Switchblade Symphony | |
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Background information | |
Origin | San Francisco, California, United States |
Genres | Trip hop, electronica, gothic rock, dark wave, alternative rock, symphonic rock, industrial rock |
Years active | 1989–1999 |
Labels | Cleopatra Records |
Past members | Susan Wallace Tina Root Robin Jacobs George Earth Eric Gebow Scott van Shoick Justin Clayton |
Switchblade Symphony was an American band which was formed in 1989 by composer Susan Wallace and vocalist Tina Root. They released their first album in 1995 on the Cleopatra Records label. They also had two live guitarists, first Robin Jacobs (who later joined Razor Skyline) and then George Earth (most recently of Small Halo, also with Tina Root), and three live drummers, first Eric Gebow (now with Blue Man Group), Justin Clayton, and then Scott van Shoick.
Switchblade Symphony's music combined orchestral sounds with heavy synth sequences and vocals to create a highly original sound resembling The Flower Duet sung over a twisted union of classical music and gothic rock. The band's name refers to this union, the result of cutting up elements of classical music to mix them with harder sounds. Though this sound is uncommon, it might be compared with Rhea's Obsession, Siouxsie,Cindergarden, The Machine in the Garden, The Birthday Massacre, and Dead Can Dance.
Switchblade Symphony disbanded in November 1999. Subsequently, Tina Root started Tre Lux. In 2008, Tina Root and George Earth formed Small Halo, a band based out of Los Angeles and working on an upcoming EP.
Their song "Clown" was featured in the 1998 film Wicked starring Julia Stiles.