His Name Is Alive
Encyclopedia
His Name Is Alive is an experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan
. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label. Throughout the band's long history, leader Warren Defever
has been the only constant member, with a variety of musicians and singers contributing over the years.
, she became the band's primary vocalist.
The group's work initially resulted in a self-released cassette. Defever sent the tape to 4AD
in hopes of being signed to the label. Despite label president Ivo Watts-Russell
's initial rejection of the band, Defever continued to send him tapes, with new and improved versions of the songs appearing on each new tape. Ivo signed the band in 1989, believing that (along with his This Mortal Coil
partner John Fryer
) he could re-mix the songs into a proper album 4AD could release. Livonia
appeared in the summer of 1990, and became one of the label's biggest sellers of the year. "He took it apart, and he didn't put it back together," Defever would later comment on Ivo's production style.
A second album of songs similarly recorded in Defever's home studio (which he later dubbed Time Stereo) and remixed in England by Ivo and Fryer, Home Is In Your Head
, appeared in 1991. Over most of the rest of the 1990s, Defever improved Time Stereo to record more professionally, and the band became a favorite of 4AD's devoted fanbase.
In 1993, HNIA released Mouth by Mouth
, their third full length for 4AD
, and embarked on their first full North American tour with Defever on guitar, Karin Oliver
on vocals, and Trey Many on drums. This album and tour showed a different side of HNIA to their fans, marking the first time Defever had full control of the mixing and assembly of a HNIA release. Mouth by Mouth
was a more ambitious noisy pop record that lacked some of the earlier sparse gothic sounds people came to expect from the first two releases. Defever's wide musical taste became more apparent as Mouth by Mouth
showcased his love for obscure '60s pop, reggae, Japanese noise and free jazz.
Defever then took an extended break to work on new projects and write songs for 1996's Stars On ESP
, an ambitious project three years in the making. He continued to collaborate with Karin Oliver
and Trey Many on this release but also wrote songs with Matthew Smith of Outrageous Cherry
, Mark Kozelek
of Red House Painters
, Ian Masters
of Pale Saints
, Erika Hoffman. Stars on ESP
was a breakthrough for the band as Defever began to fully realize his potential as a musician able to paste many influences together in one cohesive work "On their fourth album for 4AD, Stars on ESP, the group mixes dub, dream pop, surf, country, and Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys into something altogether unique."
In 1991 and 1993, 4AD
commissioned videos from famed British animators the Quay Brothers. The brothers Stephen and Timothy were allowed to choose which songs they would like to create videos or short films for. They choose the songs "Are We Still Married?" and "Can't Go Wrong Without You" .
1998 was a year of big change for both 4AD and HNIA, as Ivo sold the label to Beggars Banquet
, resulting in major changes in the label. The band signed a more traditional contract with the label, bringing with it increased commercial expectations. When 1998's Ft. Lake
failed to meet those expectations, most of the band left for full-time jobs or more commercially successful endeavors. Stripped down to Defever and vocalist Lovetta Pippen (an experienced soul and gospel singer before joining HNIA after appearing as part of a gospel choir on Stars On ESP), the duo released two soul and R&B-influenced albums in 2001 and 2002, alienating much of the band's fanbase. After having sold a respectable (but far from commercially successful), 100,000 albums for 4AD from 1990 through 2002, the band was dropped by the label, leaving the band's future in doubt.
Defever kept the band's name alive through several notable appearances on compilations like Kill Rock Stars "Tracks and Fields," and "We Could Live in Hope," the Low tribute album. Several full-length releases on the Time Stereo label were mostly instrumental music, live recordings, and a few new experimental recordings. In 2005, Defever co-founded the Silver Mountain Media label, and secured distribution for HNIA with major label Sony-BMG. 2006's Detrola
was the first full-length release on the label, and was met with much acclaim, winning back many of the old fans from the 4AD days, and earning success on college rock radio and modern rock charts. Detrola
primarily features newly-discovered Andy FM on vocals, although Lovetta Pippen and Erika Hoffmann make guest appearances as well. Andy FM previously was best known as the keyboardist for Detroit underground favorites the Tranzistors and Sonapanic. In interviews Defever has often described her as "the best singer ever to sing me Elvis songs and Patsy Cline songs at my birthday party. She plays an important role in HNIA, she's a great singer and she's not afraid when the trombonist takes off his pants and pees in his trombone."
The follow-up to Detrola, titled Xmmer, was released on September 18, 2007.
Sweet Earth Flower
, the band's tribute to free jazz saxophonist Marion Brown
was released by High Two
on November 6, 2007.
In May 2010 His Name is Alive released their 11th full length album The Eclipse. Originally one of the ten CD's released in the limited edition box set also entitled The Eclipse. The album features Warn Defever and vocalist Andy FM. Other contributors include Steve Sparks on drums and Jeen Cook playing violin. The album was released for MP3 download, FLAC, and CD through the Silver Mountain Media store.
In May 2011, His Name is Alive embarked on a "20th anniversary" series of shows which included a community bike ride in Detroit. Defever says 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of His Name is Alive even though the group's first record was released in 1990. Defever says one undisclosed year has been blacked out of the band's chronology for reasons he will not discuss.
Livonia, Michigan
Livonia is a city in the northwest part of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Livonia is a very large suburb with an array of traditional neighborhoods connected to the metropolitan area by freeways. The population was 96,942 at the 2010 census, making it Michigan's 9th largest...
. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label. Throughout the band's long history, leader Warren Defever
Warren Defever
Warren Defever is a musician and producer from Livonia, Michigan. He is most known for his chameleonic project His Name Is Alive, though he is active in numerous other circles...
has been the only constant member, with a variety of musicians and singers contributing over the years.
Biography
Defever began recording in his basement in 1985, while still in high school. His initial work consisted primarily of Defever alone recording the music to a 4-track recorder, with friend Angie Carozzo providing vocals. After Defever went off to college and met Karin OliverKarin Oliver
Karin Oliver is a former singer for the Livonia, Michigan band His Name Is Alive. She was with the band from 1989 to 1998. After leaving the band following the USA release party for the Ft. Lake album, she pursued a career in marketing full time. She also provided vocals for Velour 100, a band...
, she became the band's primary vocalist.
The group's work initially resulted in a self-released cassette. Defever sent the tape to 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
in hopes of being signed to the label. Despite label president Ivo Watts-Russell
Ivo Watts-Russell
Ivo Watts-Russell was joint-founder with Peter Kent of the English indie record label 4AD. He has also produced several records, himself preferring to use the term "musical director" to explain his role in the creation....
's initial rejection of the band, Defever continued to send him tapes, with new and improved versions of the songs appearing on each new tape. Ivo signed the band in 1989, believing that (along with his This Mortal Coil
This Mortal Coil
This Mortal Coil was a gothic dream pop supergroup led by Ivo Watts-Russell, founder of the British record label 4AD. Although Watts-Russell and John Fryer were technically the only two official members, the band's recorded output featured a large rotating cast of supporting artists, many of whom...
partner John Fryer
John Fryer (music)
John Fryer is an English record producer. Best known for his production work, he also branched out as a musician as one of only two constant members of This Mortal Coil , providing keyboards, strings and synthesizer sequencing for the band, and its offshoot, The Hope Blister.- Career :Starting out...
) he could re-mix the songs into a proper album 4AD could release. Livonia
Livonia (His Name Is Alive album)
Livonia is the debut LP by His Name Is Alive. It was originally released on 4AD in the UK in 1990 and in 1992 on 4AD/Rykodisc in the USA.-History:...
appeared in the summer of 1990, and became one of the label's biggest sellers of the year. "He took it apart, and he didn't put it back together," Defever would later comment on Ivo's production style.
A second album of songs similarly recorded in Defever's home studio (which he later dubbed Time Stereo) and remixed in England by Ivo and Fryer, Home Is In Your Head
Home Is in Your Head
Home Is in Your Head is the second studio album by His Name Is Alive, originally released via 4AD in the UK on September 9, 1991, and on Rykodisc in the USA in 1992.-History:...
, appeared in 1991. Over most of the rest of the 1990s, Defever improved Time Stereo to record more professionally, and the band became a favorite of 4AD's devoted fanbase.
In 1993, HNIA released Mouth by Mouth
Mouth by Mouth
-History:After two moderately successful LPs and one EP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever was in a position to vastly improve his home recording studio, and spent the fall of 1992 recording his most polished album yet, Mouth by Mouth...
, their third full length for 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
, and embarked on their first full North American tour with Defever on guitar, Karin Oliver
Karin Oliver
Karin Oliver is a former singer for the Livonia, Michigan band His Name Is Alive. She was with the band from 1989 to 1998. After leaving the band following the USA release party for the Ft. Lake album, she pursued a career in marketing full time. She also provided vocals for Velour 100, a band...
on vocals, and Trey Many on drums. This album and tour showed a different side of HNIA to their fans, marking the first time Defever had full control of the mixing and assembly of a HNIA release. Mouth by Mouth
Mouth by Mouth
-History:After two moderately successful LPs and one EP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever was in a position to vastly improve his home recording studio, and spent the fall of 1992 recording his most polished album yet, Mouth by Mouth...
was a more ambitious noisy pop record that lacked some of the earlier sparse gothic sounds people came to expect from the first two releases. Defever's wide musical taste became more apparent as Mouth by Mouth
Mouth by Mouth
-History:After two moderately successful LPs and one EP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever was in a position to vastly improve his home recording studio, and spent the fall of 1992 recording his most polished album yet, Mouth by Mouth...
showcased his love for obscure '60s pop, reggae, Japanese noise and free jazz.
Defever then took an extended break to work on new projects and write songs for 1996's Stars On ESP
Stars on ESP
Stars on ESP is an album by His Name Is Alive, released by 4AD in 1996.-History:Stars on ESP had the longest gestation period of any His Name Is Alive album, a project that band leader Warren Defever spent three years crafting before it saw release...
, an ambitious project three years in the making. He continued to collaborate with Karin Oliver
Karin Oliver
Karin Oliver is a former singer for the Livonia, Michigan band His Name Is Alive. She was with the band from 1989 to 1998. After leaving the band following the USA release party for the Ft. Lake album, she pursued a career in marketing full time. She also provided vocals for Velour 100, a band...
and Trey Many on this release but also wrote songs with Matthew Smith of Outrageous Cherry
Outrageous Cherry
-History:Outrageous Cherry formed in 1992 as a solo project for Matthew Smith, but soon expanded to a four-piece after he began performing live in 1993...
, Mark Kozelek
Mark Kozelek
Mark Kozelek is an American singer/songwriter Producer and frontman of Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters.-History:...
of Red House Painters
Red House Painters
Red House Painters were an alternative rock group formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek.-History:While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California, adding guitarist Gorden...
, Ian Masters
Ian Masters (songwriter)
Ian Masters is a multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/producer.He is best-known for being a founding member of the English indie pop band Pale Saints. Masters was their vocalist/bassist from their formation in 1987 until his departure from the group in 1992...
of Pale Saints
Pale Saints
Pale Saints was formed in 1987 by Ian Masters , Graeme Naysmith , and Chris Cooper in Leeds, England. The group began as a jangly indie pop band, influenced by Primal Scream's early sound.-History:...
, Erika Hoffman. Stars on ESP
Stars on ESP
Stars on ESP is an album by His Name Is Alive, released by 4AD in 1996.-History:Stars on ESP had the longest gestation period of any His Name Is Alive album, a project that band leader Warren Defever spent three years crafting before it saw release...
was a breakthrough for the band as Defever began to fully realize his potential as a musician able to paste many influences together in one cohesive work "On their fourth album for 4AD, Stars on ESP, the group mixes dub, dream pop, surf, country, and Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys into something altogether unique."
In 1991 and 1993, 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
commissioned videos from famed British animators the Quay Brothers. The brothers Stephen and Timothy were allowed to choose which songs they would like to create videos or short films for. They choose the songs "Are We Still Married?" and "Can't Go Wrong Without You" .
1998 was a year of big change for both 4AD and HNIA, as Ivo sold the label to Beggars Banquet
Beggars Banquet Records
Beggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
, resulting in major changes in the label. The band signed a more traditional contract with the label, bringing with it increased commercial expectations. When 1998's Ft. Lake
Ft. Lake
-History:Work on Ft. Lake began shortly after completion of the Nice Day EP, with the same newly-stable lineup of leader Warren Defever on guitar, Chad Gilchrist on bass, Trey Many on drums, and vocalists Karin Oliver and Lovetta Pippen...
failed to meet those expectations, most of the band left for full-time jobs or more commercially successful endeavors. Stripped down to Defever and vocalist Lovetta Pippen (an experienced soul and gospel singer before joining HNIA after appearing as part of a gospel choir on Stars On ESP), the duo released two soul and R&B-influenced albums in 2001 and 2002, alienating much of the band's fanbase. After having sold a respectable (but far from commercially successful), 100,000 albums for 4AD from 1990 through 2002, the band was dropped by the label, leaving the band's future in doubt.
Defever kept the band's name alive through several notable appearances on compilations like Kill Rock Stars "Tracks and Fields," and "We Could Live in Hope," the Low tribute album. Several full-length releases on the Time Stereo label were mostly instrumental music, live recordings, and a few new experimental recordings. In 2005, Defever co-founded the Silver Mountain Media label, and secured distribution for HNIA with major label Sony-BMG. 2006's Detrola
Detrola
Detrola is an album by His Name Is Alive, released in 2006. Four years after being dropped from the 4AD roster, HNIA released this album on their own Silver Mountain Media Group label...
was the first full-length release on the label, and was met with much acclaim, winning back many of the old fans from the 4AD days, and earning success on college rock radio and modern rock charts. Detrola
Detrola
Detrola is an album by His Name Is Alive, released in 2006. Four years after being dropped from the 4AD roster, HNIA released this album on their own Silver Mountain Media Group label...
primarily features newly-discovered Andy FM on vocals, although Lovetta Pippen and Erika Hoffmann make guest appearances as well. Andy FM previously was best known as the keyboardist for Detroit underground favorites the Tranzistors and Sonapanic. In interviews Defever has often described her as "the best singer ever to sing me Elvis songs and Patsy Cline songs at my birthday party. She plays an important role in HNIA, she's a great singer and she's not afraid when the trombonist takes off his pants and pees in his trombone."
The follow-up to Detrola, titled Xmmer, was released on September 18, 2007.
Sweet Earth Flower
Sweet Earth Flower
Sweet Earth Flower is a tribute album His Name is Alive recorded to honor the music of Marion Brown. Although it appeared after the Xmmer album, it was recorded between the release of Detrola and Xmmer...
, the band's tribute to free jazz saxophonist Marion Brown
Marion Brown
Marion Brown was a jazz alto saxophonist and ethnomusicologist. He is most well known as a member of the 1960s avant-garde jazz scene in New York City, playing alongside musicians such as John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, and John Tchicai...
was released by High Two
High Two
High Two is a record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was launched in 2004 with the release of music by Dave Burrell and Sonic Liberation Front....
on November 6, 2007.
In May 2010 His Name is Alive released their 11th full length album The Eclipse. Originally one of the ten CD's released in the limited edition box set also entitled The Eclipse. The album features Warn Defever and vocalist Andy FM. Other contributors include Steve Sparks on drums and Jeen Cook playing violin. The album was released for MP3 download, FLAC, and CD through the Silver Mountain Media store.
In May 2011, His Name is Alive embarked on a "20th anniversary" series of shows which included a community bike ride in Detroit. Defever says 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of His Name is Alive even though the group's first record was released in 1990. Defever says one undisclosed year has been blacked out of the band's chronology for reasons he will not discuss.
Main albums
- LivoniaLivonia (His Name Is Alive album)Livonia is the debut LP by His Name Is Alive. It was originally released on 4AD in the UK in 1990 and in 1992 on 4AD/Rykodisc in the USA.-History:...
(1990) (4AD) - Home Is in Your HeadHome Is in Your HeadHome Is in Your Head is the second studio album by His Name Is Alive, originally released via 4AD in the UK on September 9, 1991, and on Rykodisc in the USA in 1992.-History:...
(1991) (4AD) - Mouth by MouthMouth by Mouth-History:After two moderately successful LPs and one EP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever was in a position to vastly improve his home recording studio, and spent the fall of 1992 recording his most polished album yet, Mouth by Mouth...
(1993) (4AD) - Stars on ESPStars on ESPStars on ESP is an album by His Name Is Alive, released by 4AD in 1996.-History:Stars on ESP had the longest gestation period of any His Name Is Alive album, a project that band leader Warren Defever spent three years crafting before it saw release...
(1996) (4AD) - Ft. LakeFt. Lake-History:Work on Ft. Lake began shortly after completion of the Nice Day EP, with the same newly-stable lineup of leader Warren Defever on guitar, Chad Gilchrist on bass, Trey Many on drums, and vocalists Karin Oliver and Lovetta Pippen...
(1998) (4AD) - Someday My Blues Will Cover the EarthSomeday My Blues Will Cover the EarthSomeday My Blues Will Cover the Earth is an album by His Name Is Alive, released by 4AD in 2001.-History:Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth marked a huge change in the sound of His Name Is Alive, and is a controversial record among some of the band's fans...
(2001) (4AD) - Last NightLast Night (His Name Is Alive album)-History:Last Night was recorded during a particularly low point in His Name Is Alive's long career. Due to the changes in the band and at their label, 4AD, in the last few years, the album was recorded knowing that it would be their last for 4AD. -History:Last Night was recorded during a...
(2002) (4AD) - DetrolaDetrolaDetrola is an album by His Name Is Alive, released in 2006. Four years after being dropped from the 4AD roster, HNIA released this album on their own Silver Mountain Media Group label...
(2006) (Silver Mountain/ Sony BMG) - XMMERXMMERXmmer is His Name Is Alive's follow-up to 2006's Detrola, released in the USA on September 18, 2007. Stylistically, it is very similar to its predecessor, featuring a wide variety of the many styles the band had explored in the past...
(2007) (Silver Mountain/ Sony BMG) - Sweet Earth FlowerSweet Earth FlowerSweet Earth Flower is a tribute album His Name is Alive recorded to honor the music of Marion Brown. Although it appeared after the Xmmer album, it was recorded between the release of Detrola and Xmmer...
(2007) (High TwoHigh TwoHigh Two is a record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was launched in 2004 with the release of music by Dave Burrell and Sonic Liberation Front....
) - The Eclipse (2010) (Silver Mountain Media)
Singles & EPs
- The Dirt Eaters EPThe Dirt Eaters EPThe Dirt Eaters in an EP by His Name Is Alive, originally released by 4AD in early 1992. It has never been released on its own in the United States, as it was included on the 4AD/Rykodisc USA reissue of Home Is In Your Head in 1992.-History:...
(1992) (4AD) - Universal Frequencies EP (1996) (4AD)
- Nice Day EPNice Day EP-History:After the completion of the tour for Stars on ESP, His Name Is Alive leader Warren Defever found himself with a steady lineup for perhaps the first time in the band's history; veteran vocalist Karin Oliver and drummer Trey Many, along with newer members: vocalist Lovetta Pippen and bassist...
(1997) (4AD) - Melody Farm EP [split with Little Princess] (1997) (Shaolin Temple / timeSTEREO)
- Pets Farm EP [split with Little Princess] (1997) (Motorway/ timeSTEREO)
- Drugs Farm EP [split with Little Princess] (1998) (Rocket Science / timeSTEREO)
- Woodstock/Mothers Day" 7" included with LP of Fort Lake(1998) (4AD)
- Can't Always Be Loved (1998) (4AD)
- Happy Blues / One Year (2001) (4AD)
- Nothing Special (2001) (4AD)
- Raindrops Rainbow EP (2005) (Silver Mountain Media)
- Silver Makeup EP (2007) (Silver Mountain Media)
- Firefly Dragonfly (2007) (Acuarela Discos)
- Dream Rememberer (2010) (Silver Mountain Media)
Independent projects, compilations and remixes
- Sings Man on the Silver Mountain and 8 Other SongsSings Man on the Silver Mountain and 8 Other SongsDespite being an American band, His Name Is Alive was signed to the British 4AD label, and had no American distribution for their first three releases on 4AD. USA-based Rykodisc re-issued the albums in the summer of 1992, shortly before 4AD signed a distribution deal with Warner Bros. Records so...
(1992) (Rykodisc) - King of SweetKing of SweetKing of Sweet is a compilation album by His Name Is Alive, originally released in a limited run by the Perdition Plastics label in 1993. Most, if not all, of the songs had previously appeared on the band's many self-released cassettes in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and some of them had...
(1993) (Perdition Plastics, reissued in 2005 via timeSTEREO as MP3) - Sampler (1993) (4AD)
- Radio LP (1998) (timeSTEREO)
- Always Stay SweetAlways Stay Sweet-Notes:4AD release* Tracks 3, 4, 5, and 7 taken from Livonia * Tracks 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, and 16 taken from Home Is in Your Head * Tracks 14 and 21 taken from The Dirt Eaters EP...
(1999) (4AD) - Emergency (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- When the Stars Refuse to Shine (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- Early Music Volume 1 (1985-1989) (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- RMX's 1995-2000 (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- Rare Tracks in the Snow (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most (2001) (timeSTEREO)
- Heart and Hand [10 CD box set] (2001) (timeSTEREO)
- Cloud Box [10 CD box set] (2004) (timeSTEREO)
- Brown Rice (2005) (timeSTEREO)
- Leaf Club (2005) (timeSTEREO)
- Summer Bird LP (2005) (Ypsilanti)
- Ufo Catcher (2005) (En/of)
- Someday RMX (2006) (Silver Mountain Media)
- Detrola Instrumental (2007) (Silver Mountain Media) (iTunes only purchase)
- Xmmer Instrumental (2007) (Silver Mountain Media)
Live
- Sound of Mexico (1995) (timeSTEREO)
- Finer Twilights (1997) (timeSTEREO)
- Golden City (1997) (timeSTEREO)
- Great Lake States Blues (1997) (timeSTEREO)
- Ten Years Long Time (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- In the West (2000) (timeSTEREO)
- In the East (2000) (timeSTEREO)
Video
- "Are We Still Married" (1992)
- "Can't Go Wrong Without You" (1993)
- "Peace In Detroit" (2002)
- "Come To Me" (2007)