Quicksand is an American post-hardcore band from New York City, founded in 1990. Their debut self-titled EP was followed by two major-label albums, Slip (1993) and Manic Compression (1995). Quicksand's sound has been compared to that of post-hardcore bands Fugazi and Helmet.[2] The band supported their releases with extensive touring but fell short of the mainstream success anticipated by their labels. These factors and internal stress led them to separate first in 1995 and again in 1999 following a failed year-and-a-half reunion.[3] In June 2012, Quicksand reunited for a special one-night performance and since has been playing additional live shows. The band's third album (and first full-length in 22 years), Interiors, was released on November 10, 2017, and it was followed four years later by their latest album Distant Populations (2021).
Quicksand | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Quicksand in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
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| Labels | |
| Spinoffs | |
| Members |
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| Past members | Tom Capone |
| Website | quicksandnyc |
Quicksand has cited various bands as influences, including Fugazi, Jane's Addiction, Helmet,[4] My Bloody Valentine,[5] Cocteau Twins, Wire, and Public Enemy.[6]
History
editFormation (1990)
editThe musicians who would come to form Quicksand had their roots in the New York Hardcore scene. Frontman/guitarist Walter Schreifels, the main creative force behind the Gorilla Biscuits and bassist for Youth of Today, assembled the band's lineup from his dissolved Moondog project.[2] Guitarist Tom Capone had founded Long Island's Beyond (releasing a demo and LP via Combined Effort Records) and had previously played in Bold, writing their album Looking Back. Drummer Alan Cage had been in the experimental hardcore band Burn and played with Capone in Beyond. Bassist Sergio Vega arrived from the short lived Collapse and a later incarnation of Absolution.
Major releases, touring, and breakup (1990–1995)
editQuicksand released the 4-track EP Quicksand through hardcore independent label Revelation Records six weeks after their formation.[2] The band performed at club venues and rose to touring North America and Europe with Helmet, Fugazi, Rage Against the Machine, Anthrax, and White Zombie. Their exposure led to the band signing a record deal with major label Polydor Records in 1992, subsequently becoming the first post-hardcore band to do so.[7][8] The label issued Quicksand's first full-length album, Slip on February 9, 1993, with "Dine Alone" being their first single. The album also featured two tracks that were re-recorded from the "Quicksand" EP ("Omission" and "Unfulfilled"). The following year saw the band tour the United States with The Offspring, performing 250 live shows to support the album.[3] By 1995, the album had sold around 100,000 copies.[9]
On February 28, 1995, they released their latter, more successful album Manic Compression on Island Records and later that year rejoined The Offspring on their European tour. Manic Compression reached No. 135 on the Billboard 200 Chart and No. 9 on the Heatseakers Chart[10] and garnered Quicksand an invitation to the first Vans Warped Tour.[2] However, internal conflicts and the stresses of constant touring led to the band's break-up at the height of their popularity on October 12, 1995, following a show in Hollywood, California.[11]
Reunion and unfinished album (1997–1999)
editFollowing Quicksand's initial split, Walter Schreifels started his World's Fastest Car project and produced records for the hardcore punk band CIV.[2] Tom Capone joined former Helmet guitarist Pete Mengede's supergroup Handsome, releasing a self-titled album in 1997.[12] Sergio Vega began his own solo project entitled Fully while DJing in New York City, and Alan Cage joined the alternative rock band Seaweed, who had also performed on the Warped Tour.
In mid-1997, the band members were rumored to have been considering a reunion with the intent to perform on Revelation Night at Brownies during the CMJ Music Conference that September.[2] However, Quicksand's first public appearance since their 1995 split would not come until February 6, 1998, in Osaka, Japan. (A subsequent show in Hawaii was canceled.) In August 1998, they entered Carriage House Studios in Stamford, Connecticut with producer Steven Haigler to begin recording material written in the prior six months. After the band's first North American performance in three years on September 26, 1998, in Boulder, Colorado, they were invited to extend their tour with Deftones and Snapcase and on November 3, 1998, started what was to be ultimately their last tour. Quicksand then returned to the studio to continue working on the new album; despite the recent successful tour and a more collaborative effort in the writing process, resurfaced tensions would eventually split up the band indefinitely in late 1999 and doom the material to remain officially unreleased.[3] The unfinished album, as well as demo material from the Manic Compression sessions, has since been circulated on the Internet.
Post-Quicksand activities (1999–2012)
editWalter Schreifels went on to form the alternative rock band Rival Schools with former bandmate and CIV drummer Sammy Siegler, releasing the album United by Fate in 2001 (before splitting in 2003).[13] Schreifels later fronted Walking Concert on his independent record label Some Records. During that time, Schreifels mixed in occasional solo acoustic performances. In 2008, Rival Schools reformed for live performances at various festivals, and in 2011 they released their second album Pedals. Tom Capone played guitar for Instruction for the majority of the band's existence beginning in December 2002. Sergio Vega has played bass for Deftones, filling in for Chi Cheng on tour in 1999 and from June 2009 to early 2021. Vega was recruited to compose their album Diamond Eyes, which was released on May 4, 2010. Alan Cage contributed to Enemy's Hooray for Dark Matter in 2005 and later worked with New Idea Society and the hardcore band 108.
Second reunion (2012–present)
edit.JPG)
On June 10, 2012, Quicksand was the unannounced "special guest" on the fourth night of the Revelation Records 25th Anniversary Shows at The Glass House in Pomona, California. The original members appeared together on stage for the first time in nearly 13 years, performing a five-song set that ended with their cover of The Smiths' "How Soon Is Now?".[14] Quicksand later performed at Bowery Ballroom in New York City on August 24, the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY on August 25,[15] and the FYF Fest in Los Angeles, California on September 1.[16] In January 2013, Quicksand embarked on their first North American tour in 15 years.[17] They also performed at the Pukkelpop Festival (The Shelter stage) in Hasselt, Belgium on August 15, 2013.[18]
On July 18, 2013, Quicksand posted a photo (which had since been removed) on Twitter that involved studio activity, indicating that the band was planning to release new material.[19] Asked in July 2017 if it was true that they were working on new material, frontman Walter Schreifels responded, "Can't confirm or deny."[20]
On August 21, 2017, Quicksand's Twitter feed and Walter Schreifels' Instagram account teased the title of their long-awaited third album, Interiors, to be released some time this year over a 30-second video clip.[21][22] On the following day, the band streamed their first single in 22 years "Illuminant", and announced that Interiors would be released on November 10, 2017, on Epitaph Records.[23]
On September 12, 2017, while on-tour in Phoenix, Arizona, guitarist Tom Capone was arrested (and missed the evening's show at The Crescent Ballroom) for shoplifting and resisting arrest at the local CVS drug store.[24] The band released a statement soon after that Tom was "heading home to get better," and the band resumed the tour as a three-piece. Capone never rejoined the band, shifting Schreifels to both rhythm and lead guitar duties. Their first release without Capone was the 12" EP Triptych Continuum, which was released on April 21, 2018, through Epitaph, coinciding with Record Store Day.[25]
By April 2021, Quicksand had reportedly been working on new material for their fourth studio album. The band released their first song in three years, "Inversion", on April 13, 2021, through streaming services.[26] The band released the single "Missile Command" on June 23 and announced that the new album would be titled Distant Populations.[27] Distant Populations was released digitally on August 13, while a vinyl version will be released on September 25.[28]
In mid-August 2021, Quicksand posted a video of the song "Colossus" with Stephen Brodsky on guitar and backing vocals. Brodsky subsequently accompanied Quicksand on their late 2021 tour in support of Distant Populations returning Quicksand to a four piece—the first time since the arrest of Tom Capone.[29]
On February 3, 2023, Quicksand announced a 30th Anniversary Edition of their debut LP "Slip" being re-issued on vinyl by the Boston based record label Iodine Recordings. The 30th Anniversary Edition of "Slip" included a 64-page hardcover book with band photographs, rare concert posters, and a foreword by Walter Schreifels. The book also contains commentary from notable musicians from the punk scene, including: Scott Ian of Anthrax, Geoff Rickly of Thursday, Stephen Brodsky of Cave In, Dennis Lyxzén of Refused, Tim McIlrath of Rise Against, and many more. The record was remastered for vinyl using the original 1993 master tapes.[30]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Year | Album details | Peak chart | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [31] |
US Alt. [32] |
US Heat. [33] |
US Indie. [34] |
US Rock [35] | ||
| 1993 | Slip | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | Manic Compression
|
135 | — | 9 | — | — |
| 2017 | Interiors
|
142 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 18 |
| 2021 | Distant Populations
|
— | — | — | — | — |
EPs and singles
edit| Year | Details | Accompanying Track(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Quicksand
|
1. "Omission" (2:22) 2. "Clean Slate" (2:48) 3. "Unfulfilled" (3:14) 4. "Hypno Jam with Dan" (1:57) |
| 1992 | "Dine Alone"
|
B. "Can Opener" (3:28) |
| 1993 | "Fazer"
|
|
"Dine Alone"
|
2. "Dine Alone" (Album Version) (3:30) 3. "How Soon is Now?" (The Smiths cover) (3:05) | |
"Omission"
|
2. "Baphomet" (live with lyrics) (4:40) 3. "Clean Slate" (live in CA) (3:09) | |
"Freezing Process"
|
2. "Clean Slate" (live in GA) (3:15) | |
| 1994 | "Divorce"
|
B. "Voice Killer" (3:31) |
| 1995 | "Thorn in My Side"
|
2. "Shovel" (3:11) |
"Delusional"
|
||
"Landmine Spring"[36]
|
||
| 2017 | "Illuminant"
|
|
"Cosmonauts"
|
||
| 2018 | Triptych Continuum
|
1."Multiverse" 2. ">>>" 3. "Spoken Through Clouds" |
| 2021 | "Inversion"
|
|
"Missile Command"
|
||
| 2022 | "Giving the Past Away"
|
2. Felíz |
Compilation appearances
edit| Year | Title | Track | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | CBGB 20th Anniversary Compilation | "How Soon is Now?" (3:22) | Recorded live at CBGB |
| 1995 | Hit Me: Previously Unavailable | "Chelsea's Going Under" (3:40) | |
| Hits Rock – New Sckoool, Volume I | "Landmine Spring" | ||
| Empire Records soundtrack | "Thorn in My Side" | ||
| 2002 | Revelation 100: A 15 Year Retrospective | "Dine Alone" (3:19) | Previously unreleased 1992 demo |
Unreleased material
edit| Year | Details | Tracks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "True Manic Demos" | 1. "Bug Collector" (3:08) 2. "World's Fastest Car" (3:56) 3. "Knee Jerk Reaction" (3:12) 4. "Supergenius" (2:56) |
|
| 1998 | "Unfinished Third Album" | 1. "Instrumental" (4:39) 2. "All in Your Head" (3:26) 3. "Requiem" (3:39) 4. "In the End" (3:18) 5. "Constant Tension" (4:20) 6. "Hostage Calm" (5:12) 7. "Weed It Out" (3:03) 8. "Chelsea's Going Under" (3:59) |
|
Music videos
edit| Year | Album | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Slip | Fazer | Pamela Birkhead |
| Dine Alone | Noah Bogen | ||
| Omission | Kevin Kerslake | ||
| 1994 | Freezin Process | ||
| 1995 | Manic Compression | Thorn in My Side | Marcos Siega |
| Delusional | |||
| 2017 | Interiors | Illuminant | Mortis Studio |
| Cosmonauts | n/c | ||
| Interiors | |||
| 2021 | Distant Populations | Inversion | Rob Fidel |
| 2022 | Missile Command |
References
edit- ^ D'Angelo, Peter J. "Quicksand - Quicksand". AllMusic.
- ^ a b c d e f "Quicksand - Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Quicksand Biography". Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
- ^ Hill, Stephen (February 9, 2023). ""After Nirvana, anything seemed possible": Quicksand's Walter Schreifels on Slip, the greatest '90s rock album that you've probably never heard". Louder. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
We were definitely inspired by bands that were doing cool stuff from that time, Fugazi were a big influence on us, bringing this avant-garde, DIY thing, so were Janes Addiction, doing this rock music that was experimental and sexy, we felt rally close to them. Helmet came out of the blue and they were doing this jazzy, math thing. These bands were older than us, so we were kind of regurgitating their sound with our influences.
- ^ Beaugez, Jim (May 18, 2023). "Quicksand's Walter Schreifels: "I use the tricks I have to the most effect that I can. And I think that's the trick of my playing"". Guitar World. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
'We did a tour in England and got ahold of a My Bloody Valentine cassette,' [Schreifels] says, 'and by the time we did Slip, that was our biggest influence. I don't know how much it comes off as sort of, 'Oh, they're doing shoegaze,' but that's what we were doing.
- ^ Hill, Stephen (November 9, 2017). "Quicksand's track by track guide to new album Interiors". Louder. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ Stillie, Denise (1995). "Interview with Sergio Vega | Metallurgy". quicksand.net. Archived from the original on March 8, 2001. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ Arenas, Norm (May 1998). "Subject to Change: Interview with Walter Schreifels | Alternative Press". quicksand.net. Archived from the original on April 29, 2001. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ Testa, Jim (March 3, 1995). "Quicksand punk rockers not likely to sink". The Jersey Journal. p. E11.
- ^ Billboard, Allmusic
- ^ "Quicksand". quicksand.net. Archived from the original on October 12, 1999. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Handsome". BandToBand. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ "Rival Schools". BandToBand. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ Youssef, Andrew (June 11, 2012). "Quicksand - The Glass House - 6/10/12". OC Weekly. Village Voice Media. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ^ "Quicksand playing NYC in August!". Brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ Pelly, Jenn (June 18, 2012). "FYF Fest Announces 2012 Lineup". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
- ^ Bryne (November 26, 2012). "Quicksand (North America)". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
- ^ "Do/Vr/Za - Line-up - Pukkelpop". pukkelpop.be. Archived from the original on March 21, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
- ^ "Quicksand working on new material?". brooklynvegan.com. July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ "Gorilla Biscuits to Dead Heavens: Walter Schreifels' life in music". teamrock.com. July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
- ^ "#interiorspic.twitter.com/yipjgNjn4e". Twitter. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ "Instagram post by Walter Schreifels • Aug 21, 2017 at 9:12pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ "Quicksand Returns With First Album In 22 Years, Shares 'Illuminant' Video". npr.org. August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ "Quicksand guitarist accused of shoplifting, resisting arrest at Phoenix CVS". Azcentral.com. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
- ^ "Quicksand Detail Upcoming EP "Triptych Continuum"". theprp.com. March 6, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "QUICKSAND Returns With New Single 'Inversion'". Blabbermouth.net. April 13, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ Grow, Kory (June 23, 2021). "Quicksand Tease 'Distant Populations' With New Song 'Missile Command'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ Childers, Chad (June 23, 2021). "Quicksand Reveal 'Missile Command,' Announce New Album + Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ Sacher, Andreew. "Quicksand debut new live lineup with Cave In's Stephen Brodsky". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ Chesler, Josh (March 2, 2023). "Quicksand Re-Releasing Deluxe 30th Anniversary Edition Of Slip". Spin. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ "Quicksand Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ "Quicksand Chart History: Alternative Albums". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved June 1, 2018.[dead link]
- ^ "Quicksand Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved June 1, 2018.[dead link]
- ^ "Quicksand Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved June 1, 2018.[dead link]
- ^ "Quicksand Chart History: Top Rock Albums". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved June 1, 2018.[dead link]
- ^ "Quicksand - Landmine Spring". Discogs.
External links
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