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Failure (band)

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Failure
Failure performing in 2014
Failure performing in 2014
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1990–1997, 2014–present
LabelsSlash/Warner Bros.
Members
Past members
Websitefailureband.com

Failure is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles that was active from 1990 to 1997 and from 2014 onwards. They are often compared to other alternative rock bands from that time that were similarly labeled as "alternative", such as Nirvana and Soundgarden, but are distinguished by their meticulous attention to textural sonic detail, inventive use of guitar effects and signal processing, and the overall expansive sound design of their later albums. Failure reunited in 2014.[1]

History

1992-1997: Formation, Comfort, Magnified and Fantastic Planet

In 1992, Failure signed with Slash Records (an LA-based independent label whose releases were manufactured and distributed by Warner Bros. in the United States), and went to Minnesota to record their debut album with notorious producer Steve Albini at Pachyderm Studio that summer. Comfort was released in September 1992, and around this same time, they went on their first of several tours with Tool.

Both the band and Albini were unsatisfied with the sound of Comfort, so when the band went back into the studio in 1993, Andrews and Edwards took on the role of producers themselves. Midway through these sessions, Gauss left the band, so Edwards played some drums himself, until a replacement was found in Kellii Scott. Their second album, Magnified, was released in March 1994; a promotional video (the band's first) was made for the single "Undone", but it received little airtime, if any, on any of the traditional music video outlets. Critics took note of the sonic and musical advances achieved on Magnified, and other more well-known musicians also began singing Failure's praises. That year, they again went on tour with Tool, and during Failure's set each night, Tool guitarist Adam Jones came onstage to play rhythm guitar on the Comfort track "Macaque".

Anxious to build on the momentum afforded to them by the relative success of Magnified, Andrews, Edwards, and Scott began recording again in 1995, this time in a rented home owned by Lita Ford in the hills just outside LA. With the band again producing themselves, and Andrews handling the lion's share of the engineering himself, the situation allowed the band to take far more time in recording than they ever had before, and follow their instincts as far as they chose without outside interference. As the recordings neared completion, they received word that their label's distribution deal with Warner had expired and would not be renewed. Since Failure was essentially sidelined while the owners of Slash were trying to negotiate a new distribution deal, the band members kept themselves busy with outside projects: Andrews and Edwards (and friends) recorded an album of covers under the name Replicants; Andrews produced albums for Blinker the Star and Molly McGuire (the Kansas City-based rock band, not the LA-based singer-songwriter); Scott did some session work. Meanwhile, the band continued to "unofficially" shop the record to other labels and industry personnel, while hoping that Warner would step up and release the album. In the spring of 1996, Warner did exactly that, agreeing to keep the Slash imprint one last time for Failure, and Fantastic Planet was released that August. Guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, a friend and former bandmate of Scott's, joined Failure around the time of the album's release. The album's first single, "Stuck on You" (an appropriately catchy mid-tempo track that metaphorically compares heroin to a nagging tune stuck in one's head), became a minor alternative-radio hit and achieved light to medium rotation on MTV, but failed to chart significantly. The song peaked at No. 31 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and No. 23 on the Modern Rock chart.[2] Other songs, such as "Saturday Saviour" and "Pitiful", received some airplay from more adventurous-minded DJs, but no more videos were made for any of the album's tracks, and due to the state of disarray at their label at that time, little effort was put into its promotion.

In 1997, the band were asked by friends in the industrial rock band God Lives Underwater to contribute a track for a Depeche Mode tribute album that they were assembling; Failure chose to cover the 1990 hit "Enjoy the Silence", a worldwide smash and Depeche Mode's best-selling and most well-known single. The members of Depeche Mode were reportedly very pleased with the album, and with the Failure track particularly; Andrew Fletcher said that he actually prefers their cover over his band's original version.[citation needed] That summer, Failure also joined the Lollapalooza tour, during what became the last of that tour's travelling years. Originally booked to headline the side stage, Failure was promoted to also perform on the main stage to fill the void created when Korn dropped out; Failure played both an early afternoon set on the main stage and a longer headlining set in the evening on the side stage for the remainder of the tour.

On November 19, 1997, Failure officially announced that they had disbanded, citing personal differences.

1997-2013: Post-breakup work

Ken Andrews has gone on to become a well-known producer, engineer, and mixer, and has been involved in several different music projects. ON (1999–2002) was more or less a solo project, and was not unlike Failure, in terms of songwriting, but the overall sound was more based on electronics, with less emphasis on guitars and the typical heavy rock sound. Year of the Rabbit (2002–2004) saw Andrews' return to the four-piece rock band format, alongside ON's touring drummer, Tim Dow, and former members of National Skyline and Cupcakes; the harder-rocking sound of YotR is much closer to that of Failure, but the band lost momentum and eventually went on indefinite hiatus after their label, Elektra Records, was ostensibly shut down by its parent company. Throughout all of this, Andrews has become increasingly sought-after for his production and mixing skills, and his résumé has expanded to include work on albums by Pete Yorn, Paramore, Candlebox, Tenacious D, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and Mae, among many others. (Also notable is his participation in the production of "You Know My Name", the theme for the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale, performed by then-former Soundgarden/Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell.) Currently, Andrews is performing as a solo artist, as well as collaborating in a self-described "digital band" called Los Angeles Digital Noise Academy, whose loose membership also includes Brad Laner (Medicine), Sharky Laguana (Creeper Lagoon), Charlotte Martin (whom Andrews married in 2005), and others. He released his first solo album, Secrets of the Lost Satellite, in 2007. He has also started a label, Dinosaur Fight Records, which has released his solo album and Martin's, and has announced their intention to release the forthcoming LADNA album, as well.

Greg Edwards collaborated with fellow musicians Chris Pitman, Brad Laner, and Paul D'Amour in the psychedelic pop outfit Lusk, releasing the album Free Mars in 1997. In 2000, Edwards formed the band Autolux in with vocalist/bassist Eugene Goreshter and former Ednaswap drummer Carla Azar. Their self-produced, self-released 2001 EP Demonstration brought them to the attention of legendary producer T Bone Burnett, who used his vanity label DMZ to secure them a contract with Sony BMG Music Entertainment and produced their debut album, Future Perfect, which was released in October 2004 to general critical praise. They were hand-picked by Trent Reznor to open for Nine Inch Nails' North American arena tour in the autumn of 2005, playing bottom of the bill before Queens of the Stone Age. In 2006, they collaborated on a few tracks with the British musical outfit Unkle, for Unkle's 2007 release, War Stories. After various delays, Autolux released their second album, Transit Transit, in 2010.

Kellii Scott joined Blinker the Star after Failure's breakup, and then joined Campfire Girls for their 2003 album, Tell Them Hi. Scott also played on a track titled 'Best Friend' by Size 14 bassist Robt Ptak on his solo project Artificial Joy, Ptak put this on his own personal reverbnation page in 2013. As of 2005, he was playing drums for both Veruca Salt and Enemy. In 2008, his most recent band The Brontosaur released their self-titled album. From 2008-2012 Kellii could be heard playing on all Linda Perry's recording sessions, most notably Christina Aguilera's song "You Lift Me Up" and Courney Love's "Letter To God". And in 2013 he worked with the Dr Dre and a 72 piece orchestra at Capitol studios for a song on his upcoming album.

Troy Van Leeuwen first resurfaced in the original lineup of A Perfect Circle, appearing on their debut album, Mer De Noms (2000), and on the subsequent tour. During the sessions for APC's second album, Van Leeuwen was extended an invitation to join Queens of the Stone Age, which he accepted; he does appear on three tracks on the second APC album, Thirteenth Step (2003), but the included cover of Failure's "The Nurse Who Loved Me" is not one of them. He has remained with Queens of the Stone Age since then, first appearing on the tour for their 2002 album, Songs for the Deaf, but not on the album itself. Also, during this time, Van Leeuwen assembled Enemy, a vehicle in which he is the front man and guitarist; their debut album, Hooray for Dark Matter, was released in October 2005. In 2008 Van Leeuwen formed the band Sweethead with vocalist Serrina Sims, who also provided backing vocals on Queens of the Stone Age single Make It wit Chu on the album Era Vulgaris,[3] in 2007. The bands roster was rounded up with Norm Block formerly of Plexi and Troy's former Enemy bandmate Eddie Nappi.

In 2004, although the band had been inactive for many years, Andrews and Edwards got together to collaborate on a CD/DVD set entitled Golden, which collects demos, outtakes, touring footage, both of the band's videos, and other rare material from the band's active period. Another posthumous compilation, a 2-CD set titled Essentials, was assembled for release in 2006; the first disc contains selected tracks from Failure's three studio albums, and the second disc features the first official CD release of all four songs from their two pre-Slash singles, and the complete demos for Magnified. In 2008, a tribute album to Failure was released titled: "A Tribute to Failure: The Nurse Who Loved Me." On June 8, 2010, Fantastic Planet was planned to be released on a 2LP vinyl set for the first time from Warner Bros. Both Magnified and Comfort were released on LP for the first time in the second half of 2011 by ORG Music (Magnified was delayed until late 2013).

2013-present: Reunion, The Heart is a Monster

Failure announced their reunion in late 2013.[4] With the "classic lineup"[5] of Greg Edwards, Ken Andrews and Kellii Scott, they performed their first show since 1997 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on February 13, 2014. It was subsequently announced that the band would open for Tool on their upcoming tour.[6]

After the first leg, starting in March and culminating with the "Cinquanta" shows on May 10 and 11 at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles, Failure's separate "Tree of Stars" tour took place during May and June 2014 for 18 performances.[7] A tour exclusive EP entitled Tree of Stars was available during this leg.[8] The EP contains 4 live tracks and their first new song since Fantastic Planet, entitled "Come Crashing". On May 14, Failure released the track on their Bandcamp following with "The Focus" on July 14, 2014. Failure commenced work on their fourth album in Late 2014, which was significant as their first album in over eighteen years.[9]

On March 30, Failure announced their fourth studio album The Heart Is a Monster, spanning 18 tracks, which was released on June 30 through INgrooves. This announcement coincided with the release of the new single "Hot Traveler," which the band debuted at SXSW earlier that month.[10] Troy Van Leeuwen was not cited as returning to the band, however, he contributed guitar work on several tracks of the new album.[11] Despite this, Failure announced that Van Leeuwen would participate in its October 2015 tour. In summer 2016 Failure announced an October tour where they would be playing Fantastic Planet in its entirety to celebrate the albums 20 year anniversary. On thanksgiving 2016, Failure announced they'd be releasing Fantastic Planet live, using tracks recorded during the Fantastic Planet Anniversery tour.[12]

Musical style

Musically, the band has been described as alternative rock,[13] art rock,[14] space rock,[15] post-grunge[16][17][18] and alternative metal.[15][19]

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Extended plays

Music videos

Promotional Singles/Other

Year Title Format Label Notes
1991 Count My Eyes / Comfort [21] Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM Sweet Smelling Records Rare vinyl - both tracks are included on disc 2 of Essentials.
Pro-Catastrophe / Dipped In Anger [21] Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM Sweet Smelling Records Rare vinyl - both tracks are included on disc 2 of Essentials.
1994 Moth [21] CD single Slash Records Same as album version.
Empty Friend [21] CD single Slash Records Edit version - 4:05
1996 Stuck On You [21] CD single Slash, Warner Bros. Records Edit version - 3:53. This is the only single release to chart with Billboard in Failure's career.
Saturday Saviour [21] CD single Slash, Warner Bros. Records Edit version - 3:59
Pitiful [21] CD single Slash, Warner Bros. Records Edit version - 3:58
1998 Enjoy The Silence [21] CD various artists, tribute album 1500 Records This track can be found on For the Masses - a tribute album to Depeche Mode.
2014 Solaris 2014 / Shrine [21] Vinyl, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM Self-released Limited to 300 copies, only available at the reunion show - February 13 at the El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA - alternate version of Solaris.
Come Crashing [22] high-quality download Self-released First new song since 1996's Fantastic Planet - released on May 14 during the Tree of Stars North American Tour.
The Focus [23] high-quality download Self-released Debuted live on May 15 at the Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA - studio version premiered on June 15 via 91X San Diego.
2015 Hot Traveler [24] high-quality download INgrooves Music Group Debuted live on March 20 at SXSW - studio version premiered on March 29 via BBC Radio One's The Rock Show with Daniel P. Carter.

References

  1. ^ "Failure to Join Tool on U.S. Tour « Radio.com". News.radio.com. February 28, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  2. ^ Billboard, Allmusic
  3. ^ "Troy this on for size". Loud Noise and Pictures.
  4. ^ wookubus (October 18, 2013). "Failure's Ken Andrews Says The Bands 2014 Return Is "Quite Real"". THEPRP. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  5. ^ Rob Harvilla (November 4, 2013). "Exclusive: Failure Announce L.A. Reunion Show, Threaten More". Spin.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  6. ^ "Failure confirmed as support for Tool tour". February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  7. ^ Tilles, Jay. "Failure Announce North American Tour". radio.com. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  8. ^ "Failure". Facebook. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Ken Andrews Interview: Failure Frontman Discusses Band's Reunion". Smells Like Infinite Sadness.
  10. ^ "Failure announces first new album in 19 years, premieres "Hot Traveler" — listen - Consequence of Sound". Consequence of Sound.
  11. ^ Terich, Jeff. "Failure: The Heart is a Monster". treble. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  12. ^ https://www.facebook.com/Failureband/photos/a.247678335383173.1073741827.243083122509361/538032269681110/?type=1&permPage=1
  13. ^ Jeffries, Vincent. "Failure biography". Allmusic. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  14. ^ Harvilla, Rob (November 4, 2013). "Exclusive: Failure Announce L.A. Reunion Show, Threaten More". Spin. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  15. ^ a b Reyes-Kulkarni, Saby (July 1, 2015). "Failure - The Heart Is a Monster". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  16. ^ Terry, Josh (May 15, 2014). "Listen: Failure's "Come Crashing", their first new song in 18 years". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  17. ^ Jeffries, Vincent. "Failure - Comfort". Allmusic. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  18. ^ Jeffries, Vincent. "Failure - Magnified". Allmusic. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  19. ^ Anderson, Kyle (March 21, 2015). "SXSW 2015 Friday: In praise of Swedes and Failure". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  20. ^ "Failure To Release Brand New Song On "Tree Of Stars" Tour EP | Theprp.com – Metal, Hardcore And Rock News, Reviews And More". Theprp.com. May 11, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i http://www.discogs.com/artist/28971-Failure
  22. ^ "Failure – "Come Crashing"". Stereogum.
  23. ^ "Failure – "The Focus"". Stereogum.
  24. ^ "Failure – "Hot Traveler"". Stereogum.
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