Pianos Become the Teeth

Pianos Become the Teeth
OriginBaltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Genres
Years active2006 (2006)–present
LabelsEpitaph, Topshelf, Doomed by Dawn, Blackjaw
MembersKyle Durfey
David Haik
Chad McDonald
Zac Sewell
Mike York
Past membersJosh Regensburg
Matt Williams
Brian Bukszar
Matt Gardner
Jay Kapadia

Pianos Become the Teeth are an American band from Baltimore, Maryland, formed in 2006. Their early musical style was inspired by post-rock and early screamo acts, and they were a part of the post-hardcore music movement, also represented by Touché Amoré, La Dispute, Defeater, and Make Do and Mend. The group reissued their well-received debut album Old Pride in 2010 through Topshelf Records.

History

Early years and Old Pride (2006–2010)

Pianos Become The Teeth formed in late 2006 in Baltimore, Maryland. Their first release, the Saltwater EP, was released in 2008 through Doomed by Dawn Records.[4] In early 2009 Pianos Become The Teeth released a split EP with Ezra Joyce. Their contributed track, "Creatures of Habit," was a darker song similar to the material that was recorded for their follow-up first full-length.[5]

Pianos Become The Teeth released their debut album, Old Pride in 2009 through Blackjaw Records.[6] They subsequently signed to Topshelf Recordings in October 2009,[7] and reissued their debut album in January 2010 through digital media outlets and on CD.[6] The Topshelf version of Old Pride saw a much wider release that was met with much acclaim. Andrew Kelham of Rock Sound gave the album a nine out of ten, and wrote that "With a why-just-write-a-song-when-you-can-write-an-epic attitude, the eight songs on their second record are distinguished, articulate and immersive as their juddering post-hardcore clashes with moments of Explosions in the Sky rivalling tenderness and Mogwai-esque grandeur."[8] Writing for Alternative Press, Brian Shultz gave the album four out of five stars and said that the group has, "quietly refined their craft over the last few years into an incredibly cathartic and sporadically chilling mode. Their screamo peers--past or present--should be more than envious."[9] In January 2010, the band went on an East Coast tour with In the Hollows.[10] Old Pride was released on vinyl in June 2010 as a joint release through Topshelf Records and Mayfly Records.[11] In support of the album, Pianos Become The Teeth toured the US with Touché Amoré and Lemuria.[12]

In October 2010, Pianos Become The Teeth released a split EP with the Saddest Landscape through Just Say No! Records.[13]

The Lack Long After (2011–2013)

In January 2011, the Pianos Become The Teeth had begun writing a new album, and described the new songs as being "darker and heavier" than previous material, and that they would not become "Old Pride part 2," alluding to new musical direction.[14] Recording began on August 1, 2011 at Developing Nations Studio with producer Kevin Bernsten.[15] In October and November, the group supported Title Fight on their headlining US tour.[16] Topshelf Records released the LP The Lack Long After, a concept album about vocalist Kyle Durfey's father's death from multiple sclerosis,[17] on November 1, 2011, with a supporting tour with Touché Amoré and Seahaven following shortly after.[18]

Signing to Epitaph and Keep You (2014)

Pianos Become the Teeth signed with Epitaph Records in 2014, and released their third studio album, Keep You, on October 28 of that year. The Will Yip-produced album is noted for its stylistic departure from earlier releases, featuring a less aggressive sound and no screamed vocals from Kyle Durfey.[19][20] The band promoted the album with an online stream of "Repine" in August 2014.[19]

Wait for Love (2018)

On November 8, 2017 Pianos Become the Teeth announced that their new album would release on February 16, 2018. They also released the first single and music video off the album, "Charisma".

The band subsequently released music videos for "Bitter Red"[21] and "Love On Repeat"[22] ahead of the album release, completing a trilogy of music videos directed by Michael Parks Randa. After the album's release, Pianos Become The Teeth announced an August 2018 UK co-headline tour with Foxing to celebrate the release and coincide with their appearance at ArcTanGent festival.[23]

Drift (2022)

On June 8, 2022 Pianos Become the Teeth announced their fifth studio album Drift which was released on August 26, 2022 through Epitaph Records. They also released the first single and music video from the album "Genevieve."[24]

Musical style and lyrics

Pianos Become The Teeth is a prominent band in "The Wave," a new generation of post-hardcore bands.[25] Other figures in The Wave include La Dispute, Touché Amoré, Defeater and Make Do and Mend.[26] The bands in this movement perform with "emotionally-centered lyrical content, dual musical emphasis on both melody and distorted intensity."[25]

Musically, Pianos Become The Teeth write songs influenced by early screamo acts such as Envy, City of Caterpillar and Funeral Diner, and also post-rock bands like This Will Destroy You.[27] In an interview with Staircase Thoughts, the band described being labeled as screamo as "flattering in some respects," but ultimately didn't want to be pigeonholed as a "screamo band."[14]

Vocalist Kyle Durfey writes very personal lyrics that often discuss events in his life, or about dwelling on the future and growing up.[28] Specifically on their album Old Pride, Durfey wrote about, "how you have this 'young fire' when you're younger and you have to have an 'old pride' to feel right about your life."[27] The track "Cripples Can't Shiver" outlines Durfey's father, and how his struggles with multiple sclerosis impacted his life.[27] In an interview with Hearwax, Kyle Durfey commented on writing dark lyrics, stating "I feel like most of us and most bands we are into tend to write about darker things. It's hard to write when you're happy. This doesn't mean we aren't happy as people."[28]

Members

Current members

  • Kyle Durfey – lead vocals, lyrics, piano, programming
  • Chad McDonald – guitars
  • Mike York – guitars
    • York also produces and DJs electronic music under the name SUAHN.
  • Zac Sewell – bass, backing vocals
  • David Haik – drums, percussion

Former members

  • Josh Regensburg – bass
  • Matt Williams – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
  • Brian Bukszar – drums
  • Matt Gardner – bass
  • Jay Kapadia – guitar

Discography

Studio albums

Demos/EPs

  • Demo (2007)
  • Saltwater (2008)
  • Close (2015)

Split EPs

Music videos

  • "Houses We Die In" (2009)
  • "I'll Be Damned" (2011)
  • "I'll Get By" (2012)
  • "Repine" (2014)
  • "Late Lives" (2014)
  • "895" (2015)
  • "Ripple Water Shine" (2015)
  • "Charisma" (2017)
  • "Bitter Red" (2018)
  • "Love On Repeat" (2018)
  • "Genevieve" (2022)
  • “Skiv” (2022)
  • “Buckley” (2022)

References

  1. ^ Cohen, Ian. "Your New Favorite Emo Bands: The Best of Topshelf Records' 2013 Sampler". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  2. ^ Cohen, Ian (December 30, 2014). "The Year In Post-Hardcore: Has the New Wave Crested?". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved April 15, 2016. For all intents and purposes, Pianos Become the Teeth could be described as "screamo"...
  3. ^ "United Nations show; add members of Pianos Become the Teeth to lineup - Alternative Press". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 2013-04-03. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  4. ^ Persaud, Travis (April 2009). "Review: Saltwater". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  5. ^ "Interview with Pianos Become The Teeth". Rock Metal Punk. May 25, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ a b Shultz, Brian (January 12, 2010). "Streams: Pianos Become The Teeth: 'Old Pride'". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  7. ^ Yancey, Bryne (October 27, 2009). "Topshelf Records signs Pianos Become The Teeth". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  8. ^ Kelham, Andrew (January 21, 2010). "Pianos Become The Teeth aren't interested in the average or the ordinary..." Rock Sound. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  9. ^ Shultz, Brian (January 12, 2010). "File Under: Screamo (No, Really)". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  10. ^ Yancey, Bryne (January 15, 2010). "Pianos Become The Teeth". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  11. ^ Paul, Aubin (April 19, 2010). "Pianos Become The Teeth plan vinyl". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  12. ^ White, Adam (May 27, 2010). "Tours: Pianos Become The Teeth". Punknews.org. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  13. ^ DiVincenzo, Alex (October 25, 2010). "Saddest Landscape/PBTT Split Finally Available". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  14. ^ a b Minton, Kyle (January 6, 2011). "Interview: Pianos Become The Teeth". Staircase Thoughts. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  15. ^ Wisniewski, Kira (July 21, 2011). "Pianos Become The Teeth recording new album". Punknews.org. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  16. ^ Colwell, Matthew (August 13, 2012). "Title Fight announce headlining tour dates with Pianos Become The Teeth and Single Mothers". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  17. ^ Sun, Wesley Case, The Baltimore. "On new album, Pianos Become the Teeth deals with death". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2017-11-11.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ a b Kraus, Brain (September 15, 2011). "Pianos Become The Teeth to release new album". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  19. ^ a b Ozzi, Dan (August 25, 2014). "Pianos Become the Teeth Give the Screaming a Rest on Their New Album, 'Keep You'". Noisey. Vice. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  20. ^ Crane, Matt (August 25, 2014). "Pianos Become The Teeth announce new album, release new song". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
  21. ^ "Pianos Become The Teeth share 'Bitter Red'". DIY. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  22. ^ "Pianos Become the Teeth complete video trilogy with "Love On Repeat"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  23. ^ "ArcTanGent announce the first 15 bands for 2018 edition". The Independent. 2018-02-02. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  24. ^ a b "Pianos Become the Teeth announce new album 'Drift,' share "Genevieve"".
  25. ^ a b Necci, Andrew (August 6, 2010). "Touché Amoré, Pianos Become The Teeth Bring The Wave To Richmond". RVA Magazine. Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  26. ^ Stanley (September 10, 2010). "La Dispute Interview: Features: Caught In the Crossfire". Caught In the Crossfire. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  27. ^ a b c Neigher, Aaron (November 6, 2009). "Interview with Pianos Become The Teeth". Late Night Wallflower. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  28. ^ a b Broger, Logan (November 12, 2009). "Dwelling on the Future: An Interview with Pianos Become The Teeth". Hearwax. Archived from the original on November 24, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)