Sinch

Sinch is an American alternative rock band formed in 1994 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

History

The alternative rock quartet Sinch formed in 1994 while its members were attending different high schools in Doylestown and Willow Grove in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. To the dismay of parents and the bemusement of friends, the members of Sinch made a pact that upon leaving school they would dedicate themselves to the band rather than pursue college or the military.

In 1996 the band self-produced its first album titled, The Strychnine, earning it regular live slots along the East Coast. Two years later, Sinch released its second record titled, Diatribe, which gained them further notoriety and won them supporting slots with major label artists including KoЯn, Rob Zombie, Linkin Park and Chevelle.

This exposure was sufficient to garner the band a major label deal. In 2001, they signed with Roadrunner Records and produced their self titled Sinch album with producer Malcolm Springer. The first single from the album was "Something More". It was released to radio stations worldwide and became one of the Top 100 active rock singles of 2002. Sinch's self-titled album became one of Roadrunner's highest selling debut releases, and ultimately went on to sell over 100,000 copies worldwide.

During this period, Sinch became known for their use of the "Ocular Noise Machine" or ""Viditar", a guitar-shaped video device made of transparent lucite (acrylic glass) which is operated by the band's fifth member, Jay Smith. The device, also known as a Viditar, feeds computerized footage on to projector screens, and edits it in real-time during the band's live performances. The footage is edited via buttons on the machine's neck and knobs and sliders on its body. Used in conjunction with a PowerBook, the buttons allow the operator to select video files to display, whilst employing knobs and sliders to manipulate and apply special effects to the images. Fearing the device would be copied by another band or, worse, a corporation, Smith applied to have the device patented. Smith is also the founder of Livid Instruments where he creates and sells his own line of video instruments.

Sinch were released from Roadrunner Records mid-2004, after the label decided to pass up the option of renewing the bands contract. It was said that Roadrunner didn't know how to market the band, as they didn't fit into any of the metal/rock genres that they specialize in.

Sinch's second major album titled, Clearing the Channel, was released on March 22, 2005 via independent label Rock Ridge Music, who remain as the band's current label.

2009 (New full length)

Sinch have announced that they are writing and recording a new full length album for 2009 which they are doing without the help of a label and are currently asking for donations for this project which there will be rewards to everyone who gives money for the costs of this album. A donation of just $10 guarantees you the album is sent straight to you in MP3 format as soon as it is released. "We are getting ready to start recording a brand new full length album. Since we are doing this independently (i.e., no label), we’ll be paying for everything ourselves - recording, mixing, mastering, distribution, etc."

Band members

• Jamie Stem – Vocals
• Tony Lannutti – Guitar, Sound design
• Mike Abramson – Bass, Wurlitzer organ
• Dan McFarland – Drums/Percussion
• Jay Smith – Ocular Noise Machine, Viditar

Discography

• Sinch (Demo) (1995)
• The Strychnine (1996)
• Diatribe (1998)
• Project: Bluebird EP (2000)
• Imitating the Screen EP (2002)
• Sinch (2002)
• Clearing the Channel (2005)
• Live Cuts EP (2005)
• Subdivisions (EP) (2006)
• New Full Length (2009)

External links

• Official site
• Livid Instruments
• Bluskreen