| Rodan | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Math Rock |
| Years active | 1992 – 1995 |
| Label(s) | Southern Records |
| Former members | |
| Jeff Mueller Jason Noble Tara Jane O'Neil Kevin Coultas |
|
Rodan was an American math/indie rock band in the early to mid 1990s. At its height, the band consisted of Jeff Mueller (guitar/vocals), Jason Noble (guitar/vocals), Tara Jane O'Neil (bass/vocals), and Kevin Coultas (drums).
Contents |
History
Rodan formed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1992. In 1993 they recorded their Aviary demo which saw limited release. Six of the songs on the Aviary demo were re-recorded by Bob "Rusty" Weston (of Shellac fame) and released in 1994 as the album Rusty. The band also had a John Peel recording session in 1995. Rodan broke up in 1995 with the members pursuing other musical interests: O'Neil in Retsin and in various solo works; Mueller in June of 44; Coultas and Noble in Rachel's; and Coultas and O'Neil in The Sonora Pine. Mueller and Noble started Shipping News in late 1996 and continue to perform with that band today.
Music
The music of Rodan is complex and can be in extremes as illustrated by the first two tracks of the group's 1994 recording Rusty. The album opens with the quiet, peaceful, and almost romantic composition "Bible Silver Corner" which abruptly gives way to the hardcore punk influenced "Shiner." More than one musical idea is visited in each song, sometimes beautiful and serene and other times violent and tense. The vocals are unique in that they are spoken instead of sung for the most part, punctuated by shouts. The three guitarists handle vocals duties, some songs being sung/spoken by one person and others being done by all three musicians. Rodan is noted for being from the same music scene as Slint, and many comparisons have been made between the two.
Discography
- Aviary (cassette demo, 1993)
- Rusty (LP/CD, 1994)
- How the Winter Was Passed (EP, 1994)
- various compilations; see Southern Records page
Related bands
- June of 44 - Jeff Mueller
- The King Cobra - Tara Jane O'Neil
- The Naysayer - Tara Jane O'Neil
- Rachel's - Jason Noble, occasional contributions from Kevin Coultas and Jeff Mueller
- Retsin - Tara Jane O'Neil
- Shipping News - Jason Noble, Jeff Mueller
- The Sonora Pine - Tara Jane O'Neil, Kevin Coultas
- Sunspring - John Weiss
