Plexi was an American gothic

noise rock Noise rock (sometimes called noise punk) is a noise music, noise-oriented style of experimental rock that spun off from punk rock in the 1980s. Drawing on movements such as minimal music, minimalism, industrial music, and New York hardcore, a ...

band consisting of Michael Angelos (vocals, songwriting, bass), Michael Barragan (guitar,

Echoplex The Echoplex is a tape delay effect, first made in 1959. Designed by Mike Battle, the Echoplex set a standard for the effect in the 1960s—it is still regarded as "the standard by which everything else is measured." It was used by some of the ...

, Moog) and Norm Block (drums, percussion). Formed in 1993, their original name was Godseed. Their sound has been compared to bands such as

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Sonic Youth Sonic Youth was an American rock band based in New York City, formed in 1981. Founding members Thurston Moore (guitar, vocals), Kim Gordon (bass, vocals, guitar) and Lee Ranaldo (guitar, vocals) remained together for the entire history of the b ...

The Cure The Cure are an English Rock music, rock band formed in 1978 in Crawley, Crawley, West Sussex. Throughout numerous lineup changes since the band's formation, guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter Robert Smith (musician), Robert Smith has re ...

Bailter Space Bailter Space (a.k.a. Bailterspace) is a New Zealand shoegaze and noise rock band that formed in Christchurch, in 1987 as Nelsh Bailter Space; they had previously recorded as The Gordons. Its members are Alister Parker (guitar, bass), John Halvo ...

Swervedriver Swervedriver are an English alternative rock band formed in Oxford in 1989 around core members Adam Franklin and Jimmy Hartridge. Between 1989 and 1998, the band released four studio albums and numerous EPs and singles despite a considerable f ...

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, My Bloody Valentine and

Psi Com Psi Com was an American post-punk band of the early 1980s, consisting of Perry Farrell (vocals), Aaron Sherer (drums and percussion), Vince Duran (guitar) and Kelly Wheeler (bass). Prominent in the underground Los Angeles music scene, the group ...

. Plexi's material combined a mix of detached, wry,

existential Existentialism ( ) is a form of philosophical inquiry that explores the problem of human existence and centers on human thinking, feeling, and acting. Existentialist thinkers frequently explore issues related to the meaning, purpose, and value ...

, and romantic lyrics with a flamboyant blend of

glam rock Glam rock is a style of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s and was performed by musicians who wore outrageous costumes, makeup, and hairstyles, particularly platform shoes and glitter. Glam artists drew on diver ...

and artsy avant-garde textures and noise. Guitarist Michael Barragan was known for regular use of an

unit to create chaotic walls of sound. The band members were known for their decadent appearance featuring black leather garb, heavy make-up, and arcane tattoos. These traits, along with their edgy, yet radio-friendly music, made the band stand out from other groups of its era. A blurb on the band in the 1997 CD ''Spring Lineup: A Compilation Of Sub Pop's Heavy Hitters'' read, "Embraced by the hardest rock enthusiasts and real favorites at the

Viper Room The Viper Room is a nightclub and live music venue located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, United States. It was established as The Viper Room in 1993 and was partly owned by actor Johnny Depp. The other part owner was Sal J ...

, Plexi is L.A.'s freshest Noxema girl."

Lipstick Glue: Early years

Plexi was said to have formed in 1993 when Michael Angelos, a former USC film student, met guitarist Michael Barragan in an L.A. bar and drummer Norm Block at a Taoist retreat. However, most of the band's inscrutable Sub Pop bio (i.e. a part about a Hasidic motorcycle gang) was fabricated for comedic value. In 1994, they recorded their first EP for the indie label Boys Life Records, run by alternative rock band

Campfire Girls Camp Fire, formerly Camp Fire USA and originally Camp Fire Girls of America, is a co-ed youth development organization. Camp Fire was the first nonsectarian, multicultural organization for girls in America. It is gender inclusive, and its prog ...

. As evidence of the band's dryly nonchalant humor, a 1995 magazine ad for the EP read, "If you buy only one album this year... Buy Nick Drake's ''

Five Leaves Left ''Five Leaves Left'' is the debut studio album by English folk musician Nick Drake. Recorded between 1968 and 1969, it was released in 1969 by Island Records. Recording ''Five Leaves Left'' was recorded between July 1968 and June 1969 at S ...

''." In a mere four days in January 1995, the band recorded a second EP. It was released by the Seattle label I.F.A., corresponding with a tour opening for

Archers of Loaf Archers of Loaf is an American indie rock band originally formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1991. The group toured extensively and released four studio albums, one compilation, numerous singles and EPs, and a live album which was release ...

. The EPs attracted attention from larger independent labels, culminating in their "discovery" by a friend of Sub Pop band

Sunny Day Real Estate Sunny Day Real Estate is an American emo/indie rock band from Seattle, formed in 1992. The band currently consists of founding members Jeremy Enigk (vocals, guitar), Dan Hoerner (guitar) and William Goldsmith (drums), alongside Greg Suran (gui ...

, Curtis W. Pitts. Plexi later claimed that "I.F.A." stood for either "I'll Fight Anyone" or "I'll Fuck Anything". Cats were prominently featured in the artwork for both EPs.

Cheer Up: Album release

From December 1995 to January 1996, their first full-length album was recorded for Sub Pop. The brooding,

film noir Film noir (; ) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American ' ...

-esque album was given the ironic title '' Cheer Up''. After much delay due to personnel shakeups within Sub Pop, the album was released in October 1996. Leadoff track/single "Forest Ranger" had strange pop-culture references and a singalong line of, "When I was looking at you, I didn't mind your foggy weather/ I just wonder what it's like to die." The album also featured reworkings of "Magnet" and "Peel" from the second EP. ''Cheer Up'' featured cello by Rasputina's Melora Creager on two tracks ("Ordinary Things" and "Star Star"). In an interview with

Alternative Press Alternative press may refer to: Individual publications * ''Alternative Press'' (magazine), an American music magazine Alternative journalism * Alternative media ** Alternative media (U.S. political left) ** Alternative media (U.S. political ri ...

magazine in Nov. 1996, Angelos professed his fandom of

Aldous Huxley Aldous Leonard Huxley (26 July 1894 – 22 November 1963) was an English writer and philosopher. He wrote nearly 50 books, both novels and non-fiction works, as well as wide-ranging essays, narratives, and poems. Born into the prominent Huxley ...

and

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the ...

; upon being asked if Plexi's music might send the wrong message to suicidal listeners, Angelos laughed and responded, "Well, as long as ''I'' don't die..." Plexi then toured with bands such as Bare Minimum, Zeke,

Jack Off Jill Jack Off Jill was an American gothic rock band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, founded in 1992 by vocalist Jessicka, drummer Tenni Ah-Cha-Cha, bassist/keyboardist Agent Moulder, and guitarist Michelle Inhell. Though these four women were the init ...

and Ednaswap, and played at an ESPN X Games qualifying competition in New Orleans. ''Cheer Up'' was reissued on Atlantic in the summer of 1997 with a slightly remixed version of "Forest Ranger" and minor artwork variations. A video was shot for "Forest Ranger," directed by

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, and received significant airplay on M2. Plexi were the opening act on a large tour with labelmates Sugar Ray and Smashmouth later that year.

Dave Navarro David Michael Navarro (born June 7, 1967) is an American guitarist. He is best known as a member of the rock band Jane's Addiction, with whom he has recorded four studio albums. Between 1993 and 1998, Navarro was the guitarist of the Red Hot Ch ...

was close friends with Barragan, even naming ''Cheer Up'' his favorite album of 1997 in a magazine poll.

Caught Up: Amsterdamed & its aftermath

After embarking to

Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the Capital of the Netherlands, capital and Municipalities of the Netherlands, most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population ...

, where they recorded a follow-up album in late 1998, the band dissolved. No official reason for the breakup was ever issued, though the band members remain friends. Angelos would later collaborate with

on the Joy Division tribute track "Day of the Lords" under the outfit name Honeymoon Stitch. There was some suggestion by Navarro the recording session was complicated by substance abuse issues and their vocalist's inability to stay conscious and standing. Rumors of heroin addiction, mostly connected to the band's look, have never been substantiated specifically. Plexi have since played one-off gigs in the L.A. area between 2002 and 2006. "Forest Ranger" was used in the movie '' Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2'' in 2000. Block drummed in

for a while, then formed the Plexi-esque band Tape with future

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leader Justin Warfield. Block and Barragan had been featured in the touring band of

Mark Lanegan Mark William Lanegan (November 25, 1964 – February 22, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter, and poet. First becoming prominent as the lead singer for the early grunge band Screaming Trees, he was also known as a member of Queens of the St ...

for several years. Angelos has had roles in a few independent films, such as ''When'' (1999), and worked on recording a solo album in L.A. He currently lists his profession as music video producer.

Discography

Albums

* '' Cheer Up'' (1996,

Sub Pop Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman. Sub Pop achieved fame in the early 1990s for signing Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney, central players in the grunge movement. They are often ...

on CD/LP, Reissued July 1997 on

Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the " Old World" of Africa, Europe an ...

, on CD/cassette)

EPs, Singles

* ''Plexi'' EP (April 1995, Boys Life, recorded in 1994) **Tracks: "Simple Man" – 3:04, "Na-Na" – 4:08, "Second Sunday" – 4:05, "Lipstick Glue" – 3:32, "Ganesh" – 1:13, "Hollow" – 4:42 * ''Plexi'' EP (1995, I.F.A., aka ''I.F.A.'') **Tracks: "Either Way" – 2:28, "Magnet" – 2:29, "Faith Is" – 5:24, "Peel / He" – 5:26 * "Part of Me" & "Caught Up" (November 1995, Sub Pop, one-sided 7") * "Roller Rock Cam" (1997, Sub Pop, 1-track promotional CD single) * ''Mountains'' EP (1997, Lava/Atlantic, Sub Pop) **Tracks: "Mountains" – 3:01, "Forest Ranger (live)" – 4:12, "Change (live)" – 2:48, "Simple Man (live)" – 2:48 ive tracks recorded 6/25/97 at The Dragonfly club in Hollywood, CA.

External links

Sub Pop's Plexi site''CMJ'' review of self-titled EP
{{Authority control American noise rock music groups Shoegazing musical groups American gothic rock groups 1993 establishments in California 1999 disestablishments in California Musical groups established in 1993 Musical groups disestablished in 1999 Musical groups from Los Angeles