Course of Empire (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Defunct | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Course of Empire was an alternative metal group originating from Dallas, Texas, active between 1988 and 1998. The band's final roster featured original members Vaughn Stevenson on vocals, Mike Graff handling guitar duties, and Paul Semrad playing bass. Throughout their existence, the ensemble consistently incorporated two drummers, with Chad Lovell and Michael Jerome forming the last percussion lineup. Over a decade, they produced three studio albums released through Carpe Diem, Zoo Entertainment (which also reissued their debut), and TVT Records.
Debut album and signing with a major label (1988–1993)
Guitarist Mike Graff and drummer Anthony Headley, both graduates of Southern Methodist University, began by creating ambient soundtracks for films before assembling a full band in early 1988 alongside vocalist Vaughn Stevenson and bassist Paul Semrad. Taking their name from an 1830s painting series, Course of Empire cited influences such as Ministry, Killing Joke, Joy Division, and KMFDM. Their first live performance took place in July 1988. Inspired by the Kodo Drummers, Headley introduced the idea of utilizing two drummers by bringing in Chad Lovell.
As their fanbase expanded locally, the group discontinued the practice of passing around bongos and drumheads at shows due to safety risks. During recording sessions for their debut album, Lovell temporarily departed; drummer Dave Abbruzzese stepped in to record "God's Jig" before Lovell's return. The self-titled album was issued on Carpe Diem Records in 1990. Following touring activities, Headley was replaced by Kyle Thomas from Reverend Horton Heat. The band subsequently signed with major label Zoo Entertainment, which re-released Course of Empire nationwide in early 1992. Their first promotional single and accompanying music video was "Coming of the Century."
After the reissue tour concluded, Thomas left the group and Michael Jerome took over drumming responsibilities. In 1993, Course of Empire released the single "Infested" as a precursor to their second album. This release included new songs such as "Joy," a cover version of Fear's "Let's Have a War," plus a remix titled "Darwin Goodman," named in tribute to naturalist Charles Darwin and clarinetist Benny Goodman.
Continued recordings and changes in labels (1993–1996)
Their sophomore album, Initiation, was launched on Zoo Entertainment in 1994. This CD contained three hidden tracks. The singles "White Vision Blowout" and "Infested" were used to promote the release. The band toured alongside Prong, Sister Machine Gun, Machines of Loving Grace, and Stabbing Westward. In 1995, producer John Fryer—renowned for his collaborations with Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode—produced their third album that incorporated increased electronic influences. Although Zoo Entertainment provided an advance for this project, Course of Empire allocated those funds toward establishing their own recording facility. In 1996, their track "Copious" featured on the soundtrack for The Pompatus of Love. Dallas radio personality Redbeard heavily supported their third album on Q102 radio station by frequently playing "New Maps," which was intended as the lead single.
Due to financial difficulties, Zoo Entertainment downsized staff and ceased operations in July 1996 just prior to the third album’s release. By December that year, TVT Records acquired the band after obtaining licensing rights from BMG for both the forthcoming album and Initiation. TVT requested additional songs produced by Lovell that were mixed at Hollywood’s Larrabee Studios North by Dave Bianco, who also remixed some previously recorded tracks.
Final album and breakup (1996–1998)
The band's third studio effort, Telepathic Last Words, initially mastered by Bob Ludwig for Zoo, was later remastered by Howie Weinberg and officially released in January 1998, almost two years post-production. The primary single choice switched from "New Maps" to "The Information," which was included on the soundtrack for the 1998 film Dark City. A music video interspersed with clips from the movie was broadcast on MTV coinciding with the film’s debut. Despite receiving positive media attention—including a feature cover in the Dallas Observer and coverage in Spin—the album suffered from minimal promotional efforts by the label, limiting its reach on national radio. While "The Information" gained some airplay on Q102, it was discontinued by 1998; meanwhile, "Kaptain Kontrol" was issued as a promotional track.
To promote the release, Course of Empire joined an industrial rock tour supporting 2wo, a project fronted by Rob Halford (Judas Priest) and featuring musicians from Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails. However, 2wo withdrew from most scheduled shows shortly after the tour's commencement. Additionally, Course of Empire served as the opening act for The Sisters of Mercy in Los Angeles during that spring. Facing frustrations stemming from poor label management, canceled tour dates, and insufficient A&R backing, the group ultimately dissolved after a decade together. Their farewell performance took place in July 1998 at Trees in Dallas’s Deep Ellum neighborhood, with Caulk and Doosu as opening acts.
Post-breakup activities
In 2004, Mike Graff collaborated with Martin Baird at Verge Music Works to mix 24 recordings from the final Trees concert. They independently funded and released these tracks as Phone Calls From the Dead. That same year, a self-produced DVD entitled Hiss was also made available. Later, in 2008, a double album comprising demos called Initiation Demos was issued, followed by Early C.O.E. & Telepathic Last Show in 2013, which included early demo material alongside leftover recordings from the 1998 Trees performance.
Following Course of Empire’s disbandment in 1998, Jerome and Graff formed Halls of the Machine with Van Eric Martin. This new group released their first album, Atmospheres for Lovers and Sleepers, in 2001 and followed up with All Tribal Dignitaries in 2017.
In response to drummer Chad Lovell’s severe brain injury caused by a fall in 2019, former members released a compilation of previously unheard 1989 demos titled Fields of Discipline to help cover medical expenses. A listening event coupled with a drum jam session took place in Dallas in October 2021. Subsequently, a benefit concert headlined by Toadies was held in Fort Worth in November 2022, which also featured a fundraising auction.
During this period, plans were announced to release Course of Empire’s sophomore album Initiation on vinyl; this pressing became available in May 2023. Additionally, their self-titled debut album was pressed on vinyl for the first time late in 2024 through Carpe Diem.
Members
- Vaughn Stevenson – vocals (1988–1998)
- Mike Graff – guitar (1988–1998)
- Paul Semrad – bass (1988–1998)
- Anthony Headley – drums (1988–1991)
- Chad Lovell – drums (1989–1998)
- Kyle Thomas – drums (1991–1993)
- Michael Jerome – drums (1993–1998)
Timeline
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Studio Albums
- 1990: Course of Empire (Carpe Diem Records)
- 1994: Initiation (Zoo Entertainment)
- 1998: Telepathic Last Words (TVT Records)
Collections
- 2004: Phone Calls From the Dead (Live album, Lust)
- 2004: Hiss (DVD, Self-released)
- 2008: Initiation Demos (Demo album, Self-released)
- 2013: Early C.O.E. & Telepathic Last Show (Combination of live and studio recordings, Self-released)
- 2021: Fields of Discipline (Unreleased album from 1989, IDBLM)
Singles
- 1992: "Coming of the Century"
- 1993: "Infested"
- 1994: "White Vision Blowout"
- 1997: "The Information"
- 1998: "Kaptain Kontrol"
- 2021: "Thrust"