Harvey Milk (band)
Encyclopedia
Harvey Milk are an American
experimental rock
/noise rock
band that formed in Athens, Georgia
in the early 1990s. While Harvey Milk invariably draws comparisons to the Melvins
, due to their penchant for slow, heavy riffs, the band has touched upon such artists as ZZ Top
, Led Zeppelin
, Leonard Cohen
, and Kiss
as influences in their music. They even went so far as to perform a live show consisting of nothing but Hank Williams covers. One April Fool's Day gig at the 40 Watt in Athens, they performed R.E.M.'s Reckoning
from beginning to end while Michael Stipe
was in attendance.
Harvey Milk formed in 1992 in Athens
, Georgia
. They disbanded in 1998, and reformed in 2006.
In 1995 Harvey Milk created “Courtesy and Good Will Towards Men.”
On June 3, 2008, Harvey Milk released Life... The Best Game In Town
. The band toured the eastern and southern US as well as Germany, England, Belgium, France and Scotland during the Summer of 2008.
"Life... The Best Game In Town" was voted Best Album of 2008 in Rock-A-Rolla magazine writer's poll although guitarist/vocalist Creston Spiers sees it as the band's worst album.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
experimental rock
Experimental rock
Experimental rock or avant-garde rock is a type of music based on rock which experiments with the basic elements of the genre, or which pushes the boundaries of common composition and performance technique....
/noise rock
Noise rock
Noise rock describes a style of post-punk rock music that became prominent in the 1980s. Noise rock makes use of the traditional instrumentation and iconography of rock, but incorporates atonality and especially dissonance, and also frequently discards usual songwriting conventions.-Style:Noise...
band that formed in Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
in the early 1990s. While Harvey Milk invariably draws comparisons to the Melvins
The Melvins
The Melvins are an American band that formed in 1983. They usually perform as a trio, but in recent years have performed as a four piece with two drummers. Since 1984, singer and guitarist Buzz Osborne and drummer Dale Crover have been the band's constant members...
, due to their penchant for slow, heavy riffs, the band has touched upon such artists as ZZ Top
ZZ Top
ZZ Top is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based boogie rock, has come to incorporate elements of arena, southern, and boogie rock. The band, from Houston Texas, formed in 1969...
, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
, and Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
as influences in their music. They even went so far as to perform a live show consisting of nothing but Hank Williams covers. One April Fool's Day gig at the 40 Watt in Athens, they performed R.E.M.'s Reckoning
Reckoning (R.E.M. album)
Reckoning is the second album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in 1984 by I.R.S. Records. Produced by Mitch Easter and Don Dixon, the album was recorded at Reflection Sound Studio in Charlotte, North Carolina over 16 days in December 1983 and January 1984...
from beginning to end while Michael Stipe
Michael Stipe
John Michael Stipe is an American singer and lyricist. He was the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band R.E.M.Stipe is noted and occasionally parodied for the "mumbling" style of his early career as well as his social and political activism. He was in charge of R.E.M.'s visual image; often...
was in attendance.
Biography
Harvey Milk is an experimental rock band named after the first openly gay politician elected in a major U.S. city.Harvey Milk formed in 1992 in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. They disbanded in 1998, and reformed in 2006.
In 1995 Harvey Milk created “Courtesy and Good Will Towards Men.”
On June 3, 2008, Harvey Milk released Life... The Best Game In Town
Life... The Best Game in Town
Life... The Best Game in Town is the fifth full-length album by Athens, Georgia rock group Harvey Milk. It was released in 2008 to widespread critical acclaim, eventually ranking as one of Metacritic's top twenty albums of 2008.-Track listing:...
. The band toured the eastern and southern US as well as Germany, England, Belgium, France and Scotland during the Summer of 2008.
"Life... The Best Game In Town" was voted Best Album of 2008 in Rock-A-Rolla magazine writer's poll although guitarist/vocalist Creston Spiers sees it as the band's worst album.
Studio albums
- My Love Is Higher Than Your Assessment of What My Love Could BeMy Love Is Higher Than Your Assessment of What My Love Could BeMy Love Is Higher Than Your Assessment of What My Love Could Be is the first full-length album from the Athens, Georgia based rock band Harvey Milk...
(1994, CD on Yesha/Reissue CD on Relapse 2007) - Courtesy and Good Will Toward MenCourtesy and Good Will Toward MenCourtesy and Good Will Toward Men is the second full-length album from the Athens, Georgia based rock band Harvey Milk.-Track listing:#"Pinnochio's Example" – 10:28#"Brown Water" – 8:57#"Plastic Eggs" – 6:28#"My Broken Heart Will Never Mend" – 10:44...
(1996, LP on Reproductive, CD on Tumult Records/Reissue CD on Relapse 2007/Reissue LP on Chunklet 2008 (Reissue used original sleeves, but vinyl was pressed on 180 gram audiophile vinyl)) - The Pleaser (1997, CD on Reproductive/Reissue CD on Relapse 2007/LP on Chunklet 2008)
- Special Wishes (2006, LP & CD on Megablade Records)
- Life... The Best Game In TownLife... The Best Game in TownLife... The Best Game in Town is the fifth full-length album by Athens, Georgia rock group Harvey Milk. It was released in 2008 to widespread critical acclaim, eventually ranking as one of Metacritic's top twenty albums of 2008.-Track listing:...
(2008, CD / 2009, LP on Hydrahead) - S/T - The Bob Weston Sessions (2009, 300 LP Limited Run on Hydra Head for summer tour with TorcheTorcheTorche is a band from Miami, Florida, whose sound is often described as stoner metal, or sludge metal.-Biography:The group was formed in 2004 by Steve Brooks , Juan Montoya , Jonathan Nuñez and Rick Smith Torche is a band from Miami, Florida, whose sound is often described as stoner metal, or...
/2010 Remastered CD on Hydrahead) - Live at Supersonic (2010, LP on Capsule)
- A Small Turn of Human Kindness (2010, CD on Hydrahead)
Compilation albums
- The Singles (CD 2003)
- The Kelly Sessions (CD 2004)
Singles
- I Do Not Know How To Live My Life (7" 1995)
- I've Got A Love (7" 2006)
- Hayride/Harvey Milk: F*#k You Guys (7" 2006)
- Harvey Milk/Wildildlife: In The Ground/Stormbringer (7" 2009)