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Gatsbys American Dream

From Alfawiki
Gatsbys American Dream
Company typeIndie rock band
IndustryMusic
Founded2001 in Seattle, Washington, United States
Headquarters
Seattle
,
United States
ProductsStudio albums, extended plays

Gatsbys American Dream is an indie rock ensemble hailing from Seattle, Washington, established in 2001. Over their career, they have produced four studio albums and one extended play. Their fourth album, which shares the band's name and marks their second release through Fearless Records, reached number 22 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart and climbed to number 28 on the Top Independent Albums chart. The band's moniker draws inspiration from F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby.

Origins and Why We Fight

The band's initial album, Why We Fight, was built upon material originally created by Bobby Darling's previous group, One Point Two, which was signed to Together Records/Killed For Less Records in Richmond, Indiana. One Point Two featured members Bobby Darling, Casey Bates, Josh Berg, and Dustin McGhie. Eventually, they joined forces with Nic Newsham and Ryan Van Wieringen—former members of Good for Nothing—to form Gatsbys American Dream. Although never an official member, producer Casey Bates has consistently collaborated with the band throughout their existence.

Acceptance guitarist Kaylan Cloyd facilitated a connection by passing a Gatsbys demo to Darrick Bourgeois of Rocketstar Recordings, resulting in a contract for two albums. The group recorded their debut LP Why We Fight in 2002 under the guidance of producer Aaron Sprinkle.

Following this release, bassist Josh Berg exited the band and was succeeded by Kirk Huffman (previously with K Through Six), who took over bass duties as Berg did not participate in touring. After their first tour concluded, Dustin McGhie departed and Rudy Gajadhar (formerly of Waxwing) stepped in as the drummer.

Ribbons and Sugar

The band's sophomore album Ribbons and Sugar, released in 2003, is a concept record loosely inspired by George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The musical style embraced a more aggressive pop approach featuring complex time signatures and frequent tempo shifts. Additionally, this album introduced recurring themes critiquing record labels, particularly evident in the track "Cut the Strings":

"This is awful to think who decides what should or should not stay, what ends up on the cutting room floor. Apparently it's not my choice to make."

In the Land of Lost Monsters

Upon completing their contractual obligations with Rocketstar after two albums, the band chose not to renew their agreement. Guitarist Ryan Van Wieringen left to pursue higher education. Following Ribbons and Sugar, they performed showcases for Drive Thru Records but became disenchanted with the process. Subsequently, they signed a single-album deal with LLR Recordings based in Chicago in 2004. The EP In the Land of Lost Monsters presented a softer musical response to pressures from the industry. While labels pushed for traditional chorus structures—which the band had deliberately avoided—the lyrics penned by Newsham and Darling expressed skepticism toward industry demands and incorporated literary allusions, notably referencing Ursula K. Le Guin's A Wizard of Earthsea within songs such as The Dragon of Pendor and The Loosing of the Shadow.

Volcano

Shortly after releasing the EP, Gatsbys signed with Fearless Records and unveiled their third full-length album, Volcano, in April 2005. This record employs Pompeii as a symbol for overwhelming emotional experiences and integrates literary and pop culture references ranging from Pee-wee's Big Adventure to William Golding's Lord of the Flies, Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, and Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game series.

During the tour supporting this album, Kyle O'Quin (also associated with Surrounded By Lions) joined as a member of the band. Not long afterward, Ryan Van Wieringen reentered the lineup while on tour in Arizona and has since participated in live performances with them.

Fourth Album and Subsequent Hiatus

The band's fourth studio album, titled Gatsbys American Dream, was launched on August 8, 2006. This record incorporates a variety of allusions to pop culture and literature, referencing authors such as Philip K. Dick and television shows like Lost.

Following the release, the group entered a period of limited activity, restricting performances mostly to select Seattle venues and one out-of-state appearance at Colgate University on April 27, 2007. In an online forum update, Bobby revealed that future engagements would hinge on the creation of new material rather than touring alone, noting ongoing efforts on fresh demos.

Throughout this dormant phase, band members engaged in multiple side ventures.

Band Reunion

In September 2010, members reunited for the first time since their hiatus during Forgive Durden's "Return to Wonderland" concert in Seattle. Officially announcing their comeback on October 5, 2010, via newly created Facebook and Twitter profiles, the band hinted at recording sessions scheduled at Casey Bates' studio. They invited fans to suggest potential tour destinations through their booking representative. Notably, side projects such as Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground and Wild Orchid Children continued unaffected by this reunion.

In January 2011, Gatsbys collaborated with Overdue Collection Agency to remaster and reissue their initial two albums, Why We Fight and Ribbons & Sugar, on vinyl with proceeds supporting water.org. Their crowdfunding goal of $5,500 was surpassed ahead of time, paving the way for the subsequent release of their EP In the Land of Lost Monsters.

On March 4, 2011, they unveiled new work by debuting the track "Modern Man" through an interactive game on their official website. A second song initially named "Born Dead" experienced delays and was retitled "Untitled" in response to the 2011 earthquake in Japan; it was released shortly thereafter. After this period, the band again became inactive without any formal statements. On March 12, 2013, Nic Newsham disclosed via Twitter that the reunion album remained unfinished and was unlikely to be released.

Current Members

  • Nic Newsham – lead vocals
  • Bobby Darling – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ryan Van Wieringen – guitar, backing vocals
  • Kirk Huffman – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Rudy Gajadhar – drums and percussion

Previous Members

  • Kyle O'Quin – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Dustin McGhye – drums
  • Josh Berg – bass guitar

Studio Albums

EPs and Singles

  • In the Land of Lost Monsters (LLR Records, 2004)
  • Volcano Bonus Disc (Fearless Records, 2005)

Compilation Contributions

  • A Santa Cause: It's a Punk Rock Christmas (Immortal Records, 2003) – "Christmas Time Is Here"
  • In Honor: A Compilation to Beat Cancer (Vagrant Records, 2004) – "The Rundown"
  • Punk Goes 80's (Fearless Records, 2005) – "Just Like Heaven"
  • Warped Tour 2005 Compilation (SideOneDummy Records, 2005) – "Theatre"
  • Music on the Brain Vol. 2 (Smartpunk Records, 2005) – "Theatre"
  • Taste of Christmas (Warcon Enterprises, 2005) – "Saint Nicholas"
  • Music on the Brain Vol. 3 (Smartpunk Records, 2006) – "Station 5: The Pearl"
  • Paupers, Peasants, Princes & Kings: The Songs of Bob Dylan (Doghouse Records, 2006) – "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
  • NHL07 Soundtrack (EA Sports, 2006) – "Theatre"
  • Equal Vision Summer Sample 2011 – "Modern Man"

A Year in the Gulch

This video release from 2003 showcases footage by Casey Bates and Eric Slagle alongside exclusive band material. It features three music videos from the Ribbons and Sugar launch event, behind-the-scenes clips from touring and recording sessions, over 150 photographs, personal video diaries from members, and comprehensive documentation covering a year-long cycle of recording and touring activities.

Additional Projects

During Gatsbys' inactivity period, several side projects were initiated by band members. Rudy Gajadhar remains the sole member without ongoing ventures but contributed drum tracks to Forgive Durden's album Razia's Shadow.

Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

Founded by Kirk Huffman and Kyle O'Quin, this indie ensemble embraces a variety of musical styles and performs with an expanded lineup beyond its core trio.

Search/Rescue

This progressive rock outfit combines talents from Gatsbys American Dream and Acceptance, releasing their independently produced debut album The Compound in 2008.

RedRedBlue

Nic Newsham’s powerpop collaboration with Justin Harcus from Pale Pacific takes its name from a Gatsbys track featured on In the Land of Lost Monsters. They have shared three songs via MySpace with plans for future acoustic compositions.

Lineup

  • Nic Newsham – vocals and guitar
  • Justin Harcus – bass

Wild Orchid Children

Featuring Kirk Huffman and Kyle O'Quin alongside musicians from Seattle groups The Divorce and Forgive Durden, Wild Orchid Children issued a four-track EP in early 2008 after some delays. Signed by Equal Vision Records in 2010, their full-length album The Wild Orchid Children Are Alexander Supertramp includes expanded versions of earlier songs.

Band Members

  • Kirk Huffman – lead vocals
  • Kyle O'Quin – keyboards
  • Thomas Hunter – guitar
  • Andy Lum – drums
  • Aaron Benson – percussion
  • Ryan Van Wieringen – baritone guitar and percussion
  • Scot Porter – percussion and effects
  • Garrett Lunceford – drums on Elephant EP

Bombs Over Bellevue

An independent label established by Kirk Huffman; its catalog includes Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground’s live DVD/CD Live at the Pretty Parlor. Future releases were planned for Man in the Blue Van and Wild Orchid Children.

Marrakesh

Active between 2008 and 2010, this alternative/grunge group featured James Hill, Kyle O’Quin, Andy Lum, and Ryan Van Wieringen. Their discography includes a self-titled EP as well as a two-track single.

Members

  • Ryan Van Wieringen – guitar and vocals
  • Andy Lum – keyboards
  • Kyle O'Quin – bass guitar
  • James Hill – vocals and guitar
  • Brock Lowry – drums

Keith Ledger

A punk ensemble led by Nic Newsham with four tracks available online; performed locally within Seattle.

Members

  • Nic Newsham – vocals and guitar
  • Ryan Short
  • Jonathan Driscoll

Zero Cool

Featuring Bobby Darling alongside Thomas Dutton from Forgive Durden, Zero Cool developed an album concept focusing on tempo and key parameters using ProTools prior to recording. Their known output includes the single "Godzilla".

Personnel

  • Bobby Darling – guitar, bass guitar, vocals
  • Thomas Dutton – drums and vocals

Razia's Shadow

A collaborative musical project involving indie artists from Seattle including Nic Newsham performing as King Malka with Rudy Gajadhar contributing drums throughout the album.

Princess Dinosaur

A side project spearheaded by Nick Vombrack featuring Nic Newsham on vocals and lyrics; they released a six-song EP titled A Goldfish and his Friends.

Band Members:

  • Nick Vombrack – guitars and drums
  • Nic Newsham – vocals and lyricist

Places and Numbers

Bobby Darling’s solo endeavor produced in collaboration with Casey Bates during European travels; signed to Equal Vision Records in early 2010. Their debut EP Waking The Dead was released via a pay-what-you-can model on Bandcamp with plans for a full-length album later that year.

Ticktockman

An alternative rock group including Andy Lum and Ryan Van Wieringen; their debut EP Periscope launched in February 2010 through iTunes and Bandcamp. The full-length album Ticktockman, produced by Derek Moree featuring eleven original tracks, was released in February 2012 with a follow-up EP expected later that year.

Lineup

  • Ryan Van Wieringen – lead vocals
  • Andy Lum – guitar
  • Morgan 'Boon' Bruner – guitar
  • Phil Sells – bass guitar
  • Brock Lowry – drums

Solo Endeavor by Kyle O'Quin

On March 11, keyboard player Kyle O'Quin revealed through snickerattheswine.com that he had completed a solo album and planned to embark on a tour accompanied by the Seattle-based group Lets Get Lost, who would serve as his supporting band.

The Money Pit

Seattle indie rock veterans Bobby Darling and Nic Newsham, previously members of Gatsby’s American Dream, introduced their post-punk project named The Money Pit on July 10, 2015. Their self-titled debut album was scheduled for release on September 4. With production handled by Casey Bates (known for work with Portugal. The Man and Pierce the Veil), the record draws heavily from garage rock styles reminiscent of early The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys, while still incorporating sounds recognizable to fans of Gatsby’s American Dream.

External links

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