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The debut [[LP album]], ''The Revolution Is Never Coming'' is due out 2010.
The debut [[LP album]], ''The Revolution Is Never Coming'' is due out 2010.

Latest News: It has been rumored that [[Trash McSweeney]] has been shopping the band for management in America and has finally settled on handing over the role world wide to [[Pete Riedling]]. Pete also managers some of the biggest acts on the planet such as [[Tool (band)|Tool]], [[Bauhaus]] and also managed the careers of [[Rage against the Machine]] & [[Queens of Stone Age]] who are now on hiatus.


==Discography==
==Discography==

Revision as of 05:34, 21 January 2010

The Red Paintings

The Red Paintings are an Orchestral art rock band based in Los Angeles, California, originally formed 1999 in Geelong, Victoria but have been based over the last few years in Brisbane, Australia. The band consists of lead vocalist\songwriter Trash McSweeney on guitar, sequencing and samples, Trash also is the brainchild behind all the bands stage and musical concepts. Current touring line up is Ellen Stancombe (violin,vocals); Mike Langdale (bass), Andy Davis (drums) and David Sue Yek (Cello).

The band is known for their unique, confronting and intense themed performances incorporating elements of theatre and art, often dubbed "orchestral sci-fi art rock"[1]. Band members often dress in elaborate themed costumes, ranging from geisha outfits, alien costumes and more recently, sea creature\Neptune themes. They employ elaborate and eccentric stage props to support their shows, varying from virgin mary statues, giant robots, children toys, Tim Burton-themed props and self-made video projections. They often invite members of the audience to paint on blank canvasses during their shows, and sometimes 'human canvasses' are painted on instead [2].

The band has a strong underground fanbase in Australia [3] and the USA, and their debut studio album is being produced almost entirely on fan donations [4]. Their many costumes, props and street performances are often organised and produced with help from their large volunteer street teams. They are recently also known for their vocal support of animal rights issues, and in particular, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society [5].

History

Formation (1998-2002)

The band and concept was formed in 1999 in Geelong, Victoria by songwriter Trash McSweeney after he suffered a violent seizure. As a consequence of the seizure McSweeney was purported to have developed colour-sound synethesia. During this period they had little success breaking into the local music scene. They mainly managed to confirm shows in battle of the bands gigs, however, despite being successful in these they still were unable to break through. While on a holiday in Brisbane, Queensland, McSweeney received more positive feedback and offers at an impromptu gig, and thought relocating there might give the band better chances[6]. Frustrated with the Geelong scene, McSweeney offered other band members to relocate, but eventually moved to Brisbane and formed a new lineup. During this period the band produced three independent EPs, Angel Flummox EP, Reality (Ahead of Schedule) EP and Cinema Love EP.

Robot Trilogy Concept Era (2003-2007)

File:TRPBDOSTAGE2005.jpg
The Red Paintings on stage at the 2005 Gold Coast Big Day Out, onstage painter can be seen in foreground.

In Brisbane they soon became known for their unique shows, experimentation and friendliness [7]. After some initial hardships, McSweeney soon found like-minded musicians in Josh Engelking (percussion), Bo Witton (bass guitar), Ellen Stancombe (violin) and Wayne Jennings (cello)[8]. The newly formed lineup soon released the Rain single. Based on the single and performances McSweeney soon began to feature heavily in local media, becoming known for his revolutionary views on music, eccentric interviews\performances and the influence of his colour synesthesia on his music and art[1]. In 2003 the band conducted two extensive national tours, including sets at the coveted Livid and Big Day Out festivals. Following this success, a live performance was recorded with Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ FM and was released in 2004 as the album, The Virgin Mary Australian Tour Acoustic/Strings Album, which received yet more positive feedback [9]. They also headlined the 2004 Valley Fiesta, and played support for Australian singer\songwriter Missy Higgins. 2005 saw the band conduct a two week tour of China, and release the Walls EP with Modern Music/Sony BMG, to critical acclaim [10]. The EP received high rotation play on the national Triple J radio station and generated plenty of new fans. The title track, Walls, entered the stations "Net 50" chart at #3 [11] and charted for fifteen weeks. Sometime around this release bassplayer Witton was replaced by Amanda Holmes.

File:DDandtrp2006.jpg
Trash McSweeney and Amanda Palmer, in 2006, performing together during the The Dresden Dolls tour.

The next release from the band in 2006, the Destroy The Robots EP [12], would see the emergence of the Robot Trilogy concept. Also, after a period with no regular percussionist, current drummer Andy Davis was hired. Clashes with their Modern Music label/Sony BMG [13] label at the time over creative direction saw the band ending it's relationship after the EP was released, and becoming independent of label or outside management. The band toured Australia's capital cities and regional centres for the Destroy The Robots EP. In each capital city centre unannounced 'Robot Marches' were staged also, where fan-made giant (up to 9 foot) robots were paraded through pedestrian malls. Recognition and radio airplay from this tour saw them picked as support for Mogwai, and play at The Great Escape (festival). Off the back of this success, their sounds reached the ears of Amanda Palmer, of The Dresden Dolls, who contacted the band with an offer to support their 2006 Australian tour. The tour was a great success for the band [14], although the band's van was broken into twice and equipment and paintings were stolen , and they were invited to continue as support for the tour in New Zealand, the UK and USA. Before leaving for the USA long time cellist Wayne Jennings departed the band, and upon returning to Australia current cellist David Sue Yek joined the band after answering a university advertisement. The band received significant attention in the USA, and were able to release a live EP and documentary DVD both from the tour; Live In Minneapolis and Seizure & Synesthesia [15]. The band returned to play two special christmas-themed charity events, and released the third album in the 'Robots Trilogy', the Feed the Wolf EP [16]. This EP was funded entirely from fan donations and was also the last album bassist Amanda Holmes featured in. Mid 2007 saw the band on another large national Australian tour for this EP, with accompanying street parades as seen before, albeit with genetically engineered animals marching into a giant Ark [17]. The EP received good airplay on Australian and US radio stations, and spawned the single and music video for "We Belong In The Sea", which received top honours on Youtube.

In June 2007, songwriter Trash McSweeney announced his plans for recording their debut LP record, and based upon the successful model of the Feed the Wolf EP, made a request on the band website for fan donations to support this endeavor [18]. He was met with mixed reactions from the Australian music industry [19], but nonetheless fans responded and he achieved his goal, raising $AUD40 000 towards their independent LP. The band also played further support for Amanda Palmer's 2007 solo tour in Australia.

Independence and Touring (2008-Current)

File:PaulWatsonTrashMcSweeneyMAY2009.jpg
Trash McSweeney and Captain Paul Watson, performing Whales Are Dying onstage together at Worldfest, May 2009.

In 2008 the band embarked on another Australian tour and also their first headlining tour of the West Coast of the United States. The tour was successful and saw them receive high radio airplay, including on Los Angeles Indie 103.1FM, Portland's KNRK and San Francisco's Live 505 radio stations [20]. The band were also invited to play at the prestigious Musexpo 2008. During this tour singer Trash McSweeney also met and became personal friends with Sea Shephard captain, Paul Watson. This partnership led the band to play a benefit show for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on the eve of the departure of MV Steve Irwin from Brisbane[21]; and later that year a collaboration with Paul Watson covering the Midnight Oil song Beds are Burning, titled Whales Are Dying and accompanying music video [22]. The collaboration, and McSweeney's outspoken support, received wide media coverage in the USA. Also this year the band's independent album, The Revolution Is Never Coming, was recorded in Australia and produced by McSweeney and Engineered by Tidykid.

2009 saw the band tour performing sporadic free\benefit shows in Australia, as the band took time off to work heavily on the upcoming album and for McSweeney to also personally direct the music videos for it. They did however support the national tour of punk band Mindless Self Indulgence, and open shows for the Australian tour of poet Saul Williams. The band has currently relocated to Los Angeles in preparation for their album release. They are currently in post-production and mastering of their debut album, which has taken place in Brisbane, Winnipeg, Toronto, Los Angeles and Nashville. The album is being mixed jointly by McSweeney, Grammy Award winner Trina Shoemaker (Something for Kate, Sheryl Crow, Queens of the Stone Age). It is said to be, pre-release, generating positive reviews and interest from US and UK record labels [20], although McSweeney still appears determined to release their LP independently. While in the US, McSweeney has also played several solo shows and teamed up again with Captain Paul Watson to perform at Worldfest 2009 [23].

The debut LP album, The Revolution Is Never Coming is due out 2010.

Discography

Albums
EPs
Singles
  • "Rain" (2004)
  • "We Belong In The Sea" (2007)
  • "Whales Are Dying" (2009)

References

  1. ^ a b *Daniel Gill (November 2003). "The Red Paintings". "Tsunami". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  2. ^ *"The Red Paintings". Rave Magazine. July 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  3. ^ *Wylie Caird (March 2008). "The Red Paintings Forte Interview" (PDF). "Forte". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  4. ^ *"The Red Paintings". "BandNation". 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  5. ^ *Darrah Le Montre (June 2009). "Whale Wars' Sea Shepherd Nets Anthony Kiedis and Rick Rubin's Support". "Hollywood Today". Retrieved June 28, 2009.
  6. ^ *Gillian Corker (November 2003). "Red Paintings". "Forte Magazine". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  7. ^ *Emily Williams (March 2004). "Colour Me Dissatisfied". "Scene Magazine". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  8. ^ *Jody Macgregor. "The Red Paintings Bio". "Allmusic". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  9. ^ *Cameron Hawes (January 2005). "Paint By Numbers". "Rave Magazine". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  10. ^ *Brett Collingwood (February 2005). "Painting the Walls Red". "Geared Magazine". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  11. ^ *Adam Curley (January 2005). "The Red Paintings - Different Strokes". "Time Off Magazine". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  12. ^ *Brett Collingwood (May 2007). "Destroy The Robots". "Sputnik Music". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  13. ^ *Cara Williams (January 2007). "The Red Paintings". "Soulshine". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  14. ^ *Sally Browne (September 2004). "Trash Talking". "Courier Mail". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  15. ^ *"Seizure & Synesthesia". "The Dwarf". August 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  16. ^ *"The Red Paintings". "Obscure Sound". July 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  17. ^ *Rob Lyon (July 2008). "Out Come The Wolves". "Rip It Up". Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  18. ^ *"Red Paintings Blog". "Myspace". February 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  19. ^ *Dan Watt (April 2008). "The Red Paintings". "Beat Magazine". Retrieved July 2, 2009.
  20. ^ a b *"The Red Paintings". "A&R Worldwide". June 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  21. ^ *"Benefit Concert". Sea Shepherd Conservation Society". November 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2009.
  22. ^ *"The Red Paintings and Sea Shepherd". "X-Ray Magazine". February 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
  23. ^ *"Worldfest2009". "SSS". May 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
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