Enablers

Enablers are a post-punk band from San Francisco, California which features the poetry/spoken word of Pete Simonelli.

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Enablers
OriginSan Francisco, California, United States
GenresIndie rock, post-hardcore, post-rock, math rock
Years active2004 – present
LabelsNeurot, Atypeek Music, Lancashire and Somerset, Exile on Mainstream
Websitewww.enablers.fr
MembersPete Simonelli
Joe Goldring
Kevin Thomson
Sam Ospovat
Past membersYuma Joe Byrnes
Doug Scharin

History

In addition to Simonelli, a published poet and writer who was working as a courier in the band's early years, the band's original lineup included Joe Goldring (guitar, formerly of Swans, Toiling Midgets and [concurrent with Enablers] Touched by a Janitor), Kevin Thomson (guitar, Timco, Nice Strong Arm, Morning Champ, and [also concurrent with Enablers] Touched by a Janitor), and Yuma Joe Byrnes (drums, ex-Tarnation / Broken Horse, Touched by a Janitor).[1][2]

Enablers' first album, End Note, was released on Neurot Recordings in 2004; in 2006 they followed this with the Output Negative Space album (described by PopMatters as having "a swagger that seems almost malevolent",[2]) and a split single with the band Redpanda.

In 2007 they released the single-sided one track twelve-inch single "The Achievement" through Lancashire and Somerset, which also appeared on the follow up album, Tundra, in 2008; a shared release between Lancashire and Somerset, Majic Wallet, and Exile on Mainstream. In 2009 the band released Now You Can Answer My Prayers as a 10" vinyl only EP, again through Lancashire and Somerset.

After a short hiatus, following the departure of Joe Byrnes, Doug Scharin (formerly of Codeine, HiM, June of 44, Rex, and Mice Parade) joined the band as drummer for the recording of the album Blown Realms And Stalled Explosions (released in 2011) and for subsequent tours.

As of 2013 the band has toured and recorded with a new drummer, Sam Ospovat (Beep, Naytronix, Timosaurus, Anteater, Passwords, CavityFang, Kapowski and PIKI). Enablers' last album, The Rightful Pivot, was released on Atypeek Music, Lancashire and Somerset and Exile on Mainstream in 2015 with European tours.

Musical style

The band's music, according to Peter Funk, writing for PopMatters "swells on muscular guitar fills, a clanging swirl that ebbs and flows around Simonelli's story", with Funk describing them as "restrained exercises in disgust".[2] Drowned in Sound described the band as a "four-piece of utmost intensity", comparing the band to Slint and Shellac.[3] Drowned in Sound writer Mike Diver described them as "a confrontational band, a visceral beast of eight legs and one mouth that never quits, its stream of freeform hang-loose lyricism owing a debt in style, perhaps, to literary forefathers".[4] Ali Maloney, writing for The Skinny, called the band's music "beat music for the 21st century".[5]

Discography

Albums
  • End Note (2004), Neurot
  • Output Negative Space (2006), Neurot
  • Tundra (2008), Atypeek Music, Lancashire and Somerset/Majic Wallet/Exile on Mainstream
  • Blown Realms And Stalled Explosions (2011), Atypeek Music, Exile On Mainstream, Lancashire and Somerset
  • "Berlinesque" (2014), Digital Release/Bandcamp
  • The Rightful Pivot (2015), Atypeek Music, Lancashire and Somerset, Exile on Mainstream
  • "Zones" (2019), Broken Clover Records, Lancashire and Somerset, Exile on Mainstream
  • "Pigeon Diaries" (2020), Broken Clover Records, Lancashire and Somerset, Exile on Mainstream

Singles, EPs
  • Split with Redpanda (2007), Lancashire and Somerset
  • "The Achievement" (2007), Awesome Vistas
  • "Now You Can Answer My Prayers" (2009), Lancashire and Somerset
  • "Berlinesque" (2014), Online Release/Bandcamp
  • "The Percentages" (2014)

References
  1. DuShane, Tony (2007) "Nightlife: 'Enablers' move from quiet jazz to driving rock", San Francisco Chronicle, September 20, 2007, retrieved 2011-07-25
  2. Funk, Peter (2006) "Enablers: Output Negative Space", PopMatters, June 9, 2006, retrieved 2011-07-23
  3. Graves, Ed (2008) "This week: Enablers in the UK", Drowned in Sound, September 1, 2008, retrieved 2011-07-23
  4. Diver, Mike (2006) "Todd/Enablers", Drowned in Sound, November 6, 2006, retrieved 2011-07-23
  5. Maloney, Ali (2006) "Enablers - 'Output Negative Space'", The Skinny, April 16, 2006, retrieved 2011-07-23
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