| Screaming Trees | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Ellensburg, Washington, USA |
| Genre(s) | Alternative rock Neo-Psychedelia Grunge |
| Years active | 1985–2000 |
| Label(s) | Velvetone Records SST Records Sub Pop Epic Records |
| Associated acts | Queens of the Stone Age Purple Outside Solomon Grundy Dinosaur Jr. Gardener VALIS Musk Ox Truly The Dark Fantastic Mark Pickerel And His Praying Hands Skin Yard The Jury Mad Season Tuatara R.E.M. |
| Members | |
| Mark Lanegan Gary Lee Conner Van Conner Barrett Martin | |
| Former members | |
| Mark Pickerel | |
Screaming Trees was a musical group considered part of the grunge music movement of the early 1990s. Ellensburg is a city in and the County seat of Kittitas County, Washington, United States. Washington ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative; known primarily in the UK as indie) is a genre of Neo-Psychedelia (aka modern psychedelic rock, psy, psych) is the product of the Psychedelic rock explosion of the 1960s Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music SST Records is an American Independent record label formed in 1978 in Long Beach California by musician Greg Ginn. Sub Pop is an Independent record label (though funded and sharing distribution outlets with Warner Music founded by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman Epic Records is an American Record label. It is owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment. Queens of the Stone Age (also known as QOTSA or simply Queens) are a rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States Solomon Grundy were a Psychedelic rock band from Ellensburg, Washington. Skin Yard was a grunge band from Seattle Washington, who were active from 1985 to 1992 For the album by Matchbox Twenty please see Mad Season (album. Tuatara is a Seattle-based instrumental music group featuring members of R REM is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by Michael Stipe ( lead vocals) Peter Buck ( Guitar Mark Lanegan (born November 25, 1964 in Ellensburg, Washington) is an American rock musician and Songwriter. Gary Lee Conner (born Lee Gary Conner on August 22 1962 in Fort Irwin California, USA was the lead Guitarist for Grunge music Van Conner (b March 17, 1967 in Apple Valley, California) is an American rock musician Barrett Martin (born April 14, 1967 in Olympia, Washington) was the drummer for the Seattle, Washington group the Screaming Trees Mark Pickerel is best known as the original drummer for the Screaming Trees, a rock group from Ellensburg WA, that formed in 1985. Founded in Ellensburg, Washington in 1985, their sound was a mixture of arty '60s psychedelia and west-coast punk rock. Ellensburg is a city in and the County seat of Kittitas County, Washington, United States. Washington ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Psychedelic music is a term that refers to a broad set of popular music styles genres and scenes that may include Psychedelic rock, psychedelic folk, Psychedelic Though highly regarded among critics, they never achieved the superstardom of other grunge acts such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains or Pearl Jam. Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen Washington. Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle Washington in Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990 They disbanded after touring for their last record, Dust, released in 1996.
Contents |
History
1985-1986: Formation
Brothers Van Conner and Gary Lee Conner formed Screaming Trees with Mark Lanegan in 1985. Van Conner (b March 17, 1967 in Apple Valley, California) is an American rock musician Gary Lee Conner (born Lee Gary Conner on August 22 1962 in Fort Irwin California, USA was the lead Guitarist for Grunge music Mark Lanegan (born November 25, 1964 in Ellensburg, Washington) is an American rock musician and Songwriter. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Lanegan and the Conners grew up in Ellensburg, Washington, a small college town some 90 miles from Seattle. Ellensburg is a city in and the County seat of Kittitas County, Washington, United States.
The trio believed themselves to be the only people in their high school who listened to punk, garage rock, and independent music, so they gravitated toward each other. After falling out with the Conners before either completed school, Lanegan contacted Van Conner several years later. By that point, Van had a band with a singer named Mark Pickerel; the pair had recently kicked Lee Conner out of the band, so they invited Lanegan to sit in on drums. Mark Pickerel is best known as the original drummer for the Screaming Trees, a rock group from Ellensburg WA, that formed in 1985. Eventually, Lee rejoined the group and they settled on a lineup that featured Lee on guitar, Van on bass, Lanegan on vocals, and Pickerel on drums.
Taking their name from a guitar distortion pedal, Screaming Trees recorded their first demo tape in 1985, just a few months after their formation. Their producer, Steve Fisk, was able to convince the head of Creative Fire Studios to release an album by the band. Steve Fisk is a Washington -based Audio engineer, Record producer and Musician. The result, Clairvoyance, appeared on Velvetone Records in 1986. Clairvoyance is a 1986 Album by Screaming Trees, produced by Steve Fisk. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar)
1986-1990: Early Releases
With Clairvoyance in hand, Fisk was able to secure Screaming Trees a contract with Greg Ginn's SST Records, who had already been releasing albums by Fisk. SST Records is an American Independent record label formed in 1978 in Long Beach California by musician Greg Ginn. The band's first SST album, Even If and Especially When, was released in 1987 and the Trees began working the American indie circuit, playing shows across the country. Even If and Especially When is the second full length album by the Seattle band Screaming Trees released in 1987 The following year, SST reissued the band's demo tape under the title Other Worlds as well as their third album, Invisible Lantern. Other Worlds EP is Screaming Trees' 1985 debut produced by Steve Fisk. Invisible Lantern is the third full-length album by Seattle grunge band Screaming Trees, released in 1988 Following the release of Buzz Factory in 1989, the group's contract with SST expired and they made the Change Has Come EP for Sub Pop early the following year. Buzz Factory was the 4th full length album by Seattle band Screaming Trees and their final record released through SST released in 1989 Change Has Come was the first and only recording the Screaming Trees released through Sub Pop. Sub Pop is an Independent record label (though funded and sharing distribution outlets with Warner Music founded by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman By that time, tensions in the band had grown somewhat, and the group spent most of 1990 working on side projects. Mark Lanegan recorded a solo album, The Winding Sheet, which featured support from Nirvana's Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic; the album appeared on Sub Pop. The Winding Sheet is an album by American musician Mark Lanegan that was released in 1990 Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen Washington. Kurt Donald Cobain (February 20 1967 – c April 5 1994 was an American musician who served as lead singer, Guitarist, and songwriter for the Seattle Krist Anthony Novoselic II (born May 16, 1965) is an American rock musician best known as the Bassist for Nirvana. Both of the Conners formed new bands and released albums on the SST subsidiary New Alliance. Van's band was called Solomon Grundy; Lee's was Purple Outside. " Solomon Grundy " is a 19th century children's Nursery rhyme, and was presented by James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps in 1842
1990-1996: Major Label Debut
By the end of 1990, the band had signed a major-label contract with Epic Records. Epic Records is an American Record label. It is owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment. Screaming Trees reconvened to record their Epic debut, Uncle Anesthesia, with Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Terry Date as producers. Uncle Anesthesia is the Screaming Trees ' fifth album and first full-length album release on Epic Records, released on January 29, 1991 Chris Cornell (born Christopher John Boyle on July 20, 1964) is an American rock musician best known as the Lead singer Uncle Anesthesia appeared in early 1991 and, although it sold better than their previous efforts, the band remained a cult act. For much of the year, in fact, Van Conner was on hiatus from the band, choosing to tour as bassist with Dinosaur Jr. instead, with Donna Dresch filling in for him during shows. Donna Dresch is an American Punk rock Musician, perhaps best known as founder Guitarist and Late in 1991, Nirvana's Nevermind became an unexpected commercial success, opening the gates for the rest of the Seattle scene. Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24 1991 Where many of their peers were able to capitalize on that success, Screaming Trees suffered more setbacks than the rest. Before they began work on their follow-up to Uncle Anesthesia, Pickerel left the group and was replaced by Barrett Martin. Barrett Martin (born April 14, 1967 in Olympia, Washington) was the drummer for the Seattle, Washington group the Screaming Trees Once Martin joined, the band finished "Nearly Lost You," their contribution to the Singles soundtrack, and their 1992 album Sweet Oblivion. " Nearly Lost You " is a 1992 single by Grunge band Screaming Trees. Singles is a 1992 Romantic comedy film written and directed by Cameron Crowe. Sweet Oblivion is Screaming Trees ' 6th full length Album that was released on September 8, 1992. "Nearly Lost You" became an MTV and alternative radio hit in the fall of 1992, thanks to the momentum of the Singles soundtrack. The single carried Sweet Oblivion -- which had received more press attention than any previous Screaming Trees album -- to the group's strongest sales, peaking at over 300,000 copies. The band supported Sweet Oblivion with a year-long tour, during which they fought frequently. After the tour was finished, the group decided to take an extended hiatus. During that time, Lanegan recorded his second solo album, Whiskey for the Holy Ghost, which was released in 1994. Whiskey for the Holy Ghost is the second solo album by former Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan.
That same year, Martin drummed in the Layne Staley and Mike McCready side project Mad Season, (which also featured Lanegan on vocals on two songs, both of which he received a writing credit for) which released its only album in the spring of 1995. Layne Thomas Staley ( August 22, 1967 - April 5, 2002) was the lead singer and co-lyricist of the rock group Alice in Chains and the Michael David McCready (born April 5 1966 in Pensacola, Florida) is an American Guitarist and Songwriter. For the album by Matchbox Twenty please see Mad Season (album. In early 1995, Screaming Trees toured Australia for the only time as part of the Big Day Out festival, before beginning work on their follow-up to Sweet Oblivion. The Big Day Out ( BDO) is an annual Music festival that tours Australia and New Zealand which originated in Sydney in 1992 Following one still-born attempt at the album, the band hired George Drakoulias, who had previously worked with the Black Crowes and the Jayhawks, as producer. George Drakoulias (born 1965 is a Greek-American Music producer and A&R executive at the American Recordings label The Black Crowes are an American, blues -oriented Hard rock Jam band that has sold over 20 million albums The Jayhawks are an American Alternative Country and Rock Band. The resulting album, Dust, was released in the summer of 1996, nearly four years after its predecessor. Dust is the seventh and final album by the Screaming Trees, released on June 25, 1996. Dust was greeted with positive reviews, and its first single, "All I Know," became a moderate hit on modern rock radio. Still, the album didn't sell particularly well, even though the band supported the record by touring with 1996's Lollapalooza. Lollapalooza is an American music festival featuring Alternative rock, hip hop, and Punk rock bands Dance and Comedy performances During this time, from 1996 to 1998, the band included guitarist Josh Homme, a former member of the band Kyuss. Joshua Michael Homme (born May 17, 1973 in Joshua Tree, California) is an American Rock musician and Record producer Kyuss (ˈkaɪəs KAI-us was an influential Stoner rock / Desert rock band originally from Palm Desert California.
1998-2000 breakup
Following the Dust tour, Screaming Trees took another hiatus, with Lanegan beginning work on his third solo album, Scraps At Midnight, which was released in 1998. Scraps at Midnight is the third solo album by former Screaming Trees vocalist Mark Lanegan. The Screaming Trees headed back into the studio in 1999 and recorded several songs including "Ash Grey Sunday" and shopped them around to labels but nobody was interested. They played a few surprise shows in early 2000 to attempt again to catch a label's interest but they were unsuccessful and following a June 25, 2000, concert to celebrate the opening of Seattle's Experience Music Project, the group unsurprisingly announced their official breakup.
2000-Present: Post-breakup
All members have moved on to other musical projects. Lanegan has released several highly acclaimed solo recordings, and was a part-time member of Queens of the Stone Age. Queens of the Stone Age (also known as QOTSA or simply Queens) are a rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States Lanegan released Bubblegum, his latest solo album in August of 2004, and is working with former The Afghan Whigs leader Greg Dulli in a new project named The Gutter Twins as well as on-going collaborations under the Twilight Singers name. Bubblegum (or Bubble Gum) is a type of Chewing gum especially designed for blowing bubbles. The Afghan Whigs were a soul -influenced American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio. The Gutter Twins is a musical collaboration between rock musicians Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan. The Twilight Singers is an American Indie rock band. The group was initially formed as a side project by The Afghan Whigs leader Greg Dulli In 2006, he released a collaboration with former Belle & Sebastian cellist Isobel Campbell entitled Ballad Of The Broken Seas to great critical acclaim. Belle and Sebastian are an Indie pop band formed in Glasgow, Scotland in January 1996 Isobel Campbell (born on April 27, 1976 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a Scottish singer Cellist and composer in the Ballad of the Broken Seas is an Album released by Isobel Campbell and the first collaboration between her and Mark Lanegan.
Van Conner formed the band VALIS in 1998 with Dan Peters (of Mudhoney), Patrick Conner and Kurt Danielson. Van Conner (b March 17, 1967 in Apple Valley, California) is an American rock musician VALIS is a 1981 Science fiction novel by Philip K Dick. The title is an acronym for Vast Active Living Intelligence System, Dan Peters (born August 18, 1967) is the drummer for Mudhoney. Mudhoney is an American Grunge band Formed in Seattle Washington in 1988 following the demise of Green River, Mudhoney has for the most of its recording The group is currently on Small Stone Records and has released 4 albums. Small Stone Records is an American Record label based in Detroit MI. VALIS/Kitty Kitty, Vast Active Living Intelligence System, Head Full of Pills and 2005's Champions of Magic. After Dan and Kurt left the group they were replaced with Sean Hollister, Wes Weresch and Adrian Makins.
Band Members
- Mark Lanegan - vocals
- Gary Lee Conner - guitar, backing vocals
- Van Conner - bass, backing vocals
- Barrett Martin - drums (1991-2000)
Former members
- Mark Pickerel - drums (1985-1991)
Touring members
- Donna Dresch - bass (1988, 1991)
- Sean Hollister - drums (1991)
- Josh Homme - guitar (1996-1998)
- Dan Peters - drums (1991)
Discography
Studio albums
External links
- Screaming Trees' Official MySpace
- Van Conner's personal site
- Van Conner's band VALIS
- Time For Light: A Fansite
- Screaming Trees fan site
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