Tripdavon
Encyclopedia
Tripdavon is an American
rock
band from Santa Barbara, California
. The group formed in early 2004 while students at UCSB by vocalist Justin Fox, guitarist Greg Doscher, drummer Russ Cummings, bassist Dave Heer, and (former) guitarist Adam Coons.
Tripdavon Debut Album
In late 2004, Tripdavon released their self titled debut album to broad acclaim. Shortly after graduating UCSB, the band moved into a house together in Santa Barbara where they spent the Summer months recording & self-producing the songs that would eventually land on the debut release.
The First World Tour
In 2005 Tripdavon landed a gig to play at Eric Burdon
’s 2005 CD release party at the Viper Room
in Los Angeles. When the gig fell through, Burdon summoned the band as support for his My Secret Life world tour. The guys found themselves riding a tour bus across Germany, Austria, Holland, and Hungary with Eric Burdon
and The Animals
. They were playing to packed venues, and enjoying the greatest exposure their band had gotten to date. Doscher said the experience on the road helped to bond the members of Tripdavon with Burdon, an industry-savvy rocker best known for hits like "House of the Rising Sun", “Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
” & “Spill the Wine
”. By the end of the tour, Eric regularly invited the band up on stage for his encores playing songs like “Ring of Fire
” before throngs of European fans. "He had enough respect for us to let us play on stage with him.” Vocalist Justin Fox said. The experience with Burdon proved a pivotal event for Tripdavon. “It was a life-changing experience. It’s something I never thought I would get to do in my life,” he said.
Upon returning home from their time on the road with Burdon, Tripdavon migrated up north, to the quiet streets of Weed, California
. There they worked with veteran rocker Jim Wood from Dishwalla
and legendary producer, Sylvia Massy Shivy, whose credits include platinum albums from Tool
, Red Hot Chili Peppers
, and System of a Down
. The Project was recorded over 40 days in June & July at Radiostar Studios, Massy's multimedia recording complex (which occupies a full city block in the heart of town). The outcome: what the guys estimate is their most mature sound yet. They've got nothing but gratitude for Massey’s influence over the project. “A good thing about Sylvia is that she has this strong engineering background… She has a zen-like mastery when it comes to recording,” Fox said. “She’ll want a certain sound and she’ll know how to get it.” “In my opinion, we developed a more cohesive sound,” Doscher said. “[Massey] had concept of how the album would come together — how it would flow and how the songs belonged together.” Fox agreed, “The production was amazing. When we first heard the mixes, we were like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this is us.’” The guys count the recording experience as a good one.
2006: "The Enlightened Operative"
2009: "Sketches From Silence"
2007: "St. James Infirmary" - Single
2008: "Live at the Royal Albert Hall" - Bootleg
In June 2007 they were featured on HBO's hit series: Entourage
In August 2007 they won the famecast.com competition to become Season 2 "Rock Fenoms"
In April 2008 they opened for the 37 year reuntion of Eric Burdon & War at Royal Albert Hall
, London.
Article about Tripdavon's Early Years.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 from Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
. The group formed in early 2004 while students at UCSB by vocalist Justin Fox, guitarist Greg Doscher, drummer Russ Cummings, bassist Dave Heer, and (former) guitarist Adam Coons.
The Early Days (2004-2006)
Tripdavon originally flourished in Isla Vista, where throngs of wandering revelers allow for a greater variety of musical acts. The band’s first gig had them performing at an apartment complex on Del Playa Drive for 400 I.V. partiers. They called it 25-a-Palooza. “In I.V., you have a captive audience,” guitarist Greg Doscher said. “We had people lying on their roof and listening to our first gig. It was great….The kind of energy you find in IV — you just can’t match that anywhere else.”Tripdavon Debut Album
In late 2004, Tripdavon released their self titled debut album to broad acclaim. Shortly after graduating UCSB, the band moved into a house together in Santa Barbara where they spent the Summer months recording & self-producing the songs that would eventually land on the debut release.
The First World Tour
In 2005 Tripdavon landed a gig to play at Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
’s 2005 CD release party at the Viper Room
Viper Room
The Viper Room is a nightclub located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. It was opened in 1993 and was partly owned by actor Johnny Depp until 2004. The club became known for being a hangout of Hollywood elite, and was the site where actor River Phoenix died of a drug overdose on...
in Los Angeles. When the gig fell through, Burdon summoned the band as support for his My Secret Life world tour. The guys found themselves riding a tour bus across Germany, Austria, Holland, and Hungary with Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
and The Animals
The Animals
The Animals were an English music group of the 1960s formed in Newcastle upon Tyne during the early part of the decade, and later relocated to London...
. They were playing to packed venues, and enjoying the greatest exposure their band had gotten to date. Doscher said the experience on the road helped to bond the members of Tripdavon with Burdon, an industry-savvy rocker best known for hits like "House of the Rising Sun", “Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is a song written by Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell and Sol Marcus for the singer/pianist Nina Simone, who first recorded it in 1964. "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" has been recorded or performed by many artists, and is widely known by the 1965 blues rock hit...
” & “Spill the Wine
Spill the Wine
"Spill the Wine" is a 1970 song performed by Eric Burdon and War. Released as a single in May 1970 , it was War's first chart hit, peaking at number three. It was also a top three hit in Canada and Australia...
”. By the end of the tour, Eric regularly invited the band up on stage for his encores playing songs like “Ring of Fire
Ring of Fire (song)
"Ring of Fire" or "The Ring of Fire" is a country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. The single appears on Cash's 1963 compilation album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash...
” before throngs of European fans. "He had enough respect for us to let us play on stage with him.” Vocalist Justin Fox said. The experience with Burdon proved a pivotal event for Tripdavon. “It was a life-changing experience. It’s something I never thought I would get to do in my life,” he said.
The Enlightened Operative (2006-2008)
Tripdavon's second full length album titled: "The Enlightened Operative" was released on November 14, 2006Upon returning home from their time on the road with Burdon, Tripdavon migrated up north, to the quiet streets of Weed, California
Weed, California
Weed is a city located in Siskiyou County, California. As of the 2010 Census, the town had a total population of 2,967, down from 2,979 at the 2000 census. There are several unincorporated communities adjacent to, or just outside Weed proper. These include Edgewood, Carrick, Lake Shastina, Rancho...
. There they worked with veteran rocker Jim Wood from Dishwalla
Dishwalla
Dishwalla is an American alternative rock band based out of Santa Barbara, CA. The band's name comes from a Hindi term for a person providing cable television to a neighborhood...
and legendary producer, Sylvia Massy Shivy, whose credits include platinum albums from Tool
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...
, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
, and System of a Down
System of a Down
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
. The Project was recorded over 40 days in June & July at Radiostar Studios, Massy's multimedia recording complex (which occupies a full city block in the heart of town). The outcome: what the guys estimate is their most mature sound yet. They've got nothing but gratitude for Massey’s influence over the project. “A good thing about Sylvia is that she has this strong engineering background… She has a zen-like mastery when it comes to recording,” Fox said. “She’ll want a certain sound and she’ll know how to get it.” “In my opinion, we developed a more cohesive sound,” Doscher said. “[Massey] had concept of how the album would come together — how it would flow and how the songs belonged together.” Fox agreed, “The production was amazing. When we first heard the mixes, we were like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this is us.’” The guys count the recording experience as a good one.
Present Day (2009 & The Future)
Tripdavon has spent the first half of 2009 in production of their long awaited third studio album. Slated to release in the summer of '09, many details of the project are not known.Studio albums
2004: "Tripdavon" - Self titled debut2006: "The Enlightened Operative"
2009: "Sketches From Silence"
"Digital Only" Releases
2005: "Valentine's Day" - Single2007: "St. James Infirmary" - Single
2008: "Live at the Royal Albert Hall" - Bootleg
Featured Events
Their self titled debut reached number twelve on the UK Albums charts.In June 2007 they were featured on HBO's hit series: Entourage
In August 2007 they won the famecast.com competition to become Season 2 "Rock Fenoms"
In April 2008 they opened for the 37 year reuntion of Eric Burdon & War at Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, London.
Further reading
Tripdavon: Sketches From Silence ReviewArticle about Tripdavon's Early Years.