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Biography
After graduating from high school in 2006, pals Joseph D’Agostino (guitar) and Matthew Miller (drums) came together to form the band. While they performed together in other projects, the pair began performing Weezer covers before eventually writing original material and recording the demo “Joseph Ferocious”. While at college Miller was passionate about getting the band off the ground and in 2007 he posted an advert on Craigslist recruiting new members. In response to the ad the line-up was solidified the following year by Neil Berenholz (bass), Matt Cohen (guitar) and Daniel Baer (keys) and thus Cymbals Eat Guitars was born.
Early performances by the newly formed band caught the attention of Modest Mouse and The Hives producer Kyle ‘Slick’ Johnson who offered his services. Later in 2008 the band made their recording debut with the track “Share” featured on Indiecater’s “Vol.1: An MP3hugger Compilation” produced by Johnson. The following year Cymbals Eat Guitars worked with Johnson again for their self-released debut album “Why There Are Mountains”. The album received favourable reviews on Pitchfork heralding it as Best New Music of 2009.
Following the release of their debut, the band went on to support The Pains of Being Young At Heart and The Flaming Lips as they continued to expand on their audiences. Shortly after the album was released, the band had a members reshuffle with Baer, Berenholz, Cohen and Miller being replaced by Andrew Dole, Matt Whipple and Brian Hamilton.
In 2011, Cymbals Eat Guitars signed with Barsuk Records to release their second album “Lenses Alien” taking only 15 days to record. The band had gone for a darker vibe with the album which received mixed reviews from critics.
It took three years before the band returned with their third album “Lose” in 2014 which reflected their more evolved and mature sound with their effervescent poetic nature running throughout.
Live reviews
Taking their name from a Lou Reed quote in which he describes the sound of The Velvet Underground, the Staten Island four-piece consisting of Joseph D’Agostino on vocals and guitar, Matthew Miller on drums, Matt Whipple on bass, and Brian Hamilton on keys, seem to have taken their cue from the drawn out and raucous ending of Heroin from the Velvets collab with Nico, adding a hefty dose of Pavement and 90s indie rock along the way. The result is a very likeable balance of written songs and extended sections of busy, engulfing noise, which with a sudden shift in dynamics, gives way to another song. When I saw them live, I was particularly struck by the power of D’Agostino’s voice - he’s not a technically accomplished singer, he sometimes veers on the edge of his abilities, but the effect this has is really quite powerful, and adds a lot to the overall band sound (this again made me think of Lou Reed’s singing). The band shifted through different moods, sometimes in a single song (Share), veering between slowly unfolding shoegaze drenched in distorted guitars to more driving, punk-like momentum. They’re a great band to see live, their music is immersive, expansive, with a few unexpected quirks that make them stand out from other bands in the genre.
philsomervell
New York indie rock outfit Cymbals Eat Guitars could not be anymore cool if they tried, even their band name is derived from a quote by Lou Reed. They may have only appeared on the circuit in 2007 yet they are now a recognisable name on both sides of the Atlantic due to the strength of their first three albums along with their obvious dedication to the live circuit.
They have been promoting their sounds tirelessly and the latest stop off to the UK sees the energetic quartet play their largest venues so far. The sheer size of a place and a crowd can unnerve the steadiest of performer yet Cymbals Eat Guitars step out with absolute cool confidence and take up their instruments whilst coyly acknowledging the crowd. They quickly go about demonstrating why they have elevated to these stages and wow the room with a twelve song strong setlist reaching from all three albums. They have the crowd hook, line and sinker by the finale of 'Child Bride' as they applaud absolutely wildly as they disappear into the darkness.
sean-ward
