Christians & Lions
Encyclopedia
Christians & Lions is a band based out of Jamaica Plain
and has been a notable part of the Boston DIY
scene.
They released one record, More Songs for Dreamsleepers and the Very Awake
, on ECA Records
in 2005. They are currently on their self-operated label, Floating Garbage Continent and released an EP called Bird's Milk in 2009.
All of the band's music is available to download for free on the band's website for a suggested donation.
. In addition to guitar, the band featured upright bass, mandolin and a trash can and tambourine for percussion. In 2004, Christians and Lions formed in a stripped down version of Sharp Teeth, with Ben and Sam as the only members.
Friends and former roommates, guitarist Matt Sisto and drummer Chris Mara joined the band in 2006. On tour, the band distributed their Acoustic LP
which featured acoustic versions of all the songs from More Songs. It includes an up-tempo version of "Sexton Under Glass" and an otherwise unreleased track "Firebelly Salamander."
In 2006, the band released More Songs for Dreamsleepers and the Very Awake
on ECA Records
. It was recorded at Basement 247 in Allston, MA. It garnered favorable reviews, being called "smart and textured indie-folk" by the Boston Phoenix and "somehow comfortable, yet unsettling...like a Cadillac someone died in" by engineer Jack Younger. The lyrics are philosophical, having been inspired by theorists like Hélène Cixous
, Louis Althusser
and Marshall McLuhan
. It is the musical equivalent of a warm fire on a cold winter night. An album full of memorable melodies and lavish instrumentation, including brass, organ, and singing saw.
In 2007 the band released the Gimmie Diction Single, which featured two unreleased tracks "Free Radio Post Apocalyptic Metropolis Blues" and "Asa Nisi Masa."
Towards the end of 2007, the band's live shows incorporated more effects and digital elements. However, the band broke up in order for its members to pursue other projects. Ben went on to continue experimenting with tape effects in the band BAXIA. Sam went on to form The Needy Visions with friend and DIY promoter Dan Shea.
In 2008 the band reunited and started their own label, Floating Garbage Continent.
In 2009, Sam left the band to pursue other projects including Peace, Loving, a band on The Whitehaus Family Record
.
Christians & Lions started touring again and released an EP called Bird's Milk.
The band retains a close friendship with The Whitehaus Family Record
, which has organized shows featuring Christians & Lions and label artists such as Gracious Calamity and The Woodrow Wilsons.
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Jamaica Plain is a historic neighborhood of in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded by Boston Puritans seeking farm land to the south, it was originally part of the city of Roxbury...
and has been a notable part of the Boston DIY
Do it yourself
Do it yourself is a term used to describe building, modifying, or repairing of something without the aid of experts or professionals...
scene.
They released one record, More Songs for Dreamsleepers and the Very Awake
More Songs for Dreamsleepers and the Very Awake
More Songs for Dreamsleepers and The Very Awake is a studio album by Christians & Lions. It was recorded by Jack Younger at Basement 247 in Allston, MA. Mastered by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance East in Boston, MA. Art by Michael Washburn. Design by Matt Sisto...
, on ECA Records
ECA Records
ECA Records is a record label based in New York. Its most notable artists are The Number 12 Looks Like You and its alumni artist Senses Fail, of whom they released the debut EP.- Active artists :* Christians & Lions* Ramona Cordova* Denver in Dallas...
in 2005. They are currently on their self-operated label, Floating Garbage Continent and released an EP called Bird's Milk in 2009.
All of the band's music is available to download for free on the band's website for a suggested donation.
History
Brothers Ben and Sam Potrykus played music together since junior high school. Together with a group of other friends they formed Sharp TeethSharp Teeth
Sharp Teeth is a 2008 free verse novel by American writer Toby Barlow. It won the 2009 Alex Award and is the Horror entry on the 2009 Best Adult Genre Fiction Reading List.-Characters:* Lark is the leader of one of the werewolf packs....
. In addition to guitar, the band featured upright bass, mandolin and a trash can and tambourine for percussion. In 2004, Christians and Lions formed in a stripped down version of Sharp Teeth, with Ben and Sam as the only members.
Friends and former roommates, guitarist Matt Sisto and drummer Chris Mara joined the band in 2006. On tour, the band distributed their Acoustic LP
Acoustic LP
Acoustic LP is a limited run, tour only album by Christians & Lions. It was recorded by Djim Reynolds at The Estate in Leominster, Massachusetts. Art by Conor Morey-Barret. Photos by Athena Moore. Mastered by Justin Shrutz & Jason Finkel at Sterling Sound in NYC...
which featured acoustic versions of all the songs from More Songs. It includes an up-tempo version of "Sexton Under Glass" and an otherwise unreleased track "Firebelly Salamander."
In 2006, the band released More Songs for Dreamsleepers and the Very Awake
More Songs for Dreamsleepers and the Very Awake
More Songs for Dreamsleepers and The Very Awake is a studio album by Christians & Lions. It was recorded by Jack Younger at Basement 247 in Allston, MA. Mastered by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance East in Boston, MA. Art by Michael Washburn. Design by Matt Sisto...
on ECA Records
ECA Records
ECA Records is a record label based in New York. Its most notable artists are The Number 12 Looks Like You and its alumni artist Senses Fail, of whom they released the debut EP.- Active artists :* Christians & Lions* Ramona Cordova* Denver in Dallas...
. It was recorded at Basement 247 in Allston, MA. It garnered favorable reviews, being called "smart and textured indie-folk" by the Boston Phoenix and "somehow comfortable, yet unsettling...like a Cadillac someone died in" by engineer Jack Younger. The lyrics are philosophical, having been inspired by theorists like Hélène Cixous
Hélène Cixous
Hélène Cixous is a professor, French feminist writer, poet, playwright, philosopher, literary critic and rhetorician. She holds honorary degrees from Queen's University and the University of Alberta in Canada; University College Dublin in Ireland; the University of York and University College...
, Louis Althusser
Louis Althusser
Louis Pierre Althusser was a French Marxist philosopher. He was born in Algeria and studied at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, where he eventually became Professor of Philosophy....
and Marshall McLuhan
Marshall McLuhan
Herbert Marshall McLuhan, CC was a Canadian educator, philosopher, and scholar—a professor of English literature, a literary critic, a rhetorician, and a communication theorist...
. It is the musical equivalent of a warm fire on a cold winter night. An album full of memorable melodies and lavish instrumentation, including brass, organ, and singing saw.
In 2007 the band released the Gimmie Diction Single, which featured two unreleased tracks "Free Radio Post Apocalyptic Metropolis Blues" and "Asa Nisi Masa."
Towards the end of 2007, the band's live shows incorporated more effects and digital elements. However, the band broke up in order for its members to pursue other projects. Ben went on to continue experimenting with tape effects in the band BAXIA. Sam went on to form The Needy Visions with friend and DIY promoter Dan Shea.
In 2008 the band reunited and started their own label, Floating Garbage Continent.
In 2009, Sam left the band to pursue other projects including Peace, Loving, a band on The Whitehaus Family Record
The Whitehaus Family Record
The Whitehaus Family Record is an independent record label based out of the Whitehaus in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. It began as a community of artists, poets and musicians that would gather together and throw 'hootenannies.' Since then it has distributed over 40 releases and become a host for...
.
Christians & Lions started touring again and released an EP called Bird's Milk.
The band retains a close friendship with The Whitehaus Family Record
The Whitehaus Family Record
The Whitehaus Family Record is an independent record label based out of the Whitehaus in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. It began as a community of artists, poets and musicians that would gather together and throw 'hootenannies.' Since then it has distributed over 40 releases and become a host for...
, which has organized shows featuring Christians & Lions and label artists such as Gracious Calamity and The Woodrow Wilsons.
Discography
- Acoustic LPAcoustic LPAcoustic LP is a limited run, tour only album by Christians & Lions. It was recorded by Djim Reynolds at The Estate in Leominster, Massachusetts. Art by Conor Morey-Barret. Photos by Athena Moore. Mastered by Justin Shrutz & Jason Finkel at Sterling Sound in NYC...
(2006) - More Songs for Dreamsleepers and the Very AwakeMore Songs for Dreamsleepers and the Very AwakeMore Songs for Dreamsleepers and The Very Awake is a studio album by Christians & Lions. It was recorded by Jack Younger at Basement 247 in Allston, MA. Mastered by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance East in Boston, MA. Art by Michael Washburn. Design by Matt Sisto...
(2006) - Gimmie Diction Single (2007)
- Bird's Milk EP (2009)