Volcano, I'm Still Excited!!
Encyclopedia
Volcano, I'm Still Excited!! was an American rock band
from Brooklyn, New York (originally from Austin, Texas
). The band's name (which has been described as "ludicrous") was reportedly inspired by the Tom Hanks
film Joe Versus the Volcano
, though the band has never revealed the inspiration for the name.
was touring the country in support of his solo debut, Small Hands. This earned him a record deal with Mercury Records
. After another solo release, Duplass moved from Austin to New York City
to pursue his music career. Shortly after arriving in New York, Duplass was diagnosed with tendinitis in both of his arms, and was told that playing the guitar would further aggravate his injury. Wanting to remain in music, Duplass enrolled in City College of New York
to study composition
. He turned to playing the organ
as it was the only instrument which he was able to play pain-free.
Duplass returned to Texas in late 2002 to record songs he had written. This resulted in Volcano, I'm Still Excited!!'s debut EP
, Carbon Copy. The Austin Chronicle favorably compared "The New Brad" from Carbon Copy to Rufus Wainwright
. While touring to support this release, the band was noticed by Polyvinyl, who released the group's full-length eponymous debut.
The band drew inspiration from acts such as Elvis Costello
, Guided By Voices
, Death Cab For Cutie
, Beulah
and Wilco
, according to Duplass. Rumors of a reunion have circulated throughout Brooklyn in 2010.
's 2003 release Team Boo
as well as Sufjan Stevens
's Illinois
in 2005. Duplass has written, produced, and starred in films such as Humpday
and The Puffy Chair
, and stars in the FX sitcom The League
.
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
from Brooklyn, New York (originally from Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
). The band's name (which has been described as "ludicrous") was reportedly inspired by the Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
film Joe Versus the Volcano
Joe Versus the Volcano
Joe Versus the Volcano is a 1990 comedy film written and directed by John Patrick Shanley and starring Tom Hanks and—in three roles—Meg Ryan. The film is writer Shanley's directorial debut and the first of three films pairing Hanks and Ryan....
, though the band has never revealed the inspiration for the name.
History
The band's beginnings can be traced back to 1998. At the time, Mark DuplassMark Duplass
Mark David Duplass is an American film director, film producer, actor, and screenwriter.Duplass was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the brother of director and writer Jay Duplass. He is married to his co-star on The League, Katie Aselton. Duplass is considered to be one of the founders of...
was touring the country in support of his solo debut, Small Hands. This earned him a record deal with Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
. After another solo release, Duplass moved from Austin to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to pursue his music career. Shortly after arriving in New York, Duplass was diagnosed with tendinitis in both of his arms, and was told that playing the guitar would further aggravate his injury. Wanting to remain in music, Duplass enrolled in City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
to study composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
. He turned to playing the organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
as it was the only instrument which he was able to play pain-free.
Duplass returned to Texas in late 2002 to record songs he had written. This resulted in Volcano, I'm Still Excited!!'s debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Carbon Copy. The Austin Chronicle favorably compared "The New Brad" from Carbon Copy to Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
. While touring to support this release, the band was noticed by Polyvinyl, who released the group's full-length eponymous debut.
The band drew inspiration from acts such as Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, Guided By Voices
Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
, Death Cab For Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
, Beulah
Beulah (band)
Beulah was an indie rock band from San Francisco, California, often associated with The Elephant 6 Recording Company.-Early Years: 1996-1998:...
and Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
, according to Duplass. Rumors of a reunion have circulated throughout Brooklyn in 2010.
Other pursuits
In addition to their activities with Volcano, I'm Still Excited!!, the individual band members have collaborated with other artists. Craig Montoro contributed to Mates of StateMates of State
Mates of State are an American indie pop duo, active since 1997. The group is composed of the husband-and-wife team of Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel .Over the course of the band's fourteen year career, they've released three EPs and six full-length, studio...
's 2003 release Team Boo
Team Boo
Team Boo is the third album by Mates of State.-Track listing:# "Ha Ha" - 2:59# "Whiner's Bio" - 2:32# "Fluke" - 2:48# "Open Book" - 3:39# "Middle Is Gold" - 4:24# "The Kissaway" - 3:39# "Gotta Get a Problem" - 2:42...
as well as Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
's Illinois
Illinois (album)
Illinois is a 2005 concept album by American indie folk songwriter Sufjan Stevens. His fifth studio album, Illinois features songs referencing places, events, and persons related to the U.S. state of Illinois...
in 2005. Duplass has written, produced, and starred in films such as Humpday
Humpday
Humpday is a 2009 American comedy film starring Mark Duplass, Joshua Leonard, and Alycia Delmore; and directed, produced, and written by Lynn Shelton. It premiered at the 2009 Sundance film festival. International distribution rights have been purchased by Magnolia Pictures for a mid-six figure sum...
and The Puffy Chair
The Puffy Chair
The Puffy Chair is a 2005 comedy film written and directed by Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass. It screened at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the 2005 SXSW Film Festival. It is considered part of the mumblecore movement...
, and stars in the FX sitcom The League
The League
The League is an American sitcom that premiered on FX on October 29, 2009. The series, set in Chicago, is a semi-improvised comedy about a fantasy football league, its members, and their everyday lives.-Synopsis:...
.