Gregor Samsa (band)

Gregor Samsa is a band from Virginia formed in 2000 and fronted by Champ Bennett. It takes its name from the main character of Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis.

Gregor Samsa
Background information
OriginRichmond, Virginia, United States
GenresPost-rock, shoegazing
Years active2000–present
LabelsIodine Recordings (Past)
The Kora Records (United States)
Own Records (Europe)

The band's sound, although rooted in the post-rock genre, differs from that of other bands in the genre in that it employs dual vocals by Bennett and Nikki King, a feature which relates them to the shoegazing and slowcore genres. Gregor Samsa has stated on its website that "the early history of the group has been lost in a wash of noise, strange beeps, and outright lies”.[1]

Reviews of their album compared it to acts such as Brian Eno,[2] Sigur Rós, Múm,[3] Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Low.[4]

In support of its latest release, the band played twenty-one eastern US venues in March before then venturing a 23-date tour of the United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, and Germany during April. Historically, the band has chosen to tour and perform alongside a wide array bands and genres including Spokane, Kayo Dot, Barzin, Part Chimp, Calla, Engine Down, Isis, Pelican, Explosions in the Sky, Interpol, and many others.

The band completed their most recent album, "Rest", in late 2007 and released it in April 2008.

Current members

Past members and contributors
  • Brandon Evans - guitar, keyboard, lap steel guitar
  • Jason LaFerrera - bass guitar
  • Earl Yevak - drums
  • Bobby Donne - bass guitar
  • Rick Alverson - guitar
  • Jason Wood - bass guitar
  • Eric Yevak - guitar
  • Amber Blankenship - cello, violin
  • Jon Sullivan - double bass
  • Nick Wurz - bass guitar (sometimes played with a bow)
  • Nathan Altice - guitar, keyboard
  • Tony Thaxton - drums
  • Toby Driver - clarinet and vibraphone

Discography

Albums
  • 55:12 (CDLP 2006)
  • Rest (CDLP 2008)
  • Over Air (CD 2009)

EPs

Splits
gollark: *I* can't hear it. Very worrying.
gollark: ++radio connect
gollark: Can you hear ABR if I connect it?
gollark: Interesting.
gollark: Do I need to adjust my volume or are YOU wrong or do you have me muted/volume-zeroed?

References
  1. Stylus Magazine review of Gregor Samsa
  2. Allmusic.com
  3. Popmatters.com
  4. Stylusmagazine.com
  5. Splendid E-zine reviews: Gregor Samsa/The Silent Type
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