Brazil (band)

Brazil
File:Brazil the band.jpg
Background information
Years active	2002–present
Members	Jonathon Newby Nic Newby Aaron Smith Eric Johnson James Sefchek Philip Williams

Brazil are a rock band from Indiana formed by Jonathon Newby, Nicholas Newby, Aaron Smith, Eric Johnson, James Sefchek, and Philip Williams. Though critically acclaimed, the band retains a small but loyal group of fans throughout the world. They are known for their complex song arrangements and somewhat intellectual subject matter, and cite influences as diverse as Pink Floyd, Queen, and The Cure but don’t consider themselves to be fully progressive rock, pop, or new wave. Brazil have recorded a total of two full length albums, one EP, and numerous self-recorded demos.

Band history

Brazil formed in the summer of 2000 with brothers Jonathon and Nicholas Newby. After assembling the initial lineup, they recorded the first of a series of homemade demos and began small bouts of weekend touring. In 2001, the band self-released another demo and embarked on a defining 3-week tour that took them to the East Coast and the South and tested the bands physical and mental limits with an self-imposed itinerary that had them traveling for days at a time in a rundown minivan. More frequent small tours followed as the members finished their schooling. During this time, the band wrote and performed CONQUER, a three part collaboration with members of the Ball State University Symphony Orchestra. In 2002, Brazil signed a small contract with California label Fearless Records, who released the band’s first EP, Dasein. The band toured on the EP for approximately five months before returning home to write A Hostage and the Meaning of Life, their debut full length album of 2004, also released by Fearless Records. Hostage was released in September of that year and the band embarked on a tour lasting nearly fourteen months, completing approximately 4 circuits of the United States and four entries into Canada. Upon returning home, the band found themselves without funding for their next record but were able to quickly secure a deal with California label Immortal Records, who released the band’s sophomore album The Philosophy of Velocity. The band began touring promotion in August of 2006 and continues to perform in support of the record.

Present and Past Members

Jonathon Newby

Founding member and singer. Newby played drums for Brazil before switching to vocals prior to the Dasein EP session. He does most of his writing on the piano, where he had formal training for several years. He recorded vocals on all Brazil releases though 2006, and recorded drums on The Lost EP and the early demos.

Nic Newby

Founding member and keyboard player. Nic played on all Brazil releases through 2006. Interestingly, Brazil is the first and only band Nic has ever been a member of. In 2006, Nic was forced off tour for court-ordered therapy involving charges never formally announced. He returned to the road in late October.

Aaron Smith

Founding member and guitarist. Smith is known for his non-technical and intuitive approach to playing guitar, often eschewing theory and technique for expression and energy. He was the band’s original bass player. Smith also sang in political punk band American Youth, and played guitar in art noise band Pharmacy Liquor. He recorded guitar on all Brazil releases through 2006.

Eric Johnson

Guitarist. Johnson joined just before the recording of the Dasein EP, making Brazil a 2-guitar band for the first time. He’s known for his very precise and consistent style which, when juxtaposed against Smith’s expressionistic approach, creates much of the unique tension that comprises Brazil’s sound. Johnson has also recorded with renowned Chicago engineer Steve Albini, and currently plays in saababanks, a band often compared to noisy and rhythm-heavy bands such as Shellac, June of 44, and The Jesus Lizard. He recorded guitar on Dasein, The Lost EP, the Wrapped Around Your Finger cover, A Hostage and the Meaning of Life, and The Philosophy of Velocity.

James Sefchek

Drummer. Sefchek joined in 2003 after responding to the band’s advertisement looking for new drummer. He recorded drums on A Hostage and the Meaning of Life, the Wrapped Around Your Finger cover, and The Philosophy of Velocity.

Philip Williams

Bassist. Williams joined in 2004, and played bass for Asian Man Records artist Johnny Socko and indie pop group Pravada with members of Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s prior to joining Brazil. He recorded bass on The Philosophy of Velocity and the Wrapped Around Your Finger cover.

Matt Miller

Founding member and guitarist. Miller rehearsed with the band and helped write very early material shortly before dropping out for personal commitments, although he toured briefly as a substitute in 2002. Miller now does much of the band’s pre-production recording.

Johnny Richardson

Guitarist, vocalist. Richardson toured with the band in 2000 and 2001 and played on the early demos. He now lives in Burlington, VT, and leads lo-fi indie band Aquadora.

John May

Guitarist. May rehearsed with the band briefly in 2001, but dropped out before performing live or doing any studio work. He also played guitar for surf-rock band The H-Men, and executed the tape loop sound experiments during the CONQUER performance.

Benjamin Hunt

Bass. Hunt joined in 2001, taking the bass position from Aaron Smith. He toured and recorded with Brazil for 3 years before leaving the band in 2004, recording bass on Dasein and A Hostage and the Meaning of Life. He played in hardcore bands Horizon and Anthem Boy prior to joining Brazil.

Jason Bradley

Drums. Bradley toured briefly in 2003 before leaving the band.

Alex Bond

Drums. Bond played two concerts with the band in 2002 before leaving the band. He went on to play for Initial Records band Black Cross.

Scott Freeman

Drums. Freeman tracked all drums on the Dasein EP, as well as toured during 2002 before leaving the band. He also played for Thick Records artist Sullen, touring frequently with Chicago hard rock band Local H.

James Cole

Drums. Cole toured with Brazil in 2003 before joining Invisible Records artist Tubring.

Nater Kane

Drums. Kane toured briefly in 2003 and is now a graphic designer in the D.C. area.

Andrew Gaub

Drums. Gaub played locally in 2001 before joining art punk band Hospital and is now a researcher for an international dealer of rare books in Philadelphia.

Tim Hardy

Drums. Hardy toured briefly in 2002 and now lives in St. Louis.

Brandon Beaver

Drums. Beaver toured during 2003 before leaving the band. He now plays drums in Indianapolis art punk band ari ari.

Where They Got The Name

Brazil took their name from the 1985 science fiction film, "Brazil", directed by Terry Gilliam. No one in the band is from, or affiliated with, the South American country of Brasil, nor the west-central Indiana town of Brazil.

Discography

Studio

[[Image:|center|60px|]]	September 17, 2002	Dasein
[[Image:|center|60px|]]	Never	The Lost EP
[[Image:|center|60px|]]	April 20, 2004	A Hostage and the Meaning of Life
[[Image:|center|60px|]]	October 3, 2006	The Philosophy of Velocity

Singles & Compilations

Brazil has recorded a handful of one-off tracks and demos. In 2005, Brazil recorded a cover of The Police’s Wrapped Around Your Finger for the Fearless Record’s Punk Goes 80s Compilation. Additionally, the band recently recorded an original track called Cities Made of Snow for Immortal Records Santa Cause Benefit Compilation, to be released for the 2006 holiday season. Several demoed songs also exist that did not make it onto the albums. One track was left over after the Hostage sessions, and six tracks were left over after the Philosophy sessions. The band is currently recording acoustic versions of some album tracks for future release, as well as demo’s for new material.

Criticism

Brazil have often been compared to the now defunct punk band At the Drive In, a comparison the band goes to great lengths to distance themselves from. A few factors play a part in the oft-cited comparison of the two bands. Namely, both bands released their formative records on Southern California record label Fearless Records, both bands recorded early records with Los Angeles producer Alex Newport, and both band’s vocalists have similar ranges. Ironically, only one member of Brazil has admitted to being a fan of the late El Paso, TX-based 5-piece, though the other members appreciate their reputation and contribution to music in the early ‘00s. The band has often bemoaned the idea of being grouped solely with bands from the punk genre, a scenario often repeated on tours and with record labels, preferring instead to be regarded as simply a modern rock band.

The Ministry

The Ministry is a loose community of fans who follow Brazil closely and help disseminate information regarding the band and their activities. Most are long-time acquaintances of the band in various parts of the world with whom the band keeps in close contact via telephone, although membership is not exclusive. The Ministry also participates in secretive endeavors, such as the revealing of hidden websites involving the band’s work, and the organization of ‘Pataphysical Odd Occurrences, or P.O.O. - grassroots reading circles devoted to the literary work of Jonathon Newby.

External links

Official sites

• Brazil's Web Site
• Brazil's Myspace
• Brazil's Purevolume