The Jonbenét

The Jonbenét

The Jonbenét is an American noise rock outfit from Houston, Texas. The band's current lineup is Michael Murland, Dann Miller, J. Andrew Ireland, and Bryan Jackson.

History

Formation

The band formed originally in the winter of 2001 under the name Central Park Jogger. In the spring of 2002, the band disbanded for a year. The bassist at the time, Grant Miller, suggested the name Jonbenét, the first name of JonBenét Ramsey, a young girl whose brutal murder was widely publicized during the mid to late nineties. Their first show was on August 22, 2003 in Sugar Land, Texas. A logo the band often uses is a slightly-modified Imperial Sugar crown logo, a company which the town was named after.

First recordings

In November 2003, a seven-song demo was released entitled Seven Short Stories by Mortimer T. Chimneytot. The demo was recorded by Chris Goodwin, who took the spot of bass player after Grant left in January 2004. That May, Andrew Saleeba (drums) left the band and Drew Ireland took over on drums. The new members had completely different styles of playing which led to the re-writing of all the old material. Five of the re-arranged songs were self-released in the Summer of 2004 on an EP entitled Five Stories Retold. The band's first tour was in July 2004 with another Houston band, The Phantom Pains.

Upon returning home, the band wrote some new material and released 3 songs on a split with Houston band, The Kidnap Soundtrack. In January 2005, the two bands toured in support of the self-released split. In April 2005, the band parted ways with bass player Chris Goodwin, and Illinoisan Wil Spent of the Decatur band Secretary moved to Houston and joined the band. They shortly caught the attention of Pluto Records, an independent record label from Texas. The Plot Thickens EP was released on Pluto Records. It was a re-mastered compilation of the Five Stories Retold ep and their side of the split with The Kidnap Soundtrack.

Ugly/Heartless

In December 2005, the band finished writing their first full-length entitled Ugly/Heartless. The album was recorded in January 2006 in Houston at Johnny Killed Rock N' Roll Studios. Immediately after recording, the band left for a tour with The Fall of Troy and At All Cost from Austin.

In 2007, after a short tour with Turmoil, Wil Spent left the band due to complications with diabetes.

Hiatus

As of 2009, the band is fairly inactive. B. James left the band and Bryan Jackson has since replaced him. Their most recent recordings have yet to be released. The band intends to release an EP in the future with 6 songs including a Swans cover. Side projects have formed including Black Congress featuring Bryan Jackson on vocals and Dann on guitar with members of Fatal Flying Guilloteens and God's Temple of Family Deliverance. Drew is now in a hardcore outfit called The Burden and Michael has started an electronic project with his wife Marlen called Golden Snakes. On August 10, 2009 the band announced a string of final shows, insinuating the band will no longer continue.

Band members

Current members

• Michael Murland
• Dann Miller
• J. Andrew Ireland
• Bryan Jackson

Former members

• William Spent - bass
• Chris "Badlose" Goodwin - bass
• Andrew Saleeba - drums
• Grant Miller - bass
• B. James - bass

Discography

Studio albums

• Ugly/Heartless (August 8, 2006)

EPs and Splits

• Devil Music, Volume I 7" (April 17, 2007)
• The Plot Thickens (July 25, 2005)
• The Kidnap Soundtrack / The Jonbenet split (January 2005)
• Five Stories Retold (August 3, 2004)
• Five Stories Retold (pre-release) (July 1, 2004)
• Seven Short Stories by Mortimer T. Chimneytot (December 20, 2003)

Videography

• Behold the White Whore (Pluto Records, 2005)
• Why We're Dead (Pluto Records,October 19, 2006)

External links

• Official site
• Pluto Records
• The Jonbenet on MySpace
• The Jonbenet on Allmusic