Gruvis Malt
Encyclopedia
Grüvis Malt was a six piece band
founded in Providence
, Rhode Island
in 1995. Grüvis Malt has released a total of seven full-length album
s, one of which was released under Lakeshore Entertainment
subsidiary Lakeshore Records
, and three EPs. The other albums were released independently under Grüvis Malt's self-run label, Integers Only.
Grüvis Malt is known for their blending of genres (progressive rock, hip hop, jazz, and funk) and intense songwriting. They are the self-proclaimed founders of the "futurock" genre, which features a blending of irregular time signatures (like math rock
), unconventional chord progressions, and abnormal song structure
. Because of this blending of many genres of music, Grüvis Malt is sometimes called a "musician's band."
The group stopped touring in 2005, after the release of their last album, Maximum Unicorn
, in order to pursue solo projects and tangible income.
), Brendan Bell (vocals/percussion), Ethan Ruzzano (guitar
), and Steve Martinka (bass guitar
). The band had its beginnings in experimenting with random time signatures and heavy noise. At the end of the summer, Castleton moved to Portland, Oregon.
Upon Gavin's return in 1996, Josh Hutchins (a.k.a. Johnny Longburns) joined the band as a turntablist, and Breakfast All Day, their first EP, was recorded at Diva Studios with David Stem. In 1997, Martinka and Hutchins both left the band. Brandon Clemmens replaced Martinka on the bass guitar, and the five piece began writing the songs that would become the Fetus EP.
In early 1998, Brandon Clemmens was replaced by Saunder Jurriaans on bass guitar. Erik Nilsson left school to become a full time saxophonist with band, and Ethan doubled on trombone. With a full fledged horn section, the band wrote songs for the album Sound Soldiers, while reworking the songs on Breakfast All Day and the Fetus EP. The result was Cromagnetic
, considered by the band as more of a compilation than a full-fledged album. In 1999, Grüvis Malt released Sound Soldiers
, an album many consider to be their musical "starting point". After rigorous regional touring throughout 1998 and 1999, Grüvis Malt went on a month-long tour around the US in 2000.
After the US tour, Ruzzano and Jurriaans resigned from the band and were replaced by Steve Geuting and Justin Abene respectively. Reed Wallsmith joined the band in 2001 on alto saxophone. The band began work on ...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam...
, their next full length album (produced and recorded at Diva Studios on their own). DJ Chris Kilmore
of the band Incubus
, with whom they had played shows, DJ'd on 2 album tracks and one B-side, "Graduated". In spring of 2001 Reed left the band to return to his hometown of Portland, OR. In fall of 2001 the band signed with Lakeshore Records
, a subsidiary of Lakeshore Entertainment
. Throughout 2002 and 2003, Grüvis Malt toured to promote the album, which was released on March 28, 2003. (The album hit stores April 9). Relations with the label were strained when Lakeshore refused to give the band copies of the record to sell at their record release party and shows throughout their US tour. The band parted ways with the label later that year, siting their having never received royalties as a violation of contract. To date they have still never been paid royalties for ...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam...
.
In 2003, Grüvis Malt recorded Simon at Sound Station Seven (the last album recorded there before it closed) with engineer Rob Pemberton. In 2004, Gavin and Brenden began working on separate side projects. Directly after the release of Simon, Grüvis Malt stopped touring and began recording Maximum Unicorn
in Justin Abene's Fall River studio. Maximum Unicorn was released in November 2005 on Integers Only, without even a record release show.
In 2006, Justin Abene, Gavin Castleton
, and Brendan Bell formed Ebu Gogo
and toured the US from 2006 to 2009 in support of their two self-released full-lengths: Chase Scenes 1-14 and Worlds.
The members of Grüvis Malt always valued the integrity of the music more than the publicity they received for it; thus, they preferred to remain unsigned and advertised predominantly using a "grassroots" marketing scheme.
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...
founded in Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
in 1995. Grüvis Malt has released a total of seven full-length album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s, one of which was released under Lakeshore Entertainment
Lakeshore Entertainment
Lakeshore Entertainment Group is an American independent film production company founded in 1994 by Tom Rosenberg and Ted Tannebaum . Lakeshore Entertainment is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California...
subsidiary Lakeshore Records
Lakeshore Records
Lakeshore Records is the independent music division of Lakeshore Entertainment . They started out as WILL Records.Will Records were started by Skip Williamson in the early 90s...
, and three EPs. The other albums were released independently under Grüvis Malt's self-run label, Integers Only.
Grüvis Malt is known for their blending of genres (progressive rock, hip hop, jazz, and funk) and intense songwriting. They are the self-proclaimed founders of the "futurock" genre, which features a blending of irregular time signatures (like math rock
Math rock
Math rock is a rhythmically complex guitar-based style of experimental rock that emerged in the 1980s and that was very influenced by progressive rock like King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Henry Cow - and 20th century composers such as Steve Reich and John Cage...
), unconventional chord progressions, and abnormal song structure
Musical form
The term musical form refers to the overall structure or plan of a piece of music, and it describes the layout of a composition as divided into sections...
. Because of this blending of many genres of music, Grüvis Malt is sometimes called a "musician's band."
The group stopped touring in 2005, after the release of their last album, Maximum Unicorn
Maximum Unicorn
Maximum Unicorn is an album by Providence, RI band Gruvis Malt. It was released independently in 2005. In May 2005, "Maximum Unicorn" was awarded Best Album in the annual Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll.-Track listing:1. Prelude2. Thomas Jackson...
, in order to pursue solo projects and tangible income.
History
Grüvis Malt was started in March, 1995 in Providence, Rhode Island by high school students Gavin Castleton (keyboardsKeyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
), Brendan Bell (vocals/percussion), Ethan Ruzzano (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...
), and Steve Martinka (bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
). The band had its beginnings in experimenting with random time signatures and heavy noise. At the end of the summer, Castleton moved to Portland, Oregon.
Upon Gavin's return in 1996, Josh Hutchins (a.k.a. Johnny Longburns) joined the band as a turntablist, and Breakfast All Day, their first EP, was recorded at Diva Studios with David Stem. In 1997, Martinka and Hutchins both left the band. Brandon Clemmens replaced Martinka on the bass guitar, and the five piece began writing the songs that would become the Fetus EP.
In early 1998, Brandon Clemmens was replaced by Saunder Jurriaans on bass guitar. Erik Nilsson left school to become a full time saxophonist with band, and Ethan doubled on trombone. With a full fledged horn section, the band wrote songs for the album Sound Soldiers, while reworking the songs on Breakfast All Day and the Fetus EP. The result was Cromagnetic
Cromagnetic
Cromagnetic is an album by Gruvis Malt. It was released independently in 1998-Track listing:#"Maple Syrup... French Toast"#"Rubix Do"#"Adidas"#"Space Invasion"#"Cozmic"#"Ninja Gil#"Wax On" #"The Ticket"#"Canyoodigit"...
, considered by the band as more of a compilation than a full-fledged album. In 1999, Grüvis Malt released Sound Soldiers
Sound Soldiers
Sound Soldiers is an album by Gruvis Malt. It was released by Integers Only in 1999.-Track listing:1. "Volume" - 3:462. "Dub / Powersnake " - 5:263. "Casual" - 4:194. "Ninja Goon / Mischief " - 6:005. "The Sticky" - 7:22...
, an album many consider to be their musical "starting point". After rigorous regional touring throughout 1998 and 1999, Grüvis Malt went on a month-long tour around the US in 2000.
After the US tour, Ruzzano and Jurriaans resigned from the band and were replaced by Steve Geuting and Justin Abene respectively. Reed Wallsmith joined the band in 2001 on alto saxophone. The band began work on ...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam...
...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam...
...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam... is an album by Gruvis Malt. It was released by Lakeshore Records in 2002. DJ Chris Kilmore of Incubus makes a guest appearance on two tracks. It is also their first album with all of the current members....
, their next full length album (produced and recorded at Diva Studios on their own). DJ Chris Kilmore
Chris Kilmore
Chris Kilmore is an American DJ. He is the turntablist and keyboardist of the rock band Incubus.-References:*...
of the band Incubus
Incubus (band)
Incubus is an American rock band from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while enrolled in high school and later expanded to include bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich, and Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppell;...
, with whom they had played shows, DJ'd on 2 album tracks and one B-side, "Graduated". In spring of 2001 Reed left the band to return to his hometown of Portland, OR. In fall of 2001 the band signed with Lakeshore Records
Lakeshore Records
Lakeshore Records is the independent music division of Lakeshore Entertainment . They started out as WILL Records.Will Records were started by Skip Williamson in the early 90s...
, a subsidiary of Lakeshore Entertainment
Lakeshore Entertainment
Lakeshore Entertainment Group is an American independent film production company founded in 1994 by Tom Rosenberg and Ted Tannebaum . Lakeshore Entertainment is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California...
. Throughout 2002 and 2003, Grüvis Malt toured to promote the album, which was released on March 28, 2003. (The album hit stores April 9). Relations with the label were strained when Lakeshore refused to give the band copies of the record to sell at their record release party and shows throughout their US tour. The band parted ways with the label later that year, siting their having never received royalties as a violation of contract. To date they have still never been paid royalties for ...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam...
...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam...
...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam... is an album by Gruvis Malt. It was released by Lakeshore Records in 2002. DJ Chris Kilmore of Incubus makes a guest appearance on two tracks. It is also their first album with all of the current members....
.
In 2003, Grüvis Malt recorded Simon at Sound Station Seven (the last album recorded there before it closed) with engineer Rob Pemberton. In 2004, Gavin and Brenden began working on separate side projects. Directly after the release of Simon, Grüvis Malt stopped touring and began recording Maximum Unicorn
Maximum Unicorn
Maximum Unicorn is an album by Providence, RI band Gruvis Malt. It was released independently in 2005. In May 2005, "Maximum Unicorn" was awarded Best Album in the annual Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll.-Track listing:1. Prelude2. Thomas Jackson...
in Justin Abene's Fall River studio. Maximum Unicorn was released in November 2005 on Integers Only, without even a record release show.
In 2006, Justin Abene, Gavin Castleton
Gavin Castleton
Gavin Castleton is a musician/songwriter from Providence, Rhode Island. Originally known for his work with Gruvis Malt as keyboardist and singer, Castleton has also released seven full length albums and 5 EPs Gavin Castleton is a musician/songwriter from Providence, Rhode Island. Originally known...
, and Brendan Bell formed Ebu Gogo
Ebu Gogo
Ebu Gogo are a group of human-like creatures that appear in the mythology of Flores, Indonesia. In the Nage language of central Flores, ebu means 'grandmother' and gogo means 'he who eats anything'.-Appearance:...
and toured the US from 2006 to 2009 in support of their two self-released full-lengths: Chase Scenes 1-14 and Worlds.
The members of Grüvis Malt always valued the integrity of the music more than the publicity they received for it; thus, they preferred to remain unsigned and advertised predominantly using a "grassroots" marketing scheme.
Band lineup
- Gavin CastletonGavin CastletonGavin Castleton is a musician/songwriter from Providence, Rhode Island. Originally known for his work with Gruvis Malt as keyboardist and singer, Castleton has also released seven full length albums and 5 EPs Gavin Castleton is a musician/songwriter from Providence, Rhode Island. Originally known...
– Keyboard/Vocals - Brendan Bell - Vocals/Percussions
- Erik Nilsson – Saxophone
- Scott McPhail – Drums
- Justin Abene - Bass Guitar
- Steve Geuting - Guitar
Past members
- Saunder Jurriaans - Bass Guitar
- Ethan Ruzzano - Guitar, Trombone
- Steve Martinka - Bass Guitar
- Brandon Clemmens - Bass Guitar
- Josh Hutchins (Johnny Longburns) - Turntables
- Reed Wallsmith - Saxophone
LPs
- CromagneticCromagneticCromagnetic is an album by Gruvis Malt. It was released independently in 1998-Track listing:#"Maple Syrup... French Toast"#"Rubix Do"#"Adidas"#"Space Invasion"#"Cozmic"#"Ninja Gil#"Wax On" #"The Ticket"#"Canyoodigit"...
(Integers Only, 1998) - Sound SoldiersSound SoldiersSound Soldiers is an album by Gruvis Malt. It was released by Integers Only in 1999.-Track listing:1. "Volume" - 3:462. "Dub / Powersnake " - 5:263. "Casual" - 4:194. "Ninja Goon / Mischief " - 6:005. "The Sticky" - 7:22...
(Integers Only, 1999) - ...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam......With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam......With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam... is an album by Gruvis Malt. It was released by Lakeshore Records in 2002. DJ Chris Kilmore of Incubus makes a guest appearance on two tracks. It is also their first album with all of the current members....
(Lakeshore RecordsLakeshore RecordsLakeshore Records is the independent music division of Lakeshore Entertainment . They started out as WILL Records.Will Records were started by Skip Williamson in the early 90s...
, 2002) - VISMAL - Volume 1: A Correspondence Course in Best Friendship (Integers Only, 2003)
- SimonSimon (album)Simon is an album by Gruvis Malt. It was released by Integers Only, an independent self-run label managed by Gruvis Malt founder Gavin Castleton, in 2004.-Track listing:#"Ark" - 4:16#"A Great Work of Fiction" - 7:16#"What Ladder?" - 2:06...
(Integers Only, 2004) - VISMAL - Volume Zero: Cover Girls (Integers Only, 2005)
- Maximum UnicornMaximum UnicornMaximum Unicorn is an album by Providence, RI band Gruvis Malt. It was released independently in 2005. In May 2005, "Maximum Unicorn" was awarded Best Album in the annual Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll.-Track listing:1. Prelude2. Thomas Jackson...
(Integers Only, 2005)
EPs
- Breakfast All Day (Solid Pimpz LLC, 1996)
- Fetus EP (Solid Pimpz LLC, 1997)
- Backout Smiling (Integers Only, 2000)
Tour Credits
Grüvis Malt toured the United States several times from 1995-2004. During tours, Grüvis Malt would rarely play their newly released music, usually playing unreleased material or remixed material, "to keep fans on their toes." Some of the bands that they performed with include the following.- Save FerrisSave FerrisSave Ferris was a ska punk band formed circa 1995 in Orange County, California. Their name is a reference to the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.-History:...
, Red Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
, IncubusIncubus (band)Incubus is an American rock band from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while enrolled in high school and later expanded to include bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich, and Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppell;...
, PennywisePennywise (band)Pennywise is a Californian punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California, formed in 1988. The name is derived from the monster, It, from the Stephen King novel of the same title....
, Mos DefMos DefDante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, The RootsThe RootsThe Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
, Secret Chiefs 3Secret Chiefs 3Secret Chiefs 3 is an instrumental rock group led by guitarist/composer Trey Spruance . Their studio recordings and tours have featured different line-ups, as the group performs a wide range of musical styles including surf rock, Persian, Arab, Indian, death metal, film music, electronic music,...
, OzomatliOzomatliOzomatli is a seven to ten piece band playing primarily Latin, hip hop, and rock music, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles. They are known both for their vocal activist viewpoints and their wide array of musical styles - including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, rap, and others.In a 2007 NPR interview, band...
, G Love & Special Sauce, Luscious JacksonLuscious JacksonLuscious Jackson are an alternative rock group formed in 1991. The band's name was inspired by now-retired American basketball player Lucious Jackson....
, AtmosphereAtmosphereAn atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
, Buck 65Buck 65Richard Terfry , who uses the stage name Buck 65, is a Canadian experimental artist, MC and turntablist. Underpinned by an extensive background in abstract hip hop, his more recent music has extensively incorporated blues, country, rock, folk and avant garde influences.Terfry is also a radio host,...
, De La Soul, Sugarhill Gang, Wilco, Karl Denson, The Slip, Evil D, Rustic OvertonesRustic OvertonesRustic Overtones is a rock/jazz/funk band from Maine active from 1993–2002 and 2007–present. They were the first group to perform live on XM Satellite Radio, and their 2007 album Light At The End was the fastest-selling local disc ever in the state of Maine....
, Mike Doughty, Brother Ali, Common, Ray LaMontagne, Wilco, 12 Rods, Black Moon, Maceo Parker, Marcy Playground, The Amazing Crowns, Custom, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Dropsession, Edon, 3rd Eye Blind, Zox, Grand Buffet, State RadioState RadioState Radio is an alternative rock band from Sherborn, Massachusetts, consisting of Chad Urmston , Chuck Fay and Mike Najarian...
, John Scofield, The Slip, Karl Denson, Paranoid Social ClubParanoid Social ClubParanoid Social Club is a Rock/Psychedelic/indie band from Portland, Maine, United States which formed in 2002. In 2006, the band's song Wasted was included on the soundtrack of the movie Beerfest...
, Awol One, Sage Francis (as support and backup band), Facing New York, Monty Are I, Shootyz Groove, 2 Skinnee J's.
Awards/Recognition
- 1997 - #1 Unsigned Band - WBRU Listener Poll - winner
- 1998 - Rhode Island College Rock Hunt - Winner
- 1998 - #1 Unsigned Band - WBRU Listener Poll - winner
- 1998 - Best Breathrough Act - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - winner
- 1998 - WBRU Rock Hunt - finalist
- 1998 - Rhode Island College Rock Hunt - winner
- 1999 - Best Alternative Act - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - winner
- 2000 - Best Jam Act - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - nominated
- 2000 - Fourth Annual Jim Beam Rock Band Search - finalist
- 2001 - Jim Beam Rock Hunt - finalist
- 2001 - Best Category-defying Act - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - winner
- 2002 - Best Song - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - winner
- 2002 - Best Album - Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll - winner
External links
- Gruvis Malt on Facebook
- Ebu Gogo on Facebook
- Integers Only, Gavin Castleton and Gruvis Malt's self-run independent label