Awesome (band): Difference between revisions
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'''Awesome''' is a band from [[Seattle]] |
'''"Awesome"''' is a band from [[Seattle]], self-described as "Part band, part art collective."<ref name=bio>[http://www.awesometheband.com/about.php Bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804055152/http://www.awesometheband.com/about.php |date=2010-08-04 }}, "Awesome" official site. Accessed online August 31, 2008.</ref> Although they rejected the "rock band" label, Lane Czaplinski, artistic director of [[On the Boards]] remarked, "If they are not rock musicians, there ''is'' rock payoff."<ref name=Beal>Suzanne Beal, [http://www.seattleweekly.com/2006-05-03/arts/you-can-call-them-awesome/ You Can Call Them 'Awesome'], ''Seattle Weekly'', May 3, 2006. Accessed online July 11, 2013. Emphasis in the original.</ref> Czaplinski has compared them to [[Polyphonic Spree]] |
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| ⚫ | "Awesome" began as a cabaret act thrown together by seven experienced [[fringe theater]] actors. Although they continued to perform in theatrical venues, their identity as a band and cabaret act eclipsed their status as actors.<ref name=Heynen-Delaware>Kirk Heynen, [http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/awesome05dec.asp Awesome - Delaware] review, Three Imaginary Girls, December 11, 2013. Accessed online August 19, 2013.</ref> Around October 2003, several future members of "Awesome" played together in a [[They Might Be Giants]] tribute to raise money for Seattle's [[Open Circle Theater]].<ref name=Frizzelle>Christopher Frizzelle, [http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=32107 No Traffic Signal, No Problem], ''The Stranger'', May 2, 2012. Accessed online August 31, 2008.</ref> Their very first performance under the name "Awesome" (with just Ackermann, Mosher, Nixon, and Osebold) was in Seattle at Annex Theater's monthly cabaret "Spin the Bottle" On February 6, 2004,<ref name=Beal/> and their first full-septet performance as "Awesome" was in the Jewelbox theater at [[Belltown, Seattle, Washington|Belltown]] bar the Rendezvous on June 30, 2004.<ref name=Frizzelle /> Brendan Kiley of Seattle weekly ''[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]]'' described that performance over a decade later and how a "privately-skeptical-but-here-to-be-supportive" audience were soon in "a state of shock" from how good the songs were, "sophisticatedly crisp and architectural while staying warm and invitingly poppy."<ref name="stranger-reunion">{{cite news |last1=Kiley |first1=Brendan |title="Awesome" Reunion: Once More, With Feelings |url=https://www.thestranger.com/theater/2015/09/02/22794128/awesome-get-the-band-back-together |access-date=2023-04-30 |work=The Stranger |date=2015-09-02 |location=Seattle}}</ref> |
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"Awesome" began as a cabaret act thrown together by seven experienced [[fringe theater]] actors. |
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| ⚫ | Although they continued to perform in theatrical venues, their identity as a band and cabaret act |
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Their first major production was ''Delaware'' (first a multi-media stage production and later an album).<ref name=Heynen-Delaware /> Gigs as a band included performing on bills with [[Harvey Danger]],<ref name=Frizzelle /><ref name=Nelson>Christian Nelson, [http://thedaily.washington.edu/2007/4/5/intermission-inquisition-awesome-player-david/ INTERMISSION INQUISITION: "Awesome" player David Nixon] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121212160050/http://thedaily.washington.edu/2007/4/5/intermission-inquisition-awesome-player-david/ |date=2012-12-12 }}, ''The Daily'' (University of Washington), April 5, 2007. Accessed online August 31, 2008.</ref> [[A. C. Newman]],<ref name=Frizzelle /> [[United State of Electronica|U.S.E.]],<ref name=Frizzelle /> [[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|The Presidents of the United States of America]],<ref name=Nelson /> and [[The Long Winters]].<ref name=Nelson /> They also performed at the [[Sasquatch! Music Festival]],<ref name="stranger-reunion" /> and did a large-scale 2010 production ''West'' at [[On the Boards]].<ref name="stranger-reunion" /> |
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Band member David Nixon is a philosophy professor at the [[University of Washington, Bothell]].<ref name=Nelson /> |
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Band member Rob Pro (accordion, clarinet) is a composer and sound designer for theater productions. |
Band member David Nixon is a philosophy professor at the [[University of Washington, Bothell]].<ref name=Nelson /> Band member Rob Pro (accordion, clarinet) is a composer and sound designer for theater productions. Band member John Osebold, who wrote most of the band's songs, won a 2011 [[List of Stranger Genius Awards winners|Stranger Genius Award]].<ref name="stranger-reunion" /> |
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Many of the group's theatrical pieces are non-narrative or have only minimal, non-linear narratives. For example, ''No Signal'' (2006) was described by ''[[Seattle Times]]'' reviewer Brangien Davis as "addressing, among other topics, technical difficulties, [[recurring dream]]s, cell death, [[Regeneration (biology)|regeneration]] and [[bee]]s."<ref>Brangien Davis, [http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20060505&slug=awesome08 Multi-genre "noSIGNAL" creates a buzz], ''Seattle Times'', May 5, 2006. Accessed online August 31, 2008.</ref> |
Many of the group's theatrical pieces are non-narrative or have only minimal, non-linear narratives. For example, ''No Signal'' (2006) was described by ''[[Seattle Times]]'' reviewer Brangien Davis as "addressing, among other topics, technical difficulties, [[recurring dream]]s, cell death, [[Regeneration (biology)|regeneration]] and [[bee]]s."<ref>Brangien Davis, [http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20060505&slug=awesome08 Multi-genre "noSIGNAL" creates a buzz], ''Seattle Times'', May 5, 2006. Accessed online August 31, 2008.</ref> |
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Latest revision as of 06:16, 17 June 2024
 | The article's lead section may need to be rewritten. (October 2021) |
"Awesome" is a band from Seattle, self-described as "Part band, part art collective."[1] Although they rejected the "rock band" label, Lane Czaplinski, artistic director of On the Boards remarked, "If they are not rock musicians, there is rock payoff."[2] Czaplinski has compared them to Polyphonic Spree
"Awesome" began as a cabaret act thrown together by seven experienced fringe theater actors. Although they continued to perform in theatrical venues, their identity as a band and cabaret act eclipsed their status as actors.[3] Around October 2003, several future members of "Awesome" played together in a They Might Be Giants tribute to raise money for Seattle's Open Circle Theater.[4] Their very first performance under the name "Awesome" (with just Ackermann, Mosher, Nixon, and Osebold) was in Seattle at Annex Theater's monthly cabaret "Spin the Bottle" On February 6, 2004,[2] and their first full-septet performance as "Awesome" was in the Jewelbox theater at Belltown bar the Rendezvous on June 30, 2004.[4] Brendan Kiley of Seattle weekly The Stranger described that performance over a decade later and how a "privately-skeptical-but-here-to-be-supportive" audience were soon in "a state of shock" from how good the songs were, "sophisticatedly crisp and architectural while staying warm and invitingly poppy."[5]
Their first major production was Delaware (first a multi-media stage production and later an album).[3] Gigs as a band included performing on bills with Harvey Danger,[4][6] A. C. Newman,[4] U.S.E.,[4] The Presidents of the United States of America,[6] and The Long Winters.[6] They also performed at the Sasquatch! Music Festival,[5] and did a large-scale 2010 production West at On the Boards.[5]
Band member David Nixon is a philosophy professor at the University of Washington, Bothell.[6] Band member Rob Pro (accordion, clarinet) is a composer and sound designer for theater productions. Band member John Osebold, who wrote most of the band's songs, won a 2011 Stranger Genius Award.[5]
Many of the group's theatrical pieces are non-narrative or have only minimal, non-linear narratives. For example, No Signal (2006) was described by Seattle Times reviewer Brangien Davis as "addressing, among other topics, technical difficulties, recurring dreams, cell death, regeneration and bees."[7]
References[edit]
- ^ Bio Archived 2010-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, "Awesome" official site. Accessed online August 31, 2008.
- ^ a b Suzanne Beal, You Can Call Them 'Awesome', Seattle Weekly, May 3, 2006. Accessed online July 11, 2013. Emphasis in the original.
- ^ a b Kirk Heynen, Awesome - Delaware review, Three Imaginary Girls, December 11, 2013. Accessed online August 19, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Christopher Frizzelle, No Traffic Signal, No Problem, The Stranger, May 2, 2012. Accessed online August 31, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Kiley, Brendan (2015-09-02). ""Awesome" Reunion: Once More, With Feelings". The Stranger. Seattle. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- ^ a b c d Christian Nelson, INTERMISSION INQUISITION: "Awesome" player David Nixon Archived 2012-12-12 at archive.today, The Daily (University of Washington), April 5, 2007. Accessed online August 31, 2008.
- ^ Brangien Davis, Multi-genre "noSIGNAL" creates a buzz, Seattle Times, May 5, 2006. Accessed online August 31, 2008.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Awesome.