Centro-Matic
Encyclopedia
Centro-Matic is an alternative country band
based in Denton, Texas
. It started in 1995 as a side-project for Will Johnson
. It released a few singles that year and grew into a full-fledged group in 1997. The initial 60 songs recorded in a Millstadt, Illinois
studio supplied the material for the quieter, more emotional Navigational on Idol Records
and the louder, lo-fi The Static vs. the Strings, Vol. 1 on Quality Park Records.
Throughout his career, Johnson has had a reputation for being prolific and dynamic. So much so, that he built an entirely separate band, the much quieter side-project, South San Gabriel
, named after the San Gabriel river fork north of Austin, Texas
. The group consists of the same players from Centro-matic with the inclusion of guests, but focuses on more introspective and subdued offerings from Johnson's repertoire. Will has alternated between the two projects, while also releasing solo albums. Centro-matic released Distance and Clime on Idol in 2001 and "Love You Just the Same" on Misra
in 2003. South San Gabriel released Welcome, Convalescense and The Carlton Chronicles in 2003 and 2005, respectively. Johnson's solo albums, Murder of Tides and Vultures Await, appeared in 2002 and 2004. Centro-matic followed up Love You Just the Same with Fort Recovery in March 2006. The two-disc set Dual Hawks was released in 2008, with one disc featuring the songs of Centro-matic and the other featuring South San Gabriel.
Johnson was recently introduced as an "official member" of the band Monsters of Folk
, also consisting of Conor Oberst
, Jim James
, and M. Ward
, on an episode of Austin City Limits
the group performed on. On the taping, and on tour, Johnson serves as the band's drummer, provides backup vocals, as well as performing some material of his own.
Johnson was also a member of the group The Undertow Orchestra
featuring David Bazan
, Mark Eitzel
, and the late Vic Chesnutt
.
Johnson and Scott Danbom have performed as part of Drive-by Truckers
frontman Patterson Hood's band, during his solo tours.
Centro-Matic has been managed by Bob Andrews
of Undertow Music
since 1997.
EPs:
7" Records:
Cassettes:
Soundtracks:
Compilation Appearances:
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
based in Denton, Texas
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
. It started in 1995 as a side-project for Will Johnson
Will Johnson (musician)
Will Johnson is the leader of Texas indie rock band Centro-matic. He also fronts South San Gabriel and releases albums and tours as a solo artist. He was also a founding member of the Undertow Orchestra and Baboon and joined Monsters of Folk in 2010....
. It released a few singles that year and grew into a full-fledged group in 1997. The initial 60 songs recorded in a Millstadt, Illinois
Millstadt, Illinois
Millstadt is a suburb of St. Louis and a village in St. Clair County, Illinois, at the crossing of Illinois Route 163 and Illinois Route 158 . The village is known for its German heritage, with more than half its people of German descent...
studio supplied the material for the quieter, more emotional Navigational on Idol Records
Idol Records
Idol Records is a Dallas, Texas-based record label and publishing company founded in 1993 by Erv Karwelis who serves as President of the label. Its roster currently consists of bands such as The O's, The Crash That Took Me, Here Holy Spain, Sponge, Watershed, Flickerstick, and PPT...
and the louder, lo-fi The Static vs. the Strings, Vol. 1 on Quality Park Records.
Throughout his career, Johnson has had a reputation for being prolific and dynamic. So much so, that he built an entirely separate band, the much quieter side-project, South San Gabriel
South San Gabriel (band)
South San Gabriel is an alternative country band based in Denton, Texas.The band is named after the San Gabriel river fork north of Austin, Texas. The group consists of the same players from Centro-matic with the inclusion of guests, but focuses on more introspective and subdued offerings from...
, named after the San Gabriel river fork north of Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. The group consists of the same players from Centro-matic with the inclusion of guests, but focuses on more introspective and subdued offerings from Johnson's repertoire. Will has alternated between the two projects, while also releasing solo albums. Centro-matic released Distance and Clime on Idol in 2001 and "Love You Just the Same" on Misra
Misra Records
Misra Records is an independent record label run out of Durham, North Carolina with branch offices in Washington D.C., Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, California....
in 2003. South San Gabriel released Welcome, Convalescense and The Carlton Chronicles in 2003 and 2005, respectively. Johnson's solo albums, Murder of Tides and Vultures Await, appeared in 2002 and 2004. Centro-matic followed up Love You Just the Same with Fort Recovery in March 2006. The two-disc set Dual Hawks was released in 2008, with one disc featuring the songs of Centro-matic and the other featuring South San Gabriel.
Johnson was recently introduced as an "official member" of the band Monsters of Folk
Monsters of Folk
Monsters of Folk is an American supergroup, consisting of Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes, and M. Ward, renowned solo artist. The band was formed in 2004 when the members were on tour with their respective bands and solo projects. After playing...
, also consisting of Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
, Jim James
Jim James
James Edward Olliges Jr. , professionally known as Jim James or Yim Yames, is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Louisville, Kentucky-based rock band My Morning Jacket. James grew up in the Hikes Point neighborhood of Louisville, attended St. Martha grade school and graduated...
, and M. Ward
M. Ward
Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
, on an episode of Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits is an American public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas by Public Broadcasting Service Public television member station KLRU, and broadcast on many PBS stations around the United States...
the group performed on. On the taping, and on tour, Johnson serves as the band's drummer, provides backup vocals, as well as performing some material of his own.
Johnson was also a member of the group The Undertow Orchestra
The Undertow Orchestra
The Undertow Orchestra was an indie rock "supergroup" organized by Bob Andrews of Undertow Music Collective. The band existed only as a touring ensemble and consisted of "four of today’s most under the radar, yet prolific singer-songwriters," David Bazan , Mark Eitzel , Will Johnson , and Vic...
featuring David Bazan
David Bazan
David Bazan is an indie rock singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Bazan was the lead singer and creative force behind the now-defunct band Pedro the Lion and was the lead singer of Headphones, a band he formed out of his interest in synthesizers...
, Mark Eitzel
Mark Eitzel
Mark Eitzel is a musician, best known as a songwriter and lead singer of the San Francisco band American Music Club.-History:Eitzel spent his formative years in a military family living in Okinawa, Taiwan, Ohio and the United Kingdom. He moved to America in 1979.He started making music while he was...
, and the late Vic Chesnutt
Vic Chesnutt
James Victor "Vic" Chesnutt was an American singer-songwriter from Athens, Georgia. His first album, Little, was released in 1990, but his breakthrough to commercial success didn't come until 1996 with the release of Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, a tribute album of mainstream artists...
.
Johnson and Scott Danbom have performed as part of Drive-by Truckers
Drive-By Truckers
Drive-By Truckers are an alternative country/Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of six members are originally from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama, and the band strongly identifies with Alabama. Their music uses three guitars as well as bass, drums, and now...
frontman Patterson Hood's band, during his solo tours.
Centro-Matic has been managed by Bob Andrews
Bob Andrews (artist manager)
Bob Andrews is a founding member of the Undertow Music Collective and an artist manager.Andrews got his start in the music business in 1991 managing the drum department at the historic in downtown Nashville. In 1993 he took a job as tour manager for Uncle Tupelo and worked with them until their...
of Undertow Music
Undertow Music
Undertow began in 1996 as a collective of independent artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers and creative managers sharing resources, ideas, and a love of music. Undertow Music operates offices in St...
since 1997.
Members
- Will JohnsonWill Johnson (musician)Will Johnson is the leader of Texas indie rock band Centro-matic. He also fronts South San Gabriel and releases albums and tours as a solo artist. He was also a founding member of the Undertow Orchestra and Baboon and joined Monsters of Folk in 2010....
(singer, guitarist, songwriter) - Matt Pence (drums and percussion)
- Scott Danbom (piano, violin, backing vocals, bass)
- Mark Hedman (bass, guitar)
Discography
LPs:- Centro-matic: Redo the StacksRedo the StacksRedo The Stacks is the first full-length album by Centro-matic. The album was recorded and mixed in Denton, TX by Matt Pence. All songs were written and performed by Will Johnson...
(Steve 1996) - Centro-matic: NavigationalNavigational (album)Navigational is the second full-length album by Centro-Matic. The album was recorded by Matt Pence in Milstadt, IL at Jay Farrar's studio. All songs were written by Will Johnson.- Track listing :# Never Mind the Sounds# All Hail the Label Scouts...
(Idol 1999) - Centro-matic: The Static vs. The Strings Vol. 1The Static vs. The Strings Vol. 1The Static vs. The Strings Vol. 1 is the third full-length album by Centro-matic.- Track listing :# Calling Up The Bastards # Who’s Telling You Now? # The Execution Of Some Sixty-Odd Drummers # Neighbors. Habits. Downtown....
(Quality Park 1999) - Centro-matic: All the Falsest Hearts Can TryAll the Falsest Hearts Can TryAll The Falsest Hearts Can Try is the fourth full-length album by Centro-Matic.- Track listing :# Cool That You Showed Us How# The Blisters May Come# Call The Legion In Tonight# Strategy Room# Huge In Every City# Saving A Free Seat...
(Quality Park/Munich 1999) - Centro-matic: South San Gabriel Songs/MusicSouth San Gabriel Songs/MusicThe first South San Gabriel album, South San Gabriel Songs / Music, was released under the nom de plume Centro-Matic. The band later decided to keep the straightforward rock songs for Centro-Matic and release the quieter songs as South San Gabriel....
(Idol/Munich 2000) - Centro-matic: Distance and ClimeDistance and Clime- Track listing :# The Connection’s Not So Civilized# Fountains of Fire# Scrap the New Rails# To Unleash the Horses Now# Tundra # The Given Geography# Truth Flies Out# Janitorial on Channel Fail# On the Sagtikos# Actuator’s Great...
(Idol/Munich 2001) - Will Johnson: Murder of TidesMurder of TidesMurder of Tides is the first solo album by Centro-Matic and South San Gabriel leader Will Johnson. It was released in 2002 as a joint venture between Johnson and his long-time manager Bob Andrews at Undertow Music Collective.- Track listing :...
(Undertow 2002) - South San Gabriel: Welcome, ConvalescenceWelcome, Convalescence- Track listing :# New Brookland# Saint Augustine# Smelling Medicinal# Everglades# Like a Madman# Evangaline# Ariza / 284# The Splinter Angelic- Personnel :* Will Johnson - vocals, guitars* Scott Danbom - vocals, keyboards, violin* Mark Hedman - bass...
(Undertow/Munich 2003) - Centro-matic: Love You Just The SameLove You Just The Same- Track listing :# Mighty Midshipman# Flashes and Cables# Argonne Limit Co.# Biology Tricks# Strahan Has Corralled the Freaks# All the Lightning Rods# Reset Anytime# Picking Up Too Fast# Spiraling Sideways# Supercar# Silver Plate Complaints...
(Misra/Munich 2003) - Will Johnson: Vultures AwaitVultures AwaitVultures Await is Centro-Matic's front man Will Johnson's second solo album.- Track listing :# Catherine Dupree# Just to Know What You’ve Been Dreaming# Vultures Await# Just Some Silence# Sleep a While# As Victims Would# Closing Down My House...
(Misra/Munich 2004) - Will Johnson: Survey/Voyage (Misra 2005)
- South San Gabriel: The Carlton Chronicles - Not Until The Operation's Through (Misra/Munich/Houston Party 2005)
- Centro-matic: Fort RecoveryFort Recovery (album)-Track listing:#"Covered Up in Mines" – 4:12#"Calling Thermatico" – 3:53#"Patience for the Ride" – 5:24#"I See Through You" – 3:31#"In Such Crooked Time" – 4:16#"For New Starts" – 4:40#"The Fugitives Have Won" – 2:42#"Monument Sails" – 3:47...
(Misra/Cooking Vinyl/Houston Party 2006) - Centro-matic/South San Gabriel: Dual HawksDual Hawks- Track listing :Centro-matic / Dual Hawks#"The Rat Patrol and DJs"#"Two Seats Gold Reserved"#"Quality Strange"#"Remind Us Alive"#"Every Single Switch"#"I, The Kite"#"Strychnine, Breathless Ways"#"All Your Farewells"#"Counting The Scars"#"Twenty-Four"...
2 CD/LP (Misra/Cooking Vinyl/Houston Party 2008) - Will Johnson/Jason Molina: Molina and JohnsonMolina and JohnsonMolina and Johnson is a collaborative album recorded by American songwriters Jason Molina and Will Johnson. It was released on 2 November 2009 by Secretly Canadian. It received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic, with an aggregate score of 75 as of 25 November...
(Secretly Canadian 2009) - Centro-matic: Candidate Waltz (Undertow Music Collective 2011)
EPs:
- Centro-matic: Most Everyone Will Find (Munich 2000)
- Centro-matic: Opportunity Split EP with Vermont (Quality Park 2001)
- Centro-matic: Flashes and Cables EP (Misra 2004)
- South San Gabriel: I Am Six Pounds Of Dynamite (Munich 2005)
- Will Johnson: CDEP (Sixgunlover 2005)
- Centro-matic: Triggers and Trash Heaps EP (Misra 2006)
- Centro-matic: Operation Motorcide (Houston Party 2007)
- Centro-matic/South San Gabriel: Eyas (online 2010)
- Will Johnson: Little Raider EP (Undertow 2011)
7" Records:
- Centro-matic: Transistor EP (Automatic 1996)
- Centro-matic: Forget The Sixth Step (Steve 1996)
- Centro-matic: Tympanum (Transcontinental Recording Company)
- Centro-matic: Split w/ Tripping Daisy (Good 1999)
- South San Gabriel: Split w/ Okkervil River (Tight Spot 2002)
- Will Johnson: Split w/ The pAperchAse (Idol 2004)
- Will Johnson: Blackest Sparrow/Darkest Night 8" Lathe (People In a Position To Know 2007)
Cassettes:
- Centro-matic: Non-Directional Jetpack Race (1995)
- Centro-matic: Line Connection Aim (1997)
Soundtracks:
- Will Johnson: Greater Southbridge (2003)
- Centro-matic: "Fall To Grace" (Green Room Pictures 2005)
- Will Johnson: Score for "Hill Country" Documentary (University of Texas 2007)
- South San Gabriel: "Troubadours" (Downstate Productions 2007)
- South San Gabriel: "Salt Creek County" (Downstate Productions 2008)
Compilation Appearances:
- Centro-matic: Dallas Observer Scene/Heard (1995)
- Centro-matic: Band-Kits (Quality Park 2000)
- Centro-matic: Oorgasm #4 (Oor Magazine Holland 2000)
- Centro-matic: Awesome (Munich 2000)
- Centro-matic: Electric Ornaments (Idol 2000)
- Centro-matic: Esto No Es Un Cactus (Sinedin 2001)
- Centro-matic: New Voices (Rolling Stone Germany 2001)
- Centro-matic: Oorgasm #7 (Oor Magazine Holland 2001)
- Centro-matic: Best of Americana (Uncut Magazine 2002)
- Centro-matic: Just For Fun (Loretta Records 2002)
- Centro-matic: De Avonden Christmas 2003 (VPRO Holland)
- South San Gabriel: All Areas 41 (Visions Magazine)
- Will Johnson: Lost Notes From Forgotten Songs (Suicide Squeeze 2003)
- Centro-matic: New Noises 60 (Rolling Stone Germany 2003)
- Centro-matic: Sounds-Now! (Musikexpress 2003)
- Centro-matic: Already Gone - A Compilation of Texas Bands (2004)
- Will Johnson: Songs For Another Place (Awful Bliss 2005)
- South San Gabriel: Gimme Danger (Uncut Magazine 2005)
- Will Johnson: Almost There Compilation (Almost There 2005)
- Will Johnson: Across The Great Divide: Music Inspired By The Band (Uncut Magazine 2005)
- South San Gabriel: Comes With A Smile 14 (2005)
- Centro-matic: Live At Austin City Limits Music Festival (2006)
- Will Johnson: Live at KDHX Vol. 4 (2006)
- Centro-matic: Do It Again: A Tribute To Pet Sounds (Houston Party 2006)
- Centro-matic: Great (Misra/Absolutely Kosher 2008)
- Centro-matic: A Splash Of Sunshine Vol. 2 (679 Recordings 2008)
- Will Johnson: Are You Still With Me? A Tribute To Huey Lewis And The News (2008)
- Will Johnson: Of Great And Mortal Men - 43 Songs For 43 Presidents (Standard Recording Company 2009)