Howlin Rain is an American rock band based in Oakland, California,[1] formed in 2004 by guitarist/singer Ethan Miller. Their most recent album The Dharma Wheel was released in 2021. Their sound has been described as "classically soulful"[2] and "Unapologetically influenced by the strong but easygoing grooves of West Coast 1970s rock".[3]

History

Ethan Miller formed Howlin Rain in 2004 when he was still a member of Comets on Fire, as an outlet for his songwriting interests and the influence of life in the Lost Coast area of Northern California.[4] The first incarnation of the band also included bassist Ian Gradek and drummer John Moloney (who later joined Sunburned Hand of the Man).[3] The final Comets on Fire album was released in 2006,[5] after which Miller dedicated himself to Howlin Rain full-time.[3] The group has since featured a revolving line-up with Miller as the only constant member.

The self-titled album Howlin Rain was released in 2006, establishing a "psychedelic country/garage rock" sound,[6] after which the band toured as the opening act for Queens of the Stone Age.[3] In 2007, the band signed with Rick Rubin to American Recordings.[7] Their second album Magnificent Fiend, featuring an expanded line-up, was released in 2008.[8] This album was noted for featuring jam band elements, and was described as a "combination of psychedelia, blues, funk and classic 1970s arena rock."[9] The EPs Wild Life and The Good Life followed.[3]

Howlin Rain performed at All Tomorrow's Parties in England in 2010.[3] Their third full-length album The Russian Wilds was released in 2012, featuring further experiments in blues rock and 1970s album-oriented rock.[10] This was the band's final album with American Recordings, and Miller reformed the line-up once again.[11][12] Miller then conceived an interconnected trilogy of albums, and the first installment Mansion Songs was released in 2015.[12]

Miller formed his own label, Silver Current Records,[3] which issued The Alligator Bride in 2018. That album introduced hard rock and R&B elements to the group's sound.[13] The third album in the planned trilogy, The Dharma Wheel, was released in 2021.[14]

Members

Current members

  • Ethan Miller – vocals, guitar (2004–present)
  • Justin Smith – drums (2018–present)
  • Jason Soda – guitar (2021–present)
  • Kyre Wilcox – bass (2021–present)

Past members

  • Ian Gradek – bass (2004–2009)
  • John Moloney – drums (2004–2006)
  • Joel Robinow – keyboards, horns, guitar, piano, organ (2007–2012)
  • Mike Jackson – rhythm guitar (2008–2009)
  • Garett Goddard – drums (2008–2009)
  • Cyrus Comiskey – bass (2010–2015)
  • Raj Kumar Ojha – drums (2010–2012)
  • Isaiah Mitchell – guitar (2010–2012)
  • Dan Cervantes – guitar (2014–2021)
  • Jeff McElroy – bass, guitar (2014–2021)
  • Brian "Nucci" Cantrell – drums (2014–2015)

Studio guests

  • Ben Chasny – guitar (2007)
  • Utrillo Kushner – drums (2007)
  • Eli Eckert – guitar, bass (2008, 2012)
  • John Gnorski – guitar (2015)
  • Noel Harmonson – guitar, drums (2015)
  • Charlie Saufley – guitar, bass (2015)
  • Meg Baird – drums, guitar, backing vocals (2015)
  • Richard Danielson – drums (2018)
  • Chris Robinson – vocals (2022)

Discography

Albums

References

  1. ^ "Howlin Rain - Magnificent Fiend - Fuss Magazine". 1 June 2009. Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  2. ^ Maerz, Jennifer (2008-03-05). "Bay Area Picks for SXSW | Music | San Francisco | San Francisco News and Events". Sfweekly.com. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Howlin Rain Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  4. ^ "Howlin Rain - Magnificent Fiend". 13 March 2008. Archived from the original on 13 March 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  5. ^ Avatar - Comets on Fire | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-11-23
  6. ^ Howlin Rain - Howlin Rain | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-11-23
  7. ^ Maerz, Jennifer (2008-02-27). "Rick Rubin Digs Howlin Rain's Distorted View of the '70s | Music | San Francisco | San Francisco News and Events". Sfweekly.com. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
  8. ^ Magnificent Fiend - Howlin Rain | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-11-23
  9. ^ Krajewski, Kari (2008-03-05). "Jam band 'Magnificent'ly refreshing on latest release". Badgerherald.com. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
  10. ^ "Album Review: Howlin' Rain - The Russian Wilds". Consequence. 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  11. ^ Akamatsu, Rhetta (2014-11-04). "Howlin Rain Announce New Album, Mansion Songs". AXS.com. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
  12. ^ a b "Howlin Rain: Mansion Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  13. ^ The Alligator Bride - Howlin Rain | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-11-23
  14. ^ "Review: Howlin Rain – The Dharma Wheel". Nanobot Rock. 2021-09-29. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howlin_Rain
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