Brainoil (band)
Encyclopedia
Brainoil is a United States
doom
and sludge
metal band from Oakland, California
. Brainoil members have been long-term contributors
to the East Bay
underground punk and metal music scene.
Members of Brainoil were previously part of well-known underground projects such as
Destroy
and Grimple.
Brainoil's musical style is sludge metal influenced by bands such as Eyehategod
, Melvins
and Dystopia
.
called Mr.Brainoil with a Boss drum machine. Greg was joined by Nate in the summer of 2000. Greg and Nate continued to work on material throughout the summer of 2000 writing and recording a demo by the fall of 2000. Greg and Nate ditched the drum machine by the winter of 2000 and were joined by Ira Harris
. Brainoil's first show was on March 3, 2001 at Mission Records in San Francisco.
of Neurosis
at Mr. Toad's studios in San Francisco. The CD was released by
the end of 2002 as a 4-label split release between Shifty Records
, Boredom Noise, Berserker and Unknown Controller. Unfortunately this release has been since lost to obscurity through a lack of repressing by any of the labels, and has become something of a collector's item in the sludge
world. One of the songs from this recording session was released as a on a Split 7" with Seattle's Iron Lung
on Greg Wilkinson's label, Boredom Noise (now defunct).
Brainoil played extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area
and along the
West coast
during 2001-2003.
Brainoil entered Polymorph Studios in March 2002 to record their debut LP with engineer Dan Rathbun. The LP was released as a self-titled LP in early 2003 by Matt Parillo of Dystopia
on Life is Abuse Records.
The LP received many positive reviews in the weeks and months following its release, often comparing the band's initial LP to Eyehategod, and described as "the best sludge album so far this year" in a review by Jeb Branin.
in Spain, the band's self titled LP was re-released in Europe on Throne Records in the winter of 2003.
This version of the LP featured re-mastering and a re-arrangement of the songs on each side. The re-mastering boosted the high-end frequencies and increased the overal volume. To support the LP release, Brainoil toured Western Europe
in March 2004 with fellow Throne Records label-mates Moho
. Upon their return from Europe, Brainoil continued to play, but with decreasing frequency in the San Francisco Bay Area
from late 2004-2006. Throughout 2005-2007 Ira Harris began an extensive touring schedule with Watch Them Die. Not wanting to continue Brainoil with any other drummer, Greg and Nate shifted focus to their other musical projects until the time was right to continue with Ira.
split LP with Consume in 2003.
Greg Wilkinson has recorded and produced many punk
, doom
, sludge
, and experimental bands at EarHammer Studios in Oakland, CA.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
doom
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
and sludge
Sludge metal
Sludge metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that melds elements of doom metal and hardcore punk, and sometimes incorporates influences from southern rock, stoner rock and grunge. Sludge metal is typically abrasive; often featuring shouted vocals, heavily distorted instruments and sharply contrasting...
metal band from Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
. Brainoil members have been long-term contributors
to the East Bay
East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
The East Bay is a commonly used, informal term for the lands on the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay, in the San Francisco Bay Area, in California, United States...
underground punk and metal music scene.
Members of Brainoil were previously part of well-known underground projects such as
Destroy
Destroy (band)
Destroy! was an American crust punk band from Minneapolis from 1988 to 1994. Vocalist Felix Havoc founded Havoc Records in 1992 as a vehicle for Destroy!'s Burn this Racist System Down 7" EP.-Members:*Felix Havoc...
and Grimple.
Brainoil's musical style is sludge metal influenced by bands such as Eyehategod
Eyehategod
Eyehategod is an American sludge metal band from New Orleans who formed in 1988. They have become one of the most well known bands to emerge from the NOLA metal scene...
, Melvins
and Dystopia
Dystopia (band)
Formed in Orange County, California in 1991, Dystopia was a sludge metal band, popular in both the heavy metal and crust punk scenes, due in large part to their bleak, misanthropic imagery...
.
Early days
The band was originally formed in 1998 by Greg Wilkinson as a solo projectcalled Mr.Brainoil with a Boss drum machine. Greg was joined by Nate in the summer of 2000. Greg and Nate continued to work on material throughout the summer of 2000 writing and recording a demo by the fall of 2000. Greg and Nate ditched the drum machine by the winter of 2000 and were joined by Ira Harris
Ira Harris
Ira Harris was an American jurist and senator from New York. He was also a friend of Abraham Lincoln's.-Life:Harris grew up on a farm, and graduated from Union College in 1824. Then he studied law in Albany, and in 1828 was admitted to the bar.He was a Whig member from Albany County of the New...
. Brainoil's first show was on March 3, 2001 at Mission Records in San Francisco.
2001-2003
Brainoil entered the studio in early 2001 to record for a split CD with fellow Oakland sludge rockers Cruevo recorded by Noah LandisNoah Landis
Noah Landis is the keyboard player for the Californian band Neurosis. His keyboard sound varies between textural and moody overlays, sampled effects/noises and the occasional hook. He is also a member of the experimental/noise band Tribes of Neurot, the band Blood and Time, and was the lead singer...
of 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...
at Mr. Toad's studios in San Francisco. The CD was released by
the end of 2002 as a 4-label split release between Shifty Records
Shifty Records (USA)
Shifty Records is an independent record label in the United States specializing in metal. It produces music by bands such as Boulder....
, Boredom Noise, Berserker and Unknown Controller. Unfortunately this release has been since lost to obscurity through a lack of repressing by any of the labels, and has become something of a collector's item in the sludge
Sludge metal
Sludge metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that melds elements of doom metal and hardcore punk, and sometimes incorporates influences from southern rock, stoner rock and grunge. Sludge metal is typically abrasive; often featuring shouted vocals, heavily distorted instruments and sharply contrasting...
world. One of the songs from this recording session was released as a on a Split 7" with Seattle's Iron Lung
Iron lung
A negative pressure ventilator is a form of medical ventilator that enables a person to breathe when normal muscle control has been lost or the work of breathing exceeds the person's ability....
on Greg Wilkinson's label, Boredom Noise (now defunct).
Brainoil played extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
and along the
West coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
during 2001-2003.
Brainoil entered Polymorph Studios in March 2002 to record their debut LP with engineer Dan Rathbun. The LP was released as a self-titled LP in early 2003 by Matt Parillo of Dystopia
Dystopia (band)
Formed in Orange County, California in 1991, Dystopia was a sludge metal band, popular in both the heavy metal and crust punk scenes, due in large part to their bleak, misanthropic imagery...
on Life is Abuse Records.
The LP received many positive reviews in the weeks and months following its release, often comparing the band's initial LP to Eyehategod, and described as "the best sludge album so far this year" in a review by Jeb Branin.
2004-2006
At the request and assistance of Uge from Throne RecordsThrone Records
Throne Records is an independent record label of extreme metal located in Gijón, Asturias, Spain. It was created in 2002 by Uge, after the dissolution of its previous hardcore/punk label...
in Spain, the band's self titled LP was re-released in Europe on Throne Records in the winter of 2003.
This version of the LP featured re-mastering and a re-arrangement of the songs on each side. The re-mastering boosted the high-end frequencies and increased the overal volume. To support the LP release, Brainoil toured Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
in March 2004 with fellow Throne Records label-mates Moho
Moho
-Birds:* Moho , a genus of birds in the family Meliphagidae* The Hawaiʻian name of the Hawaiian Rail, an extinct species* The Māori name of the North Island Takahē, an extinct species-Computers:...
. Upon their return from Europe, Brainoil continued to play, but with decreasing frequency in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
from late 2004-2006. Throughout 2005-2007 Ira Harris began an extensive touring schedule with Watch Them Die. Not wanting to continue Brainoil with any other drummer, Greg and Nate shifted focus to their other musical projects until the time was right to continue with Ira.
2007-present
After a handful of shows in San Francisco during 2007, the band is rehearsing more frequently once again and are currently close to completing material for their next full-length LP.Members
- Greg Wilkinson - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and vocalsSingingSinging 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... - Nathan Smith - GuitarGuitarThe 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...
and vocals - Ira Harris - DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
LP
- Brainoil LP Life Is Abuse (2003)
- Brainoil LP gatefold Throne RecordsThrone RecordsThrone Records is an independent record label of extreme metal located in Gijón, Asturias, Spain. It was created in 2002 by Uge, after the dissolution of its previous hardcore/punk label...
(2004)
CD
- "Split CD with Cruevo" split label release between Berserker, Unknown Controller, Boredom Noise and Shifty (2001)
Associated projects
- Ira Harris played in the punk band Grimple from Santa Fe, New MexicoSanta Fe, New MexicoSanta Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
during the 1990s. Ira is currently also playing and touring extensively with Watch Them Die. - Nathan Smith played in the crust punk band DestroyDestroy (band)Destroy! was an American crust punk band from Minneapolis from 1988 to 1994. Vocalist Felix Havoc founded Havoc Records in 1992 as a vehicle for Destroy!'s Burn this Racist System Down 7" EP.-Members:*Felix Havoc...
from Minneapolis during the 1990s, and currently plays with Stormcrow. - Greg Wilkinson currently plays with Laudanum and I Will Kill You Fucker.
Recording projects
Greg and Nate recorded and produced the Born/DeadBorn/Dead
Born/Dead is a crust punk band formed in late 2000 in Oakland, California consisting of Bill Jackson playing drums, Wyatt Culbertson playing bass and splitting vocal duties with guitarist Will Kinser. Will had been a member of the short-lived Santa Cruz, California band No Options...
split LP with Consume in 2003.
Greg Wilkinson has recorded and produced many punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, doom
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
, sludge
Sludge metal
Sludge metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that melds elements of doom metal and hardcore punk, and sometimes incorporates influences from southern rock, stoner rock and grunge. Sludge metal is typically abrasive; often featuring shouted vocals, heavily distorted instruments and sharply contrasting...
, and experimental bands at EarHammer Studios in Oakland, CA.