HORSE the band
Encyclopedia
Horse the Band is a band from Lake Forest, California
who are best known for their 8-bit
Nintendo
-influenced sound combined with metalcore
. Frontman Nathan Winneke once described their sound as "Nintendocore
".
in 1999 while founding members Erik Engstrom and David Isen were attending El Toro High School
. The band's original name was to be The Mexican Economy, but was changed to avoid controversy of the band name being considered racist. The group decided upon Horse. The name had to be altered further to prevent copyright issues from becoming another problem; (a woman with the name of "Horse") hence the band became Horse the Band. The band booked its own parental financed tours starting the summer of 2002, including a 3-month tour spanning seven countries. With a carefully maintained web presence including their MP3.com
and Myspace
accounts, they had gained themselves a niche audience.
In the summer of 2004, the Horse the World Tour 2004 included 85 shows in 90 days, spanning 7 countries throughout North America and Europe. Early 2008 saw the band planning Horse the Band Earth Tour that would travel to 40 countries starting in early March. The band stated "we've become disillusioned, bad-attitude nerds and pariahs of the established music industry." They asked for their fans' help booking shows in most locations, with no plans of bringing other bands along on the tour. The band booked the tour themselves, and played mostly unpromoted shows in 45 countries, starting with Australia. Many performances were done without compensation, about 10% of the shows "fell through." Some of the tour's venues hadn't been visited by western acts since Cannibal Corpse
as in their visit to Belarus.
The band's line-up continuously fluctuated in its 10 year history. In February it was announced that Chris Prophet had been fired and Jon Karel from The Number 12 Looks Like You would be filling in on drums during Earth Tour. In July, 2008 the band stated that long-time band friend Daniel Pouliot of Bleeding Kansas had joined as the band's full time drummer. On Wednesday, December 3, 2008, the band announced that Dash Arkenstone would be leaving the band, though he remains on good terms with the other members and has attended local shows. Brian Grover from the band Thriller filled in on bass during live shows and recently recorded alongside the rest of the group, Jeremiah Bignell later became the band's permanent bassist.
On February 2, 2009, Horse the Band signed to Vagrant Records
. In an interview they stated that they had been trying to get onto that label for nine years.
Horse the Band's latest album Desperate Living
was released on October 6, 2009. The group are currently on a break from touring and recording, their first break in over six years.
and his obtuse narrative style.
The band jokingly labeled themselves "Nintendocore" very early on in their career in reference to the synth sound they had adopted. Some video game characters that are metaphorically referred to include Cut Man from Mega Man
, although the song is spelled "Cutsman" because the song was about a childhood friend Winneke grew up with and that was how they had said the character's name in youth; "Birdo
", one of the bosses from the NES game Super Mario Bros. 2
, in the song "Birdo" which was actually about Winneke's distaste for eggs and traumatic experiences with his stepfather early in his life ; and the rabbit-like nemesis from The Legend of Zelda in the song "Pol's Voice" which is about Winneke's early loathing of the sound of his own voice. Similarly, the song "A Million Exploding Suns" refers to the Marvel Comics
character Sentry
, a schizophrenic
and agoraphobic
hero with this abundance of power, pertaining to Winneke's double life as a musician and as a video rental clerk.
2007's A Natural Death featured significant lyrical and musical evolution into the concepts of nature and mortality while moving slightly away from the Nintendo metaphors. The song "Murder" is inspired by the miniseries Lonesome Dove
, in which a Native American named Blue Duck
stalks and kills white settlers on the plains. "Hyperborea" as a reference to Robert E. Howard's original "Conan" pulp fantasy stories from the 30s, and "The Red Tornado," a DC comics character from the company of which Winneke is such an open enthusiast.
2009's Desperate Living is likely the band's most accomplished record musically. Its themes are also somewhat more difficult to pinpoint, but seem to reflect a breadth of social and cultural experience gained from living in Lake Forest. Songs like "Horse The Song" reflect a disillusionment with the mechanics of the music industry and the desire to break free for the sake of integrity and human connection, while songs such as "Big Business" are completely different, since "Big Business" is merely a song about a close friend to HORSE the Band. As well, dark and deeply personal themes are also explored, with some material delving deeper into Winneke's troubled psyche than arguably ever before. "The Failure of All Things" involves deep feelings of regret and beating a woman physically and "Between The Trees" contains grotesque imagery of violent self destruction. Desperate Living is an altogether complex and enigmatic record with a unifying theme of enculturation as a vehicle for the creative process, no matter how primitive, difficult or bizarre.
While there are numerous references on every album, Winneke states "No song is ever what it seems....the more silly it may come off the more troubled it probably is under the surface."
In 2010 they embarked on "The Reigns in Africa Tour" which began in late March and extended into April. The tour will consist of 12 shows in 17 days. They are headlining shows in South Africa and Mozambique.
In late summer 2010 the band issued a limited 6 DVD, personalized Hardcover book covering their Earth Tour 2008. It was available through pre-order only. Ten left over copies were sold on Ebay, some reaching at over $600.00. The tour book is currently sold out with no plans for future reproduction.
Horse the Band headlined a U.S. tour entitled "I'm Miserable" starting May 6 is Arizona, in support of the Earth Tour 2008 DVD release. Supporting bands included Endless Hallway and Oceana. The last seven shows were canceled, due to Isen needing immediate eye surgery.
Horse the Band was scheduled to play at the 2011 South by Southwest
music festival. They were part of the second round of invites, and played to a sold out crowd.
Horse the Band played at four festivals in the 2011 year, the 2011 Ieperfest in Ypres
, Belgium
, Germany Berlin Magnet, Brutal Assault
in Josefov
, Czech Republic
, and Germany Oberhausen Olgas Rock Fest.
Former
EPs
DVDs
Lake Forest, California
Lake Forest is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 77,264 at the 2010 census.Lake Forest incorporated as a city on December 20, 1991. Prior to a vote of the residents in that year, the community had formerly been known as El Toro since the 1880s...
who are best known for their 8-bit
8-bit
The first widely adopted 8-bit microprocessor was the Intel 8080, being used in many hobbyist computers of the late 1970s and early 1980s, often running the CP/M operating system. The Zilog Z80 and the Motorola 6800 were also used in similar computers...
Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
-influenced sound combined with metalcore
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
. Frontman Nathan Winneke once described their sound as "Nintendocore
Nintendocore
Nintendocore is a music genre that fuses aggressive styles of modern rock with chiptune and video game music...
".
Biography
Horse the Band was started in Lake Forest, CALake Forest, California
Lake Forest is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 77,264 at the 2010 census.Lake Forest incorporated as a city on December 20, 1991. Prior to a vote of the residents in that year, the community had formerly been known as El Toro since the 1880s...
in 1999 while founding members Erik Engstrom and David Isen were attending El Toro High School
El Toro High School
El Toro High School is a public high school in Lake Forest, California, United States and is one of five high schools in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District . The school has served the area since 1973. The current principal of the school is Dr...
. The band's original name was to be The Mexican Economy, but was changed to avoid controversy of the band name being considered racist. The group decided upon Horse. The name had to be altered further to prevent copyright issues from becoming another problem; (a woman with the name of "Horse") hence the band became Horse the Band. The band booked its own parental financed tours starting the summer of 2002, including a 3-month tour spanning seven countries. With a carefully maintained web presence including their MP3.com
MP3.com
MP3.com is a web site operated by CNET Networks providing information about digital music and artists, songs, services, community, and technologies. It is probably better known for its original incarnation, as a legal, free music-sharing service, popular with independent musicians for promoting...
and Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
accounts, they had gained themselves a niche audience.
In the summer of 2004, the Horse the World Tour 2004 included 85 shows in 90 days, spanning 7 countries throughout North America and Europe. Early 2008 saw the band planning Horse the Band Earth Tour that would travel to 40 countries starting in early March. The band stated "we've become disillusioned, bad-attitude nerds and pariahs of the established music industry." They asked for their fans' help booking shows in most locations, with no plans of bringing other bands along on the tour. The band booked the tour themselves, and played mostly unpromoted shows in 45 countries, starting with Australia. Many performances were done without compensation, about 10% of the shows "fell through." Some of the tour's venues hadn't been visited by western acts since Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
as in their visit to Belarus.
The band's line-up continuously fluctuated in its 10 year history. In February it was announced that Chris Prophet had been fired and Jon Karel from The Number 12 Looks Like You would be filling in on drums during Earth Tour. In July, 2008 the band stated that long-time band friend Daniel Pouliot of Bleeding Kansas had joined as the band's full time drummer. On Wednesday, December 3, 2008, the band announced that Dash Arkenstone would be leaving the band, though he remains on good terms with the other members and has attended local shows. Brian Grover from the band Thriller filled in on bass during live shows and recently recorded alongside the rest of the group, Jeremiah Bignell later became the band's permanent bassist.
On February 2, 2009, Horse the Band signed to Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
. In an interview they stated that they had been trying to get onto that label for nine years.
Horse the Band's latest album Desperate Living
Desperate Living (album)
Desperate Living is the fifth album by Horse the Band, released October 6, 2009, through Vagrant Records.-Overview:The album sees a departure from the band's reliance on the Nintendocore sound which they helped to pioneer with their demos and first two full-length albums...
was released on October 6, 2009. The group are currently on a break from touring and recording, their first break in over six years.
Lyrical concepts
Horse the Band's lyrics are usually metaphors for vocalist Nathan Winneke's life, often with abstract pop culture reference titles. Winneke has referred to his style on multiple occasions as "Lynchian" in reference to his favorite film director, David LynchDavid Lynch
David Keith Lynch is an American filmmaker, television director, visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound...
and his obtuse narrative style.
The band jokingly labeled themselves "Nintendocore" very early on in their career in reference to the synth sound they had adopted. Some video game characters that are metaphorically referred to include Cut Man from Mega Man
Mega Man
Mega Man is a video game franchise from Capcom, starring the eponymous character Mega Man, or one of his many counterparts. The series is well-known and comprises well over fifty releases, easily making it Capcom's most prolific franchise. As of December 31, 2010, the series has sold approximately...
, although the song is spelled "Cutsman" because the song was about a childhood friend Winneke grew up with and that was how they had said the character's name in youth; "Birdo
Birdo
Birdo, known in Japan as , is a fictional character in the Mario series of video games, who first appeared in Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, which was localized for English audiences as Super Mario Bros. 2 and is an enemy to Mario...
", one of the bosses from the NES game Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Bros. 2, often abbreviated SMB2, is a platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System as a sequel to the 1985 game Super Mario Bros. The game was also remade as part of the Super Mario All-Stars collection for the Super Nintendo Entertainment...
, in the song "Birdo" which was actually about Winneke's distaste for eggs and traumatic experiences with his stepfather early in his life ; and the rabbit-like nemesis from The Legend of Zelda in the song "Pol's Voice" which is about Winneke's early loathing of the sound of his own voice. Similarly, the song "A Million Exploding Suns" refers to the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character Sentry
Sentry (Robert Reynolds)
The Sentry is a fictional character in the . The character first appears in The Sentry #1 and was created by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee, with uncredited conceptual contributions by Rick Veitch.-Creation:...
, a schizophrenic
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
and agoraphobic
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder defined as a morbid fear of having a panic attack or panic-like symptoms in a situation from which it is perceived to be difficult to escape. These situations can include, but are not limited to, wide-open spaces, crowds, or uncontrolled social conditions...
hero with this abundance of power, pertaining to Winneke's double life as a musician and as a video rental clerk.
2007's A Natural Death featured significant lyrical and musical evolution into the concepts of nature and mortality while moving slightly away from the Nintendo metaphors. The song "Murder" is inspired by the miniseries Lonesome Dove
Lonesome Dove
Lonesome Dove is a 1985 Pulitzer Prize–winning western novel written by Larry McMurtry. It is the first published book of the Lonesome Dove series, but the third installment in the series chronologically...
, in which a Native American named Blue Duck
Blue Duck (Lonesome Dove series)
Blue Duck is a fictional character, a biracial Indian appearing in two books in the Lonesome Dove series. He is the son of Buffalo Hump and a kidnapped Mexican woman. The fictionalized character of Blue Duck was partially based on the life and death of the Kiowa war chief Satanta...
stalks and kills white settlers on the plains. "Hyperborea" as a reference to Robert E. Howard's original "Conan" pulp fantasy stories from the 30s, and "The Red Tornado," a DC comics character from the company of which Winneke is such an open enthusiast.
2009's Desperate Living is likely the band's most accomplished record musically. Its themes are also somewhat more difficult to pinpoint, but seem to reflect a breadth of social and cultural experience gained from living in Lake Forest. Songs like "Horse The Song" reflect a disillusionment with the mechanics of the music industry and the desire to break free for the sake of integrity and human connection, while songs such as "Big Business" are completely different, since "Big Business" is merely a song about a close friend to HORSE the Band. As well, dark and deeply personal themes are also explored, with some material delving deeper into Winneke's troubled psyche than arguably ever before. "The Failure of All Things" involves deep feelings of regret and beating a woman physically and "Between The Trees" contains grotesque imagery of violent self destruction. Desperate Living is an altogether complex and enigmatic record with a unifying theme of enculturation as a vehicle for the creative process, no matter how primitive, difficult or bizarre.
While there are numerous references on every album, Winneke states "No song is ever what it seems....the more silly it may come off the more troubled it probably is under the surface."
Current projects
Horse the Band have recently signed a deal with Vagrant Records for the year 2009 and beyond. The deal doesn't cover recording costs, promotion, nor touring costs.In 2010 they embarked on "The Reigns in Africa Tour" which began in late March and extended into April. The tour will consist of 12 shows in 17 days. They are headlining shows in South Africa and Mozambique.
In late summer 2010 the band issued a limited 6 DVD, personalized Hardcover book covering their Earth Tour 2008. It was available through pre-order only. Ten left over copies were sold on Ebay, some reaching at over $600.00. The tour book is currently sold out with no plans for future reproduction.
Horse the Band headlined a U.S. tour entitled "I'm Miserable" starting May 6 is Arizona, in support of the Earth Tour 2008 DVD release. Supporting bands included Endless Hallway and Oceana. The last seven shows were canceled, due to Isen needing immediate eye surgery.
Horse the Band was scheduled to play at the 2011 South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
music festival. They were part of the second round of invites, and played to a sold out crowd.
Horse the Band played at four festivals in the 2011 year, the 2011 Ieperfest in Ypres
Ypres
Ypres is a Belgian municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres and the villages of Boezinge, Brielen, Dikkebus, Elverdinge, Hollebeke, Sint-Jan, Vlamertinge, Voormezele, Zillebeke, and Zuidschote...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Germany Berlin Magnet, Brutal Assault
Brutal assault
Brutal Assault is an extreme metal open-air music festival taking place in the 18th century army Fortress Josefov in Jaroměř, Czech Republic. It takes place each August traditionally on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the beginning of the month. The festival was started in 1995 featuring mostly...
in Josefov
Fortress Josefov
Fortress Josefov , , is a large historic defence complex of 18th-century military architecture, built between 1780-1790, in eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic. Together with fortress Terezín, it was intended as protection against attacks from Prussia, but its military importance, like other such...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, and Germany Oberhausen Olgas Rock Fest.
Band members
Current- Erik Engstrom – keyboards, LSDJ, backing vocals (since 1999)
- David Isen – guitars (since 1999)
- Nathan Winneke – lead vocals (since 2002); bass guitar (1999–2002)
- Daniel Pouliot - drums (since 2008)
- Jerimiah Bignell - bass guitar (since 2009)
Former
- Jason Karuza - drums (1999–2004)
- Adam Crook - lead vocals (1999–2002)
- Andy Stokes - bass guitar (2002–2005)
- Dashiel Arkenstone - bass guitar (2005–2009)
- Eli Green - drums (2004–2007)
- Chris Prophet - drums (2007–2008)
Discography
Albums- Secret Rhythm of the UniverseSecret Rhythm of the UniverseSecret Rhythm of the Universe is the first full length recording by Horse the Band. Only 60 copies were originally printed and released.-Track listing:All songs written by Horse the Band# "The Club" – 6:55# "Salvation Army" – 2:57# "Sitcom #3" – 2:57...
(2001) - R. BorlaxR. BorlaxR. Borlax is the second album by Horse the Band, released in 2003 on Pluto Records. It was re-released in 2007 with two bonus tracks by Koch Records.....
(2003, Pluto RecordsPluto RecordsPluto Records is a record label started in 1999 by Eric Shirey and Brian Cobbel. Since 2002, it has been owned and operated by Brian Cobbel and based near Dallas, TX. It is primarily known for punk, metal, and hardcore releases, although not exclusively...
; re-release with bonus tracks, 2007, Pluto RecordsPluto RecordsPluto Records is a record label started in 1999 by Eric Shirey and Brian Cobbel. Since 2002, it has been owned and operated by Brian Cobbel and based near Dallas, TX. It is primarily known for punk, metal, and hardcore releases, although not exclusively...
) - The Mechanical HandThe Mechanical HandThe Mechanical Hand is the third studio album by Horse the Band, released in 2005 through Combat Records.-Track listing:# "Birdo" – 3:21# "A Million Exploding Suns" – 4:03# "Manateen" – 5:06# "The House of Boo" – 3:59# "Heroes Die" – 3:22...
(2005, Combat RecordsCombat RecordsCombat Records was an independent record label from New York City. The label was home to predominantly metal and punk rock acts including Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, Death, Dead Brain Cells, Possessed, Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front, Agent Steel, Dark Angel, Heathen, Zoetrope and...
) - A Natural DeathA Natural Death-Overview:Frontman Nathan Winneke states: "A Natural Death is about the futility and arrogance of creation and destruction, the overwhelming scale of space and time, and the brutal majesty of nature, the horror of birth and the beauty of death. Everyone who will ever live will die a natural death,...
(2007, Koch RecordsKoch RecordsE1 Music , the primary subsidiary of E1 Entertainment LP, is the largest independent record label in the United States. It is also distributed by the Universal Music Group in Europe under the name E1 Universal...
) - Desperate LivingDesperate Living (album)Desperate Living is the fifth album by Horse the Band, released October 6, 2009, through Vagrant Records.-Overview:The album sees a departure from the band's reliance on the Nintendocore sound which they helped to pioneer with their demos and first two full-length albums...
(2009, Vagrant RecordsVagrant RecordsVagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
; released in Australia/Japan through Roadrunner RecordsRoadrunner RecordsRoadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
)
EPs
- I Am a Small Wooden Statue on a Patch of Crabgrass Next to a Dried Up RiverbedI Am a Small Wooden Statue on a Patch of Crabgrass Next to a Dried Up RiverbedI Am a Small Wooden Statue on a Patch of Crabgrass Next to a Dried Up Riverbed is an EP by Horse the Band. It was recorded during Summer 2001 at Love Juice Studios in Riverside, CA...
(2001) - Beautiful Songs by MenBeautiful Songs by MenBeautiful Songs by Men is the second EP by Horse the band recorded during the summer of 2002. It contains several re-recorded tracks from the original demo, plus some new songs...
(2002) - PizzaPizza (EP)Pizza is a concept EP and the third by Horse the Band, released September 5, 2006 through Koch Records. The EP was recorded in place of Horse the Band not finishing their time on The Stampeading Machines Tour...
(2006, Combat RecordsCombat RecordsCombat Records was an independent record label from New York City. The label was home to predominantly metal and punk rock acts including Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, Death, Dead Brain Cells, Possessed, Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front, Agent Steel, Dark Angel, Heathen, Zoetrope and...
/ LIF Records) - Shapeshift 7" (2009, Vagrant RecordsVagrant RecordsVagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
)
DVDs
- The Effing 69 World TourThe Effing 69 World Tour|thumb|The Effing 69 World TourThe Effing 69 World Tour is a tour DVD released by HORSE the band. It is available to the public through their online store, and at their merchandise table at concerts.-Material:...
(2004) - We Flooded It, and There's Yogurt Everywhere AKA 48 Hours in UkraineWe Flooded It, and There's Yogurt Everywhere AKA 48 Hours in UkraineWe Flooded It, and There's Yogurt Everywhere AKA 48 Hours in Ukraine is a tour DVD released by Horse the Band. It is available to the public through their online store, and at their merchandise table at concerts.-Material:...
(2009) - Earth Tour (2010) (Duration: 10 hours 31 minutes)
Videography
- "Bunnies"- R. Borlax
- "A Million Exploding Suns"- The Mechanical Hand
- "Lord Gold Throneroom"- The Mechanical Hand
- "Birdo"- The Mechanical Hand
- "New York City"- A Natural Death
- "Murder"- A Natural Death
- "Shapeshift"- Desperate Living
Literature
- http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1509692/09152005/horse_the_band.jhtml
- http://clubs.ccsu.edu/recorder/entertainment/entertainment_item.asp?NewsID=85