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Switchblade Symphony was an American gothic rock band from San Francisco, California. Their music combined orchestral sounds with heavy synth sequences and ethereal vocals to create a union of classical music and gothic rock.
Switchblade Symphony | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1989–1999 |
| Labels | Cleopatra |
| Past members | Susan Wallace Tina Root Robin Jacobs George Earth Eric Gebow Scott van Shoick Justin Clayton |
History
editSwitchblade Symphony was formed in 1989 by composer Susan Wallace and vocalist Tina Root. The band's name refers to the cutting up elements of classical music to mix them with harder sounds.[2]
They released their first album in 1995 on the Cleopatra Records label. They also had two live guitarists, first Robin Jacobs (who later joined Razor Skyline) and then George Earth (most recently of Small Halo, also with Tina Root), and three live drummers, first Eric Gebow (now with Blue Man Group), Justin Clayton, and then Scott van Shoick.
The band's second album, Bread and Jam for Frances, was released in 1997.[3] The album peaked at #119 on the CMJ Radio Top 200.[4]
Switchblade Symphony disbanded in November 1999. Subsequently, Tina Root started Tre Lux. In 2008, Tina Root and George Earth formed Small Halo, a band based out of Los Angeles, California.
Their song "Clown" was featured in the 1998 film Wicked starring Julia Stiles. Their song "Gutter Glitter" was also featured in an episode of The Boulet Brothers' Dragula.
Discography
editAlbums and EPs
edit- Serpentine Gallery (1995)
- Scrapbook (1997) (EP) (out of print)
- Bread and Jam for Frances (1997)[3]
- The Three Calamities (1999)
- Sinister Nostalgia (2001) (remixes)
- Sweet, Little Witches (2003) (live performances and video track)
- Serpentine Gallery Deluxe (2005)
Singles
edit- "Clown" (1996)
- "Drool" (1997)
Other
edit- Fable (1991) (out of print demo cassette)
- Elegy (1992) (out of print demo cassette)
- "Girlscout" (single) (recorded with Jack Off Jill) (1998)
Compilation albums
edit- From the Machine, featured the song: "Mine Eyes" (Index Records, 1990)
- Gothic Rock Volume 2: 80's Into 90's (1995)
- Gothik (1995) (re-released in 2006)
- Wired Injections (1996)
- Gothic Divas Presents: Switchblade Symphony, Tre Lux, and New Skin (Cleopatra, 2006)
- Psycho Tina's Hell House Of Horrors, featured the song "Witches (Live)" (Cleopatra, )
- Burning From the Outside: Retail Slut, featured the song "Clown (Razed In Black Vs. Transmutator Remix) " (Cleopatra, 2007)
- The Devil's Songbook, featured the song "Wicked" (2010)
- Virgin Voices 2, A Tribute to Madonna, featured the song "Lucky Star"[5]
References
edit- ^ Phares, Heather. "Switchblade Symphony biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
- ^ Porter, Alicia. "Eklectique: An Interview with Switchblade Symphony". Darkwaver.com. Retrieved February 8, 2007.
- ^ a b Vicki Aubin (November 10, 1997). "Short Circuits". CMJ New Music Report. CMJ Network, Inc.: 32–. ISSN 0890-0795.
- ^ Helms, Colin (December 22, 1997). "CMJ Radio Top 200" (PDF). CMJ New Music Report. 52 (550). Great Neck, NY: College Media, Inc.: 5–6. ISSN 0890-0795. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "Amazon.com: Various Artists: Virgin Voices 2: Tribute to Madonna: Music". Amazon. Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
External links
edit- Tre Lux – Tina Root's new band
- Cleopatra Records – Switchblade Symphony's record label