Ours is an American-based rock band led by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Gnecco.

History

Harmony Bandits and Sour

Since their creation in 1990, the line-up has evolved many times, but Gnecco has always felt that having a rotating group of musicians who could play off each other was important. In high school, Gnecco was in the band Lost Child and later, The Harmony Bandits, which eventually evolved into what is now Ours. In 1994, Ours released their first album titled ''Sour'' under their own label Beatnik Records, owned by Mike Marri. Afterwards, the band dissolved and did not reform again for several years.

''Distorted Lullabies'' and ''Precious''

In 1997, Gnecco restarted Ours again and quickly drew industry attention. Ours signed with

DreamWorks Records DreamWorks Records (often referred in copyright notices as SKG Music, LLC) was an American record label A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, ...

and after four years, released their first major label album '' Distorted Lullabies'' in 2001. Produced by

Steve Lillywhite Stephen Alan Lillywhite, (born 15 March 1955) is a British record producer. Since he began his career in 1977, Lillywhite has been credited on over 500 records, and has collaborated with a variety of musicians including new wave acts XTC, Bi ...

of U2 fame, the album received mixed reviews but led to successful tours with acts such as

Ocean Colour Scene Ocean Colour Scene (often abbreviated to OCS) are an English rock band formed in Solihull in 1989. They have had five top 10 albums including a number one in 1997. They have also achieved seventeen top 40 singles and six top 10 singles to date ...

, Pete Yorn, and The Cult. The track "Sometimes" peaked at No. 31 on the US

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

Modern Rock charts that year, while the music video saw moderate airtime on MTV. Ours performed in Toronto at the Opera House in October, 2001. The album '' Precious'' followed soon after in 2002; ''Precious'' featured a more stripped-down sound and received much more positive reviews and led to a slot opening for The Wallflowers.

''Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy''

In 2004, Ours relocated from New Jersey to Los Angeles to work with

Rick Rubin Frederick Jay Rubin (; born March 10, 1963) is an American record producer. He is the co-founder (alongside Russell Simmons) of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records. Rubin helped popu ...

. The resulting album, '' Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy'' was released on April 15, 2008.

''The Heart''

In 2010, Gnecco released his self-produced first solo acoustic effort, ''The Heart'', and followed it in 2011 with the release of ''The Heart: X Edition'', in which Gnecco built upon the intimacy of his solo album with a lush full band version of the record.

''Ballet The Boxer 1''

In 2012, Ours launched a PledgeMusic campaign to fund the recording of their new album, ''Ballet The Boxer 1''. The band managed to reach 136% of the goal for their crowdfunding, and subsequently finished the album recording in 2013. Following a few setbacks, the album was eventually released on May 4 for those who participated in the crowdfunding, and a public release followed on June 11.

''New Age Heroine 2''

In 2018, Ours released the album ''New Age Heroine II'', which is the successor to ''Ballet The Boxer 1'' in the trilogy started in 2013. The long-announced final chapter of the trilogy, originally planned to be titled "Spectacular Sight", will be released on May 15, 2021 (for the 20th anniversary of the first album - ''Distorted Lullabies''). It will be a self-titled album.

Band members

;Current members * Jimmy Gnecco – lead vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards, drums, backing vocals... * April Bauer – piano, keyboards, backing vocals * Chris Iasiello - drums, backing vocals * Mikey Iasiello - guitars, backing vocals * Carmelo Risquet - Bass ;Former members * Static – guitar * Chris Goodlof - Bass * Race – guitar/keys * Locke – keyboards * Dave Milone - guitar * James Bray - Bass, guitar, keyboards * Pit Gnecco – drums (tours only) * Anthony De Marco - Keyboards

Tours

Ours has toured with The Wallflowers, Pete Yorn,

Marilyn Manson Brian Hugh Warner (born January 5, 1969), known professionally as Marilyn Manson, is an American rock musician. He came to prominence as the lead singer of the band which shares his name, of which he remains the only constant member since it ...

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, Fear Before the March of Flames,

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, and

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. They have also toured Europe with

a-ha A-ha (usually stylised as ''a-''h''a''; ) is a Norwegian synth-pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. Founded by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (guitars and vocals), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards, guitars and vocals), and Morten Harket (lead vocals), the band ...

Discography

Studio albums

* '' Distorted Lullabies'' (2001) * '' Precious'' (2002) * ''

Mercy (Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy) ''Mercy (Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy)'' is the band Ours' third major label release. The album was recorded with renowned record producer Rick Rubin over several years, and was released on April 15, 2008. Music videos have been ...

'' (2008) * ''

Ballet the Boxer 1 ''Ballet the Boxer 1'' is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Ours, released on June 11, 2013 by Cage Recording Company. Ours released a music video for the song "Devil," which featured the final filmed performance by actor David ...

'' (2013) * ''New Age Heroine II'' (2018) * ''Ours'' (2021)

Extended plays

* ''Media Age'' (2020) * ''The Bella Fall'' (2021) * ''Right Here Right Now'' (2021)

Demo albums

* ''Sour'' (1994) (Demo album only and not recorded as Ours, but as Harmony Bandits)

Singles

* "Sometimes" (2001) No. 31 US Modern Rock * "Drowning" (2001) * "Leaves" (2002) * "The Worst Things Beautiful" (2008) * "Devil" (2013): The music video for this song has images originally shot for the unreleased short film ''8 For Infinity''. It was directed by Michael Maxxis and starred by Jimmy Gnecco and

David Carradine David Carradine ( ; born John Arthur Carradine Jr.; December 8, 1936 – June 3, 2009) was an American actor best known for playing martial arts roles. He is perhaps best known as the star of the 1970s television series ''Kung Fu'', playi ...

. * "Pretty Pain" (2019) * "Slipping Away" (2019) * "New Age Heroine" (2019) * "Wounds of Love" (2019) * "Don't Wanna Be A Star" (2020)

References

Interviews

Jimmy Gnecco's Interview w/ The Scenestar - July 2007

External links

Official site for OursOfficial site for Jimmy GneccoMySpaceKillTheBand.comIHeardYouSinging.com
{{Authority control Musical groups established in 1992 Alternative rock groups from New Jersey American post-grunge musical groups