Elliott (band)

Elliott
OriginLouisville, Kentucky, U.S.
GenresIndie rock, emo
Years active1995–2003; 2022-Present
LabelsRevelation, Initial
MembersChris Higdon
Benny Clark
Jay Palumbo
Jason Skaggs
Jonathan Mobley
Billy Bisig
Kevin Ratterman
Ben Lord
WebsiteRevelation Records Profile

Elliott is an American emo band from Louisville, Kentucky. They released three albums and several 7"s in their eight-year career, and were signed to Revelation Records.

History

Formation and early releases (1995–1998)

After the dissolution of Louisville band Falling Forward, vocalist Chris Higdon, bassist Jonathan Mobley, and drummer Ben Lord would form Elliott in 1995.[1][2] Higdon would take up guitar, and the band would recruit second guitarist Jay Palumbo. After a year with the band, Lord would quit, being replaced by Kevin Ratterman. The band's early influences included Quicksand, Jawbox, and Sunny Day Real Estate.[3]

2000's False Cathedrals was a more polished affair than its predecessor, with Ratterman utilizing samplers and drum machines to fill out the band's sound.[1] False Cathedrals was met with critical acclaim by a broad cross-section of the underground rock community.[4]

Shortly after the completion of False Cathedral, Palumbo and Mobley left the group for personal and creative reasons.[5] Jason Skaggs took over on bass, and Falling Forward's Benny Clark was enlisted to play guitar. Clark's ethereal, effects-heavy sound would go on to have a significant impact on Elliott's music. In May 2001, the band dropped off a tour with the Toadies amid a "disagreement with management decisions".[6]

Song in the Air, departure of Skaggs, and break up (2003)

Between March and May 2002, the band was recording an EP, which eventually turned into an album's worth of material.[7] Following this, they toured across the US in May and June with Christiansen and Liars Academy.[8][9] In August 2002, the band performed at Furnace Fest.[10] In February and March, Elliott supported Further Seems Forever on their headlining US tour.[11] Song in the Air was announced in December 2002, and released in April 2003, through Revelation Records.[12] It marked another stylistic shift for the group, incorporating more post-rock influences, as well as live string arrangements by the Louisville group Rachel's. Pitchfork Media called Song in the Air "a far more dynamic and internally cohesive record than any of the group's previous efforts.".[13]

Skaggs left the group shortly after the completion of Song in the Air. He was replaced by Billy Bisig. Shortly after Song in the Air's release, Elliott announced their intention to break up. They completed final tours of Europe and the US, before disbanding in November 2003.[14]

Posthumous

Members of Elliott have been busy since the group's demise. Singer/Guitarist Chris Higdon is now fronting the group Frontier(s) alongside members of Automatic, Mouthpiece, Enkindels, Stay Gold and others. They signed to No Sleep Records in March 2009; they later released their debut album There Will Be No Miracles through Arena Rock Recording Company in August 2010.[15] Benny Clark is playing bass in a group named Parlour. Kevin Ratterman operates a recording studio called The Funeral Home.

Reformation

The band reunited in 2022 and is scheduled to play Furnace Fest the same year. Future plans are unknown, but it's known that Jay Palumbo is involved. [16]

Discography

Date of Release Title Label Format
1997 In Transit Initial Records 7"
1998 Elliott / Sunday Evening Dinner Club / Kid Dynamite (Split EP) I Stand Alone 7"
August 4, 1998 U.S. Songs Revelation Records CD, LP
January 11, 2000 If They Do (EP) Initial Records CD, 7"
January 11, 2000 Will You Revelation Records 7"
August 22, 2000 False Cathedrals Revelation Records CD, LP
April 23, 2003 Song in the Air Revelation Records CD, LP
October 4, 2005 Photorecording Revelation Records CD/DVD Box Set
April 20, 2013 Songs in a Transit Wind Simba Recordings LP

References

  1. ^ a b "Elliott". Punk Rock Academy. 2001. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  2. ^ "Elliott page at Revelation Records". Archived from the original on 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
  3. ^ "Elliott 14/12/05 - Mail". metalorgie.com. December 2005. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024. [I think it is obvious and easily perceptible that our influences have evolved over the years and changes in line up. We moved from music incorporating post hardcore elements on US Songs (inspired by Quicksand, Jawbox, Sunny Day [Real Estate], etc.)...]
  4. ^ "PopMatters review of False Cathedrals". Archived from the original on 2009-04-29. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
  5. ^ Den, Tim (September 1, 2000). "Elliott". Lollipop Magazine. Archived from the original on October 12, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  6. ^ Paul, Aubin (May 12, 2001). "Elliott Says Bye-Bye to One Hit Wonders". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  7. ^ Heisel, Scott (March 10, 2002). "Elliott's plans for the future". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  8. ^ Heisel, Scott (April 14, 2002). "Elliott will be in transit once again…". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  9. ^ Heisel, Scott (April 14, 2002). "Christiansen signs to Revelation". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  10. ^ Heisel, Scott (June 16, 2002). "Furnace Fest announces full lineup; I wet my pants". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  11. ^ Heisel, Scott (November 30, 2002). "Further Seems Forever to tour with Elliott, the Beautiful Mistake". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  12. ^ Heisel, Scott (December 30, 2002). "Rev newsbrief: Since By Man, Elliott, Fall Silent, Garrison, and more". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "Pitchfork review of Song In The Air". Archived from the original on 2009-02-14. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  14. ^ White, Adam (August 10, 2003). "Elliott (1995-2003)". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  15. ^ Yancey, Bryne (June 18, 2010). "Frontier(s) (ex-Elliott) announce debut LP". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "The Funeral Home's website". Archived from the original on 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2021-03-10.