Emanuel is a five-piece Post-hardcore band from Louisville Kentucky, United States. They formed in 1998 under their lesser known name Emanuel Nice and appeared on four releases, before getting signed to Vagrant Records and changing their name in 2004. Since, they have released their debut album Soundtrack to a Headrush and a second album Black Earth Tiger.
History
The roots of the band Emanuel go back to Jeffersonville, Indiana, a town located just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. After 14-year-old high school students Matt Breen and Bryan Whiteman met Anthony Brock and Mat Barber (who attended a rivalling school in their hometown) at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, the quartet decided to form the garage band Emanuel Nice in 1998. They recorded their rather inept eight-song debut EP Hi-Skool Trivia in December 1998. The CD was issued the following year through the German underground record label Roddog Records, which was run by friends of the band. In the following years, while still in high school, Emanuel Nice appeared on two split records — one with New Jersey's already renowned Lanemeyer, another with the German punk band Colourbone — before recording their second EP, Wait, in 2002. However, none of the releases triggered the desired local stardom.
In 2004, Emanuel shortened their band name, in conjunction with the musical renovation they underwent. Even though their line-up never changed throughout the six years since the band's formation, their sound evolved drastically from "poppy and terrible, it's kind of embarrassing", as singer/guitarist Breen put it,[1] to a darker, more mature blend of indie and emo genres. With cynical lyrics and aggressive guitar melodies, the band's new sound landed them a record deal with Vagrant Records, who released their debut album Soundtrack to a Headrush in March 2005. In late 2005, the band added guitarist Devin Triplett as a fifth member, with Breen concentrating solely on vocals.
In March 2006, Emanuel played an arena tour of the US supporting 30 Seconds to Mars with Aiden and Keating.
In January 2007, the band entered the studio to begin recording the follow-up to Soundtrack to a Headrush, titled Black Earth Tiger. The album was released on the 28th of August, 2007.
The band declined the rumors circulating that they were breaking up recently in a Myspace bulletin.
Breen was originally going to be the singer for Brian Deneeve, former guitarist of From Autumn To Ashes' new project called Summer Law, but the project has since been scrapped. After many problems such as debt, personal mental health issues, general band tension, lack of promotion/record sales and many other problems, Matt Breen has stated that he is 'writing a lot' for a future Emanuel release. He also mentioned in a myspace blog that the band has their tour banner and equipment set up in a basement and they rehearse occasionally. The band is generally assumed by fans to be on hiatus though.
Relation with PETA
The band have done some interviews for PETA in which they mention some of their members being vegetarians. They have talked about their support of PETA's causes, especially the stopping of testing products on animals and killing animals for clothes.
TV appearances
The band did an interview for ManiaTV, as artist of the day, as well as host Steven Untitled Rock Show on FUSE after the release of Soundtrack To A Headrush.
Members
Discography
Albums
EPs
Singles
Other Songs
References
- ^ "Emanuel - 02.07.05". AbsolutePunk.net. http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=59796. Retrieved January 6 2006.
External links
