Earthsuit

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Earthsuit
New Orleans, Louisiana
Genres
Years active1995–2003
LabelsSparrow
Past membersDavid "Hutch" Hutchison
Adam LaClave
Paul Meany
Roy Mitchell
Dave Rumsey

Earthsuit was a New Orleans-based Christian rock band formed in 1995. The band consisted of guitarist Dave Rumsey, keyboardist/vocalist Paul Meany, bassist Roy Mitchell, drummer David "Hutch" Hutchison, and vocalist Adam LaClave. Earthsuit's sound was primarily rock, but also incorporated elements of hip-hop, electronica, reggae, soul, and experimental music.

The group recorded several independent EPs and played primarily in their New Orleans area before becoming noticed by Sparrow Records at a concert in 1999. The ensuing record deal saw the band's only commercial release, a critically acclaimed album entitled

The Rise of Modern Simulation was independently released before the group disbanded in 2003. Many of the band members continue to play together and collaborate in various bands, namely Mutemath
and Club of the Sons.

Biography

Earthsuit began in 1995 as a collaboration between Adam LaClave and Paul Meany, who began composing music together after being introduced at a church in New Orleans. In an interview with Family Christian Stores, Meany explained that a sermon was the inspiration for the band's name: "...This man was preaching about how humans are really spirit beings encased in fleshly bodies. The term "earth suit" came up. At the time we liked it, and we took it."[2] The two regularly performed at Café Joel,[3] a small coffeehouse their church had started where Meany was music director.[4] These performances helped cultivate their unique sound[5] and introduced them to future band member David Rumsey.[2]

In 1997 they released a self-titled EP, which is sometimes called the Headless Clown EP due to its album cover. The record featured an early version of "One Time" (of which they later made a music video) as well as portions of live performances where Earthsuit covered Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly", albeit with re-written lyrics. Rumsey helped produce the EP and played guitar; however, the official band lineup only comprised LaClave and Meany.[6] Shortly after, Rumsey officially joined along with bassist Roy Mitchell, another Café Joel regular.[2] The band played and ministered in their hometown and did not tour much.[3] In 1998, the band recorded and released a second EP, entitled Noise for Your Eyes. The EP included a remix of "One Time" and early song demos, which were interspersed with short clips of live performances.[7] Drummer David Hutchison joined the band after they met him through a friend.[2] In 1999, Earthsuit performed two sets at the Cornerstone Festival, one in a label showcase and the other opening for P.O.D. on the main stage.[8] This garnered the attention of several major Christian labels, and the band subsequently signed to Sparrow Records.[8]

PAX 217, and Switchfoot.[14] The following year saw the band embark on their "Do You Feel The Distortion" tour with Ill Harmonics and The Benjamin Gate.[15]

Despite critical reception, Kaleidoscope Superior would remain the band's only commercial release; they were soon dropped from Sparrow's lineup due to "creative differences and marketing conundrums".

The Rise of Modern Simulation.[9] The final collection featured six original studio songs and ten bonus tracks, including a live remix of "Against the Grain", practice sessions of concert material, and covers of various songs.[18] The album could only be purchased on the internet.[9] Meany would later state "most people didn't care when [they] broke up".[11]

Shortly after Earthsuit's break up, Meany began working with drummer Darren King in a production team called "The Digitals".[19] The name later changed to "Math" while the group helped produce music for Christian music stalwart TobyMac.[20] The band recruited guitarist Greg Hill and changed their name to Mutemath.[21] To accommodate new recordings, Meany and producer

Warner Bros. Records, allowing Mutemath to release a full-length self-titled album on September 26, 2006.[22]

Adam LaClave formed two bands, Macrosick and Club of the Sons. Macrosick has released only an independent CD titled demodisk; the Hurricane Katrina disaster of 2005 forced the band members to go on hiatus.[23] LaClave then turned his attention towards Club of the Sons with friend and bassist Jonathan Allen. They released an EP called The Roughs in spring 2007[24] and an album entitled Young Quanta on July 7, 2009.[25]

Musical style and influences

Earthsuit music was primarily

Black Sheep, Kraftwerk, and Talking Heads. They have also utilized samples by DJ Shadow and The Verve.[18]

Adam LaClave and Paul Meany were the primary songwriters for Earthsuit. As

gummy buffalo whereupon he heard the melody for the song.[18] Christianity Today has proposed the lyrics in "Foreign" may have been inspired by their departure from Sparrow Records. The lyrics read "There's no place in your world for me / I've been from sea to shining sea / And I can't retain your policies, excuse me / If I'm just hanging around, I'm foreign."[9]

Discography

References

Bibliography

  • Alfonso, Barry (2002). The Billboard guide to contemporary Christian music. Billboard Book.
    ISBN 0-8230-7718-7
    .
  • Beaujon, Andrew (2006). Body piercing saved my life: Inside the phenomenon of Christian rock. Da Capo Press.
    ISBN 0-306-81457-9
    .

Notes

  1. ^ a b Staff (November 30, 2016). "5 reunion worthy rap-rock bands". CCM Magazine. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Abbas, Jan. "A Brand New Suit". Family Christian Stores. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  3. ^
    Allmusic
    . Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  4. ^ Beaujon, p. 257
  5. ^ Alfonso, p. 162
  6. ^ Earthsuit (1997). Earthsuit EP (Compact Disc). independent release.
  7. ^ Earthsuit (1998). Noise For Your Eyes (Compact Disc). independent release.
  8. ^
    ISSN 1082-3980
    .
  9. ^ a b c d e Farias, Andree. "The Rise of Modern Simulation review". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  10. ^ Jim Patterson Associated Press (2001-01-27). "Dove contenders named". The Dallas Morning News.
  11. ^ a b Beaujon, p. 255
  12. ^ Bate, Peter (October 2000). "Kaleidoscope Superior review". Cross Rhythms (59). Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  13. ^ Cummings, Tony (December 2000). "Rapid-fire Rebecca". Cross Rhythms (60). Retrieved 2009-12-06.
  14. ^ Price, Deborah Evans (March 2000). "Artists and Music: Higher Ground". Billboard. p. 50.
  15. ^ Jesus Freak Hideout Staff (2001-03-03). "Music News Archive, March 2001". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  16. ^ a b DiBase, John (2004-01-19). "The Rise of Modern Simulation review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  17. ^ Jesus Freak Hideout Staff (2001-09-27). "Music News Archive, September 2001". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  18. ^ a b c d Earthsuit (2003). The Rise of Modern Simulation (Compact Disc). independent release.
  19. ^ Jesus Freak Hideout Staff (2003-01-13). "They're back! Well, actually... it's just that we've found them!". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  20. ^ TobyMac (2003). Re:Mix Momentum (Compact Disc). ForeFront Records.
  21. ^ Assar, Vijith (2006-11-28). "Did Mother Earthsuit Beget Mutemath?". The Hook. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  22. Allmusic
    . Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  23. ^ Macrosick (2003). demodisk (Compact Disc). independent.
  24. ^ Club of the Sons (2007). The Roughs EP (Compact Disc). independent.
  25. ^ Club of the Sons (2009). Young Quanta (Compact Disc). independent.
  26. ^ Christianity Today Staff. "Earthsuit Biography". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  27. ^ Ali, Lorraine (2001-07-16). "The Glorious Rise of Christian Pop". Newsweek.
  28. ^ a b Farris, Christa (May 2001). "Feature Archive: Artist Profiles From the Loud and Quirky Side of the Musical Spectrum". CCM Magazine. Retrieved 2009-04-26.[permanent dead link]
  29. ^ Chamberlin, Kevin; P., Jim (2001-02-22). "Concert Review: The Strangely Normal Tour". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  30. ^ St. James, Rebecca (August 2000). "Talent Pool—Earthsuit". CCM Magazine. 23 (2): 22. Retrieved 2009-04-26.[permanent dead link]

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