Information AboutDon Caballero |
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Don Caballero formed in the summer of 1991 , released five Album s on Touch And Go Records between 1993 and 2000 , then disbanded in November 2000 . Drummer Damon Che recruited new personnel for a reconstituted Don Caballero in 2003 , but this new lineup has been met with mixed reception from fans. They have since signed to Relapse Records and a new album, titled '' World Class Listening Problem '', is slated to be released on May 16, 2006. HISTORY The group's original lineup consisted of Damon Che ( Drum s), Mike Banfield ( Guitar s), and Pat Morris ( Bass Guitar ). Ian Williams joined in 1992 as a second guitarist. Che and Williams in particular garnered much attention; their unique styles and intricately-scored compositions helped to define the genre of math rock, though the members of Don Caballero despised the categorization. Williams has a unique approach to his instrument; he uses rhythmic Tapping almost exclusively (this technique had previously been featured mainly in rock Guitar Solo s, and only rarely in other contexts). Che's energetic and unconventional style of drumming was often praised, and earned him the informal title of "The Octopus" due to the wild flailing of his arms while playing. Critic Steve Huey writes that "it was Che's manic explosions and stop-on-a-dime shifts in Time Signature that mapped out the trail his bandmates followed." {Link without Title} After forming, Don Caballero intended to draft a singer to join the group. However, their early rehearsals generated such interest that the group was offered paying gigs, and decided to remain instrumental. The band issued two singles for the Pittsburgh-based labels Pop Bus and Broken Giraffe, and one single for Detroit-based label Third Gear. Then they released one single for the Chicago based label Touch And Go Records which preceded their debut album, '' For Respect ", released in 1993. In the fall of 1994 bass player Pat Morris left and prior to rejoining he started the band Six Horse with Louisville transplant Shannon Burns and Blunderbuss drummer Bill Baxter. Matt Jencik of the band Hurl replaced Morris in Don Caballero during this absence. In 1995, they released their second LP '' Don Caballero 2 '' to very positive reviews. Fans and critics alike hailed the record as a math rock landmark, and its release significantly widened their audience. Though some early reviews noted jazz-like qualities, there was actually little if any improvisation; the group was tightly rehearsed, and the liner notes for their second album state that "Don Caballero is rock not jazz, Don Caballero is free from solos." In the wake of their second release, Che and Williams expanded their respective musical palettes. Che with his Van Halen esque The Speaking Canaries (featuring bassist Karl Hendricks and drummer Noah Leger ), and Williams with Storm & Stress , an Avant-garde Rock trio featuring bassist Eric Emm and drummer Kevin Shea . In 1996 Matt Jencik left the band and Pat Morris returned to the group. In 1998 the band released the follow-up to ''Don Caballero 2'', '' What Burns Never Returns ''. Again their work was critically lauded and the band continued to tour, playing to crowds of fervent fans. In the fall of 1998 Pat Morris left the band once again and was replaced by Storm & Stress bassist Eric Emm. The band set out on a number of successful U.S. and European tours and finally released a collection of their singles and compilation tracks called '' Singles Breaking Up (Vol. 1) ''. During this period, Mike Banfield retired from the group; former Bitch Magnet guitarist Jon Fine briefly filled in and allowed Don Caballero to complete its touring obligations in support of ''What Burns...''. The band, once again a trio, toured extensively throughout 1999 and 2000, playing a set of almost all-new material. To fill the sonic void left by Banfield, Williams and Emm played through Akai Headrush pedals that allowed them to loop and layer their parts, creating a dense tapestry of sound. These nine new songs were committed to tape by Steve Albini at his Electrical Audio recording studio and released in the fall of 2000 as '' American Don ''. Many critics and fans noted the maturation that had occurred in the two years since their last release. Shortly after the album saw release, Don Caballero split for seemingly the last time, with Che taking a new direction with the band Bellini and Williams and Emm both embarking on their own personal projects, Battles and Good Morning respectively. Damon Che vowed to never work with Ian Williams again. To equal parts surprise and criticism, Che reformed Don Caballero in 2003 with an entirely new lineup consisting of members of Pittsburgh 's Creta Bourzia , a band that bore clear marks of influence from Don Caballero. The new members are Jeff Ellsworth on guitar, Gene Doyle on guitar, and Jason Jouver on bass. In 2005, the new Don Caballero signed with the Heavy-metal label Relapse Records . They have completed recording of '' World Class Listening Problem '' and will be touring in 2006 in support of it. While Don Caballero's success and recognition might be seen as modest, the band has influenced many subsequent musicians, and is still revered by many fans. The off-kilter 5/4 Time of the track "Chief Sitting Duck"' from the album ''For Respect'' was featured in the second season intro for the reality show Buzzkill on MTV and the program ''Icon'' featured their music more than three years after their breakup. DISCOGRAPHY Albums
EPs
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