Halfnelson (band)
Encyclopedia
Halfnelson was an American
rock
band, which was a precursor to the more successful Sparks
. Halfnelson was formed in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles
in 1968 by brothers Ron
(keyboards) and Russell Mael
(vocals), the first incarnation also including friend and electro-whizz Earle Mankey
(guitar).
The trio made dozens of home recordings during the late sixties and the most famous one was this famous Halfnelson's "A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing" demo (not to be confused with the second official Sparks' Bearsville album) of twelve songs, all written by the Maels. Halfnelson decided that a demo album should be professionally recorded and for that reason, the band badly needed a rhythm section. A drummer was found in the person of rock-critic John Mendelsohn
, and a bass player in Ralph Oswald. Ron Mael's use of organ as a key instrument was much more prominent. About one hundred copies of the "A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing" demo were sent out to record companies. None of them reacted positively.
At the time, Halfnelson's main inspirations were English, or English-sounding bands of the mid-60's like The Kinks
with Ray Davies
, The Move
, John's Children
, The Who
, Tomorrow
and Pink Floyd
, sounds that are easily traceable on Halfnelson's official first album. Russell Mael: "We thought Halfnelson was like a British band. I liked British bands and I kind of admired Mick Jagger
from the Rolling Stones and Ron's earliest listening influences were The Kinks, The Move and above all the early Who..."
After this recording, John Mendelsohn and Ralph Oswald quit the band, being later on replaced by Harley Feinstein and Earle's brother Jim Mankey, respectively. Mendelsohn and Oswald later formed Christopher Milk.
Todd Rundgren
producer of Bearsville Records
rescued the band with a contract and became the producer of their Halfnelson
debut in 1971, which was one of Todd Rundgren's first outside production jobs since his own group, The Nazz
. In retrospect the band was not all that happy with his production and one year later Ron Mael stated that "Todd Rundgren is extremely nice, but if you had to work with him, you wouldn't have much space for your own ideas. We did not feel his way of producing was suitable for our music. However, he could not be convinced otherwise. We started to behave a bit nasty and aggressive towards him and finally he didn't turn up anymore."
This first album was a startling debut, with its crude yet experimental rhythms - the band used to beat on cardboard boxes with reverb on and run it through amplifiers - and ad-hoc inventiveness. They managed to explore a bewildering array of styles using backwards tape loops and generally messing about with whatever lo-tech gadgetry they could find. This was music designed in the recording studio whose intricate arrangements would be nigh-on impossible to perform in concert.
Later on, Albert Grossman
of Bearsville suggested they change their name into "Sparks Brothers", as they reminded of the Marx Brothers
. In the end it was decided only to use the first part, aka Sparks
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band, which was a precursor to the more successful Sparks
Sparks (band)
Sparks is an American rock and pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1968 by brothers Ron and Russell Mael , initially under the name Halfnelson...
. Halfnelson was formed in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1968 by brothers Ron
Ron Mael
Ronald David Mael , is an American musician and songwriter. He and his younger brother Russell, make up the pop duo Sparks.Ron Mael was born in Culver City, California. Ron plays keyboard and writes most of the songs for Sparks...
(keyboards) and Russell Mael
Russell Mael
Russell Mael is an American singer and songwriter who, with his older brother Ron, is in the band Sparks....
(vocals), the first incarnation also including friend and electro-whizz Earle Mankey
Earle Mankey
Earle Mankey was a guitarist for the seminal band Halfnelson, later called Sparks...
(guitar).
History
In the late sixties, Russell Mael was finishing high school among cheer leaders, football and body surfing, while Ron Mael was entering college and becoming involved with Cinema and graphic design. Earle Mankey met with the brothers by an ad in which Earle Mankey had advertised for a recording studio and when they came over there. He also convinced the Maels to hire him as a guitar player at $ 2.50 an hour. Apart from being a guitarist, he was a wizard of sound effects and has a degree in engineering from UCLA.The trio made dozens of home recordings during the late sixties and the most famous one was this famous Halfnelson's "A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing" demo (not to be confused with the second official Sparks' Bearsville album) of twelve songs, all written by the Maels. Halfnelson decided that a demo album should be professionally recorded and for that reason, the band badly needed a rhythm section. A drummer was found in the person of rock-critic John Mendelsohn
John Mendelsohn
John Ned Mendelsohn is an American writer, journalist, musician and graphic designer, best known for his rock criticism in Rolling Stone. Critic Barney Hoskyns has called him "one of the funniest writers in English"....
, and a bass player in Ralph Oswald. Ron Mael's use of organ as a key instrument was much more prominent. About one hundred copies of the "A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing" demo were sent out to record companies. None of them reacted positively.
At the time, Halfnelson's main inspirations were English, or English-sounding bands of the mid-60's like The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
with Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
, The Move
The Move
The Move, from Birmingham, England, were one of the leading British rock bands of the 1960s. They scored nine Top 20 UK singles in five years, but were among the most popular British bands not to find any success in the United States....
, John's Children
John's Children
John's Children were a 1960s pop art/mod rock band from Leatherhead, England that briefly featured future T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan. John's Children were known for their outrageous live performances and were booted off a tour with The Who in Germany in 1967 when they upstaged the headliners...
, The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, Tomorrow
Tomorrow (band)
Tomorrow were a 1960s psychedelic rock band. Despite critical acclaim and support from DJ John Peel who featured them on his "Perfumed Garden" radio show, the band was not a great success in commercial terms. They were among the first psychedelic bands in England along with Pink Floyd and Soft...
and Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, sounds that are easily traceable on Halfnelson's official first album. Russell Mael: "We thought Halfnelson was like a British band. I liked British bands and I kind of admired Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
from the Rolling Stones and Ron's earliest listening influences were The Kinks, The Move and above all the early Who..."
After this recording, John Mendelsohn and Ralph Oswald quit the band, being later on replaced by Harley Feinstein and Earle's brother Jim Mankey, respectively. Mendelsohn and Oswald later formed Christopher Milk.
Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren
Todd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop-wunderkind, supported by the certified gold solo double LP Something/Anything? in 1972, Todd Rundgren's career has produced a diverse range of recordings...
producer of Bearsville Records
Bearsville Records
Bearsville Records was founded in 1970 by Albert Grossman. Artists included Todd Rundgren, Elizabeth Barraclough, Foghat, Halfnelson/Sparks, Bobby Charles, Randy VanWarmer, Paul Butterfield's Better Days, Lazarus, Jesse Winchester, and NRBQ. The label closed in 1984, two years before Grossman's...
rescued the band with a contract and became the producer of their Halfnelson
Halfnelson (album)
-Personnel:* Russell Mael: Vocals* Ron Mael: Keyboards* Earle Mankey: Guitar, Lead Vocal on 'Biology 2'* Jim Mankey, Bass, Guitar* Harley Feinstein, Drums-External links:*...
debut in 1971, which was one of Todd Rundgren's first outside production jobs since his own group, The Nazz
The Nazz
Nazz was a psychedelic and garage rock band from the 1960s. The band was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1967 by Todd Rundgren and Carson Van Osten...
. In retrospect the band was not all that happy with his production and one year later Ron Mael stated that "Todd Rundgren is extremely nice, but if you had to work with him, you wouldn't have much space for your own ideas. We did not feel his way of producing was suitable for our music. However, he could not be convinced otherwise. We started to behave a bit nasty and aggressive towards him and finally he didn't turn up anymore."
This first album was a startling debut, with its crude yet experimental rhythms - the band used to beat on cardboard boxes with reverb on and run it through amplifiers - and ad-hoc inventiveness. They managed to explore a bewildering array of styles using backwards tape loops and generally messing about with whatever lo-tech gadgetry they could find. This was music designed in the recording studio whose intricate arrangements would be nigh-on impossible to perform in concert.
Later on, Albert Grossman
Albert Grossman
Albert Bernard Grossman was an American entrepreneur and manager in the American folk music scene and rock and roll. He was most famous as the manager of Bob Dylan between 1962 and 1970.-Biography:...
of Bearsville suggested they change their name into "Sparks Brothers", as they reminded of the Marx Brothers
Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act, originally from New York City, that enjoyed success in Vaudeville, Broadway, and motion pictures from the early 1900s to around 1950...
. In the end it was decided only to use the first part, aka Sparks
Sparks (band)
Sparks is an American rock and pop band formed in Los Angeles in 1968 by brothers Ron and Russell Mael , initially under the name Halfnelson...
.