The Gaskets was an American

synth-pop Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop; ) is a subgenre of new wave music that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s ...

/rock duo formed in

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in 2001 by Teddy Blanks (vocals, keyboards) and Ross Harman (

sequencer Sequencer may refer to: Technology * Drum sequencer (controller), an electromechanical system for controlling a sequence of events automatically * DNA sequencer, a machine used to automatically produce a sequence readout from a biological DNA sam ...

, guitar). Known for their frenetic stage presence and high-energy songs, Gaskets released two studio albums, and frequently performed in

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States * Richmond, London, a part of London * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, ...

, New York City and Washington DC. The Gaskets broke up in April 2008. Harman committed suicide on 6 September 2010.

Discography

''Big Fun'' (2003)

The Gaskets' first studio LP, ''Big Fun'', was released in early 2003. Reviews of their debut drew comparisons to bands like

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, Sparks, and

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''Loose Change'' (2006)

The Gaskets' second album, ''Loose Change'', deals with the concept of money (most notably, not having any). The CD was released in January 2006. It was well received by many music blogs, landing it a spot on a few Top 10 Lists for 2006

Other works

Music videos

The Gaskets' have commissioned multiple

music videos A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device ...

, including "Hold Steady Hot Weather", directed by Lena Dunham, and "Eiffel Tower", directed by Grier Hillman Dill. The latter was an official selection in the 2007 SXSW Film Festival Other music videos include a stop-motion video by band-mate Ross Harman for "Left Hand".

''Loose Change Live'' (2007)

To celebrate the release of their second album, The Gaskets invited

Richmond, Virginia (Thus do we reach the stars) , image_map = , mapsize = 250 px , map_caption = Location within Virginia , pushpin_map = Virginia#USA , pushpin_label = Richmond , pushpin_m ...

-based filmmaker Joe Carabeo to record their release show at local club The Nanci Raygun in January 2006. Featured on stage with The Gaskets was a live backing band formed by local musicians integral in the recording of the album. The sold-out show was edited by Carabeo into the

concert film A concert film, or concert movie, is a film that showcases a live performance from the perspective of a concert goer, the subject of which is an extended live performance or concert by either a musician or a stand-up comedian. Early history The ...

''Loose Change Live''. The DVD was released the following year.

Trivia

The band has been the

opening act A opening act, also known as a warm-up act, support act, or supporting act, is an entertainment act (musical, comedic, or otherwise), that performs at a concert before the featured act, or "headliner". Rarely, an opening act may perform again a ...

for a long and strange list of artists, including

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, Monica,

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, Girl Talk, and

"Weird Al" Yankovic Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic ( ; born October 23, 1959) is an American singer, musician, songwriter, record producer, actor and author. He is best known for creating comedy songs that make light of pop culture and often parody specifi ...

References and notes

External links

Official Website & Band Blog''Loose Change Live'' DVD SiteThe Gaskets (MySpace page)Sound of Music Studios
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaskets Indie rock musical groups from Virginia Music of Richmond, Virginia