Deerhoof

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Biography

Deerhoof is a musical group consisting of Satomi Matsuzaki, John Dieterich, Ed Rodriguez and Greg Saunier.

History

Origins

In 1992, Greg Saunier, having recently graduated with a degree in music composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music , joined a short-lived San Francisco quartet called Nitre Pit, on drums.. Jambase.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. In March 1994, when this quartet broke up suddenly with shows still booked, Saunier and then-bassist Rob Fisk decided to continue as a duo. They quickly devised a convulsive, improvisatory playing style to make up for their lack of material and stark instrumentation.

One such show where Fisk and Saunier were called upon to substitute for their former band was the 1995 Yo Yo A Go Go Festival in Olympia, WA. In the audience was Slim Moon , founder of the independent Olympia record label Kill Rock Stars .. Beautifulnoise.wordpress.com (2008-10-18). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Moon signed Nitre Pit (as they were still known at that point) on for one 7" single, at which point the duo renamed themselves Deerhoof.

The name came from the title of a brief tape Rob Fisk had recorded in late 1993, of improvised bass and harmonica solos. It was released in an edition of just 5 copies, and featured fallen leaf fragments glued to recycled Billy Squier promotional cassettes, then spray-painted in black and gold.

The duo, budget-less, recorded themselves on Saunier's four-track and released "Return of the Wood M'lady" (1995, Kill Rock Stars). Its distorted bass, heavy drums, and dark tone revealed the influence of Japanese psychedelic trio Fushitsusha , San Francisco noise band Caroliner , and Nirvana (band)|Nirvana . Side B was especially cacophonous, presenting separate songs in the left and right channels. Fisk drew the cover art, which was then xeroxed for the release. He also etched into the vinyl master at the mastering session, his drawings appearing on the record in place of a label.. Drownedinsound.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. The single did not sell well, but Deerhoof's do-it-yourself ethic turned out to be an apt match with Kill Rock Stars, and Deerhoof has remained on this label for the entirety of their career, ultimately becoming the longest-running artist on the label's roster. Moon has described them as the "seminal classic KRS band"., HitQuarters , 13 April 2009.

The histrionic instrumental style and massive volume of the early duo made vocals difficult to perform, so in 1996 Fisk and Saunier began looking for a singer. In May of that year, through mutual friends in Caroliner , they met Satomi Matsuzaki, who had just arrived in San Francisco from her native Tokyo to study film. Although she had no musical experience, Fisk and Saunier agreed that her inexpressive singing style added an element of humor and playfulness that had been lacking in Deerhoof's sound. Within just one week of her joining, Deerhoof went on their first tour as a trio, opening three west coast shows for Caroliner .Rosado, Alex. (2007-02-28) . Impose Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

Deerhoof continued to record on four-track, releasing various singles and a vinyl LP, Dirt Pirate Creed , which featured guest appearances by Fat Worm of Error 's Chris Cooper and Jess Goddard (then members of Caroliner ) and Cole Palme (formerly of the pioneering San Francisco industrial group Factrix ). The artwork was by both Fisk and Matsuzaki.

Deerhoof live was unpredictable, with the trio, sometimes with the addition of Cooper and/or Goddard, playing loose, improvisational versions of mostly Fisk-composed songs. The fact that performances often involved the superimposition of multiple songs at once, the switching of onstage roles, various chance procedures, and broken equipment, further obscured their already-unknown material, and audience response tended to be confused. Fisk, Cooper and Goddard all soon quit, leaving a new CD only partially completed.

The Man, The King, The Girl — Halfbird

Rather than start over, Matsuzaki and Saunier decided to perform as a duo, and continue working on the partially completed album. Several new, more melodic songs were written and performed entirely by Saunier and Matsuzaki. The swirling noise and wild improvisation, set against childlike, even cheerful, vocals by Matsuzaki, created a distinct musical tension. The production featured a broadened sound palette, including Casio keyboards, Optigan and Korg synthesizer (both borrowed from Palme), guitar, and electric banjo. Once Fisk heard the finished recording, he decided to rejoin the group. Deerhoof released their self-recorded first CD The Man, the King, the Girl on Kill Rock Stars in 1997. The artwork was painted by Fisk.. killrockstars. Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

Fisk was now playing guitar and Deerhoof toured the U.S. several times over the next few years, opening for Sleater-Kinney , Unwound , Lightning Bolt (band)|Lightning Bolt and Sonic Youth .

The trio began working on a new album ( Halfbird ), again self-recorded using a cassette four-track. However the band felt dissatisfied with the thinness of their sound, and shelved the recording.

Matsuzaki began teaching herself to play bass, and Deerhoof toured the U.S. several times over the next several years. In 1998, Deerhoof added Kelly Goode on keyboard (the monophonic Casio VL-1 ). Neither Matsuzaki nor Goode had any prior instrumental experience, forcing Deerhoof to drastically simplify their approach. They quickly recorded a new album at the home of friend Bob Limp, of The Ass Baboons of Venus. Holdypaws , released in 1999 on Kill Rock Stars, revealed a very different Deerhoof from the one heard on the previous album. It featured strict performance of tightly composed songs, completely removing any element of noise, improvisation, or unusual instrumentation. The cover artwork was once again by Fisk.

Deerhoof then returned to Halfbird , slowly layering guitars and other instruments on the four-track. But the band was losing money on tour, and Kill Rock Stars had lost money on both of Deerhoof's CDs, and in fall 1999 both Fisk and Goode quit. Halfbird was completed by Saunier and Matsuzaki and released in 2001 on Menlo Park Recordings, four years after it was begun. The artwork was by Fisk.

Reveille

In late 1999, while Saunier was completing his Master's degree in music composition at Mills College , he met fellow student John Dieterich , formerly guitarist of Colossamite , and asked him to join. They quickly refashioned Deerhoof into a variety of different formats: a traditional power trio with Matsuzaki on bass, Dieterich on guitar; an altered power trio with Matsuzaki on guitar (an instrument new to her) and Dieterich on bass, with Saunier playing drums and keyboard (the same Casio VL-1 ) simultaneously; and another version with Matsuzaki on sampler and keyboard, Dieterich on baritone guitar. Just before Saunier's final dissertation concert at Mills, his leg was broken when hit by a car, causing Deerhoof to play several shows with Dieterich on drums and Saunier seated playing guitar.

They recorded their various formations in a variety of settings. Some songs were recorded at home, as before. Certain songs were done in the Mills College recording studio, as part of a recording course Dieterich was taking. Others were taped at San Francisco studio Tiny Telephone, utilizing the engineering aid of Jay Pellicci and Ian Pellicci. The stylistic contrasts between and within songs were more unpredictable than ever, and it was two years of writing, recording, overdubbing, remixing, editing, and sequencing before the band felt they had created a coherent, though brief, album.

Reveille (album)|Reveille was released in 2002 on Kill Rock Stars. Dieterich's playing had added a new element of guitar virtuosity to their sound, allowing for a broad stylistic range that included echoes of rock and roll of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, garage rock, post-rock, modern classical composition, pop, noise, and improvisation. The production was at times more powerful and polished than on previous releases. Matsuzaki's vocals were often minimal, sometimes creating the impression of another instrument. One track, "Cooper", featured the return of guest guitarist Chris Cooper. The album artwork was by Matsuzaki, and its grandiose tone and religious connotations echoed the musical bombast (often compared to The Who ), as well as the lyrical theme of resurrection. For the first time, Deerhoof began receiving some critical praise, notably in a best-of-2002 list in The New York Times . Several years after its release Reveille was named in Pitchfork's Top 100 Albums of 2000–2004.. Pitchfork (2005-02-07). Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

Apple O '— The Runners Four

By the end of the recording process, the band had developed a close relationship with Chris Cohen (musician)|Chris Cohen , then playing in his band The Curtains . Cohen joined Deerhoof, initially as keyboardist, but soon switching to guitar. For the next three years Deerhoof toured as a quartet, and released '' Apple O' , Milk Man , Green Cosmos , and The Runners Four in quick succession. Over this time period they gradually captured more attention from the listening public, college radio, critics, and fellow musicians. During these years they were also chosen to open for a wide variety of well-known bands including Wilco , The Roots , The Yeah Yeah Yeahs , and Stephen Malkmus . They were also invited twice to record BBC sessions for John Peel , and selected by The Simpsons creator Matt Groening to play at the All Tomorrows Parties festival.

The idea for '' Apple O' (2003, Kill Rock Stars) came to Saunier as he was reading a positive review of Reveille in Thrasher (magazine)|Thrasher , but was then disappointed when he turned the page to find an interview with Kim Deal where she criticized the use of Pro Tools , computer recording tricks, and Sampling (music)|sampling , all of which featured prominently on Reveille . Apple O' abandoned the multi-layered and often electronic sounds of Reveille in favor of simple, live-sounding production without overdubs. Most of Apple O' was recorded in one nine-hour session with Jay Pellicci engineering. Exceptions were "Sealed With A Kiss", which was created exclusively from samples from songs about apples, and the final two tracks which were recorded at home on acoustic guitar. Apple O' was once again a very brief album, its artwork (again by Fisk, though he was no longer in the band) and lyrics centered around mythic themes of love and war, featuring repeated allusions to Adam and Eve, forbidden fruit, the atom bomb, and extinction. It received critical praise, notably in The New York Times and Jane (magazine)|Jane . It was later named in Pitchfork Media s top albums of the decade list from 2009.. Pitchfork (2009-09-28). Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

In 2003 the quartet decided to leave their jobs and tour full-time. Matsuzaki had been editing a San Francisco-based Japanese magazine, Dieterich and Saunier had been doing data entry for legal and consulting firms, and Cohen had been a waiter at a Thai restaurant.

The starting point for Milk Man (2004, Kill Rock Stars ) was a cartoon character created by Japanese artist Ken Kagami , a longtime friend of Matsuzaki. In contrast to the earnest guitar rock that predominated on '' Apple O' , Milk Man featured a broad palette of orchestral colors, echoes of music theater and camp, polished and gaudy arrangements, Igor Stravinsky|Stravinskian harmonies, and a more stylized, anonymous playing style resulting partly from recording most of the instruments at separate times rather than playing together as a band, and partly from many of the arrangements being created in a computer. The DIY, low-budget recording process for Milk Man was described in detail in an interview conducted by the Mae Shi for Tape Op Magazine. Critical praise for Milk Man came notably from NME and Spin (magazine)|Spin . The song "Milk Man" was chosen in 2009 as one of Pitchfork s top tracks of the decade.. Pitchfork (2009-08-17). Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

Milk Man 's connections to both music theater and to children were embodied later in a version created by Courtney Naliboff and performed by children of the North Haven Community School in North Haven, Maine in fall 2006. The Milk Man Ballet was later released on DVD.. Milkmanballet.com (2004-03-09). Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

The EP Green Cosmos (2005, Menlo Park Recordings) was the first Deerhoof release to be sung almost entirely in Matsuzaki's native language of Japanese. Musically Green Cosmos took the aesthetic of Milk Man a step further by combining an even more expansive orchestral sound, and references to disco that at times completely replaced live drums with programmed beats and samples. Artwork was created from original tarot cards designed by Dawn Garcia.

In the fall, Deerhoof released The Runners Four (2005, Kill Rock Stars). Unlike the short albums of Deerhoof's past, The Runners Four was 20 songs long, the result of several months of recording together in their rented practice space in Oakland. Arrangements were worked out as a live band rather than in the computer. Matsuzaki and Cohen reversed instrumental roles, with Matsuzaki playing guitar and Cohen bass. All four members contributed an approximately equal portion of the composed music and lyrics, and all four were featured as vocalists at various points. Certain motifs – time travel, sports, smuggling, allusions to Noah's Ark – recurred throughout the unusually wordy lyrics. Sleeve design was by New York artist Trevor Shimizu . Critical praise came notably from The New York Times and Pitchfork, which named the album as #6 in the best albums of 2006.. Pitchfork (2005-12-31). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. The album was selected as Sufjan Stevens 's "Album of the Decade" in Uncut Magazine.

In interviews the band maintained that they never knew what kind of music they would create next, nor that they even had any idea what they were doing when they created it. They also have said repeatedly that the ambiguity in their musical style and lyrics affords their audience an important interpretive role.. Dailycal.org (2007-01-22). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. To this end, in 2005 they created a remix website for the final track of The Runners Four ("Rrrrrrright") where fans could download the stems of the individual band members' parts in the song, and upload their remixes to the site.

After an extensive world tour, Deerhoof was invited by the San Francisco International Film Festival to perform a live, original score to a silent film of their choosing. They selected Heaven and Earth Magic by Harry Everett Smith|Harry Smith , and performed their hour-long soundtrack, largely composed by Dieterich, in spring 2006.. Sffs.org. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. This was to be Cohen's last activity with Deerhoof. The split was amicable and, to commemorate Cohen, Deerhoof posted a free EP on their website, one of several they have posted over the years.

Friend Opportunity

Now back to a trio, and using the Heaven And Earth Magic score as a starting place, Deerhoof began recording a new album in summer 2006. Matsuzaki, Saunier, and Dieterich did not divide their contributions according to their onstage roles, and each contributed percussion, guitar, bass, keyboards and production. It was mostly recorded in Dieterich's Oakland apartment, between a concert tour with The Flaming Lips and another with Radiohead .. Myspace.com (2008-09-21). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Self-produced as usual, some portions were recorded once again by Jay and Ian Pellicci. It was mixed on computer, largely while on tour. Friend Opportunity was released in January 2007 on Kill Rock Stars. Its 12 interchangeable cover paintings were by Scottish artist David Shrigley . The album was highly praised in Pitchfork and Rolling Stone,. Metacritic.com (2007-01-23). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. and nominated for a PLUG Awards|PLUG Award by Ric Ocasek .

During the same time period, they began working with director Justin Theroux on the soundtrack to Dedication (film)|Dedication , released in fall 2007. Friend Opportunity track "Matchbook Seeks Maniac" was written by Saunier specifically for the end credits of Dedication (film)|Dedication . The film featured various songs and excerpts from Deerhoof albums, and the Dedication Film Soundtrack featured four tracks by Deerhoof.. Mp3.com (2007-11-09). Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

During the world tour that followed Friend Opportunity s release, Deerhoof was invited by David Bowie to play the Highline Festival in New York City. They also opened for The Roots , The Flaming Lips , and Bloc Party , and they made their network television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly .. MP3.com (2007-07-20). Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

Offend Maggie

In January 2008, guitarist Ed Rodriguez (formerly of Colossamite , the Flying Luttenbachers , XBXRX , Sicbay, Iceburn , and currently a member of Gorge Trio along with Dieterich) joined the band as a full-time member, and Deerhoof began writing and recording Offend Maggie . Before the finished album was released in October, one of the songs ("Fresh Born") was released in the form of sheet music, with the intention that fans create their own versions of the song before hearing Deerhoof's version. Fans uploaded more than 40.. Deerhoof.cashmusic.org. Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

Offend Maggie was stylistically rough and relaxed compared to Friend Opportunity , and highlighted the guitar interplay of Dieterich and Rodriguez, and greater emotional expression in Matsuzaki's vocals. All four members contributed songs. Lyrics were mostly by Matsuzaki and alternated between English and Japanese. Artwork was by Japanese artist Tomoo Gokita. The album received critical praise, notably from VH1, Entertainment Weekly, Alternative Press, and Mojo.. Metacritic.com (2008-10-07). Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

Since this release, Deerhoof has toured the world extensively as a quartet. Several notable events have occurred during the tour. In August 2009, at a concert in Los Angeles, trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith played most of the set with them. In December in Luzerne, Switzerland, Marlene Marder, the guitarist from Swiss band LiLiPUT performed one of LiLiPUT's songs ("Hitch-Hike") on stage with the band. In February 2010 in Oakland California, they opened for Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band, and guested on two of their songs. In April 2010 they performed on stage at the Donaufestival in Austria with the members of Xiu Xiu , playing the Joy Division album Unknown Pleasures in its entirety. Also in April they curated the 2010 edition of the Belgian music festival Sonic City.

Deerhoof vs. Evil

On January 25, 2011 Deerhoof released Deerhoof vs. Evil via Polyvinyl Records . The release of the album was preceded by a "Global Album Leak" during which a 12 blogs from several countries around the world premiered a song from the album one week at a time. As with the group's previous albums, Deerhoof vs. Evil received ample critical acclaim with publications such as MOJO calling it "an absolute joy" and Entertainment Weekly declaring it "as beautifully bizarre as ever."

The album also marked the beginning of a potential 7" series wherein a vocalist sings new lyrics over an instrumental of a song from the record on the A-side and provided a song from their own band on the B-side. So far, two 7"s have been released: the first with LA-based rapper Busdriver and his band Physical Forms (which includes a former member of The Mae Shi ), and the second with Xiu Xiu .

During May, June, and July 2011, Deerhoof is taking part in the "Congotronics Vs. Rockers" Tour along side groups such as Konono N°1 and Kasai Allstars . The tour brings to life Tradi-Mods Vs. Rockers: Alternative Takes on Congotronics , the latest release in Belgium-based label Crammed Discs ' Congotronics series, on which Western groups, including Deerhoof, collaborated with Congolese street musicians. The band have been chosen to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|ATP I'll Be Your Mirror festival curated by ATP & Portishead in September 2011 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Other projects

The members of Deerhoof have also participated in a large number of projects outside of the band. Since before joining Deerhoof, Dieterich and Rodriguez have played in an instrumental group called Gorge Trio and released several albums.. Myspace. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. In 2008 Matsuzaki formed OneOne , a collaboration with Saya, singer and songwriter with the Japanese band Tenniscoats . This group often includes Saunier and Takashi Ueno . Their one CD was mixed by Saunier.. Myspace. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Saunier and drummer Zach Hill formed a group called Nervous Cop, releasing one album in 2003 which featured guest harpist Joanna Newsom .. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Dieterich, Chris Cohen, and Jay Pellicci formed an instrumental trio called Natural Dreamers that released one album in 2004.. Myspace. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Cohen had formed The Curtains before joining Deerhoof, and Saunier joined the band from 2003–2005.. Myspace. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. After Cohen left Deerhoof, he continued the Curtains, and then started another band called Cryptacize .. Myspace. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Rob Fisk and Kelly Goode played together in Seven Year Rabbit Cycle,. Myspace. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. and later Rob formed King Eider|King Eider Common Eider .. Last.fm (2009-02-11). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Jess Goddard and Chris Cooper play in Fat Worm of Error .. Myspace. Retrieved on 2010-11-26.

In 2006, Danielson released the critically acclaimed Ships , which featured the four then-members of Deerhoof as the backing band for many of the tracks.. Stereogum (2006-03-01). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Saunier and Dieterich have guested on several Xiu Xiu albums, http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll as well as on Busdriver 's 2008 album Jhelli Beam .. Larecord.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Saunier guested on Lushlife (rapper/producer)|Lushlife 's 2009 album Cassette City .. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Saunier has done production and mixing for Xiu Xiu , Busdriver , Maher Shalal Hash Baz ,. Itunes.apple.com (2004-10-31). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Sholi ,. SPIN.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. 31 Knots ,. Insound.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. and Hawnay Troof .. Retard Disco. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Saunier also played drums on the soundtrack to the Will Ferrell movie Step Brothers (film)|Step Brothers .. Latimesblogs.latimes.com (2008-06-04). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. On February 23, 2010 Greg Saunier and guitarist Sean Lennon performed as a duo in San Francisco.. Noisepop.com (2010-03-01). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Satomi contributes lead vocal on The Go& #33; Team|The Go& #33; Team's 'Secretary Song'.

Deerhoof has also done several remixes for other artists. In 2008 Deerhoof's remix of "Goodnight Goodnight" by Maroon 5 was released as part of the latter's album Call and Response .. RollingStone.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. A remix of Parenthetical Girls ' "GUT Symmetries" also appeared that year.. Last.fm (2009-02-11). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. In 2009 Deerhoof's remixes of Delta 5 's "Mind Your Own Business", Wildbirds & Peacedrums 's "My Heart",Slater, Luke. (2009-09-22) . Drownedinsound.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. and Shugo Tokumaru 's "Rum Hee". Shugo Tokumaru. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. were released.

Influence

Deerhoof has become an oft-cited musical influence on other artists, notably Sleigh Bells ,. Residentadvisor.net (2009-11-16). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Dirty Projectors ,. Pitchfork (2007-09-07). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Grizzly Bear (band)|Grizzly Bear , of Montreal ,. Emusician.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. The Flaming Lips , Fiery Furnaces , Sufjan Stevens , St. Vincent (musician)|St. Vincent ,. Webcache.googleusercontent.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Ponytail (band)|Ponytail ,. Rhapsody.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Women (band)|Women ,. Bygonebureau.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-26. Thee Silver Mt. Zion , Xiu Xiu ,. Mesalove.wordpress.com (2006-07-17). Retrieved on 2010-11-26. and Autolux .

Discography

The Man, the King, the Girl (1997)

Holdypaws (1999)

Halfbird (2001)

Reveille (album)|Reveille (2002)

'' Apple O' (2003)

Milk Man (2004)

Green Cosmos (2005)

The Runners Four (2005)

Friend Opportunity (2007)

Offend Maggie (2008)

Deerhoof vs. Evil (2011)

Deerhoof has also released a large number of 7" singles, split releases with other artists, tracks on compilations, and free downloadable EPs.

Copyright Citations

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Pop & Rock Music Artists