Morningbell
Encyclopedia
Morningbell is a psychedelic rock
band based in Gainesville
, Florida
. The band was formed in 2000 by brothers Travis Atria (vocals, guitar
, lyricist
) and Eric Atria (bass guitar
, theremin
, backing vocals). Stacie Thrushman (keyboard
) joined the band in late 2001, while Chris Hillman (drums
) was recruited in 2007 as the band’s 6th drummer.
Dissatisfied with the Miami music scene, the band relocated to Gainesville in 2003 and began work in earnest. After growing tired of being asked to repeat the band name or if the band played Christian rock
, the band decided to change their name. At first, the group attempted to find a name by randomly searching the dictionary (a common practice amongst bands). After coincidentally turning to the pages with "Police," "Car," and "Zeppelin," the band changed direction and looked to their CD collection. "Morningbell" was chosen from Radiohead
's Kid A
album, as it was a favorite of the members. Also, because Radiohead took their own name from a Talking Heads
song, the band felt they would be able to avert any allegations of ripping off the name.
The band has become known for their live performances, with their trademarked “100 dollar light show” complete with foot controlled strobe and spot lights as well as other low budget, DIY lighting effects.
"Learning By Musical Montage" garnered regional acclaim and was ranked the third best Gainesville album of 2004 by gainesvillebands.com.
2005's "Forgetting To Wake Up" also ranked in the top 10 albums according to the Gainesville Sun and charted on several national independent/college radio stations, peaking at #1 on WBUL Tampa.
"Monkeys to Men" was released in 2006 as a B-Sides and Rarities collection.
2007's "Through the Belly of the Sea" (self described as the world's first choose your own adventure album) was released to international acclaim. A selection from the album was used by MTV's The Real World Sydney and following the pace set by "Forgetting," the album charted nationally.
2009's "Sincerely, Severely" was also released to international acclaim, including a 4 star rating from All Music Guide 6 songs from the album were selected by GQ for use on their website The album is the band's longest album to date.
2010's "We Are Angular And Beautiful" is an EP containing six songs recorded during the Sincerely, Severely sessions. It is available for download on the band's website.
Chris Hallman – keyboards (2001)
Masatoshi Enomoto – drums (2001–2005)
Evan Mitchell – drums (2005–2006)
Jake McMullen – drums (2006–2007)
Evan Garfield – drums (2007)
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
band based in Gainesville
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The band was formed in 2000 by brothers Travis Atria (vocals, 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...
, lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
) and Eric Atria (bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, theremin
Theremin
The theremin , originally known as the aetherphone/etherophone, thereminophone or termenvox/thereminvox is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device...
, backing vocals). Stacie Thrushman (keyboard
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
) joined the band in late 2001, while Chris Hillman (drums
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
) was recruited in 2007 as the band’s 6th drummer.
History
In 2000, brothers Eric and Travis Atria decided to form a band while attending the University of Miami. The two sought out Devon Bergman on drums and Chris Hallman on keyboards. Initially started under the name “Jerry Walks the Plank,” the band quickly changed to "Future Feels Good" (a reference from explodingdog.com). The band played regularly around the Miami area, yet after a year parted ways with Bergman and Hallman who went on to pursue other projects. They were replaced by Masatoshi Enomoto on drums and Stacie Thrushman on keyboards.Dissatisfied with the Miami music scene, the band relocated to Gainesville in 2003 and began work in earnest. After growing tired of being asked to repeat the band name or if the band played Christian rock
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
, the band decided to change their name. At first, the group attempted to find a name by randomly searching the dictionary (a common practice amongst bands). After coincidentally turning to the pages with "Police," "Car," and "Zeppelin," the band changed direction and looked to their CD collection. "Morningbell" was chosen from Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
's Kid A
Kid A
Kid A is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released in October 2000 by the Parlophone label. A commercial success worldwide, Kid A went platinum in its first week of release in the United Kingdom. Despite the lack of an official single or music video as publicity, Kid A...
album, as it was a favorite of the members. Also, because Radiohead took their own name from a Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
song, the band felt they would be able to avert any allegations of ripping off the name.
Live performances
From 2004 to present, Morningbell has toured the United States, establishing themselves, in the words of Allmusic.com as "a hot live act." Recent tours have included sets at Bonnaroo and South by Southwest.The band has become known for their live performances, with their trademarked “100 dollar light show” complete with foot controlled strobe and spot lights as well as other low budget, DIY lighting effects.
Discography
- Learning by Musical Montage (2004)
- Forgetting To Wake Up (2005)
- Monkeys to Men-B sides and rarities (2006)
- Through the Belly of the Sea (2007)
- Sincerely, Severely (2009)
- We Are Angular And Beautiful-EP (2010)
Album detail
The band has released 4 full length albums and two EP's on Orange Records of Gainesville, a non profit/independent local label."Learning By Musical Montage" garnered regional acclaim and was ranked the third best Gainesville album of 2004 by gainesvillebands.com.
2005's "Forgetting To Wake Up" also ranked in the top 10 albums according to the Gainesville Sun and charted on several national independent/college radio stations, peaking at #1 on WBUL Tampa.
"Monkeys to Men" was released in 2006 as a B-Sides and Rarities collection.
2007's "Through the Belly of the Sea" (self described as the world's first choose your own adventure album) was released to international acclaim. A selection from the album was used by MTV's The Real World Sydney and following the pace set by "Forgetting," the album charted nationally.
2009's "Sincerely, Severely" was also released to international acclaim, including a 4 star rating from All Music Guide 6 songs from the album were selected by GQ for use on their website The album is the band's longest album to date.
2010's "We Are Angular And Beautiful" is an EP containing six songs recorded during the Sincerely, Severely sessions. It is available for download on the band's website.
Former members
Devon Bergman – drums (2001)Chris Hallman – keyboards (2001)
Masatoshi Enomoto – drums (2001–2005)
Evan Mitchell – drums (2005–2006)
Jake McMullen – drums (2006–2007)
Evan Garfield – drums (2007)