Quicksand is an American
post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a punk rock music genre that maintains the aggression and intensity of hardcore punk but emphasizes a greater degree of creative expression. It was initially inspired by post-punk and noise rock. Like post-punk, the term has been ...
band from New York City, founded in 1990. Their debut self-titled EP was followed by two major-label albums, ''
Slip
Slip or SLIP may refer to:
Science and technology Biology
* Slip (fish), also known as Black Sole
* Slip (horticulture), a small cutting of a plant as a specimen or for grafting
* Muscle slip, a branching of a muscle, in anatomy
Computing and ...
'' (1993) and ''
Manic Compression
''Manic Compression'' is the second studio album by American post-hardcore band Quicksand. It was released in 1995 on Island Records. The album influenced many post-hardcore and alternative metal bands. It peaked at number 135 on the ''Billboa ...
'' (1995). Quicksand's sound has been compared to that of
post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a punk rock music genre that maintains the aggression and intensity of hardcore punk but emphasizes a greater degree of creative expression. It was initially inspired by post-punk and noise rock. Like post-punk, the term has been ...
bands
Fugazi and
Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head. More specifically, a helmet complements the skull in protecting the human brain. Ceremonial or symbolic helmets (e.g., a policeman's helmet in the United Kingdom) without protect ...
.
The band supported their releases with extensive touring but fell short of the mainstream success anticipated by their labels. These factors and internal stress led them to separate first in 1995 and again in 1999 following a failed year-and-a-half reunion.
In June 2012, Quicksand reunited for a special one-night performance and since has been playing additional live shows. The band's third album (and first full-length in 22 years), ''
Interiors
''Interiors'' is a 1978 American drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. It stars Kristin Griffith, Mary Beth Hurt, Richard Jordan, Diane Keaton, E. G. Marshall, Geraldine Page, Maureen Stapleton, and Sam Waterston.
Allen's first ful ...
'', was released on November 10, 2017, and it was followed four years later by their latest album ''
Distant Populations
''Distant Populations'' is the fourth studio album by American post-hardcore band Quicksand. The album was released digitally on August 13, 2021 through Epitaph Records.
Background
The band's previous studio album, ''Interiors'', was released o ...
'' (2021).
History
Formation (1990)
The musicians who would come to form Quicksand had their roots in the
New York Hardcore
New York hardcore (also known as NYHC) is both the hardcore punk music created in New York City and the subculture and lifestyle associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by ban ...
scene. Frontman/guitarist
Walter Schreifels
Walter Schreifels (born March 10, 1969) is an American rock musician and producer from New York City.
Career
In the late 1980s, he played in many New York hardcore bands, most notably Youth of Today and Gorilla Biscuits, where he was also th ...
, the main creative force behind the
Gorilla Biscuits
Gorilla Biscuits are an American hardcore punk band from New York City, New York, United States, formed in 1986. The band currently consists of Anthony "Civ" Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios and Luke Abbey, and is signed to Revelatio ...
and bassist for
Youth of Today
Youth of Today is an American hardcore punk band, initially active from 1985 to 1990 before reforming in 2010. The band played a major role in establishing the "Youth Crew" subculture of hardcore, both espousing and evolving the philosophies o ...
, assembled the band's lineup from his dissolved Moondog project.
Guitarist Tom Capone had founded Long Island's Beyond (releasing a demo and LP via Combined Effort Records) and had previously played in
Bold, writing their album ''Looking Back''. Drummer Alan Cage had been in the experimental hardcore band
Burn
A burn is an injury to skin, or other tissues, caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction, or ultraviolet radiation (like sunburn). Most burns are due to heat from hot liquids (called scalding), solids, or fire. Burns occur mainl ...
and played with Capone in Beyond. Bassist
Sergio Vega arrived from the short lived Collapse and a later incarnation of Absolution.
Major releases, touring, and breakup (1990–1995)
Quicksand released the 4-track EP ''Quicksand'' through hardcore independent label
Revelation Records
Revelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side, Chain of Strength, Sh ...
six weeks after their formation.
The band performed at club venues and rose to touring North America and Europe with
Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head. More specifically, a helmet complements the skull in protecting the human brain. Ceremonial or symbolic helmets (e.g., a policeman's helmet in the United Kingdom) without protect ...
,
Fugazi,
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine (often abbreviated as RATM or shortened to simply Rage) is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commer ...
,
Anthrax, and
White Zombie. Their exposure led to a deal with major label
Polydor Records
Polydor Records Ltd. is a German-British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States. ...
for the release of their first full-length album, ''
Slip
Slip or SLIP may refer to:
Science and technology Biology
* Slip (fish), also known as Black Sole
* Slip (horticulture), a small cutting of a plant as a specimen or for grafting
* Muscle slip, a branching of a muscle, in anatomy
Computing and ...
'' on February 9, 1993, with "Dine Alone" being their first single. The album also featured two tracks that were re-recorded from the "Quicksand" EP ("Omission" and "Unfulfilled"). The following year saw the band tour the United States with
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American rock band from Garden Grove, California, formed in 1984. Originally formed under the name Manic Subsidal, the band's current lineup consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland, lead guit ...
, performing 250 live shows to support the album.
On February 28, 1995, they released their latter, more successful album ''
Manic Compression
''Manic Compression'' is the second studio album by American post-hardcore band Quicksand. It was released in 1995 on Island Records. The album influenced many post-hardcore and alternative metal bands. It peaked at number 135 on the ''Billboa ...
'' on
Island Records and later that year rejoined The Offspring on their European tour. ''Manic Compression'' reached No. 135 on the Billboard 200 Chart and No. 9 on the Heatseakers Chart
[ Billboard ]Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
and garnered Quicksand an invitation to the first Vans
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour was a traveling rock tour that toured the United States plus three or four stops in Canada annually each summer from 1995 until 2019. It was the largest traveling music festival in the United States and the longest-running touring ...
.
Unfortunately, internal conflict and the stresses of constant touring led to the band's break-up in October 1995 at the height of their success.
Reunion and unfinished album (1997–1999)
Following Quicksand's initial split, Walter Schreifels started his World's Fastest Car project and produced records for the hardcore punk band
CIV.
Tom Capone joined former
Helmet
A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head. More specifically, a helmet complements the skull in protecting the human brain. Ceremonial or symbolic helmets (e.g., a policeman's helmet in the United Kingdom) without protect ...
guitarist
Pete Mengede's supergroup
Handsome, releasing a self-titled album in 1997. Sergio Vega began his own solo project entitled Fully while DJing in New York City, and Alan Cage joined the alternative rock band
Seaweed
Seaweed, or macroalgae, refers to thousands of species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae. The term includes some types of '' Rhodophyta'' (red), ''Phaeophyta'' (brown) and ''Chlorophyta'' (green) macroalgae. Seaweed species such as ...
, who had also performed on the Warped Tour.
In mid-1997, the band members were rumored to have been considering a reunion with the intent to perform on Revelation Night at Brownies during the CMJ Music Conference that September.
However, Quicksand's first public appearance since their 1995 split would not come until February 6, 1998, in Osaka, Japan. (A subsequent show in Hawaii was canceled.) In August 1998, they entered Carriage House Studios in Stamford, Connecticut with producer Steven Haigler to begin recording material written in the prior six months. After the band's first North American performance in three years on September 26, 1998, in Boulder, Colorado, they were invited to extend their tour with
Deftones
Deftones is an American alternative metal band formed in Sacramento, California in 1988. They were formed by Chino Moreno (vocals, guitar), Stephen Carpenter (guitar), Abe Cunningham (drums), and Dominic Garcia (bass). During their first f ...
and
Snapcase
Snapcase was an American hardcore punk band from Buffalo, New York. Their records were released on the Chicago record label Victory Records. During the course of the band's initial run of fourteen years, they released six studio albums before ...
and on November 3, 1998, started what was to be ultimately their last tour. Quicksand then returned to the studio to continue working on the new album; despite the recent successful tour and a more collaborative effort in the writing process, resurfaced tensions would eventually split up the band indefinitely in late 1999 and doom the material to remain officially unreleased.
The unfinished album, as well as demo material from the ''Manic Compression'' sessions, has since been circulated on the Internet.
Post-Quicksand activities (1999–2012)
Walter Schreifels went on to form the
alternative rock
Alternative rock, or alt-rock, is a category of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1970s and became widely popular in the 1990s. "Alternative" refers to the genre's distinction from Popular culture, mainstre ...
band
Rival Schools
''Rival Schools: United by Fate'', known in Japan as is a fighting game produced by Capcom originally released as an arcade game in 1997 and ported to the PlayStation (console), PlayStation in 1998. On February 23, 2012, Capcom released ''Unit ...
with former bandmate and CIV drummer
Sammy Siegler
Sammy Siegler (born March 21, 1973) is an American rock drummer, notable for his many contributions to the New York hardcore scene. He is currently living in Venice, California with his wife, model Siew Longhorn.
Discography
With Project X
* ...
, releasing the album ''
United by Fate
''United by Fate'' is the debut album by American rock band Rival Schools. The album was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Luke Ebbin.
Background and recording
Guitarist Walter Schreifels, formerly of Gorilla Biscuits, formed Quicksand ...
'' in 2001 (before splitting in 2003). Schreifels later fronted
Walking Concert
Walking Concert is an indie rock band from New York City, featuring Walter Schreifels on vocals and guitar; Jeffery E. Johnson on guitar; Ryan Stratton on bass guitar; and Drew Thomas on drums.
The band takes its name from the line "Boy, you're ...
on his independent record label Some Records. During that time, Schreifels mixed in occasional solo acoustic performances. In 2008, Rival Schools reformed for live performances at various festivals, and in 2011 they released their second album ''
Pedals
A pedal (from the Latin '' pes'' ''pedis'', "foot") is a lever designed to be operated by foot and may refer to:
Computers and other equipment
* Footmouse, a foot-operated computer mouse
* In medical transcription, a pedal is used to control p ...
''. Tom Capone played guitar for
Instruction for the majority of the band's existence beginning in December 2002. Sergio Vega has played bass for
Deftones
Deftones is an American alternative metal band formed in Sacramento, California in 1988. They were formed by Chino Moreno (vocals, guitar), Stephen Carpenter (guitar), Abe Cunningham (drums), and Dominic Garcia (bass). During their first f ...
, filling in for
Chi Cheng on tour in 1999 and from June 2009 to the present, and was recruited to compose their album ''
Diamond Eyes
''Diamond Eyes'' is the sixth studio album by American alternative metal band Deftones, released on May 4, 2010, by Reprise Records. It was the first album to feature bassist Sergio Vega, who replaced original bassist Chi Cheng. An album tenta ...
'', which was released on May 4, 2010. Alan Cage contributed to
Enemy's ''Hooray for Dark Matter'' in 2005 and later worked with New Idea Society and the hardcore band
108 108 may refer to:
* 108 (number)
* AD 108, a year
* 108 BC, a year
* 108 (artist) (born 1978), Italian street artist
* 108 (band), an American hardcore band
* 108 (emergency telephone number), an emergency telephone number in several states in Ind ...
.
Second reunion (2012–present)
![Quicksand Rock am Ring 2014 (113)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Quicksand_Rock_am_Ring_2014_%28113%29.JPG)
On June 10, 2012, Quicksand was the unannounced "special guest" on the fourth night of the Revelation Records 25th Anniversary Shows at The Glass House in Pomona, California. The original members appeared together on stage for the first time in nearly 13 years, performing a five-song set that ended with their cover of
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. They comprised the singer Morrissey, the guitarist Johnny Marr, the bassist Andy Rourke and the drummer Mike Joyce. They are regarded as one of the most important acts to emerg ...
' "
How Soon Is Now?
"How Soon Is Now?" is a song by English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. Originally a B-side of the 1984 single "William, It Was Really Nothing", "How Soon Is Now?" was subsequently featured on the co ...
". Quicksand later performed at Bowery Ballroom in New York City on August 24, the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY on August 25, and the FYF Fest in Los Angeles, California on September 1. In January 2013, Quicksand embarked on their first North American tour in 15 years. They also performed at the
Pukkelpop Festival (The Shelter stage) in Hasselt, Belgium on August 15, 2013.
On July 18, 2013, Quicksand posted a photo (which had since been removed) on Twitter that involved studio activity, indicating that the band was planning to release new material. Asked in July 2017 if it was true that they were working on new material, frontman Walter Schreifels responded, "Can't confirm or deny."
On August 21, 2017, Quicksand's
Twitter
Twitter is an online social media and social networking service owned and operated by American company Twitter, Inc., on which users post and interact with 280-character-long messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and ...
feed and
Walter Schreifels
Walter Schreifels (born March 10, 1969) is an American rock musician and producer from New York City.
Career
In the late 1980s, he played in many New York hardcore bands, most notably Youth of Today and Gorilla Biscuits, where he was also th ...
'
Instagram
Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. The app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized by hashtags and geographical tagging. Posts can ...
account teased the title of their long-awaited third album, ''
Interiors
''Interiors'' is a 1978 American drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. It stars Kristin Griffith, Mary Beth Hurt, Richard Jordan, Diane Keaton, E. G. Marshall, Geraldine Page, Maureen Stapleton, and Sam Waterston.
Allen's first ful ...
'', to be released some time this year over a 30-second video clip. On the following day, the band streamed their first single in 22 years "Illuminant", and announced that ''Interiors'' would be released on November 10, 2017, on
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts, while there are many post-hardcore and emo bands ...
.
On September 12, 2017, while on-tour in
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...
, guitarist Tom Capone was arrested (and missed the evening's show at The Crescent Ballroom) for shoplifting and resisting arrest at the local CVS drug store. The band released a statement soon after that Tom was "heading home to get better," and the band resumed the tour as a three-piece. Capone never rejoined the band, shifting Schreifels to both rhythm and lead guitar duties. Their first release without Capone was the 12" EP ''Triptych Continuum'', which was released on April 21, 2018, through Epitaph, coinciding with
Record Store Day
Record Store Day is an annual event inaugurated in 2007 and held on one Saturday (typically the third) every April and every Black Friday in November to "celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store". The day brings together fa ...
.
By April 2021, Quicksand had reportedly been working on new material for their fourth studio album. The band released their first song in three years, "Inversion", on April 13, 2021, through streaming services. The band released the single "Missile Command" on June 23 and announced that the new album would be titled ''
Distant Populations
''Distant Populations'' is the fourth studio album by American post-hardcore band Quicksand. The album was released digitally on August 13, 2021 through Epitaph Records.
Background
The band's previous studio album, ''Interiors'', was released o ...
''. ''Distant Populations'' was released digitally on August 13, while a vinyl version will be released on September 25.
In mid-August 2021, Quicksand posted a video of the song "Colossus" with
Stephen Brodsky
Stephen Brodsky is an American rock musician best known as a member of Cave In, Mutoid Man, New Idea Society and Old Man Gloom. He also has a solo career and is a former member of Converge, Kid Kilowatt, Parasite and Pet Genius.
History
Stephe ...
on guitar and backing vocals. Brodsky subsequently accompanied Quicksand on their late 2021 tour in support of Distant Populations returning Quicksand to a four piece—the first time since the arrest of Tom Capone.
Discography
Studio albums
EPs and singles
Compilation appearances
Unreleased material
Music videos
* "Fazer" (1993)
* "Dine Alone" (1993)
* "Omission" (1993)
* "Freezing Process" (1994)
* "Thorn in My Side" (1995)
* "Delusional" (1995)
* "Illuminant" (2017)
* "Cosmonauts" (2017)
* "Inversion" (2021)
* "Missile Command" (2022)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Quicksand
American post-hardcore musical groups
Musical groups established in 1990
Musical groups disestablished in 1999
Musical groups from New York City
Musical groups reestablished in 2012
Revelation Records artists