Codeine (band)
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 in New York City, United States |
| Defunct | 1994 (initially) |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited in 2012 and 2023 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music albums and live performances |
Codeine is an American indie rock ensemble that originated in 1989 in New York City. Their discography includes two studio albums: Frigid Stars LP (1990) and The White Birch (1994). Although the band dissolved soon after releasing The White Birch, their restrained and somber musical approach was influential in shaping the slowcore branch of indie rock. Codeine briefly reunited for live performances in 2012 and again returned to the stage in New York City and Los Angeles during 2023.
History
The formation of Codeine involved Stephen Immerwahr (bass and vocals), Chris Brokaw (drums), and John Engle (guitar). They are recognized as pioneers of the slowcore subgenre within indie rock, adopting a more experimental style compared to contemporaries such as Low, Idaho, and Red House Painters. Their distinctive sound combined deliberate pacing, Immerwahr's nasal vocal delivery, and Engle’s shimmering Telecaster guitar tones.
Their first album, Frigid Stars LP, debuted in August 1990 via German label Glitterhouse and was subsequently released by Sub Pop in early 1991. This was followed by the Barely Real EP in November 1992, which included reworked material that later appeared on their subsequent album. A notable track, "W.", is a solo piano composition by David Grubbs, who also contributed to their later recordings.
Following the release of Barely Real, Brokaw departed to concentrate on his own band, Come. Josh Madell temporarily filled the drummer role for a U.S. tour before Doug Scharin from Rex became the full-time drummer.
Codeine's final studio effort, The White Birch, arrived in May 1994 with contributions from David Grubbs. The band disbanded thereafter. Post-Codeine, Scharin continued his work with Rex and June of 44, later leading HiM. Brokaw pursued solo projects and collaborations including work with The New Year, Thurston Moore, and Christina Rosenvinge.
Reunion
In February 2012, Codeine announced their reunion for a performance at I'll Be Your Mirror in London, an event affiliated with All Tomorrow's Parties. This coincided with a comprehensive reissue of their catalog by The Numero Group released in June 2012. Their last reunion concert took place at Le Poisson Rouge in New York on July 15, 2012.
In September 2022, Codeine issued Dessau, featuring eight tracks recorded in 1992 but previously unreleased due to production complications. Several pieces were later re-recorded for Barely Real and The White Birch, while four tracks initially appeared on the 2012 compilation When I See the Sun. Brokaw exited shortly after these original sessions.
Codeine resumed live performances on February 11, 2023, at Union Pool in New York City ahead of The Numero Group’s twentieth anniversary festival held in Los Angeles. Additional concerts followed across Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, and Mexico.
Discography
- Frigid Stars LP (1991)
- The White Birch (1994)
- Dessau (2022)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Indie rock musical groups from New York (state)
- Musical groups established in 1989
- Musical groups disestablished in 1994
- Musical groups reestablished in 2012
- Musical groups from New York City
- Sub Pop artists
- American shoegaze musical groups
- Slowcore groups
- Glitterhouse Records artists
- Musical groups reestablished in 2023
- The Numero Group artists
- American indie rock groups
- American post-rock groups
- 1989 establishments in New York City