Floater (band)
This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. (October 2020) |
Floater | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Eugene, Oregon, United States |
Genres | Rock, alternative rock |
Years active | 1993–present |
Labels | Elemental, Typhon |
Members | David Amador Mark Powers Robert Wynia |
Past members | Peter Cornett |
Website | www.floater.com |
Floater is an American
History
Formation in Eugene: Sink & Glyph (1993-1997)
The seeds for Floater were planted when Robert Wynia placed a musician-wanted ad in Eugene, Oregon and it was answered by Cornett.[6] By 1992, they had formed the band Henry's Child.[7] Rob and Pete left Henry's Child after the musical direction was not what they wanted, and they formed a band called The Dog's. Sometime after, their guitarist got drunk and ruined a local gig and Dave Amador stepped in to replace him. The moniker of The Dog's was replaced with Floater. It was 1993 and they began playing small garage parties and eventually the University of Oregon. In early 1994, Floater recorded their first four-song demo tape Stiff & Restless at Pro-Arts studio. Later, in early 1994, Floater recorded a nine-song demo tape Sink, which was the four tracks off of Stiff & Restless, plus 5 new songs, which were recorded at the home of a friend in his studio. This tape impressed the indie record label Elemental, when Rob and Pete handed Jonathan Boldt a copy of their demo tape, who a short time later signed them.
Floater's first full-length album,
With the popularity of their song "
During these first few years, Floater received nominations to the preliminary level of the
Wings to Portland - Angels In the Flesh... / Burning Sosobra (1998-2001)
Just before Floater released their third album, Angels in the Flesh and Devils in the Bone in May 1998, the band moved to Portland, Oregon where they remain today.[6] Coinciding with this move, the band's sound slightly changed with the release of Angels. In an article from The Rocket, it was mentioned the band was ready to "ditch some of [their more rude fans.]"[9] The album is noted for the college radio single "Mexican Bus".[13] Prior to and throughout this time, Floater was being visited by interested major labels including Zoo Records,[14] but they would remain unsigned by a major label.[1]
In September 2000, Burning Sosobra was released and it marked a shift in the use of samples that Floater was known for. Rather than sampling movies and television, the band began creating the majority of their own sounds for inclusion on their albums. Burning Sosobra represented a lifting of burdens for Floater, symbolized by the burning effigy on the cover of the album. With Sosobra, Floater moved into a new phase, having purged a dubious manager and beginning to work with Cassandra Thorpe, who bought Elemental Records on September 9, 1999. The sculpture in the cover photo was a collaboration between Floater and Mark Orme.[15] "Exiled" is considered the single of Burning Sosobra. Other notable tracks with "Independence Day" and "Waiting for the Sun," a cover of The Doors.
Alter & Acoustics (2002-2006)
Floater experimented with acoustic in-store performances throughout the late 1990s, but around the time of their
The band's exploration in sound fruited with their 2004 album Acoustics. This would coincide with an increase in acoustic performances abroad.[16] Floater regularly plays back-to-back shows with one electric set and one acoustic set.
Stone By Stone (2006 to 2008)
Floater's 2006 release,
The album also marks a time of increased effort to tour more extensively in the
Wake - Setting a new course (2009 to present)
By 2009, Floater started work on recording their eighth full-length album. Some of the tracks that were expected to appear on the upcoming album were previously recorded during the Stone By Stone sessions.[18][19]
By this time, Floater hired Alex Steininger as their new manager.
In the lead up to the band's ninth album, the band switched drummers. Mark Powers replaced Pete Cornett on December 31, 2017 when he made his debut at the Star Theater in Portland. Floater released their ninth album The Thief in May 2018 after an 8-year interval. Powers is also featured on this album.[21] Willamette Week's "Best of Portland Reader's Poll" selected Floater as Best Local Musician/Musical Group for 2018.[22]
On November 20, 2021, it was learned that Peter Cornett, the band's original drummer, had passed away.[23]
Discography
Studio albums
- Sink(1994)
- Glyph(1995)
- Angels in the Flesh and Devils in the Bone (1998)
- Burning Sosobra(2000)
- Alter(2002)
- Acoustics (2004)
- Stone By Stone(2006)
- Wake (2010)
- The Thief(2018)
Live shows
Floater adds further variety to their live performances by adding various cover songs into their set list, and also integrating new verses into their own songs. They are also known for covering songs that do not necessarily coincide with their genre. Here is just a small sample of covers they have done:
- The Doors - "Waiting for the Sun" is featured on their album Burning Sosobra.
- U2 - "Seconds" - "Party Girl"
- Pink Floyd - "Run Like Hell"
- The Beatles - "Helter Skelter"
- The Fixx - "Red Skies" (partial - included with "Settling" live)
- Elton John - "Rocketman"
- Depeche Mode - "Personal Jesus"
- Traditional Irish ballad - "Wild Irish Rover"
- Pink Floyd - "Animals (Complete Work)"
Samples
Samples are used extensively in Floater's live performances and earlier
Associated personnel
Guest performers
- Keith Brown of Threscher, Two Minutes Hate, Drumattica, TV:616 and Sentenced To Life
- Pianist for Burning Sosobra CD release tour
- TV:616 for cover of Run Like Hell
- Jen Folker of Dahlia
- Jeff Chase; fire breather for 1998 performances of Mosquito
- King Black Acid for 2009 performances of the Beatles' Helter Skelter
- Unkle Nancy of Unkle Nancy and the Family Jewels
- Jesse (Juice) Fletcher Lighting and Live Samples
Anthropomorphic Personifications
- Omar - Omar
Side projects
- Sentenced to Life - Sometime around the fall of 1995, Rob Wynia and Pete Cornett collaborated with Keith Brown to develop a short-lived side project.[7] A cassette tape of this exists called Reminders of the Soul, with the first side being live tracks performed at the WOW Hall and the second side being studio demos. About 50 copies of the cassette tape were handed out according to Keith Brown, and around a dozen shows played in the Eugene area. At the time of this collaboration, Keith Brown was a part of the band Threscher. Keith would eventually go on to play several shows with Floater as a guest performer, filling in on acoustic guitar, bass and vocals.
- Drumattica - A tribal/dance electronic groove band featuring Robert Wynia and David Amador.[24]
- Riverboat - Peter Cornett's solo project.[25]
- Robert Wynia / Robert Wynia and The Sound - The spoken word and solo music of Rob Wynia.[26]
Floater in the press
Here are some examples of Floater in the media:
- KUFO Marconi Show video interview - Part 1 Part 2
- Eugene Weekly interview from 2004 - Floater Rising
- The Synthesis interview - Waiting for Floater[dead link]
- The Synthesis interview - Cult of Personality is Dead
- Willamette Week interview - Stone by Stone
- Willamette Week article - Floater
- PDXposed Press TV interview - "Floater" Rocks the Crystal Ballroom
- Daily Vanguard interview from 10-2008 - Float On interview
- The Commuter publication audio interview - Floater Audio Interview[dead link]
- Weekly Volcano article - Floater - Grunge band from back in the day plays Hell's Kitchen
See also
References
- ^ a b Jarman, Casey (2008-03-26), "Stone By Stone, An Elder Statesman Of NW Moss-Rock Reps Hard, With Or Without You.", Willamette Week, archived from the original on 2009-11-21, retrieved 2009-06-29
- ^ Snyder, Chad (2008-01-18), "Homegrown and Flourishing", Mail Tribune, archived from the original on 2012-04-03, retrieved 2009-06-29
- ^ a b Live Wire Radio (2010-03-25), Episode 111, retrieved 2010-04-16
- ^ Waterhouse (2009-07-22), 2009 Best of Portland Reader's Poll, p. Ben, archived from the original on 2010-07-17, retrieved 2010-07-25
- ^ Brown (2010-07-21), 2010 Best of Portland Reader's Poll, p. Ruth, archived from the original on 2010-07-25, retrieved 2010-07-25
- ^ a b c d e f Jarman, Casey (June 23, 2010), "The Band That Wouldn't Die", Willamette Week, p. 23, archived from the original on June 26, 2010, retrieved 2010-06-26
- ^ a b "Featured Content on Myspace". Myspace.com. Archived from the original on 14 November 2008. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Sun, Sky, Stone". Floatermusic.net. Archived from the original on 5 January 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d Hagestedt, Andre (August 12–26, 1998), "Teenage Angst Has Paid Off Well", The Rocket (Portland ed.), p. 23
- ^ "ELEMENTAL RECORDS - Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "Angels in the Flesh and Devils in the Bone", World Drum!, vol. 2, no. 2, p. 2, June 1 – July 14, 1998
- ^ a b
Caraeff, Ezra Ace (June 24, 2010), "Superunknown, The Curious Case of Floater", The Portland Mercury, retrieved 2010-06-26
- ^ Brady, Pete (2001-04-17), "Cult of Personality is Dead, The Mind and Music of Floater", Synthesis, archived from the original on 2007-06-16, retrieved 2009-06-29
- ^ "Behind the Glyph", Volcano Magazine, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 34–38, February 1996
- ^ "Mark Orme, Work samples". 17 December 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-12-17. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Bearns, Melissa (2004-09-30), "Floater Rising, Power Trio Matures, But Still Rocks.", Eugene Weekly, archived from the original on 2008-09-29, retrieved 2009-06-29
- ^ "Floater - Official Website". Floater.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ^ Behind The Scenes DVD documentary included with the Stone By Stone album, 2006
- ^ Exiled forum Archived 2009-01-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 6-29-2009
- ^ PDXposed Press, Ben (2009-04-11), "Floater" Rocks the Crystal Ballroom, retrieved 2010-06-26
- ^ "It Takes the Thief: Floater Record Release". Facebook.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
- ^ "Best Local Musician/Musical Group". Wweek.com. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
- ^ "We're deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Floater's original drummer, Peter Cornett. For years he was the rhythmic backbone of the band and we lost him far too soon. Our hearts go out to all the friends, fans, and family who are grieving his loss along with us". Facebook. November 20, 2021. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
- ^ "Drummatica". Drummatica. Archived from the original on 2006-04-02. Retrieved 2006-03-19.
- ^ "Riverboat". RiverboatMusic.net. Archived from the original on 2006-05-15. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
- ^ "Robert Wynia". RobertWynia.com. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
External links
- Floater.com (official website)
- Stiff & Restless (fan archive site)
- Floater at Discogs (Floater discography)