Oceansize
Encyclopedia
Oceansize were a British
rock
band, formed in Manchester
, England
on 19th October 1998. The band consisted of Mike Vennart (vocals, guitar), Steve Durose (guitar, backing vocals), Richard "Gambler" Ingram (guitar, keyboards), Mark Heron (drums) and Jon Ellis (bass guitar) for the majority of its career, with Steve Hodson replacing Ellis on bass in 2006. The band released four studio albums, in addition to a number of minor EPs and singles, and can be categorized variously as progressive rock
, post-rock
, alternative rock
, new prog
and space rock
, among other genres. Following a twelve-year career, Oceansize announced their split in February 2011, with the members moving on to different projects.
Oceansize were named after the Jane's Addiction
song "Ocean Size". According to guitarist Gambler, the band's then-bassist Jon Ellis came up with the name: "I think, at the time, he was thinking what we would sound like. Jane’s Nothing's Shocking
album, which has the track "Ocean Size" on it, was definitely a big influence."
and Cardiacs
.
Oceansize often stated the bulk of their writing was the product of fruitful 'jam sessions,' with Steve Durose explaining after the release of Effloresce that "our sound has just evolved really, but right from the first rehearsal, we kind of had it in the bag. We were on mushrooms and just jammed for ages, and then we listened back to the tapes. About three songs from Effloresce were born in that one rehearsal, and we just realized we had something special happening. Everything comes from jams, though. That’s the way we write." In regards to structure and time signature, Durose cites drummer Mark Heron as a key collaborator; "Mark’s very into strange beats, so what will start off as a very simple idea, once it’s been through the Oceansize washing machine will come out as something sounding quite bizarre at the other end." Gambler has advocated a 'no strings' approach with the creative process, saying that "I think we have been tied into the whole progressive thing for quite a bit now. When we formed the band we didn’t think we were going to be this or that sort of band. We’re forward thinking as far as our music is concerned".
Over the next few years, Oceansize would release two self-released EPs Amputee
and A Very Still Movement
. This in turn led to interest from Beggars Banquet Records
, who signed the band in 2000. The band's first release on the label was the Relapse
EP titled after a very early composition that had been through many different reworkings. The EP was produced by Cardiacs
leader Tim Smith
, a long-time hero of the band.
was released on September 29, 2003 on Beggars Banquet
. The album spawned the singles "Catalyst", "One Day All This Could Be Yours" and "Remember Where You Are", each of which featured a music video. The album garnered considerable critical acclaim, with music critic Ben Hogwood stating that: "with their broad harmonic language and fluctuating rhythms it's difficult to give an alternative to Oceansize, which is always a good sign. If pushed I would say they've taken a good liking to '70s rock but taken on board the works of bands such as Muse
and The Cooper Temple Clause
, along with the more expansive end of Seattle grunge music.".
on September 19, 2005.
The album track "Meredith" was featured on the popular television drama The O.C.
, and one of the album's singles, "Music For A Nurse", became the soundtrack to an Orange
advertising campaign entitled Fish during summer 2006. "Music For A Nurse" was also featured in the motion picture The Invisible (2007), and both "Music For A Nurse" and "Meredith" have also been used in the BBC drama series Waterloo Road
.
Oceansize have mixed views on the album as a whole. In 2007, Steve Durose admitted that:
Despite the band's view on the record, critics and fans have generally praised the release. Jeremy Chick praised the album, writing: "songs seeping into each other, the palpable sense of drama and sounds that will haunt you forever in your dreams. I hate to pander to the whole US vs. UK debate but you can't deny Oceansize are living proof that we have some very special bands over here; making music that is not only thought provoking; but genre defying, original and mind-blowingly amazing!". Pitchfork however gave the album a mediocre rating, suggesting that "[the styles] don't really blend but instead just seem to sidle up beside one another, varying extensively from track to track. There are powerful moments throughout, from intense bouts of noise and vocal wails, to quiet, serene ambience, but tying it all together somehow makes it seem watered down and banal."
Following the release of Everyone Into Position
, Oceansize subsequently left Beggars Banquet
. The band sought a new record deal that would better support the band in terms of promotion and financial backing for international touring. Mike Vennart implied in a recent interview that the record deal was contingent on the band writing two tracks "on order" for the company. These mp3s were released on the band's Myspace page around Christmas 2006 as a band-described gift to the fans. The two songs were "Red Rag to a Bear" and "Siberian Bullshit". In the posting of these mp3s, Vennart described these tracks as "warts an' all," and suggested that they would not show up on the new album.
On moving to new label, Superball Music
, Vennart described the move as a chance for the band to move forward: "we reached a point when we’d gone as far as we could [with Beggars’ Banquet]. We needed a new home and these guys offered it to us on a plate. We’re the only band on the label at the moment, so they can’t do enough for us"
In a 2010 interview with Gambler, the guitarist/keyboardist revealed that the relationship with Ellis ended with his departure from Oceansize. Gambler admitted that Ellis had not stayed in contact with band since his leaving; "It’s a shame. He doesn’t seem to want to get in touch or spend any time with the other members of the band, and I’m not going to force him. I’m not sure what the reason is." Gambler also alluded to why Ellis chose to depart the band; "Jon never liked touring, he didn’t like being away from home, but he loved writing. But if you want to be in a band you have to make these sacrifices, you have to learn to put up with things you may not be too keen on. So sitting at home writing songs while the rest of the band did the hard work didn’t seem fair to me."
, was released on October 1, 2007 on Superball Music
. Artwork for the album was provided by Robin Finck
of Nine Inch Nails
and Guns 'n' Roses. Originally entitled The Frame, the band elected to alter the name slightly after an incidental suggestion; Vennart explained that "one of our friends, who’s in Future of the Left
, said ‘I love the title… Frames, isn’t it?’ We just thought, ‘well it wasn’t, but that’s a lot better. It’s an angular title, it evokes strength and structure and it’s quite cinematic." The album was trailed as featuring "a lot of songs about grudges and negative energy”, with the song "Commemorative 9/11 T-Shirt", inspired by a gift to Vennart by band Cardiacs
, which includes a time signature of "11/8 or 9/8, so when we were naming the song it was like 'it's in 11, it's in 9, it's got to be 9/11",
Regarding the band's change of approach for Frames, album, Vennart stated that:
on a national tour of Australia
, along with other support act Calling All Cars
, playing a string of dates which included shows in capital cities Sydney
, Melbourne
, Adelaide
& Brisbane
. Of the tour, Mike Vennart spoke of the excitement, saying "from the moment (the tour) was mentioned, I was just hammering our manager, going ‘make it happen!’”
On the 1 August 2009, the band played the Sonisphere festival at Knebworth
, joining Linkin Park
, Metallica
, Nine Inch Nails
, Alice in Chains
and more for the weekend festival. On the 21 August 2009, Oceansize supported Biffy Clyro
at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange
and the reformed Faith No More
on the 25th
The band released a live box set in September 2009, entitled Feed to Feed. The release is limited to 5000 copies. The live recordings are taken from a series of shows the band performed on three consecutive nights at the Roadhouse in Manchester. The band played each of their three studio albums from start to finish, one album each night, including related b-sides. The boxset contains three DVDs and four CDs.
A new EP, entitled Home and Minor
, was released in October 2009. On the EP, Vennart has explained that the band have adopted a particular stylistic approach on the record:
In February 2010, guitarist Gambler revealed more about the new album, stating:
According to Mike Vennart's Twitter
, the recording of the album was completed as on the 17 April, with Vennart stating "Recording is complete! Album 4 is go! It's all on Chris Sheldon
now". Mastering was completed at Abbey Road Studios
on 18 May 2010 by Sean Magee. On 22 July 2010, Oceansize posted one of the album's songs, "SuperImposer", on their Superball website, and made it available for download via Twitter and Facebook.
Oceansize's fourth (and, to date, final) album, Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up
, was released on 6 September 2010.The album showcased a heavier side to the band, who stated that it probably was their heaviest studio album to date. However, Vennart claimed that the album still had the diversity found on other Oceansize albums.
When asked by Fasterlouder.com on the future of Oceansize, Vennart was coy, but optimistic about the band's future goals:
Later in the day, the band released information on further plans for the majority of its members. Mike Vennart would be working on a project called Hhaitch as well as working with Gambler on a new project called British Theatre. Gambler, in turn, would also be continuing his solo career under his real name of Richard Ingram. Mark Heron and Steve Hodson would continue with Kong, while each also worked on two other projects separately – Hodson on Chandelier Swing and Mild Eyes, Heron on Krem and improv band Shamefaced. Steve Durose will be joining long time friends Amplifier
as live second guitarist on all of their scheduled 2011 tour dates.
in Bredbury
(where Everyone Into Position
was recorded). Kong signed with Los Angeles based label White Drugs, home of The Bronx and released Snake Magnet in 2009, with two singles preceding the release (on Brew Records).
Gambler - under his real name of Richard A. Ingram - released a solo album Consolamentum in May 2010 on a small Manchester label called WhiteBox. He has also sometimes played bass guitar with the post-punk band Pocketknife, and released a couple of CD-Rs independently consisting of solo piano music.
In 2010, Mike Vennart joined long-time friends Biffy Clyro
as second guitarist on all live dates.
On 7 May 2010, Steve Hodson was announced as the fill in bassist of Future of the Left as the short term replacement for the recently departed Kelson.
Currently ex-bassist Jon Ellis is recording and producing tracks from underground Manchester band 'The Marivaux'
Oceansize shared a camaraderie with fellow Mancunian band Amplifier
, with the bands referring to each other as “brothers-in-amps”. Mike Vennart and Steve Durose supplied backing vocals on two of the tracks on Amplifier's self-titled debut album
, while Amplifier's front-man Sel Balamir is credited in Oceansize's song “Sizeofanocean”.
During the recording of Everyone Into Position in 2005 at The Works Recording Studio
, Vennart ran into Snoop Dogg
, and recorded guitar parts for the rapper's demos. After a phone call from Polydor Records
requesting use of the studio, the mystery client turned out to be Snoop Dogg. "This studio is where we have done a lot of our work but it isn't an industry blinged up place, it's just a nice and comfortable basement studio. We ended up being his skivvies for the night literally making pizza and frying chicken for him. He worked out that I was a guitarist and sent me driving at five o' clock in the morning to fetch my guitar because I'm left-handed. I ended up playing all these cheesy porn soundtrack guitar riffs to him for about three hours until I couldn't play it anymore. He likes everything really loose, definitely not tight. His grooves are unorthodox. I'll be honest; I didn't appreciate his music until I saw how they do it all. After every gig he does he has somewhere booked out so he can just turn up with about fifteen guys who all have a Macintosh and just make beats all night. It was really great watching them work" elaborated Vennart.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
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, formed in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 19th October 1998. The band consisted of Mike Vennart (vocals, guitar), Steve Durose (guitar, backing vocals), Richard "Gambler" Ingram (guitar, keyboards), Mark Heron (drums) and Jon Ellis (bass guitar) for the majority of its career, with Steve Hodson replacing Ellis on bass in 2006. The band released four studio albums, in addition to a number of minor EPs and singles, and can be categorized variously as progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
, alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
, new prog
New prog
New prog is a term used to describe a number of recent alternative rock/experimental bands who incorporate elements from progressive rock.Most notable bands described as new prog include:...
and space rock
Space rock
Space rock is a subgenre of rock music; the term originally referred to a group of early, mostly British, 1970s progressive and psychedelic rock bands such as Hawkwind and Pink Floyd, characterised by slow, lengthy instrumental passages dominated by electric organs, synthesizers, experimental...
, among other genres. Following a twelve-year career, Oceansize announced their split in February 2011, with the members moving on to different projects.
Oceansize were named after the Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
song "Ocean Size". According to guitarist Gambler, the band's then-bassist Jon Ellis came up with the name: "I think, at the time, he was thinking what we would sound like. Jane’s Nothing's Shocking
Nothing's Shocking
Nothing's Shocking is the first studio album by the American alternative rock band Jane's Addiction, released on August 23, 1988 through Warner Bros. Records. Nothing's Shocking was well received by critics upon release and is often cited as the band's best album. Despite this, it peaked at number...
album, which has the track "Ocean Size" on it, was definitely a big influence."
Style, influences and creative process
In regards to influences, Oceansize claimed to have an eclectic source of inspiration. Gambler has attested that everyone in the band had "such diverse influences. I think it would be a list a mile long. The obvious ones, especially for me, would be Radiohead, Mogwai, Aphex Twin, Nine Inch Nails and Tool; I think I could probably go on all day. I mean if you looked at our record collection you probably wouldn’t think it." Other cited influences have included Jane's AddictionJane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
and Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
.
Oceansize often stated the bulk of their writing was the product of fruitful 'jam sessions,' with Steve Durose explaining after the release of Effloresce that "our sound has just evolved really, but right from the first rehearsal, we kind of had it in the bag. We were on mushrooms and just jammed for ages, and then we listened back to the tapes. About three songs from Effloresce were born in that one rehearsal, and we just realized we had something special happening. Everything comes from jams, though. That’s the way we write." In regards to structure and time signature, Durose cites drummer Mark Heron as a key collaborator; "Mark’s very into strange beats, so what will start off as a very simple idea, once it’s been through the Oceansize washing machine will come out as something sounding quite bizarre at the other end." Gambler has advocated a 'no strings' approach with the creative process, saying that "I think we have been tied into the whole progressive thing for quite a bit now. When we formed the band we didn’t think we were going to be this or that sort of band. We’re forward thinking as far as our music is concerned".
Formation and early years (1998-2003)
The band members met each other while attending music college in Salford, where the various members performed in a range of different musical acts very stylistically different from the band they would go on to create. "[The bands were] pretty terrible," explains Mike Vennart. "We were in a grunge band. When I met Steve I asked him to be the new guitarist. I wanted to be experimental and unusual and still write pop songs. We were terrible at it. We didn't go anywhere for a while. When we got a new rhythm section, we re-thought what we were doing and got better. We had more vision. Although we don't all like the same music and have different tastes, we can see clearly where our music needs the most work."Over the next few years, Oceansize would release two self-released EPs Amputee
Amputee EP
Amputee EP is the first release by British rock band Oceansize, and it was released in 1999. It features early recordings of the songs Amputee and Saturday Morning Breakfast Show, which were featured on the album Effloresce. The song Heaven Alive was re-recorded for Everyone Into Position, and...
and A Very Still Movement
A Very Still Movement EP
A Very Still Movement is an EP by British rock band Oceansize, released in August 2001 on the record label Soviet Union. The tracks "Catalyst" and "Women Who Have Men Who Love Drugs" were re-recorded for the band's debut Effloresce. The EP was produced and mixed by Sel Balamir, singer and...
. This in turn led to interest from Beggars Banquet Records
Beggars Banquet
- Personnel :The Rolling Stones* Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, harmonica on "Parachute Woman"* Keith Richards – acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar on "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Street Fighting Man", backing vocals, lead vocals on opening of "Salt of the Earth"* Brian...
, who signed the band in 2000. The band's first release on the label was the Relapse
Relapse EP
Relapse is an EP by British rock band Oceansize, released in October 2002 on Beggars Banquet Records. It was produced by Tim Smith of the band Cardiacs, and Sel Balamir of the band Amplifier contributed to mixing. Two of the EP's tracks, "Amputee" and "You Wish", were re-recorded in 2003 for...
EP titled after a very early composition that had been through many different reworkings. The EP was produced by Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
leader Tim Smith
Tim Smith (Cardiacs)
Tim Smith is an English singer-songwriter, composer, poet, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and music video director....
, a long-time hero of the band.
Effloresce (2003-2005)
Oceansize's debut album EffloresceEffloresce (album)
Effloresce is the debut album by British rock band Oceansize, released on 29 September 2003.-Track listing:All songs written by Oceansize.# I Am the Morning – 4:18# Catalyst – 6:40# One Day All This Could Be Yours – 4:19...
was released on September 29, 2003 on Beggars Banquet
Beggars Banquet
- Personnel :The Rolling Stones* Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, harmonica on "Parachute Woman"* Keith Richards – acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar on "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Street Fighting Man", backing vocals, lead vocals on opening of "Salt of the Earth"* Brian...
. The album spawned the singles "Catalyst", "One Day All This Could Be Yours" and "Remember Where You Are", each of which featured a music video. The album garnered considerable critical acclaim, with music critic Ben Hogwood stating that: "with their broad harmonic language and fluctuating rhythms it's difficult to give an alternative to Oceansize, which is always a good sign. If pushed I would say they've taken a good liking to '70s rock but taken on board the works of bands such as Muse
Muse (band)
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
and The Cooper Temple Clause
The Cooper Temple Clause
The Cooper Temple Clause were an English six-piece alternative rock band originating from Wokingham, Berkshire. Formed in 1998, the band quickly gained a following through their live concerts, and have produced three albums, the latest being Make This Your Own...
, along with the more expansive end of Seattle grunge music.".
Everyone Into Position (2005-2007)
Two years later, the band released their second album, Everyone Into PositionEveryone Into Position
Everyone into Position is the second studio album by British progressive rock band Oceansize, released on 19 September 2005 on Beggars Banquet...
on September 19, 2005.
The album track "Meredith" was featured on the popular television drama The O.C.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
, and one of the album's singles, "Music For A Nurse", became the soundtrack to an Orange
Orange SA
Orange is the brand used by France Télécom for its mobile network operator and Internet service provider subsidiaries. It is the fifth largest telecom operator in the world, with 210 million customers . The brand was created in 1994 for Hutchison Telecom's UK mobile phone network, which was...
advertising campaign entitled Fish during summer 2006. "Music For A Nurse" was also featured in the motion picture The Invisible (2007), and both "Music For A Nurse" and "Meredith" have also been used in the BBC drama series Waterloo Road
Waterloo Road (TV series)
Waterloo Road is an award-winning British television drama series, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 9 March 2006. Set in a troubled comprehensive school in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, the series focuses on the lives of the school's teacher and students, and confronts social...
.
Oceansize have mixed views on the album as a whole. In 2007, Steve Durose admitted that:
Despite the band's view on the record, critics and fans have generally praised the release. Jeremy Chick praised the album, writing: "songs seeping into each other, the palpable sense of drama and sounds that will haunt you forever in your dreams. I hate to pander to the whole US vs. UK debate but you can't deny Oceansize are living proof that we have some very special bands over here; making music that is not only thought provoking; but genre defying, original and mind-blowingly amazing!". Pitchfork however gave the album a mediocre rating, suggesting that "[the styles] don't really blend but instead just seem to sidle up beside one another, varying extensively from track to track. There are powerful moments throughout, from intense bouts of noise and vocal wails, to quiet, serene ambience, but tying it all together somehow makes it seem watered down and banal."
Following the release of Everyone Into Position
Everyone Into Position
Everyone into Position is the second studio album by British progressive rock band Oceansize, released on 19 September 2005 on Beggars Banquet...
, Oceansize subsequently left Beggars Banquet
Beggars Banquet
- Personnel :The Rolling Stones* Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, harmonica on "Parachute Woman"* Keith Richards – acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar on "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Street Fighting Man", backing vocals, lead vocals on opening of "Salt of the Earth"* Brian...
. The band sought a new record deal that would better support the band in terms of promotion and financial backing for international touring. Mike Vennart implied in a recent interview that the record deal was contingent on the band writing two tracks "on order" for the company. These mp3s were released on the band's Myspace page around Christmas 2006 as a band-described gift to the fans. The two songs were "Red Rag to a Bear" and "Siberian Bullshit". In the posting of these mp3s, Vennart described these tracks as "warts an' all," and suggested that they would not show up on the new album.
On moving to new label, Superball Music
Superball music
Superball Music is a German independent record label, launched on 1 October 2007. Superball Myspace page claims that "The label’s focus will be on keen, young rock acts with a stylistic range that is centred on independent and alternative music, as well as acts that transcend genres and include a...
, Vennart described the move as a chance for the band to move forward: "we reached a point when we’d gone as far as we could [with Beggars’ Banquet]. We needed a new home and these guys offered it to us on a plate. We’re the only band on the label at the moment, so they can’t do enough for us"
Departure of Ellis and arrival of Hodson
Everyone Into Position marked the final appearance of bassist Jon Ellis. On December 4, 2005, the band issued a press release, stating that Ellis was leaving the band, but would still contribute musically. On January 16, 2006, frontman Mike Vennart, issued a short post on an Oceansize messageboard announcing Ellis' replacement, Steve Hodson - a member of the Oceansize side-project Kong and also the drummer in Capulet. In 2007, Vennart stated that:In a 2010 interview with Gambler, the guitarist/keyboardist revealed that the relationship with Ellis ended with his departure from Oceansize. Gambler admitted that Ellis had not stayed in contact with band since his leaving; "It’s a shame. He doesn’t seem to want to get in touch or spend any time with the other members of the band, and I’m not going to force him. I’m not sure what the reason is." Gambler also alluded to why Ellis chose to depart the band; "Jon never liked touring, he didn’t like being away from home, but he loved writing. But if you want to be in a band you have to make these sacrifices, you have to learn to put up with things you may not be too keen on. So sitting at home writing songs while the rest of the band did the hard work didn’t seem fair to me."
Frames (2007-2008)
The band's third album, FramesFrames (album)
Frames is the third studio album by British alternative rock band Oceansize, released on October 1, 2007 on Superball Music. The album marks the first appearance of bassist Steven Hodson, following the departure of Jon Ellis in 2005....
, was released on October 1, 2007 on Superball Music
Superball music
Superball Music is a German independent record label, launched on 1 October 2007. Superball Myspace page claims that "The label’s focus will be on keen, young rock acts with a stylistic range that is centred on independent and alternative music, as well as acts that transcend genres and include a...
. Artwork for the album was provided by Robin Finck
Robin Finck
Robin Finck is an American guitarist of Nine Inch Nails and former lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses. He is one of only a few artists who has played in two different bands listed on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock"; Nine Inch Nails and Guns N' Roses .-Career:Finck grew up in Marietta,...
of Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
and Guns 'n' Roses. Originally entitled The Frame, the band elected to alter the name slightly after an incidental suggestion; Vennart explained that "one of our friends, who’s in Future of the Left
Future of the Left
Future of the Left are an alternative rock group based in Cardiff, Wales.- Beginnings :Future of the Left were formed by singer/guitarist Andy "Falco" Falkous and drummer Jack Egglestone, both previously of Cardiff band mclusky, alongside singer/bassist Kelson Mathias, formerly of the...
, said ‘I love the title… Frames, isn’t it?’ We just thought, ‘well it wasn’t, but that’s a lot better. It’s an angular title, it evokes strength and structure and it’s quite cinematic." The album was trailed as featuring "a lot of songs about grudges and negative energy”, with the song "Commemorative 9/11 T-Shirt", inspired by a gift to Vennart by band Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
, which includes a time signature of "11/8 or 9/8, so when we were naming the song it was like 'it's in 11, it's in 9, it's got to be 9/11",
Regarding the band's change of approach for Frames, album, Vennart stated that:
Feed to Feed and Home & Minor (2009)
In May and June 2009, Oceansize supported Sydney band CogCog
Cog may refer to:* A part of a gear system* Cog , a small sailing vessel* A tenon that extends all the way through another piece of wood, in joinery* The evil robots in Toontown Online...
on a national tour of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, along with other support act Calling All Cars
Calling All Cars
Calling All Cars can refer to:*Calling All Cars , an Australian rock band*"Calling All Cars" , an old radio program*"Calling All Cars", a song by Senses Fail*"Calling All Cars"...
, playing a string of dates which included shows in capital cities Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
& Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. Of the tour, Mike Vennart spoke of the excitement, saying "from the moment (the tour) was mentioned, I was just hammering our manager, going ‘make it happen!’”
On the 1 August 2009, the band played the Sonisphere festival at Knebworth
Knebworth
Knebworth is a village and civil parish in the north of Hertfordshire, England immediately south of Stevenage. The civil parish covers an area between the villages of Datchworth, Woolmer Green, Codicote, Kimpton, Whitwell, St Paul's Walden and Langley, and encompasses the village of Knebworth, the...
, joining Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
, Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
, Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
and more for the weekend festival. On the 21 August 2009, Oceansize supported Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange
Edinburgh Corn Exchange
The Edinburgh Corn Exchange is a live music venue in the Chesser suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland. It hosts gigs all year round, but is most used in August as part of The Edge Festival , part of the annual Edinburgh Festival....
and the reformed Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
on the 25th
The band released a live box set in September 2009, entitled Feed to Feed. The release is limited to 5000 copies. The live recordings are taken from a series of shows the band performed on three consecutive nights at the Roadhouse in Manchester. The band played each of their three studio albums from start to finish, one album each night, including related b-sides. The boxset contains three DVDs and four CDs.
A new EP, entitled Home and Minor
Home and Minor
Home & Minor is an EP by Manchester-based alternative rock band Oceansize, released on October 26, 2009 on Superball Music. The release is limited to 3000 copies. Regarding the EP, vocalist and guitarist Mike Vennart states: "we thought we’d try and make a mini-album of more reserved songs that...
, was released in October 2009. On the EP, Vennart has explained that the band have adopted a particular stylistic approach on the record:
Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up (2010)
Earlier, in January 2010, the band embarked upon a UK tour, showcasing new material from their forthcoming fourth studio album. Mike Vennart stated that:In February 2010, guitarist Gambler revealed more about the new album, stating:
According to Mike Vennart's Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
, the recording of the album was completed as on the 17 April, with Vennart stating "Recording is complete! Album 4 is go! It's all on Chris Sheldon
Chris Sheldon
Chris Sheldon is a record producer, particularly of rock music, based in London, UK. He has produced or mixed records for the Foo Fighters, Garbage, Feeder, Biffy Clyro, Oceansize and Pixies amongst others...
now". Mastering was completed at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
on 18 May 2010 by Sean Magee. On 22 July 2010, Oceansize posted one of the album's songs, "SuperImposer", on their Superball website, and made it available for download via Twitter and Facebook.
Oceansize's fourth (and, to date, final) album, Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up
Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up
-Reception:TheNewReview.net gave the album a glowing review, stating that "Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up finds Oceansize scaling back the grandiose in favour of more streamlined, accessible material and the music presented is all the better because of these alterations......
, was released on 6 September 2010.The album showcased a heavier side to the band, who stated that it probably was their heaviest studio album to date. However, Vennart claimed that the album still had the diversity found on other Oceansize albums.
When asked by Fasterlouder.com on the future of Oceansize, Vennart was coy, but optimistic about the band's future goals:
Breakup (2011)
It was announced on 25 February 2011 via the band's Twitter and Facebook pages that Oceansize had split up. No explanations were given.Later in the day, the band released information on further plans for the majority of its members. Mike Vennart would be working on a project called Hhaitch as well as working with Gambler on a new project called British Theatre. Gambler, in turn, would also be continuing his solo career under his real name of Richard Ingram. Mark Heron and Steve Hodson would continue with Kong, while each also worked on two other projects separately – Hodson on Chandelier Swing and Mild Eyes, Heron on Krem and improv band Shamefaced. Steve Durose will be joining long time friends Amplifier
Amplifier (band)
Amplifier are a progressive rock band from Manchester, England. The main trio forming the band are singer and guitarist Sel Balamir, bassist Neil Mahony and drummer Matt Brobin. The band has released three albums and two EPs since its inception in 1999. Their self-titled debut album was released in...
as live second guitarist on all of their scheduled 2011 tour dates.
Side projects and collaborations
Kong (consisting of Steven Hodson and Mark Heron) recorded their debut album Snake Magnet in the summer of 2007 at The Works Recording StudioThe Works Recording Studio
The Works Recording Studio was a recording studio located in Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK between 1998 and 2007. Built in a Victorian rectory it was originally an analogue studio used by unsigned bands and fading stars of Manchester's rich musical scene including ex-members of The Smiths...
in Bredbury
Bredbury
Bredbury is a suburban town within the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, in Greater Manchester, England, located south east of Manchester, east of Stockport and south west of Hyde...
(where Everyone Into Position
Everyone Into Position
Everyone into Position is the second studio album by British progressive rock band Oceansize, released on 19 September 2005 on Beggars Banquet...
was recorded). Kong signed with Los Angeles based label White Drugs, home of The Bronx and released Snake Magnet in 2009, with two singles preceding the release (on Brew Records).
Gambler - under his real name of Richard A. Ingram - released a solo album Consolamentum in May 2010 on a small Manchester label called WhiteBox. He has also sometimes played bass guitar with the post-punk band Pocketknife, and released a couple of CD-Rs independently consisting of solo piano music.
In 2010, Mike Vennart joined long-time friends Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
as second guitarist on all live dates.
On 7 May 2010, Steve Hodson was announced as the fill in bassist of Future of the Left as the short term replacement for the recently departed Kelson.
Currently ex-bassist Jon Ellis is recording and producing tracks from underground Manchester band 'The Marivaux'
Oceansize shared a camaraderie with fellow Mancunian band Amplifier
Amplifier (band)
Amplifier are a progressive rock band from Manchester, England. The main trio forming the band are singer and guitarist Sel Balamir, bassist Neil Mahony and drummer Matt Brobin. The band has released three albums and two EPs since its inception in 1999. Their self-titled debut album was released in...
, with the bands referring to each other as “brothers-in-amps”. Mike Vennart and Steve Durose supplied backing vocals on two of the tracks on Amplifier's self-titled debut album
Amplifier (album)
Amplifier is the debut album of the Manchester alternative rock band Amplifier.Originally released by Music For Nations on June 6, 2004, it was re-released by the German-based label SPV in May 2005 after the collapse of the former. The Music For Nations release came in two formats: jewel case with...
, while Amplifier's front-man Sel Balamir is credited in Oceansize's song “Sizeofanocean”.
During the recording of Everyone Into Position in 2005 at The Works Recording Studio
The Works Recording Studio
The Works Recording Studio was a recording studio located in Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK between 1998 and 2007. Built in a Victorian rectory it was originally an analogue studio used by unsigned bands and fading stars of Manchester's rich musical scene including ex-members of The Smiths...
, Vennart ran into Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, and recorded guitar parts for the rapper's demos. After a phone call from Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
requesting use of the studio, the mystery client turned out to be Snoop Dogg. "This studio is where we have done a lot of our work but it isn't an industry blinged up place, it's just a nice and comfortable basement studio. We ended up being his skivvies for the night literally making pizza and frying chicken for him. He worked out that I was a guitarist and sent me driving at five o' clock in the morning to fetch my guitar because I'm left-handed. I ended up playing all these cheesy porn soundtrack guitar riffs to him for about three hours until I couldn't play it anymore. He likes everything really loose, definitely not tight. His grooves are unorthodox. I'll be honest; I didn't appreciate his music until I saw how they do it all. After every gig he does he has somewhere booked out so he can just turn up with about fifteen guys who all have a Macintosh and just make beats all night. It was really great watching them work" elaborated Vennart.
Albums
- EffloresceEffloresce (album)Effloresce is the debut album by British rock band Oceansize, released on 29 September 2003.-Track listing:All songs written by Oceansize.# I Am the Morning – 4:18# Catalyst – 6:40# One Day All This Could Be Yours – 4:19...
(2003) - Everyone into PositionEveryone Into PositionEveryone into Position is the second studio album by British progressive rock band Oceansize, released on 19 September 2005 on Beggars Banquet...
(2005) - FramesFrames (album)Frames is the third studio album by British alternative rock band Oceansize, released on October 1, 2007 on Superball Music. The album marks the first appearance of bassist Steven Hodson, following the departure of Jon Ellis in 2005....
(2007) - Self Preserved While the Bodies Float UpSelf Preserved While the Bodies Float Up-Reception:TheNewReview.net gave the album a glowing review, stating that "Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up finds Oceansize scaling back the grandiose in favour of more streamlined, accessible material and the music presented is all the better because of these alterations......
(2010)
EPs
- AmputeeAmputee EPAmputee EP is the first release by British rock band Oceansize, and it was released in 1999. It features early recordings of the songs Amputee and Saturday Morning Breakfast Show, which were featured on the album Effloresce. The song Heaven Alive was re-recorded for Everyone Into Position, and...
(1999) - A Very Still MovementA Very Still Movement EPA Very Still Movement is an EP by British rock band Oceansize, released in August 2001 on the record label Soviet Union. The tracks "Catalyst" and "Women Who Have Men Who Love Drugs" were re-recorded for the band's debut Effloresce. The EP was produced and mixed by Sel Balamir, singer and...
(2001) - RelapseRelapse EPRelapse is an EP by British rock band Oceansize, released in October 2002 on Beggars Banquet Records. It was produced by Tim Smith of the band Cardiacs, and Sel Balamir of the band Amplifier contributed to mixing. Two of the EP's tracks, "Amputee" and "You Wish", were re-recorded in 2003 for...
(2002) - Music for NursesMusic for Nurses-Track listing:# "One out of None" # "Paper Champion" # "Drag the 'Nal" # "Dead Dogs an' All Sorts" # "As The Smoke Clears"...
(2004) - Home and MinorHome and MinorHome & Minor is an EP by Manchester-based alternative rock band Oceansize, released on October 26, 2009 on Superball Music. The release is limited to 3000 copies. Regarding the EP, vocalist and guitarist Mike Vennart states: "we thought we’d try and make a mini-album of more reserved songs that...
(2009)
Singles
- "Saturday Morning Breakfast Show" (1999) (7" Vinyl Only)
- "One Day All This Could Be Yours" (2003) (CD/10" Vinyl)
- "Catalyst" (2003) (Download Single)
- "Remember Where You Are" (2003) (CD/7" Vinyl)
- "Catalyst" (2004) (CD/7" Vinyl) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#73 - "Heaven Alive" (2005) (CD/7" Vinyl)
- "New Pin" (2006) (CD/7" Vinyl)
- "Walking in the AirWalking in the Air"Walking in the Air" is a song written by Howard Blake for the 1982 animated film of Raymond Briggs' 1978 children's book The Snowman. In the film the song was performed by St Paul's Cathedral choirboy Peter Auty...
" (Cover versionCover versionIn popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
) (2007) (Free Christmas Single, Web Only) - "SuperImposer" (2010) (7" Vinyl/Digital Download)
Members
- Mike Vennart - guitar, lead vocals (1998–2011)
- Steve Durose - guitar, backing vocals (1998–2011)
- Richard "Gambler" Ingram - guitar, keyboards (1998–2011)
- Steven Hodson - bass, keyboards (2006–2011)
- Mark Heron - drums (1998–2011)
External links
- Official website
- Stereokill: February 2010
- Radio Interview. Dec 2006 - 3SYN 90.7FM Melbourne, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...