Centro-Matic
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Denton, Texas , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Centro-matic was a band originating from Denton, Texas, United States.
History
Formed initially in 1995, Centro-matic started as a side endeavor for Will Johnson, who released singles that year before the project expanded into a full-fledged band by 1997. The foundation of their early work consisted of approximately 60 tracks recorded in a studio located in Millstadt, Illinois. These recordings led to two distinct albums: the more subdued and introspective Navigational released through Idol Records, and the rawer, lo-fi The Static vs. the Strings, Vol. 1 issued by Quality Park Records.
Johnson’s extensive creative output also gave rise to South San Gabriel, a mellower offshoot featuring the same lineup with additional collaborators, emphasizing more reflective compositions. While alternating between these two groups, Johnson maintained a solo career as well. Centro-matic’s releases included Distance and Clime (2001) on Idol and Love You Just the Same (2003) under Misra. South San Gabriel produced Welcome, Convalescence (2003) and The Carlton Chronicles (2005). Johnson’s solo discography features Murder of Tides (2002) and Vultures Await (2004). Later, Centro-matic issued Fort Recovery in 2006 and the dual-album collection Dual Hawks in 2008, which combined material from both Centro-matic and South San Gabriel.
Will Johnson became an official member of Monsters of Folk, alongside Conor Oberst, Jim James, and M. Ward, contributing drums, backing vocals, and performing some solo pieces during tours and appearances such as on Austin City Limits. He was also involved with The Undertow Orchestra, collaborating with artists like David Bazan, Mark Eitzel, and the late Vic Chesnutt. Additionally, Johnson and Scott Danbom joined forces with Patterson Hood, frontman of Drive-By Truckers, during Hood’s solo performances.
In September 2014, Centro-matic declared their disbandment following a farewell tour scheduled for December. Their final performance occurred on December 21, 2014, at Dan's Silverleaf venue in Denton, Texas.
The band reunited on January 18, 2025, playing at Mexico City’s Lunario Auditorio Nacional as the opening act for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. During this event, Jason Isbell joined Centro-matic on guitar for several songs alongside Sadler Vaden. Will Johnson also appeared with the 400 Unit, contributing on drums, guitar, and gong.
Members
- Will Johnson – vocals, guitar, songwriting
- Matt Pence – drums and percussion
- Scott Danbom – piano, violin, backing vocals, bass
- Mark Hedman – bass guitar and guitar
Discography
Studio albums
- Redo the Stacks (Steve Records, 1996)
- Navigational (Idol Records, 1999)
- The Static vs. the Strings Vol. 1 (Idol/Quality Park Records, 1999)
- All the Falsest Hearts Can Try (Idol/Quality Park/Munich Records, 1999)
- South San Gabriel Songs/Music (Idol/Munich Records, 2000) [Released as South San Gabriel in the Netherlands]
- Distance and Clime (Idol/Munich Records, 2001)
- Love You Just The Same (Misra/Munich Records, 2003)
- Fort Recovery (Misra/Cooking Vinyl/Houston Party Records, 2006)
- Centro-matic/South San Gabriel: Dual Hawks double CD/LP (Misra/Cooking Vinyl/Houston Party Records, 2008)
- Candidate Waltz (Undertow Music Collective, 2011)
- Take Pride in Your Long Odds (Navigational Transmissions, 2014)
Singles and EPs
- Most Everyone Will Find plus two tracks (Munich Records, 2000) [Netherlands release]
- "Truth Flies Out" plus two tracks (Munich Records, 2001) [Netherlands release]
- Split EP with Vermont titled Vermont + Centro-Matic = Opportunity (Quality Park Records, 2001)
- Flashes and Cables plus five tracks EP (Misra Records, 2004)
- Triggers and Trash Heaps plus three tracks EP (Misra Records, 2006)
- "The Fugitives Have Won" plus two tracks EP (Cooking Vinyl Records, 2006) [UK release]
- Digital-only live album: Live At Austin City Limits Music Festival, self-released in 2006 [14 tracks; no longer available]
- Operation Motorcide EP (Houston Party Records, 2007) [Spain release]
- Digital split EP titled Eyas with South San Gabriel (self-released, 2010)
7-inch records
- Transistor EP (Automatic Records, 1996)
- Forget The Sixth Step single (Steve Records, 1996)
- Tympanum single (Transcontinental Recording Company/Quality Park Records, 1997)
- Split single "Love Has Found Me Somehow" with Tripping Daisy (Good Records Group, 1999)
Cassettes
- Non-Directional Jetpack Race cassette (Steve Records, 1995)
- Line Connection Aim cassette self-released in 1997
Compilation appearances
- "Misunderstanding Surplus in the Getaway Car" featured on Dallas Observer Scene/Heard, Vol. 2 in 1995 under 'The Centromatic Band' name
- "My, My" included on the compilation Band-Kits: A Collection of Music From Denton, Texas released by Quality Park in 2000
- "Most Everyone Will Find" appeared on various Dutch compilations such as Oorgasm 04, Awesome, among others during 2000–2001
- "Fuselage (It's Starting To Look Like Christmas Once Again)" featured on Dutch radio compilations including Idol/VPRO Radio releases from 2000 to 2003
- "Truth Flies Out" included on Spanish and Netherlands collections like Esto No Es Un Cactus’’ and various issues of Oor Magazine
- Tracks featured on European compilations such as Rolling Stone Germany's New Voices, Uncut UK's series titled Sounds Of The New West, and Musikexpress sound showcases spanning from 2001 to 2003
- Contributions to tribute albums and samplers including Houston Party's Pet Sounds tribute as well as Misra compilations involving band members through the mid-2000s
This discography demonstrates Centro-matic’s broad catalog across several record labels and territories including North America and Europe—highlighting their strategic positioning within indie rock distribution networks.
Further reading
- Interview with Centro-Matic on CountryMusicPride.com
- NPR's All Things Considered interview with Will Johnson from 2011