Band Bios

Michael P. Dawson's track features violin, guitar, keyboards and programming by the composer, who produces classical and progressive music at what might charitably be called his home studio -- hovel studio is more like it -- in San Mateo.  The results can be heard on his CD "The Brandnewbug Concertos".  His latest song, "The News In Farsi" is number three in his Cultural Imperialism Series, which means it uses a scale that sounds vaguely "ethnic."

What would happen if two guys decided to play three or four instruments while singing?  What if the music wasn't four on the floor, three chord pop, but intricate, progressive music?  What if we called it...Gravity Tree?  "Aim to Please" is a brand new keyboard-heavy piece for all those who asked us for more synths in the mix, puns notwithstanding.

Their intricate and compelling symphonic progressive rock caught the ear of Galileo Records, which released Metaphor's first CD, "Starfooted."  The new song, "When It All Comes Together" continues Metaphor's musical journey with elaborate arrangements, quirky melodies, and contemplative lyrics.  In the midst of chaos, once in a while everything clicks into place and makes sense, if only for a fleeting instant.  We live for those moments of clarity "when it all comes together."

This five-piece ensemble from Redwood City presents their song "End of Days," which is the lead-off track from their 2000 debut self-titled CD.  Mind Furniture's material has been described as a progressive blend of American and English influences.  Featured are Brett Barnett, keyboards; Rick Andersen, bass; Greg Miller, drums; Evan Langert, voice; Scott Bullerwell, guitar.

Monocaine are Raymond Peck and Douglas Erickson, who have been working together for 3 years on acoustic guitar and for a year on ambient computer music.  This is the group's first foray into the electric side.  No synths (keyboard or guitar) were used on this track.  Raymond Peck: Chapman Stick, drum editing, electric and acoustic chime guitars, cloud guitar, engineering.  Doug Erickson: Swell guitar, metalhead guitar, knitting guitar.

Amy X Neuburg & Men have been performing their electronic avant-cabaret art-rock-circus thingy 'round these parts for 'bout eight years now.  With Amy X on electronic drums and lead vocal, Joel Davel on Marimba Lumina and Lightning spatial controller (that's the Lightning doing the squeaky intro stuff), Micah Ball on Chapman stick, Herb Heinz on weird guitar, and J.T. Quillan III as theatrical singing dancing dude.  No, it's not German; it's Bad Yiddish.  From "Sports! Chips! Booty!" (Racer).

10,000 years ago a woolly mammoth gave a last sigh, fell, and froze into the permafrost.  Victim of disease, age, climate, or the predation of man!?  Now the focus of science, public, and genetic interest, should it be because we can?  Or studied in hopes of gleaning knowledge for humankind's survival?  New Sun's third CD is distinctive, both lyrically and musically.  Oft called a King Crimson/Rush hybrid, "Mammoth" represents the heavier side with their trademark atmospheric guitar and vocals.

At this very moment, somewhere in the depths of Silicon Valley, Puppet Show is conspiring to create music that incorporates aspects of symphonic rock, hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock, and progressive death samba!  Look for a new Puppet Show release in early 2002.  Here's a sneak preview from the forthcoming release.  This is a demo version of "Harold Cain" the song surely destined to be the group's next hit single.

Performing with a wide array of home made instruments, industrial waste percussion, and the legacy of John Kane, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum presents to you a fine musical exhibit indeed, "Sleep Is Wrong!" taken from their debut "Grand Opening and Closing" (Seeland/Chaosophy).  The curators of this intense, post-apocalyptic Sleepytime Gorilla Museum comprise of former members of the legendary art-rock band Idiot Flesh, as well as members of Charming Hostess, Tin Hat Trio, Species Being, and Moekestra.

Spirits Burning is an evolving ensemble celebrating all things space.  Their first two CDs, released on Musea's Gazul label, unite 69 musicians from around the world, including members of Gong, Hawkwind, and Can.  Crew and composers for "Clear Audient V2.5": Gong's Daevid Allen (guitar), Michael Clare of University of Errors (bass), Don Falcone of Spaceship Eyes (piano, synth), Spaceship Eyes guest Jerry Jeter (guitar), Teed Rockwell (Chapman stick), and former Praxis member Peter Wetherbee (drums).

Tesseract was first assembled by Don Tillman in 1995 as a five piece ensemble, though at this very moment the band is regrouping.  This is a newly written and recorded piece called "On the Edge of an Eclipse" that features Don Tillman playing 6- and 12-string guitars, Mellotron, analog synthesizers and bass with Nicolai Gvatua playing drums and percussion.

Founded by percussionist Gary Parra (Cartoon/PFS), Trap is a project with its heart in the Bay Area.  The song "Presage" features Chris Smith on guitars, Warren Dale (Infinity) on keys/winds, Mike Sary (French TV) on bass, and Karen Anderson (Spaceship Eyes) on vocals.  This is a special vocal-mix of the instrumental found on the Trap "Insurrection" CD.  "Presage" was composed by Dale/Parra and arranged by the performers.