Thee More Shallows
Encyclopedia
Thee More Shallows are a three-piece San Francisco based experimental
indie rock
band formed in 2001, consisting of song-writer Dee (ne David) Kesler, Chavo Fraser and Jason Gonzales. The key elements of their sound usually consist of soft, whispered introspective vocals against a backdrop of finger-picked guitar
and synthesized
elements, with influences ranging from classical
to electronica
.
Kesler and Gonzales are also in Ral Partha Vogelbacher
, while Fops is a collaboration between lyricist Chadwick Donald Bidwell of Ral Partha Vogelbacher and singer Dee Kesler. Kesler co-produced and played trumpet on "If Found" from Sinombre's debut album Curves of Sirens.
It was in a basement room in the Tenderloin District
of San Francisco that the band began work on their debut album, A History of Sport Fishing
. The album
was both composed and recorded in a two-week period during which the band would work only in the early hours of the morning. The final product was released in 2002, originally under Thee Shallows until the band were forced to change their name after a call from an attorney. It showcased classical influences as well as laying down the foundation of the groups mellow, textured sound. http://www.anticon.com/index.php?section=artist&target=Thee%20More%20Shallows&js=yes In the US
the album was released under Megalon Records and received very little promotion while in the UK
it was given a big push by Monotreme Records and this led to the band becoming more popular in Europe than in their home country. http://www.fecalface.com/SF/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=163&Itemid=100
The band returned from their promotional tour filled with determination, soon building their own studio in Oakland in order to set about recording the follow-up. But this was a task which would come to occupy them for the next two years as they painstakingly recorded each track to their own satisfaction. The final result of this lengthy process was More Deep Cuts
which came out in 2004 in the UK
once again under Monotreme Records. In 2005 the band decided to go with Turn Records
for the US
release after struggling to find a dedicated label for their music. http://www.fecalface.com/SF/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=163&Itemid=100 The band also released a UK
-only promotional EP for this album called Cuts Plus Two
, which featured two songs from the album along with two unreleased tracks.
They followed this up with the Monkey vs. Shark
EP in 2006. One of the tracks on this release was a remix of one of their earlier songs by members of the San Francisco-based anticon. label
, who the band eventually decided to sign with for their third studio album, Book of Bad Breaks
, which came out in April 2007. This album, like their previous efforts, was met with a favorable critical response. http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/theemoreshallows/bookofbadbreaks?q=thee%20more%20shallows
Experimental rock
Experimental rock or avant-garde rock is a type of music based on rock which experiments with the basic elements of the genre, or which pushes the boundaries of common composition and performance technique....
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band formed in 2001, consisting of song-writer Dee (ne David) Kesler, Chavo Fraser and Jason Gonzales. The key elements of their sound usually consist of soft, whispered introspective vocals against a backdrop of finger-picked 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...
and synthesized
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
elements, with influences ranging from classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
to electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
.
Kesler and Gonzales are also in Ral Partha Vogelbacher
Ral Partha Vogelbacher
Ral Partha are from San Francisco. They share personnel with Thee More Shallows and form the core of Scandinavian Preppy.-Discography:*The More Nice Fey Elven Gnomes..., Megalon Records, 1999*Whistle Like You Mean It 7", Monotreme Records, 2000...
, while Fops is a collaboration between lyricist Chadwick Donald Bidwell of Ral Partha Vogelbacher and singer Dee Kesler. Kesler co-produced and played trumpet on "If Found" from Sinombre's debut album Curves of Sirens.
History
The three musicians who would come to comprise Thee More Shallows met for the first time at a concert in 2001, where they were all playing with different groups. Songwriter Dee Kesler at the time was in a band called Shackleton along with Tadas Kisielius, and the two of them became the founding members of the group originally known as simply Thee Shallows. Tadas soon moved away, however, and so Kesler brought in Chavo Fraser and Jason Gonzales, both of whom were performing as drummers at the time.It was in a basement room in the Tenderloin District
Tenderloin district
Tenderloin District may refer to:*Tenderloin, Manhattan*Tenderloin, San Francisco, California...
of San Francisco that the band began work on their debut album, A History of Sport Fishing
A History of Sport Fishing
A History of Sport Fishing is the first studio album by Thee More Shallows. Many copies of the album have a sticker over the band's former name, "Thee Shallows." This is because a cease-and-desist order was issued after the band was contacted by Brian Gregory, from the band The Shallows...
. The album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
was both composed and recorded in a two-week period during which the band would work only in the early hours of the morning. The final product was released in 2002, originally under Thee Shallows until the band were forced to change their name after a call from an attorney. It showcased classical influences as well as laying down the foundation of the groups mellow, textured sound. http://www.anticon.com/index.php?section=artist&target=Thee%20More%20Shallows&js=yes In the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
the album was released under Megalon Records and received very little promotion while in the UK
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...
it was given a big push by Monotreme Records and this led to the band becoming more popular in Europe than in their home country. http://www.fecalface.com/SF/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=163&Itemid=100
The band returned from their promotional tour filled with determination, soon building their own studio in Oakland in order to set about recording the follow-up. But this was a task which would come to occupy them for the next two years as they painstakingly recorded each track to their own satisfaction. The final result of this lengthy process was More Deep Cuts
More Deep Cuts
More Deep Cuts is the second album by Thee More Shallows. Later printings were released with an alternative cover.-Track listing:#"Post-Present" – 1:38#"Pre-Present" – 3:29#"Freshman Thesis" – 5:02#"Int" – 2:18#"Ave Grave" – 2:42#"Cold Dis" – 0:53...
which came out in 2004 in the UK
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...
once again under Monotreme Records. In 2005 the band decided to go with Turn Records
Turn Records
Turn Records is an independent record label founded in 1999 in Santa Clara, California by Jeff Walsh, who was a DJ at KSCU at the time...
for the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
release after struggling to find a dedicated label for their music. http://www.fecalface.com/SF/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=163&Itemid=100 The band also released a UK
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...
-only promotional EP for this album called Cuts Plus Two
Cuts Plus Two
Cuts Plus Two is an EP released by Thee More Shallows in 2005. It features two songs from their previous studio album, More Deep Cuts, followed by two previously unreleased tracks....
, which featured two songs from the album along with two unreleased tracks.
They followed this up with the Monkey vs. Shark
Monkey vs. Shark
Monkey vs. Shark is an EP released by Thee More Shallows in 2006. It features two original unreleased tracks, followed by a cover of The Temptations hit song "I Can't Get Next to You" and a remix of "Freshman Thesis" from the bands 2004 album More Deep Cuts. The remix was mastered by Odd Nosdam...
EP in 2006. One of the tracks on this release was a remix of one of their earlier songs by members of the San Francisco-based anticon. label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, who the band eventually decided to sign with for their third studio album, Book of Bad Breaks
Book of Bad Breaks
Book of Bad Breaks is the third full-length album by Thee More Shallows, and their first release under independent label anticon.-Track listing:# "D...
, which came out in April 2007. This album, like their previous efforts, was met with a favorable critical response. http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/theemoreshallows/bookofbadbreaks?q=thee%20more%20shallows
Albums
- A History of Sport FishingA History of Sport FishingA History of Sport Fishing is the first studio album by Thee More Shallows. Many copies of the album have a sticker over the band's former name, "Thee Shallows." This is because a cease-and-desist order was issued after the band was contacted by Brian Gregory, from the band The Shallows...
(2002) - More Deep CutsMore Deep CutsMore Deep Cuts is the second album by Thee More Shallows. Later printings were released with an alternative cover.-Track listing:#"Post-Present" – 1:38#"Pre-Present" – 3:29#"Freshman Thesis" – 5:02#"Int" – 2:18#"Ave Grave" – 2:42#"Cold Dis" – 0:53...
(2004) - Book of Bad BreaksBook of Bad BreaksBook of Bad Breaks is the third full-length album by Thee More Shallows, and their first release under independent label anticon.-Track listing:# "D...
(2007)