Transient Songs started as the recording–performing project of singer–songwriter John Frum. Transient Songs is based in
Seattle
Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...
, Washington, and releases music on the boutique labe
Indian Casino Records Originally a duo with Andy Gassaway from Lawrence, Kansas on bass and slide guitar, the two released their first EP, ''Plantation to Your Youth'' in 2008 to acclaimed reviews. Many reviews noted similarities to early 1970s music such as the
Byrds
The Byrds () were an American Rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) remaining th ...
and
Paisley Underground
Paisley Underground is a musical genre that originated in California. It was particularly popular in Los Angeles, reaching a peak in the mid-1980s. Paisley Underground bands incorporated psychedelia, rich vocal harmonies and guitar interplay, owin ...
bands. Reviews also noted the density of the music, akin to British rock fuzz forerunners
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid. After signing to independent label Creation Records, they rele ...
.
Prior to Transient Songs, Frum played in a myriad of obscure yet respected North Texas garage bands such as Grit and HassleHorse (An extensive history on this scene
Haltom City Nights: An Oral Historywas written by music journalist Ken Shimamoto in 2009). Frum also served a stint for the Dallas punk rock band
Hagfish
Hagfish, of the class Myxini (also known as Hyperotreti) and order Myxiniformes , are eel-shaped, slime-producing marine fish (occasionally called slime eels). They are the only known living animals that have a skull but no vertebral column, a ...
before the band went on to greater notoriety.
In 2010 Frum released his first LP "Cave Syndrome". The album brought more arrangements in the form of cello and violin and received strong reviews and was featured in
Paste's "Best of What's Next" column.
After the release of Cave Syndrome Frum ran into a previous an old friend who he had begun working on songs with prior to the release of Cave Syndrome, Michael Shunk and the two began working on material from the album and new songs. In conjunction Frum began to enlist other bandmates: Ian Pina on drums and Dayna Loeffler on bass and guitar switching instruments with bandmate Andy Gassaway. As the five piece began working on arrangements Gassaway departed for San Diego and Transient Songs began working on new material as a full band. The band released the album "Foreign Rooms" in 2013 to little fanfare with no publicity run. Transient Songs is back in the studio working on the third full-length release "Stealing Stand" with a release date slated late 2016.
Discography
EP
''Plantation to your Youth'' (2008 Indian Casino)
Full-length albums
''Cave Syndrome'' (2010 Indian Casino)
Compilations
XO for the Holidays II
Members
* John Frum - guitars, vocals
* Dayna Loeffler - bass, backup vocals,
* Michael Shunk - guitar,
* Craig Keller - Drums
References
{{Reflist
External links
Indian Casino RecordsOfficial Website
Additional press and reviews
Seattle P.I. - Transient SongsPrefix Magazine ReviewDelusions of AdequacyMetro Spirit, Augusta, GA
Musical groups from Seattle