Algiers (band)

Algiers (فرقة الجزائر) is an American rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, United States, formed in 2012. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Franklin James Fisher, Ryan Mahan, Lee Tesche, and Matt Tong.[2] Algiers pulls from a divergent number of musical (and nonmusical) influences; the most notable of which being post-punk, gospel, Southern Gothic literature, and the concept of the Other. Their sound has been described as dystopian soul due to its somber mood, afrofolk inspired vocal approach, and heavy emphasis on atonal textures.[3]

Algiers
Franklin James Fisher performing with Algiers in London in 2015
Background information
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres
Years active2012–present
LabelsMatador
Associated acts
Websitealgierstheband.com
MembersFranklin James Fisher
Ryan Mahan
Lee Tesche
Matt Tong

History

Fisher, Mahan, and Tesche met and grew up playing music together in Atlanta, Georgia but officially formed in London in 2012 with the release of their first single.[4] They chose the name Algiers in reference to a key historical site of anti-colonial struggle, symbolizing a contested space where violence, racism, resistance, and religion commingle.[2]

The group released their first single "Blood" in January 2012 via Atlanta based label Double Phantom. Byron Coley for The Wire wrote: "Although the fusion may have been touched upon in recordings related to both The Birthday Party and The Gun Club, Algiers are dedicated to grafting gospel music onto post-punk guitar-scuzz...this record is mesmerising and really sucks you in with its weird power."[5]

The band's self-titled debut album was released through Matador on June 2, 2015.[6] Ahead of their eponymous release, the band opened for Interpol, during their North American Tour.[7] Matt Tong, formerly of Bloc Party, began playing drums for Algiers at this time.[7]

In the spring of the following year, the band premiered and toured the Eastern US screening the sixth installment of Brendan Canty of Fugazi and Christoph Green's Burn to Shine film series.[8] Burn to Shine Atlanta was curated by Lee Tesche of Algiers and filmed in the summer of 2007.[9] This was followed by a live installation with renowned Japanese flower artist Makoto Azuma that saw the band performing in the Californian desert underneath a palm tree suspended in mid air.[10]

On June 23, 2017, Algiers released their second studio album, The Underside of Power. The album was produced by Adrian Utley of Portishead and Ali Chant and mixed by Randall Dunn. This coincided with a European stadium tour that found the band opening up for Depeche Mode[11] and remixing the lead single from their Spirit album.[12] At the same time, it was revealed that Algiers had also been working in the studio with Massive Attack[13] and were releasing an experimental tape and zine series.[14] Much of 2018 saw the band on the road with Young Fathers,[15] a DIY tour with Downtown Boys, and a special set at the Black Cat 25th anniversary party.[16]

Their live show has been described as "recalling at various points PIL's dub-style expansions, Afrobeat, industrial, no wave, free jazz, Suicide, the XTC of "Travels in Nihilon," Nick Cave's fire and brimstone, and musique concrète."[17]

Members
  • Franklin James Fisher – vocals, guitar, piano, Rhodes piano, cello, percussion, sampling
  • Ryan Mahan – bass, synthesisers, piano, percussion, drum programming, backing vocals
  • Lee Tesche – guitar, loops, percussion, backing vocals, letter
  • Matt Tong – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Discography

Albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Heat
[18]		 GER
[19]		 SWI
[20]
Algiers 14——
The Underside of Power 16—69
There Is No Year —85—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EPs and singles
  • "Blood" / "Black Eunuch" (2012, Double Phantom Records)
  • "Mute Studio Sessions" (2015, Matador)
  • "Walk Like A Panther" (2017, Matador)
  • "Blood" / "Black Eunuch" (2017, Geographic North)
  • "September 2017" (Algiers Self-released)[24]
  • "1st November 1954" (2018, Algiers Self-released)[25]
  • "Can The Sub_Bass Speak?" (2019, Matador)
  • "Void" (2019, Adult Swim Singles Club).
  • "Can the Sub_Bass Speak? b/w It All Comes Around Again" (2020)[26]

Video clips
  • Algiers – "Blood" (2015, Matador)[27]
  • Algiers – "Irony. Utility. Pretext." (2015, Matador)[28]
  • Algiers – "Black Eunuch" (2015, Matador)[29]
  • Algiers – "And When You Fall" (2015, Matador)[30]
  • Algiers – "The Underside of Power" (2017, Matador)[31]
  • Algiers – "Can the Sub_Bass Speak?" (2019, Matador)[32]
  • Algiers – "Dispossession" (2019, Matador)[33]
  • Algiers – "Void" (2019, Matador)[34]
  • Algiers – "We Can't Be Found" (2020, Matador)[35]
  • Algiers – "Dispossession" Stripped Down: Live In Conklin Metals (2020, Matador)[36]
  • Algiers – "Liberation" OutKast Cover, Live in ConKlin Metals (2020, Matador Records)[37]
  • Algiers - "Animals (Redux)" (2020).[38]
  • Algiers - "Cleveland 20/20(vocal mix)" (2020).[39]
  • Algiers - "Cleveland 20/20" (2020).[40]

Short documentary films
  • Algiers Discuss Design: 'There Is No Year' with Lee Tesche & designer Farbod Kokabi (2020)[41]

- Filmed by Ian Cone & Edited by Sam Campbell

  • Algiers' Lee Tesche Discusses Custom Instruments (2020)[42]
  • Algiers Discuss Writing: 'Misophonia' with Franklin Fisher & author Blake Butler (2020)[43]

- Filmed by Ian Cone & Edited by Sam Campbell and The Additional Super8 footage shot by Branislava Lalin

  • Algiers' Rayn Mahan Speaks About Algiers (2020)[44]

- Filmed by Ian cone & Edited by Sam Campbell And The Additional Super8 Footage shot by Branislava Lalin

  • Algiers' Rayn Mahan Discusses Growing up in the south (2020)[45]

- Filmed by Ian cone & Edited by Sam Campbell And The Additional Super8 Footage shot by Branislava Lalin

  • Algiers Discuss Writing: 'There Is No Year' with Franklin Fisher & author Blake Butler(2020)[46]

- Filmed by Ian cone & Edited by Sam Campbell And The Additional Super8 Footage shot by Branislava Lalin

References
  1. DeMerritt, Paul (June 2, 2015). "Algiers revive protest music". Creative Loafing. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  2. Turner, Luke (April 22, 2015). "Escape Velocity You Have To Fight For Change: Algiers Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  3. "10 Great Things to do in RI This Weekend". Go Local Providence. September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  4. Raggett, Ned (June 19, 2017). "A Band Apart". NPR. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  5. Coley, Byron. "Reviews", The Wire, London, October 2012.
  6. Jurek, Thom (August 4, 2017). "AllMusic Review". AllMusic. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  7. White, Caitlin (June 26, 2017). "Band To Watch: Algiers". Stereogum. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  8. Management, The (March 2, 2016). "Algiers – New Dates With "Burn To Shine" Screenings". Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  9. "Burn to Shine 6 ignites the past – Atlanta Creative Loafing". Atlanta Creative Loafing. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  10. "Algiers & Azuma Makoto- "Blood" & "Black Eunuch" In The Desert". Matador Records. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  11. "LISTEN: New Algiers". The Quietus. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  12. "LISTEN: Algiers Remix Depeche Mode". The Quietus. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  13. "Algiers Hit The Studio With Massive Attack". Stereogum.com. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  14. "Algiers launch new tape/zine series, stream B-Side & Rarities Tour Tape". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  15. Keimig, Jasmyne (November 16, 2018). "Young Fathers, Algiers". The Stranger. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  16. "DC club The Black Cat celebrates 25th anniversary, and shrinking in half". Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  17. Klein, David (June 9, 2015). "Live: Algiers win an uphill battle in Carrboro". Indy Week. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  18. "Algiers – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  19. "Discography Algiers". Germancharts.de. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  20. "Discography Algiers". Swisscharts. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  21. White, Caitlin. "Band To Watch: Algiers". Stereogum. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  22. "The Underside Of Power". Matador. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  23. "There Is No Year". Matador. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  24. "Algiers (2) – September 2017". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  25. "Algiers (2) – 1st November 1954". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  26. "Can the Sub_Bass Speak? b/w It All Comes Around Again, by Algiers". Algierstheband.bandcamp.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  27. "Algiers Reclaims The Black Roots Of Rock And Protests The World's Troubles". Wbur.org. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  28. "Algiers"Irony. Utility. Pretext."". Self-titledmag.com. March 24, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  29. "Algiers – "Black Eunuch"". Stereogum.com. April 14, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  30. Subscribe. "Algiers release 'And When You Fall' video". Diymag.com. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  31. "Algiers Shows Us 'The Underside Of Power'". NPR. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  32. "Algiers – "Can The Sub_Bass Speak?" Video". Stereogum.com. August 27, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  33. "Algiers Announce New Album, Share First Video for "Dispossession" (KEXP Premiere)". Kexp.org. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  34. Roberts, Christopher. "Algiers Share Video for New Song "Void" and Announce In-Store Performances". Undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  35. "ALGIERS unveil new single and video 'We Can't Be Found,'". TotalNtertainment.com. January 8, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  36. "Algiers – 'Dispossession' Stripped Down: Live In Conklin Metals". Matablog.matadorrecords.com. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  37. "Algiers – "Liberation" (Outkast) Live in Conklin Metals". Matablog.matadorrecords.com. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  38. "Algiers – EU Tour Dates 2021 + 'Animals (Redux)' Live Version". Newsbreak.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  39. "Cleveland 20/20, by Algiers". Algierstheband.bandcamp.com. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  40. "Algiers share 34-minute "Cleveland 20/20"". Treblezine.com. October 30, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  41. "Algiers Discuss Design: 'Geographic North' with Lee Tesche & designer Farbod Kokabi". YouTube. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  42. "Algiers' Lee Tesche Discusses Custom Instruments". YouTube. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  43. "Algiers Discuss Writing: 'Misophonia' with Franklin Fisher & author Blake Butler". YouTube. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  44. "Algiers' Ryan Mahan Speaks About Algiers". YouTube. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  45. "Algiers' Ryan Mahan Discusses Growing Up in the South". YouTube. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  46. "Algiers Discuss Writing: 'There Is No Year' with Franklin Fisher & author Blake Butler". YouTube. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.