Explosions In The Sky

Explosions in the Sky is an American post-rock band from Texas. The quartet originally played under the name Breaker Morant, then changed to the current name in 1999. The band has garnered popularity beyond the post-rock scene for their elaborately developed guitar work, narratively styled instrumentals—what they refer to as "cathartic mini-symphonies"—and their enthusiastic and emotional live shows. They primarily play with three electric guitars and a drum kit, although band member Michael James will at times exchange his electric guitar for a bass guitar. The band has later added a fifth member to their live performances. The band's music is almost purely instrumental.

History

Originally called Breaker Morant, Explosions in the Sky was formed in Austin, Texas, in 1999. Drummer Chris Hrasky is from Rockford, Illinois, and the rest of the band hails from Midland, Texas. The new name of "Explosions in the Sky" came from a comment Hrasky made in reference to the noise or sight of fireworks when they left KVRX on the night they played their first set and recorded their first track, "Remember Me as a Time of Day", that would be released on a compilation. Their 2000 debut album, '' How Strange, Innocence'', was locally distributed in the form of CD-Rs. Rehearsal footage is featured on the feature film ''Cicadas'', which won an Austin Film Festival award.

Explosions in the Sky quickly gained a reputation for themselves among other established bands such as Lift to Experience. Temporary Residence Limited signed the band on the strength of their demo after only half a listen; the demo was submitted by fellow Austin band The American Analog Set with a brief note saying, "This totally fucking destroys."

They garnered a small amount of media attention with their second album, ''Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever'', due to rumors linking it to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The band denied any connection in interviews. The album art shows an airplane with the caption "This plane will crash tomorrow." There were false reports that the last track was called "This Plane Will Crash Tomorrow" and that the album was released on September 10, 2001; the concept had actually originated in 2000, and the album was officially released on September 4, 2001. Bassist Michael James was detained in an airport as a threat to security, and had to explain why his guitar contained the words "this plane will crash tomorrow".

The band also received a considerable amount of attention playing before large audiences as the opening act of Fugazi's spring 2002 US tour in support of ''The Argument''.

The band released ''The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place'' in 2003 and this is generally considered their most famous album. The album has been described as a ''concept album'' and was stated by guitarist Munaf Rayani as the band's attempt at love songs.

After being contacted by Brian Reitzell, Explosions in the Sky wrote the soundtrack for the 2004 film '' Friday Night Lights''. Despite having access to rare equipment in the studio for that project, the band kept to their songwriting style in creating original material.

Their album '' The Rescue'' was written and recorded in eight days as part of the TRL ''Travels in Constants'' series. As such, the album was originally only available at the band's live shows.

Explosions in the Sky's fifth studio album, '' All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone'', which debuted February 20, 2007, exists as both a one-disc version and a two-disc special edition featuring remixes by multiple artists.
The band began touring on February 19 in the U.S. and Canada.

On April 26, 2011, the band released their sixth studio album, '' Take Care, Take Care, Take Care''.

They were one of the support acts for Nine Inch Nails on their North American leg of the Twenty Thirteen Tour in late 2013, alternating dates with Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

Musical style and characteristics

Although the band's music deviates from pop, Hrasky said that they have similar goals "like immediately grabbing your attention and getting to your emotions." Rayani said, "We don't consider ourselves post-rock at all; we consider ourselves a rock band."

In a post-show interview clip on Austin City Limits, guitarist Munaf Rayani said about their status as instrumentalists, "I mean, I think we discussed singing for half a second, and then it just kinda, we just dropped it. We just didn't go back to it because we were comfortable enough." Drummer Chris Hrasky added, "I think we just liked the idea of a band that there was not a leader or main songwriter, everyone sort of collaborating and has their own say. I don't think any of us want the sort of 'leader role', so a leaderless band is kind of the best option for us."

In popular culture

Most notably, Explosions in the Sky's music is heavily featured in the ''Friday Night Lights'' movie and television show. It is a common misconception that the band wrote and recorded the television show's theme song. Instead, it is an original composition by W. G. Snuffy Walden. Music by Explosions in the Sky has been used in several television programs and commercials: "The Birth and Death of the Day" for the BBC
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