The Nervous Return
Encyclopedia
the Nervous Return was a New Wave
/Post-punk
band from Los Angeles. Noted for their electrifying and unpredictable live shows, the band toured Europe and North America headlining their own club tours as well as supporting arena tours with well-known acts such as No Doubt
and Blink 182. They were also known for the diverse and eclectic bands they shared the stage with including, but not limited to, Hella (band)
, Imperial Teen
, Har Mar Superstar
, Electric Six
, xbxrx
, 400 Blows, The 88
, Trans Am (band)
, The Used
, Enon
, and Mount Sims
. They released two EP's and one full-length studio album. Their self-proclaimed best effort was their last full-length recording that remains unreleased. The band broke up in April 2006.
/Industrial metal
band in the mid-1990s. Skinchurch released one full-length record entitled Of Whores and Martyrs in 1995. The band featured Jason dressed as a gothic transvestite who frequently spit fake blood and simulated vulgar acts on-stage not unlike Marilyn Manson
. In the wake of Manson's meteoric rise to stardom in the same year, Skinchurch fizzled out, being perceived as all too similar to Manson's spooky glam act. Jason and Anthony indulged their love of 1970s Funk
and Glam rock
as Skinchurch evolved into Izzy the Pusher, a glamorous space rock phenomenon in Hollywood, CA during 1996-1999. Izzy the Pusher broke up in 1999 as Anthony pursued electronic music and Jason pursued various ill-fated, Prince (musician)
influenced solo efforts.
After a year of separation, the two decided to start another band. Anthony and Jason became roommates to save money and lived on Silverlake Blvd. in Silverlake, Los Angeles, California. After finding Greg Gordon (at a local bar called The Dragonfly) to play the drums, the Nervous return (then known as twig) quickly recorded their eponymous five-song EP on their own Psychic Noise Records. A mix of pop music
, post-punk
and new wave music
, this recording included five original songs and featured the first of many guitar players, Marc Hutner, who also played with Pleasure Club. the Nervous return played shows in Los Angeles trying to build a following and booked small tours up and down the west coast establishing a reputation for high-energy and electrifying live shows. During this period, there was another band playing in Los Angeles under the name "The Twigs". This band owned the legal right to the name and began legal proceedings forcing "twig" to change their name. The band settled on "the Nervous return".
They played with many great, diverse, and eclectic bands. One of the most memorable shows was also one of their first shows. This local concert took place at the Silverlake Lounge with a new band called Autolux
. This was Autolux's second show ever and they made a lasting impression on the members of the Nervous return. Building a reputation of explosive live performances, the band played anywhere and everywhere. On more than one occasion, Jason would strip naked and tackle the other band and audience members without warning. The first time this occurred was at a club in downtown Los Angeles called Al's Bar. Jason got naked, smashed the microphone into his face, spit up blood, tackled Marc (the group's then-guitar player), and dove into the audience. This show helped build a loyal following for the group.
The band was an independent self-promoting DIY machine that plastered Los Angeles with fliers for upcoming shows and their self-titled EP. The group was notorious for wheat-pasting large black and white posters displaying a creepy country road with menacing dying trees on either side and the name "twig" typed in lowercase letters across the top. These were mercilessly posted on public electrical boxes, telephone poles, and other public venues. These posters can also be seen in the background of the first scene in the Goldie Hawn
film, The Banger Sisters.
.
The album was generally well received by critics and fans alike although the album would not find commercial success. The controversial cover art of the U.S.A. version did not help matters and garnered the group some bad press in America. The cover art, coupled with the lyrics and intense music, was conceived by the band to comment on the illusion of Hollywood excess, the idiotic search for fame and fortune, and the depression that often occurs when those fantasies go unrealized. The cover is an actress’ headshot (albeit, she is suggestively holding a gun in her mouth), the liner notes resemble her resume and the back cover represents her distorted vision of the Hollywood illusion.
The band continued to play relentlessly in local clubs, booking shows constantly. As a result, they continued to develop a strong underground following and had the opportunity to play with some of the most diverse and exciting bands around. On August 24, 2003, the band was invited to play the Sunset Junction Street Fair
, an annual event that takes place in Silverlake, Los Angeles, California. The two-day event is an explosion of street vendors, gay and lesbian residents, Latino residents, drunks, freaks, weirdos, and the most exciting bands in the city of Los Angeles. The line-up that day included the Nervous return, Silversun Pickups
, Earlimart, The 88
, Midnight Movies, Rilo Kiley
, The Dandy Warhols
, and Autolux
.
and their endless list of drummers. With the album artwork changed to a ghostly figure in an alley, Headshots was released in Europe in winter of 2003. The addition of guitarist number seven, Shane Gallagher, synchronized with the immediate success of the European release of Headshots on one of Germany’s most credible independent rock labels, Nois-o-lution records. This set the stage for the band's path to infamy overseas. The international publication Kerrang! gave Headshots "4 Ks" calling it "a flashing Day-Glo explosion of twisted pop intellect that manages to challenge without ever losing sight of an infectious and melodic hook." The album was very well received by critics and fans alike in Europe and the band embarked on a six week club tour in early 2005.
The tour was a success and all of the club shows were very well attended. The band gained a reputation for unpredictable and exciting live shows as Jason would get naked, spit on, and tackle band members and audience members alike. These antics were very well received by fans yet this behavior began to wear thin on the members of the band and particularly, Anthony. The album sold much better in Europe than in America as the band spent its sixth week on tour supporting pop-punk act Blink 182. A string of seven sold out dates gave the band the chance to play some of England's finest venues including Wembley Arena
and Hammersmith Apollo
.
of Blink 182. When asked what spurred the creation of La Salle, Barker was straight and to the point: "I wanted to put out great music. What artist wouldn't want to help another artist with creative freedom? I saw The Nervous Return 4 years ago and they were the reason I started a label in the first place."
The band spent the next few months writing and rehearsing for their upcoming record. They took a break to do a three week tour with No Doubt
and Blink 182 in late May/early June at Travis' request. Wake Up Dead was recorded in the summer of 2004 and released in September 2004. The band was poised for commercial success.
Although the album was released with disappointing label promotion, it garnered rave reviews from both mainstream and independent critics across America. Their friend and publicist, Josh Mills, lent a helping hand in this endeavor. The band also sent the record to college radio stations nationwide and rose to #70 on the CMJ college radio charts. In their usual DIY fashion, the band and their manager, KamranV, worked tirelessly to promote the record to radio and press. As the band struggled to find support slots on upcoming tours without the help of a booking agent, they played locally in Southern California throughout the winter of 2004 and the spring of 2005. The album did not sell well and the excitement grew into apathy as the band realized they were witnessing the soft demise of their high hopes. This quiet five month decline affected the band negatively as they had built a heated momentum the past 10–12 months culminating with the release of their first full-length record. During this time, the band continuously wrote new material in anticipation of recording a new record.
Still discouraged with lackluster album sales and having trouble finding bands to tour with, the band decided to book their own nationwide tour with L.A. friends THE VACATION. Their friend/booking agent James Harding was persuaded to help with the arduous process of booking a national tour. The "Resisting Arrest" tour of 2005 took the band across America throughout June and July. The band did not have much money and frequently slept on fans' floors when they weren't all sharing two double beds in one Motel 6 room. The bands thoroughly enjoyed touring together and dubbed the tour a success despite low attendance and severe loss of money. Album sales continued to stagnate during and after the nationwide tour due to lack of label support.
to record their second full-length record after hearing rehearsal demos of their new songs. Joe fit them into his busy schedule just weeks before he began work on Tool (band)
's 10,000 Days
. Days after returning from the "Resisting Arrest" tour, Joe and the band spent a few days tirelessly arranging and writing the material for 144 HOURS. Less than a week later, the band was at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, CA recording 144 HOURS. The early August session was a whirlwind of concentration and creativity. The record was recorded in six days or 144 hours. Joe mixed 16 songs in six more days and the result was staggering. The band heard, in the music, all their hard work paying off. With the help of Joe, the band knew they had captured something special and sincere. This record had the urgency of The Stooges
, the sad beauty of Siouxsie and the Banshees, and the organic analog sonic execution of any great heavy rock record of the 1970s. The record was recorded completely on 2-inch reel to reel analog tape. Even the mixes never touched a computer or Pro Tools
. They went straight from the 2-inch to 1/2 inch analog tape. That was how Joe worked and that is precisely why they chose him in the first place. They were ecstatic about the recording and could not wait to talk to Travis Barker to discuss possible release dates.
In an effort to continue with their DIY attitude before signing with La Salle, they self-booked another nationwide tour with Seattle band, The Cops. the Nervous return were out of money and could not afford to tour, yet they went out anyway. The tour took its toll on the band's mental and physical health as they slept on floors, barely ate, and played night after night...many times to "just a few drunks". La Salle pressed an EP from the 144 HOURS sessions and 500 7" singles on white vinyl for the song BAD GIRL b/w SNOW IN BERLIN. The latter was written about experiences in Berlin when the wide-eyed band toured Europe the year before. La Salle did not release the EP or the 7" single but the band was given a few to sell on tour. The band toured America relentlessly throughout October and November, taking the rest of 2005 off to rest. Shane Gallagher joined +44 (band)
, a Blink 182 side project featuring Mark Hoppus
and Travis Barker
, both of Blink fame.
As January came and went, Travis Barker and La Salle still did not have any plans of releasing 144 HOURS. The band played a few local shows and felt increasingly stifled by the label's lack of interest and support. The legalities of the contract were difficult to maneuver and with Shane now part of Travis' new band, personal feelings and relationships became stressed. the Nervous return was at a standstill holding the best record they had ever recorded in one hand and an oppressive recording contract in the other. After a few months of cognitive dissonance and psychological disintegration, the Nervous return finally called it quits in April 2006.
is currently playing with various bands including but not limited to +44 (band)
and The Mercy Killers
.
Jason Muller moved from Los Angeles to suburbia and is pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher. He is still an avid music lover and plays for pleasure in various outfits.
Anthony is currently a local DJ in Los Angeles under the moniker DJ TONE and is exploring electronic music in a live three piece band with Greg Gordon.
Greg is playing drums with Anthony in their electronic band, MAD PLANET.
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
/Post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
band from Los Angeles. Noted for their electrifying and unpredictable live shows, the band toured Europe and North America headlining their own club tours as well as supporting arena tours with well-known acts such as No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
and Blink 182. They were also known for the diverse and eclectic bands they shared the stage with including, but not limited to, Hella (band)
Hella (band)
Hella is an American band from Sacramento, California. They play a technical blend of math rock, noise rock, and experimental rock. The primary members of the band are Spencer Seim on electric guitar and Zach Hill on drums...
, Imperial Teen
Imperial Teen
Imperial Teen is a San Francisco-based indie pop group made up of Roddy Bottum primarily on guitar/vocals, Will Schwartz primarily on guitar/vocals, Lynn Truell primarily on drums and backing vocals, and Jone Stebbins primarily on bass and backing...
, Har Mar Superstar
Har Mar Superstar
Sean Matthew Tillmann , better known by his stage names of Har Mar Superstar and Sean Na Na, is an American singer.-Life and career:...
, Electric Six
Electric Six
Electric Six is a six-piece metro Detroit-based band that plays what has been described as a brand of rock music infused with elements of "garage, disco, punk, new wave, and metal." The band met recognition in 2003 with the singles "Danger! High Voltage" and "Gay Bar", and subsequently recorded...
, xbxrx
XBXRX
XBXRX is an American punk band formed in 1998 in Mobile, Alabama.Their early sound very new wave-influenced, but is now more improvised and deconstructed, moving away from using the synthesizers that typify new wave. They are a collective with a revolving cast of musicians, including Steve...
, 400 Blows, The 88
The 88
The 88 is a four-piece indie rock band based in Los Angeles, California. They have released five full length albums as of 2010, and are the backing band for the Ray Davies Fall 2011 US Tour.- Members :Members of the band are:...
, Trans Am (band)
Trans Am (band)
Trans Am is a three-piece band which originated in Bethesda, Maryland that was one of the originators of "post-rock" in the mid 90s. Their work centers on a cerebrally robotic, usually instrumental, semi-danceable, minimalistic format, with influences including Krautrock, heavy metal, hardcore...
, The Used
The Used
The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah. The band was founded in 2001 and signed to Reprise Records the same year. They rose to fame in June 2002 after releasing their self-titled debut album. They followed up with their second album, In Love and Death, in September 2004 and their third...
, Enon
Enon
Enon was an indie rock band founded by John Schmersal, Rick Lee and Steve Calhoon. Currently, Enon is situated in Philadelphia, though the band is known for being part of the New York music scene.-Biography:...
, and Mount Sims
Mount Sims
Mount Sims is the stage name of Matthew Sims, a Berlin-based American DJ, performance artist, producer and musician. Starting Mount Sims as a purely electronic music act, later releases have also shown influences from post punk, new wave and darkwave...
. They released two EP's and one full-length studio album. Their self-proclaimed best effort was their last full-length recording that remains unreleased. The band broke up in April 2006.
Origins
the Nervous return was formed in the spring of 2000 by Jason Muller (guitar/vocals), Anthony Crouse (bass/vocals) and Greg Gordon (drums). Jason and Anthony had been playing together in Skinchurch, a Gothic rockGothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
/Industrial metal
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
band in the mid-1990s. Skinchurch released one full-length record entitled Of Whores and Martyrs in 1995. The band featured Jason dressed as a gothic transvestite who frequently spit fake blood and simulated vulgar acts on-stage not unlike Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
. In the wake of Manson's meteoric rise to stardom in the same year, Skinchurch fizzled out, being perceived as all too similar to Manson's spooky glam act. Jason and Anthony indulged their love of 1970s Funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
and Glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
as Skinchurch evolved into Izzy the Pusher, a glamorous space rock phenomenon in Hollywood, CA during 1996-1999. Izzy the Pusher broke up in 1999 as Anthony pursued electronic music and Jason pursued various ill-fated, Prince (musician)
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
influenced solo efforts.
After a year of separation, the two decided to start another band. Anthony and Jason became roommates to save money and lived on Silverlake Blvd. in Silverlake, Los Angeles, California. After finding Greg Gordon (at a local bar called The Dragonfly) to play the drums, the Nervous return (then known as twig) quickly recorded their eponymous five-song EP on their own Psychic Noise Records. A mix of pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
and new wave music
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
, this recording included five original songs and featured the first of many guitar players, Marc Hutner, who also played with Pleasure Club. the Nervous return played shows in Los Angeles trying to build a following and booked small tours up and down the west coast establishing a reputation for high-energy and electrifying live shows. During this period, there was another band playing in Los Angeles under the name "The Twigs". This band owned the legal right to the name and began legal proceedings forcing "twig" to change their name. The band settled on "the Nervous return".
They played with many great, diverse, and eclectic bands. One of the most memorable shows was also one of their first shows. This local concert took place at the Silverlake Lounge with a new band called Autolux
Autolux
Autolux is an avant-garde rock group consisting of Eugene Goreshter , Greg Edwards and Carla Azar...
. This was Autolux's second show ever and they made a lasting impression on the members of the Nervous return. Building a reputation of explosive live performances, the band played anywhere and everywhere. On more than one occasion, Jason would strip naked and tackle the other band and audience members without warning. The first time this occurred was at a club in downtown Los Angeles called Al's Bar. Jason got naked, smashed the microphone into his face, spit up blood, tackled Marc (the group's then-guitar player), and dove into the audience. This show helped build a loyal following for the group.
The band was an independent self-promoting DIY machine that plastered Los Angeles with fliers for upcoming shows and their self-titled EP. The group was notorious for wheat-pasting large black and white posters displaying a creepy country road with menacing dying trees on either side and the name "twig" typed in lowercase letters across the top. These were mercilessly posted on public electrical boxes, telephone poles, and other public venues. These posters can also be seen in the background of the first scene in the Goldie Hawn
Goldie Hawn
Goldie Jeanne Hawn is an American actress, film director, producer, and occasional singer. Hawn is known for her roles in Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, Private Benjamin, Foul Play, Overboard, Bird on a Wire, Death Becomes Her, The First Wives Club, and Cactus Flower, for which she won the 1969...
film, The Banger Sisters.
Headshots
In the summer of 2002, the Nervous return released their first full-length record Headshots on Mootron Records, the indie rock/pop brainchild of Courtney Holt (Interscope Geffen A&M Records) and Mickey P (famed producer and remixer for such acts as Beck, The Cult, Eels, Rage Against the Machine, Luscious Jackson, and Ladytron). Mootron’s other artists include big Sir, Old Hickory, Sissy Bar, Campfire Girls and The 88The 88
The 88 is a four-piece indie rock band based in Los Angeles, California. They have released five full length albums as of 2010, and are the backing band for the Ray Davies Fall 2011 US Tour.- Members :Members of the band are:...
.
The album was generally well received by critics and fans alike although the album would not find commercial success. The controversial cover art of the U.S.A. version did not help matters and garnered the group some bad press in America. The cover art, coupled with the lyrics and intense music, was conceived by the band to comment on the illusion of Hollywood excess, the idiotic search for fame and fortune, and the depression that often occurs when those fantasies go unrealized. The cover is an actress’ headshot (albeit, she is suggestively holding a gun in her mouth), the liner notes resemble her resume and the back cover represents her distorted vision of the Hollywood illusion.
The band continued to play relentlessly in local clubs, booking shows constantly. As a result, they continued to develop a strong underground following and had the opportunity to play with some of the most diverse and exciting bands around. On August 24, 2003, the band was invited to play the Sunset Junction Street Fair
Sunset Junction Street Fair
The Sunset Junction Street Fair is an event held annually in the Sunset Junction neighborhood of the Silver Lake community in Los Angeles, California...
, an annual event that takes place in Silverlake, Los Angeles, California. The two-day event is an explosion of street vendors, gay and lesbian residents, Latino residents, drunks, freaks, weirdos, and the most exciting bands in the city of Los Angeles. The line-up that day included the Nervous return, Silversun Pickups
Silversun Pickups
Silversun Pickups is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2002. The band comprises Brian Aubert, Nikki Monninger, Christopher Guanlao, and Joe Lester....
, Earlimart, The 88
The 88
The 88 is a four-piece indie rock band based in Los Angeles, California. They have released five full length albums as of 2010, and are the backing band for the Ray Davies Fall 2011 US Tour.- Members :Members of the band are:...
, Midnight Movies, Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley was an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles. Formed in 1998, the band consisted of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel....
, The Dandy Warhols
The Dandy Warhols
The Dandy Warhols are an American alternative rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1994. The band was founded by singer-guitarist Courtney Taylor-Taylor and guitarist Peter Holmström, with keyboardist Zia McCabe and drummer Eric Hedford later joining. Hedford left in 1998 and was replaced by...
, and Autolux
Autolux
Autolux is an avant-garde rock group consisting of Eugene Goreshter , Greg Edwards and Carla Azar...
.
Snow In Berlin
By this time, the band had gone through a rotating cast of no less than six guitar players including the original member, Marc Hutner. Some say this rivals heavy mock group Spinal TapSpinal Tap (band)
Spinal Tap is a parody heavy metal band that first appeared on a failed 1979 ABC TV sketch comedy pilot called "The T.V. Show", starring Rob Reiner...
and their endless list of drummers. With the album artwork changed to a ghostly figure in an alley, Headshots was released in Europe in winter of 2003. The addition of guitarist number seven, Shane Gallagher, synchronized with the immediate success of the European release of Headshots on one of Germany’s most credible independent rock labels, Nois-o-lution records. This set the stage for the band's path to infamy overseas. The international publication Kerrang! gave Headshots "4 Ks" calling it "a flashing Day-Glo explosion of twisted pop intellect that manages to challenge without ever losing sight of an infectious and melodic hook." The album was very well received by critics and fans alike in Europe and the band embarked on a six week club tour in early 2005.
The tour was a success and all of the club shows were very well attended. The band gained a reputation for unpredictable and exciting live shows as Jason would get naked, spit on, and tackle band members and audience members alike. These antics were very well received by fans yet this behavior began to wear thin on the members of the band and particularly, Anthony. The album sold much better in Europe than in America as the band spent its sixth week on tour supporting pop-punk act Blink 182. A string of seven sold out dates gave the band the chance to play some of England's finest venues including Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:...
and Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo is a major entertainment venue located in Hammersmith, London. Designed by Robert Cromie in Art Deco style, it opened in 1932 as the Gaumont Palace cinema, being re-named the Hammersmith Odeon in 1962...
.
Wake Up Dead
After returning from tour in spring 2004, the band signed a record deal with La Salle records, owned by Travis BarkerTravis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
of Blink 182. When asked what spurred the creation of La Salle, Barker was straight and to the point: "I wanted to put out great music. What artist wouldn't want to help another artist with creative freedom? I saw The Nervous Return 4 years ago and they were the reason I started a label in the first place."
The band spent the next few months writing and rehearsing for their upcoming record. They took a break to do a three week tour with No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
and Blink 182 in late May/early June at Travis' request. Wake Up Dead was recorded in the summer of 2004 and released in September 2004. The band was poised for commercial success.
Although the album was released with disappointing label promotion, it garnered rave reviews from both mainstream and independent critics across America. Their friend and publicist, Josh Mills, lent a helping hand in this endeavor. The band also sent the record to college radio stations nationwide and rose to #70 on the CMJ college radio charts. In their usual DIY fashion, the band and their manager, KamranV, worked tirelessly to promote the record to radio and press. As the band struggled to find support slots on upcoming tours without the help of a booking agent, they played locally in Southern California throughout the winter of 2004 and the spring of 2005. The album did not sell well and the excitement grew into apathy as the band realized they were witnessing the soft demise of their high hopes. This quiet five month decline affected the band negatively as they had built a heated momentum the past 10–12 months culminating with the release of their first full-length record. During this time, the band continuously wrote new material in anticipation of recording a new record.
Still discouraged with lackluster album sales and having trouble finding bands to tour with, the band decided to book their own nationwide tour with L.A. friends THE VACATION. Their friend/booking agent James Harding was persuaded to help with the arduous process of booking a national tour. The "Resisting Arrest" tour of 2005 took the band across America throughout June and July. The band did not have much money and frequently slept on fans' floors when they weren't all sharing two double beds in one Motel 6 room. The bands thoroughly enjoyed touring together and dubbed the tour a success despite low attendance and severe loss of money. Album sales continued to stagnate during and after the nationwide tour due to lack of label support.
144 Hours
Eager to breathe new life into the band, they convinced producer Joe BarresiJoe Barresi
Joe Barresi is an American record engineer and producer who has worked with bands such as Kyuss, The Melvins, Tool, Queens of the Stone Age, Coheed and Cambria, Tomahawk, L7, The Jesus Lizard, Parkway Drive and Bad Religion.-Biography:...
to record their second full-length record after hearing rehearsal demos of their new songs. Joe fit them into his busy schedule just weeks before he began work on Tool (band)
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
's 10,000 Days
10,000 Days
10,000 Days is the Grammy Award-winning fourth studio album by American rock band Tool. The album was released on April 28, 2006 in parts of Europe, April 29 in Australia, May 1 in the United Kingdom, and May 2 in North America...
. Days after returning from the "Resisting Arrest" tour, Joe and the band spent a few days tirelessly arranging and writing the material for 144 HOURS. Less than a week later, the band was at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, CA recording 144 HOURS. The early August session was a whirlwind of concentration and creativity. The record was recorded in six days or 144 hours. Joe mixed 16 songs in six more days and the result was staggering. The band heard, in the music, all their hard work paying off. With the help of Joe, the band knew they had captured something special and sincere. This record had the urgency of The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
, the sad beauty of Siouxsie and the Banshees, and the organic analog sonic execution of any great heavy rock record of the 1970s. The record was recorded completely on 2-inch reel to reel analog tape. Even the mixes never touched a computer or Pro Tools
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
. They went straight from the 2-inch to 1/2 inch analog tape. That was how Joe worked and that is precisely why they chose him in the first place. They were ecstatic about the recording and could not wait to talk to Travis Barker to discuss possible release dates.
In an effort to continue with their DIY attitude before signing with La Salle, they self-booked another nationwide tour with Seattle band, The Cops. the Nervous return were out of money and could not afford to tour, yet they went out anyway. The tour took its toll on the band's mental and physical health as they slept on floors, barely ate, and played night after night...many times to "just a few drunks". La Salle pressed an EP from the 144 HOURS sessions and 500 7" singles on white vinyl for the song BAD GIRL b/w SNOW IN BERLIN. The latter was written about experiences in Berlin when the wide-eyed band toured Europe the year before. La Salle did not release the EP or the 7" single but the band was given a few to sell on tour. The band toured America relentlessly throughout October and November, taking the rest of 2005 off to rest. Shane Gallagher joined +44 (band)
+44 (band)
+44 was an alternative rock band formed by Blink-182 members Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker...
, a Blink 182 side project featuring Mark Hoppus
Mark Hoppus
Mark Allan Hoppus is an American musician, record producer, and television host. He is the bass guitarist and one of the two lead vocalists of the pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the bass guitarist and lead vocalist of the alternative rock band +44. He is a co-founder of both bands...
and Travis Barker
Travis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
, both of Blink fame.
As January came and went, Travis Barker and La Salle still did not have any plans of releasing 144 HOURS. The band played a few local shows and felt increasingly stifled by the label's lack of interest and support. The legalities of the contract were difficult to maneuver and with Shane now part of Travis' new band, personal feelings and relationships became stressed. the Nervous return was at a standstill holding the best record they had ever recorded in one hand and an oppressive recording contract in the other. After a few months of cognitive dissonance and psychological disintegration, the Nervous return finally called it quits in April 2006.
End - Begin
Shane GallagherShane Gallagher
Shane Gallagher is an musician who played guitar for rock/alternative band +44, goth-punk band Mercy Killers, and formerly The Nervous Return.-Early life:...
is currently playing with various bands including but not limited to +44 (band)
+44 (band)
+44 was an alternative rock band formed by Blink-182 members Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker...
and The Mercy Killers
Mercy Killers
Mercy Killers is a goth/punk band from Los Angeles. It was formed in 2005 by future members of electro pop/punk band . These were guitarists Craig Fairbank and Shane Gallagher, who continued with the project after the reformation of Blink 182 in 2009...
.
Jason Muller moved from Los Angeles to suburbia and is pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher. He is still an avid music lover and plays for pleasure in various outfits.
Anthony is currently a local DJ in Los Angeles under the moniker DJ TONE and is exploring electronic music in a live three piece band with Greg Gordon.
Greg is playing drums with Anthony in their electronic band, MAD PLANET.
Band members
- Shane GallagherShane GallagherShane Gallagher is an musician who played guitar for rock/alternative band +44, goth-punk band Mercy Killers, and formerly The Nervous Return.-Early life:...
- guitarGuitarThe 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... - Anthony Crouse - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Jason Muller - guitarGuitarThe 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...
, vocals - Greg Gordon - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Albums
| Year | Title | Label | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | twig (album)>twig | Psychic Noise | First album. 5 Tracks. EP. The band was still going under the name "twig" at the time of this release. |
| 2002 | Headshots | Mootron | First Full-Length Album. |
| 2003 | Headshots(Europe) | Nois-o-lution | Different track list than U.S.A. version. The Euro version adds three songs from the s/t "twig" EP and does not include "She's A Thief". |
| 2004 | Wake Up Dead | LaSalle Records LaSalle Records LaSalle Records is an American record label and a division of Atlantic Records.- History :The record label was founded in 2004 and was owned by musician Travis Barker. The label is located in Corona, California... |
Second Full-Length Album. Three songs re-recorded from s/t EP. |
| 2005 | the sex, the drugs...the Nervous return | LaSalle Records LaSalle Records LaSalle Records is an American record label and a division of Atlantic Records.- History :The record label was founded in 2004 and was owned by musician Travis Barker. The label is located in Corona, California... |
Second EP. 5 Tracks. 2 tracks from "144 HOURS" LP (hell in a handshake, flip a bitch), 1 song also available on 7" single (bad girl), 2 songs exclusively available only on this EP (got a bleeder, dennis woodruff). |
| 2005 | BAD GIRL b/w SNOW IN BERLIN | LaSalle Records LaSalle Records LaSalle Records is an American record label and a division of Atlantic Records.- History :The record label was founded in 2004 and was owned by musician Travis Barker. The label is located in Corona, California... |
First vinyl 7" single. White vinyl. Guest vocal by Heather Gallagher on BAD GIRL. SNOW IN BERLIN only available on this 7" single. 500 pressing. |
| 2005 | 144 HOURS | Unreleased | |
Extras
| Year | Title | Label | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 song sampler | mootron | Action Pill, Crotchrocket, Life of Uncertainty. Only available digitally. |