Quicksand (American band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Quicksand is a post-hardcore group originating from New York City, established in 1990. Their initial release was a self-titled EP, which preceded two full-length albums under major labels: Slip (1993) and Manic Compression (1995). Their musical style has drawn comparisons to bands such as Fugazi and Helmet. Despite extensive touring to promote their records, Quicksand did not attain the mainstream recognition anticipated by their record companies. These difficulties, coupled with internal disagreements, resulted in their disbandment in 1995 and a subsequent breakup in 1999 following an unsuccessful reunion attempt. The band reunited in June 2012 for a special event and has since resumed live performances. Their third studio album, Interiors, released on November 10, 2017, was their first full album in 22 years, followed by the 2021 release Distant Populations.
Among Quicksand’s influences are Fugazi, Jane's Addiction, Helmet, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Wire, and Public Enemy.
Formation (1990)
Emerging from the New York Hardcore scene, Quicksand was formed by frontman and guitarist Walter Schreifels, also known for his work with Gorilla Biscuits and Youth of Today. The band came into existence following the dissolution of Schreifels' previous project, Moondog. Guitarist Tom Capone, who founded Long Island’s Beyond and previously played with Bold, joined the lineup along with drummer Alan Cage, formerly part of the experimental hardcore group Burn and Beyond. Bassist Sergio Vega completed the group, having played with Collapse and Absolution.
Major releases, touring, and breakup (1990–1995)
Only six weeks after forming, Quicksand debuted with a four-track EP titled Quicksand released through indie label Revelation Records. They embarked on tours across North America and Europe alongside acts like Helmet, Fugazi, and Rage Against the Machine, which helped them gain attention leading to a landmark signing with major label Polydor Records in 1992—making them the first post-hardcore band to secure such a deal. Polydor issued their first full-length album Slip on February 9, 1993; it included the single "Dine Alone" as well as reworked tracks from their initial EP. To support Slip, Quicksand performed approximately 250 shows throughout the United States, achieving sales near 100,000 copies by 1995.
On February 28, 1995, they released their sophomore album Manic Compression through Island Records. The record reached number 135 on the Billboard 200 chart and climbed to number nine on the Heatseekers Chart. During this period, Quicksand toured Europe with The Offspring and participated in the inaugural Vans Warped Tour. Despite these accomplishments, mounting internal struggles and the strains of constant touring culminated in their breakup on October 12, 1995, during a performance in Hollywood, California.
Reunion and unfinished album (1997–1999)
Following Quicksand’s initial dissolution, Walter Schreifels initiated World's Fastest Car and took on production duties for hardcore punk band CIV. Guitarist Tom Capone became part of Handsome—a supergroup formed with former Helmet guitarist Pete Mengede—which released a self-titled album in 1997. Sergio Vega explored solo work under Fully while also DJing in New York City; meanwhile, Alan Cage joined alternative rock outfit Seaweed.
Speculation about a reunion emerged in mid-1997 ahead of Revelation Night at the CMJ Music Conference. Quicksand’s first live appearance since their breakup occurred on February 6, 1998, in Osaka, Japan. In August of that year, they commenced recording new tracks at Carriage House Studios with producer Steven Haigler. After performing their first North American show in three years on September 26, 1998, in Boulder, Colorado, they toured alongside Deftones and Snapcase, beginning what would be their final tour on November 3, 1998. Although the tour was successful and new material was collaboratively developed, persistent internal conflicts led to an indefinite hiatus by late 1999. This left their new album incomplete and unreleased; however, demos from this period as well as from the Manic Compression sessions have circulated unofficially online.
Activities following Quicksand's initial phase (1999–2012)
After Quicksand's first era, Walter Schreifels established the alternative rock group Rival Schools alongside former CIV drummer Sammy Siegler. They released the album United by Fate in 2001 before disbanding two years later in 2003. Subsequently, Schreifels fronted Walking Concert under his own label, Some Records, and occasionally performed solo acoustic shows. Rival Schools reunited in 2008 for live performances and unveiled their sophomore album, Pedals, in 2011. Meanwhile, Tom Capone took on guitar duties for Instruction starting in late 2002. Sergio Vega became the bassist for Deftones, initially stepping in for Chi Cheng during tours in 1999 and again from 2009 until early 2021; he also contributed to their album Diamond Eyes, which was released on May 4, 2010. Alan Cage participated in Enemy's 2005 release Hooray for Dark Matter and later worked with New Idea Society as well as the hardcore outfit 108.
Second reunion period (2012–present)
Quicksand reunited unexpectedly on June 10, 2012, appearing as the "special guest" at Revelation Records' 25th Anniversary Shows held in Pomona, California. This marked their first performance together in nearly thirteen years. The band proceeded to perform additional concerts in New York City and at FYF Fest in Los Angeles. In January 2013, they launched their first North American tour in a decade and a half and took part in Belgium’s Pukkelpop Festival that August.
By mid-2013, signs of studio work indicated new compositions were being developed. In August 2017, Quicksand revealed the title of their third full-length album, Interiors, alongside the release of the single "Illuminant" and announced its November launch on Epitaph Records.
During a tour in September 2017, guitarist Tom Capone was arrested and subsequently departed from the band. Walter Schreifels then assumed all guitar responsibilities. The band's first output without Capone was the Triptych Continuum EP, issued in April 2018 to coincide with Record Store Day.
As of April 2021, Quicksand was engaged in creating their fourth studio album. They released the track "Inversion" that month followed by "Missile Command" in June, simultaneously announcing the album titled Distant Populations. This record was digitally released on August 13, with a vinyl edition arriving on September 25.
Towards the end of 2021, Stephen Brodsky joined Quicksand as guitarist and backing vocalist for their tour supporting Distant Populations, reinstating the group as a quartet.
On February 3, 2023, Quicksand publicized a 30th Anniversary Edition of their debut album Slip, reissued on vinyl through Boston-based Iodine Recordings. This special edition features a 64-page hardcover book containing band photographs, rare posters, an introduction penned by Walter Schreifels, and insights from prominent punk artists including Scott Ian (Anthrax), Geoff Rickly (Thursday), Stephen Brodsky (Cave In), Dennis Lyxzén (Refused), and Tim McIlrath (Rise Against). The album was remastered utilizing the original master tapes from 1993.
Band members
- Current
- Walter Schreifels – lead vocals and rhythm guitar (1990–1995, 1997–1999, 2012–present); lead guitar (2017–2021)
- Sergio Vega – bass guitar (1990–1995, 1997–1999, 2012–present)
- Alan Cage – drums and percussion (1990–1995, 1997–1999, 2012–present)
- Stephen Brodsky – lead guitar (2021–present)
- Former
- Tom Capone – lead guitar (1990–1995, 1997–1999, 2012–2017)
- Charlie Garriga – rhythm guitar (1990)
Studio albums
| Year | Album information | Highest chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 | US Alternative Albums | US Heatseekers Albums | US Independent Albums | US Top Rock Albums | ||
| 1993 | Slip
|
— | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | Manic Compression
|
135 | — | 9 | — | — |
| 2017 | Interiors
|
142 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 18 |
| 2021 | Distant Populations
|
— | — | — | — | — |
EPs and singles
| Year | Details | Track listing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Quicksand
|
1. "Omission" (2:22) 2. "Clean Slate" (2:48) 3. "Unfulfilled" (3:14) 4. "Hypno Jam with Dan" (1:57) | |
| 1992 | "Dine Alone"
|
B-side: "Can Opener" (3:28) | |
| 1993 | "Fazer"
|
||
"Dine Alone"
|
2. "Dine Alone" (Album Version) (3:30) 3. "How Soon is Now?" (The Smiths cover) (3:05) | ||
"Omission"
|
2. "Baphomet" (live with lyrics) (4:40) 3. "Clean Slate" (live in California) (3:09) | ||
"Freezing Process"
|
2. "Clean Slate" (live in Georgia) (3:15) | ||
| 1994 | "Divorce"
|
B-side: "Voice Killer" (3:31) | |
| 1995 | "Thorn in My Side"
|
2. "Shovel" (3:11) | |
"Delusional"
|
|||
"Landmine Spring"
|
|||
| 2017 | "Illuminant"
|
||
"Cosmonauts"
|
|||
| 2018 | Triptych Continuum
|
1. "Multiverse" 2. ">>>" 3. "Spoken Through Clouds" | |
| 2021 | "Inversion"
|
||
"Missile Command"
|
|||
| 2022 | "Giving the Past Away"
|
2. Felíz | |
| 2025 | "Split"
(featuring Hot Water Music / Quicksand)
|
Compilation appearances
| Year | Title | Track | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | CBGB 20th Anniversary Compilation | "How Soon is Now?" (3:22) | Captured live at CBGB |
| 1995 | Hit Me: Previously Unavailable | "Chelsea's Going Under" (3:40) | |
| Hits Rock – New Sckoool, Volume I | "Landmine Spring" | ||
| Empire Records soundtrack | "Thorn in My Side" | ||
| 1996 | Anti-Matter | "Shovel" | |
| 2002 | Revelation 100: A 15 Year Retrospective | "Dine Alone" (3:19) | Unreleased demo from 1992 |
Unreleased material
| Year | Details | Tracks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "True Manic Demos" | 1. "Bug Collector" (3:08) 2. "World's Fastest Car" (3:56) 3. "Knee Jerk Reaction" (3:12) 4. "Supergenius" (2:56) |
|
| 1998 | "Unfinished Third Album" | 1. "Instrumental" (4:39) 2. "All in Your Head" (3:26) 3. "Requiem" (3:39) 4. "In the End" (3:18) 5. "Constant Tension" (4:20) 6. "Hostage Calm" (5:12) 7. "Weed It Out" (3:03) 8. "Chelsea's Going Under" (3:59) |
|
Music videos
| Year | Album | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Slip | Fazer | Pamela Birkhead |
| Dine Alone | Noah Bogen | ||
| Omission | Kevin Kerslake | ||
| 1994 | Freezin Process | ||
| 1995 | Manic Compression | Thorn in My Side | Marcos Siega |
| Delusional | |||
| 2017 | Interiors | Illuminant | Mortis Studio |
| Cosmonauts | n/c | ||
| Interiors | |||
| 2021 | Distant Populations | Inversion | Rob Fidel |
| 2022 | Missile Command |