Room Studios at the beginning of 2005 to record a new record.
Titled Awesomer, the band's second record was released on September 9, 2005 by The Social Registry. With their second record, Blood on the Wall managed to garner praise in the press. Writer Brandon Stosuy in his Village Voice
review suggested the record sounded as if "Mudhoney was covering [Sonic Youth's] Day Dream Nation". Favorable coverage followed in media outlets such as Pitchfork Media
, Rolling Stone
, Spin
, Time Out NY, and Tokion
. The band spent the rest of the fall on tour with Black Dice
and later, with label mates Psychic Ills
, ending the year by playing Pitchfork's New Years Party in Chicago. The band began 2006 by touring again with label mates Psychic Ills
as well as doing dates with Ariel Pink, ending the spring with a tour with Yeah Yeah Yeahs and playing through the summer in NYC with Dinosaur Jr
, Sonic Youth
and, again, with Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
In September 2006, Fat Cat Records re-released Awesomer in the UK and Europe, bringing the band over to support the record with live appearances all through the fall 2006. Playing drums on the tour was Nick Gonzalazs as Miggie Littleton had just married and his wife was expecting. At the end of 2006, Brad, Courtney and Miggie entered Rare Book Room again to record their third record Liferz.
In the beginning of 2007, Brad Shanks left Brooklyn to return closer to home in Lawrence, KS. Courtney Shanks soon followed suit, taking an extended road trip which ended with her taking up residence in Los Angeles
, California
. Miggie stayed in Brooklyn with his wife and recently born daughter.
After a brief hiatus, the band released Liferz on January 27 on The Social Registry to much media praise. Enlisting Lawrence-based drummer Zach Campbell whom Brad Shanks had spent the year playing in newly formed Lawrence outfit Bandit Teeth, the band set out on a US tour which saw them playing with Black Mountain
. At the end of this tour, Miggie Littleton formally left the band with Zach Campbell becoming his replacement. In March the band appeared at the SXSW Music Conference performing six times over four days, returning to the road in April for a full tour of North America.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band, influenced by bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
, Pavement
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
, Pixies, and Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
. Band members include siblings Courtney (bassist
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
/vocalist
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
) and Brad Shanks (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist/vocalist) and drummer
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...
Miggy Littleton. They have released three full-length albums, Blood on the Wall
Blood on the Wall (album)
Blood on the Wall is the debut 2003 album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Blood on the Wall . Its music combines influences like My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Sonic Youth and Pavement.-Track listing:#"Security in Neighborhoods"...
(2003), Awesomer
Awesomer
Awesomer is a 2005 album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Blood on the Wall . Its music combines influences like My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Sonic Youth and Pavement, and it received much critical acclaim.-Track listing:...
(2005), and Liferz
Liferz
Liferz is the 2008 album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Blood on the Wall . Its music combines influences like My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Sonic Youth and Pavement.-Track listing:#"Hibernation"#"The Ditch"#"Liferz"...
(2008). Blood on the Wall are signed to the Brooklyn based label The Social Registry
The Social Registry
The Social Registry is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York that was started in 2003. It was voted "Best New Record label" in The Village Voice's Best of New York issue in 2004.-Artists:Artanker Convoy,Blood Lines,Blood on the Wall,Christy & Emily,...
.
The band toured with Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist and pianist Karen O, guitarist and keyboardist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. They are complemented in live performances by second guitarist David Pajo, who joined as a touring...
in 2006.
History
Blood on the Wall formed in 2001 when Courtney Shanks convinced her brother, Brad Shanks to move from Lawrence, KansasLawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
to Brooklyn with the intention of starting a band with veteran drummer Miggie Littleton. The three began playing around the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn recording a single in April 2001 with the help of Hall of Fame drummer Dan Brown and Brooklyn based recording engineer Nicholas Vernhes. The two songs, "Waking Dead" and "Baby Likes to Holler", were issued as a 7-inch record with the label being credited as Rejoice/Big Deal 001. Rejoice being the Shanks' Vintage clothing
Vintage clothing
Vintage clothing is a generic term for new or second hand garments originating from a previous era. The phrase is also used in connection with a retail outlet, e.g...
store on Orchard Street and Big Deal being Miggie Littleton's used record store in Brooklyn, both of which sold the single.
The band came to the attention of the newly formed Brooklyn-based imprint The Social Registry
The Social Registry
The Social Registry is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York that was started in 2003. It was voted "Best New Record label" in The Village Voice's Best of New York issue in 2004.-Artists:Artanker Convoy,Blood Lines,Blood on the Wall,Christy & Emily,...
in 2002, who began distributing their 7-inch and began work on what would be their self titled debut. Working with Nicholas Vernhes again at the Rare Book Room the trio recorded their first full length in a handful of days in fall 2002. The Social Registry issued Blood on the Wall's self titled debut in May 2003 on CD and LP.
With the release of their first record Blood on the Wall began to play clubs outside of New York City. Their first tour was with Black Dice which was followed by a three week tour with Enon in the Midwest
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
. After the tour, Miggie Littleton took a hiatus from the band to play drums with White Magic. Drummer Dave Schneider filled in for Miggie for a few months, which included a tour of Norway with Norwegian band Silver.
After Miggie Littleton's departure from White Magic
White Magic
White Magic may refer to:* White magic, healing or "good," as opposed to Black magic; see also magic * White Magic , an American rock band* White Magic , album by Swedish musician ceo...
and subsequent rejoining of Blood on the Wall, the band took up a heavy schedule of regional appearances through the spring of 2005. The band then reentered Rare Book Room Studios at the beginning of 2005 to record a new record.
Titled Awesomer, the band's second record was released on September 9, 2005 by The Social Registry. With their second record, Blood on the Wall managed to garner praise in the press. Writer Brandon Stosuy in his Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
review suggested the record sounded as if "Mudhoney was covering [Sonic Youth's] Day Dream Nation". Favorable coverage followed in media outlets such as Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
, Time Out NY, and Tokion
Tokion
Tokion is a New York-based magazine covering art, fashion, music and film. It publishes separate US, UK, and Japanese editions. Tokion also produces the annual Creativity Now Conference, a weekend-long seminar of panel discussions with speakers from across the creative spectrum.- History :Tokion...
. The band spent the rest of the fall on tour with Black Dice
Black Dice
Black Dice is an experimental electronic music group currently based in Brooklyn, New York, USA.-Early years:Black Dice formed in spring 1997 soon after guitarist Bjorn Copeland met drummer Hisham Bharoocha and bassist Sebastian Blanck when they were students at the Rhode Island School of Design...
and later, with label mates Psychic Ills
Psychic Ills
Psychic Ills is an experimental rock band from New York. The current line-up consists of Elizabeth Hart , Brian Tamborello and Tres Warren .- History :The band took shape in 2003...
, ending the year by playing Pitchfork's New Years Party in Chicago. The band began 2006 by touring again with label mates Psychic Ills
Psychic Ills
Psychic Ills is an experimental rock band from New York. The current line-up consists of Elizabeth Hart , Brian Tamborello and Tres Warren .- History :The band took shape in 2003...
as well as doing dates with Ariel Pink, ending the spring with a tour with Yeah Yeah Yeahs and playing through the summer in NYC with Dinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr. is an American alternative rock band formed in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1984. Originally called Dinosaur, prior to legal issues that forced the group to change their name, the band disbanded in 1997 until reuniting in 2005...
, Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
and, again, with Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
In September 2006, Fat Cat Records re-released Awesomer in the UK and Europe, bringing the band over to support the record with live appearances all through the fall 2006. Playing drums on the tour was Nick Gonzalazs as Miggie Littleton had just married and his wife was expecting. At the end of 2006, Brad, Courtney and Miggie entered Rare Book Room again to record their third record Liferz.
In the beginning of 2007, Brad Shanks left Brooklyn to return closer to home in Lawrence, KS. Courtney Shanks soon followed suit, taking an extended road trip which ended with her taking up residence in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Miggie stayed in Brooklyn with his wife and recently born daughter.
After a brief hiatus, the band released Liferz on January 27 on The Social Registry to much media praise. Enlisting Lawrence-based drummer Zach Campbell whom Brad Shanks had spent the year playing in newly formed Lawrence outfit Bandit Teeth, the band set out on a US tour which saw them playing with Black Mountain
Black Mountain (band)
Black Mountain is a Canadian rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia. The band is composed of Stephen McBean, Amber Webber, Matt Camirand, Jeremy Schmidt and Joshua Wells.-Overview:...
. At the end of this tour, Miggie Littleton formally left the band with Zach Campbell becoming his replacement. In March the band appeared at the SXSW Music Conference performing six times over four days, returning to the road in April for a full tour of North America.
Discography
- Blood on the WallBlood on the Wall (album)Blood on the Wall is the debut 2003 album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Blood on the Wall . Its music combines influences like My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Sonic Youth and Pavement.-Track listing:#"Security in Neighborhoods"...
(2003) - AwesomerAwesomerAwesomer is a 2005 album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Blood on the Wall . Its music combines influences like My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Sonic Youth and Pavement, and it received much critical acclaim.-Track listing:...
(Social Registry, FatCat) (2005) - LiferzLiferzLiferz is the 2008 album by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Blood on the Wall . Its music combines influences like My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, Sonic Youth and Pavement.-Track listing:#"Hibernation"#"The Ditch"#"Liferz"...
(2008)
External links
- PUNKCAST#317 Live video - Rare NYC - Aug 28 2003. (RealplayerRealPlayerRealPlayer is a cross-platform media player by RealNetworks that plays a number of multimedia formats including MP3, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Windows Media, and multiple versions of proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo formats.-History:...
) - PUNKCAST#837 Live video - Tonic NYC - Sep 15 2005. (RealplayerRealPlayerRealPlayer is a cross-platform media player by RealNetworks that plays a number of multimedia formats including MP3, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Windows Media, and multiple versions of proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo formats.-History:...
, mp4) - 77 Boadrum Site Profile Viva Radio, Sep 2007. (FlashAdobe FlashAdobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
) - Impose Magazine article and mp3 download