Moss Icon
(Picture from Myspace.com)
Of these two groups, Moss Icon is by far the more famous, often name checked as an influential emo band. That's something of a dubious distinction in my estimation, but nonetheless they were one of the first post-hardcore groups to break with the relatively traditional songwriting and playing styles that were practiced by the likes of Embrace and the aforementioned Rites of Spring, and move into more progressive territory. The Annapolis group was founded in 1987 by guitarist Tonie Joy and singer Jonathan Vance, along with bassist Monica DiGialleonardo and drummer Mark Laurence. Their sound at that time was based in Black Flag-style hardcore punk as much as it was in the cold angularity of post-punk. Combined with a songwriting approach that bucks traditional verse-chorus-verse structure, very early tracks like "Hate In Me" and "What They Lack" from Moss Icon's 1988 debut 7", officially self-titled but frequently referred to as Hate In Me, are hard-hitting art rock micro-epics. One of their most confrontationally avant-garde tracks, "I'm Back Sleeping Or Fucking Or Something," also saw release on this 7". Best described as a collision of Bauhaus and Black Sabbath on Void's* anarchic plane, "Sleeping" is a harrowing roar of a song detailing the experience of meeting a long lost childhood friend and finding them as a nihilistic, oversexed post-adolescent.
Throughout 1988, Moss Icon recorded much with the intent of releasing a full-length album which was ultimately not released until 1994 as Lyburnum Wit's End Liberation Fly, and even then only available on vinyl. Nonetheless, these sessions at least yielded 1989's Mahpiua Luta 7" ("The Life or This Grape Juice Drink" b/w "Kick The Can"). One of the notable highlights of the session is the title track, which plays something like a post-hardcore response to "Stairway to Heaven," or perhaps more accurately The Doors' "The End." 1990 saw all four members of Moss Icon participate in a project called Breathing Walker with a second guitarist, a percussionist, and a Violinist, though by 1991 the original lineup was back recording under the Moss Icon banner with second guitarist Alex Bardertscher . Their sound from this era, captured on a split LP with Bay Area group Silver Bearing and on the "Memorial" b/w "Moth" 7", is much more lush, bright, melodic and jam-oriented, with "Moth" even evoking classic Rhythm and Blues ballads. The group broke up after these releases. Most of the tracks along with some live recordings from these two releases were compiled on to the It Disappears LP, again vinyl only and released in 1994. Lyburnum Wit's End Liberation Fly and the studio tracks from It Disappears were compiled onto a single CD as simply Lyburnum and released in 1997. Singer Jonathan Vance released an EP of electronica in 2005. Moss Icon reunited for two shows in 2001, and are set to do so again this year, with perhaps even some new music.
Moss Icon-Lyburnum [compilation] (1997) (ZIP file)
Moss Icon-Hate In Me [EP] (1988)
Track 1-"Hate In Me"
Track 2-"What They Lack"
Track 3-"I'm Back Sleeping Or Fucking Or Something" (Same recording with better sound quality found on Lyburnum collection)
Track 4-"Kiss The Girls and Make Them Die" (Low Quality MP3
Moss Icon-"Sioux Day" Superpowers [v/a comp.] (1993)
Free Old Maryland Art Punk Part 2: Reptile House coming next week!
*Void not linked up: couldn't find a decent representation of them in one place. Do check them out, though.
(Picture from Myspace.com)Of these two groups, Moss Icon is by far the more famous, often name checked as an influential emo band. That's something of a dubious distinction in my estimation, but nonetheless they were one of the first post-hardcore groups to break with the relatively traditional songwriting and playing styles that were practiced by the likes of Embrace and the aforementioned Rites of Spring, and move into more progressive territory. The Annapolis group was founded in 1987 by guitarist Tonie Joy and singer Jonathan Vance, along with bassist Monica DiGialleonardo and drummer Mark Laurence. Their sound at that time was based in Black Flag-style hardcore punk as much as it was in the cold angularity of post-punk. Combined with a songwriting approach that bucks traditional verse-chorus-verse structure, very early tracks like "Hate In Me" and "What They Lack" from Moss Icon's 1988 debut 7", officially self-titled but frequently referred to as Hate In Me, are hard-hitting art rock micro-epics. One of their most confrontationally avant-garde tracks, "I'm Back Sleeping Or Fucking Or Something," also saw release on this 7". Best described as a collision of Bauhaus and Black Sabbath on Void's* anarchic plane, "Sleeping" is a harrowing roar of a song detailing the experience of meeting a long lost childhood friend and finding them as a nihilistic, oversexed post-adolescent.
Throughout 1988, Moss Icon recorded much with the intent of releasing a full-length album which was ultimately not released until 1994 as Lyburnum Wit's End Liberation Fly, and even then only available on vinyl. Nonetheless, these sessions at least yielded 1989's Mahpiua Luta 7" ("The Life or This Grape Juice Drink" b/w "Kick The Can"). One of the notable highlights of the session is the title track, which plays something like a post-hardcore response to "Stairway to Heaven," or perhaps more accurately The Doors' "The End." 1990 saw all four members of Moss Icon participate in a project called Breathing Walker with a second guitarist, a percussionist, and a Violinist, though by 1991 the original lineup was back recording under the Moss Icon banner with second guitarist Alex Bardertscher . Their sound from this era, captured on a split LP with Bay Area group Silver Bearing and on the "Memorial" b/w "Moth" 7", is much more lush, bright, melodic and jam-oriented, with "Moth" even evoking classic Rhythm and Blues ballads. The group broke up after these releases. Most of the tracks along with some live recordings from these two releases were compiled on to the It Disappears LP, again vinyl only and released in 1994. Lyburnum Wit's End Liberation Fly and the studio tracks from It Disappears were compiled onto a single CD as simply Lyburnum and released in 1997. Singer Jonathan Vance released an EP of electronica in 2005. Moss Icon reunited for two shows in 2001, and are set to do so again this year, with perhaps even some new music.
Moss Icon-Lyburnum [compilation] (1997) (ZIP file)
Moss Icon-Hate In Me [EP] (1988)
Track 1-"Hate In Me"
Track 2-"What They Lack"
Track 3-"I'm Back Sleeping Or Fucking Or Something" (Same recording with better sound quality found on Lyburnum collection)
Track 4-"Kiss The Girls and Make Them Die" (Low Quality MP3
Moss Icon-"Sioux Day" Superpowers [v/a comp.] (1993)
Free Old Maryland Art Punk Part 2: Reptile House coming next week!
*Void not linked up: couldn't find a decent representation of them in one place. Do check them out, though.
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