Emanuel (band)
| Emanuel | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
| Genres | Post-hardcore, emo, alternative rock |
| Years active | 1998–2008 |
| Labels | Virgin, Roddog |
| Associated acts | Summer Law, 812 Dirty Squad |
| Members | Matthew Breen Mat Barber Bryan Whiteman Anthony Brock Devin Triplett |
Emanuel was a five-piece rock band from Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It was formed in 1998 under the lesser-known name Emanuel Nice and appeared on four self-released records, before being signed to Vagrant Records and changing the name in 2004. Since then, Emanuel has released a debut album, Soundtrack to a Headrush, and a second album Black Earth Tiger.
The roots of the band go back to Jeffersonville, Indiana, a town located just outside Louisville. After 14-year-old high school students Matt Breen and Bryan Whiteman met Anthony Brock and Mat Barber (who attended another school, Providence, in Clarksville, IN) at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, the quartet decided to form the garage band Emanuel Nice in 1998.
Emanuel Nice recorded a rather inept eight-song 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, despite lots of touring and local performances, none of these releases led to evenn local stardom.
In 2004, the band's name was shortened to Emanuel, in conjunction with the musical renovation they underwent. Even though their line-up only slightly changed throughout the six years from the band's formation, the sound evolved drastically from "poppy and terrible, it's kind of embarrassing", as singer/guitarist Breen put it, to a darker, more mature blend of indie and emo genres. With cynical lyrics and aggressive guitar melodies, the band's new sound earned them a recording contract with Vagrant Records, who released their first album, Soundtrack to a Headrush, in March 2005. Guitarist Devin Triplett was recruited to take over from Matt Breen's in 2005.
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