Artist Biography by Jason Ankeny
Chicago post-rock trio Pit Er Pat comprised bassist Rob Doran (a founding member of Alkaline Trio), classically trained pianist Fay Davis-Jeffers, and drummer Butchy Fuego (a onetime contributor to Neutral Milk Hotel). Founded in 2003 as the Blackbirds, they formed to back a local singer/songwriter who abruptly left town for New York City, forcing the trio to compose a set of songs in order to make good on a previously booked live gig; the performance was so successful they opted to continue, soon releasing an EP, Emergency, on their own Mythologies label. Upon learning of a rival Blackbirds unit, the group renamed itself Pit Er Pat in honor of a painting by Chicago artist Jim Nutt, in early 2004 reissuing Emergency on the Overcoat label; after releasing a 12', 'The Babies Are Tired,' on the tiny Born and Raised on Sugar label, Pit Er Pat signed to Thrill Jockey, issuing their first full-length effort, Shakey, in early 2005. The following year, they teamed up twice in the studio with Tortoise's John McEntire as producer: first on the 3D Message EP and again that fall on the full-length Pyramids. Pit Er Pat recorded their third album, 2008's High Time, in their own studio, incorporating a horn section and percussion ranging from bongos to agogo bells, making it their most musically complex album to date. Touring Europe and appearing at the ATP Festival inspired 2010's The Flexible Entertainer, which melded the exotic feel of High Time with more expansive structures and stripped-down instrumentation.
Pyramids by Pit Er Pat, released 10 October 2006 1. Brain Monster 2. Seasick (Hang Ten) 3. Time Monster 4. Baby's First 5.
Origin | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
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Genres | Post-rock[1] |
Years active | 2002-present |
Labels | BAROS, Overcoat, Mythologies, Thrill Jockey, Headz |
Associated acts | Boredoms, Death’s Groove, Matteah Baim |
Website | www.piterpat.com |
Pit Er Pat is a post-rock band from Chicago Illinois. They formed in 2002 as the trio of Fay Davis-Jeffers on keyboard and vocals, former founding member of Alkaline Trio Rob Doran on bass, and Butchy Fuego on drums. Their sound is very atmospheric and has a dark ambience that is similar to other instrumental avant-garde groups. Much of the group's offerings are rhythmically complex as well.
The group released nine records between 2004–2008, touring extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Mexico. After the album 'High Time' was released in October 2008, Doran left the group for other pursuits. In the spring of 2009, Fuego and Davis-Jeffers toured as a duo for the first time, performing all new music. The tour included a performance at All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Minehead, England.
In 2004, Pit Er Pat performed on the second volume of the Burn to Shine DVD series. On July 7, 2007 Butchy Fuego participated in the Yamantaka Eye (Boredoms) lead drum collaboration/concert 77 Boadrum at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn, New York.[2]
On their 2007 Covers EP, Pit Er Pat had guest instrumentalist add some woodwind and brass to their sound. Billy Blaze played flute and tenor saxophone, and Nick Broste (Mucca Pazza) played trombone.
Discography[edit]
Pit Er Pat has released music in the United States under the Thrill Jockey, Overcoat Recordings, Mythologies and BAROS records, and in Japan through the Headz label.
- The Babies Are Tired/Lullaby (12') - Baros - 2004
- Emergency EP (CD) - Overcoat Recordings - 2004
- 'Emergency' (LP) - Mythologies - 2004
- 'Big Pants/Jump Off' (split 7' w/ Icy Demons) - Polyvinyl Record Co. - 2004
- Shakey (CD/LP) - Thrill Jockey - 2005
- 3D Message EP (CD) - Thrill Jockey - 2006
- Pyramids (CD/LP) - Thrill Jockey - 2006
- 'Feel No Pain' (CD) - Self-Released - 2007
- Covers EP - Thrill Jockey - 2007
- High Time (CD/LP) - Thrill Jockey - 2008
- 'High Time Remix' (12') - Thrill Jockey - 2009
- The Flexible Entertainer (CD/LP) - Thrill Jockey - 2010
References[edit]
- ^Biography in Allmusic
- ^'Butchy Fuego at 77 Boadrum'. Viva-Radio, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
External links[edit]
- www.piterpat.com Official site.
- Butchy Fuego at MySpace
- Label Site at Thrill Jockey
- Rob Doran art site
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