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The Blood Brothers (band)

From Alfawiki
The Blood Brothers
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1997
FounderJordan Blilie, Johnny Whitney, Mark Gajadhar
Defunct2007 (hiatus), 2007 (split)
FateDisbanded in 2007; reunited in 2014 and 2024
Headquarters
Seattle, Washington
,
United States
ProductsStudio albums, EPs, singles, music videos, DVDs

The Blood Brothers emerged as a post-hardcore ensemble originating from the Eastside suburbs of Seattle in 1997. Prior to disbanding in 2007, they produced five studio albums and later reunited for performances such as the 2014 FYF Fest. In 2024, they regrouped once more to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their album Crimes.

Formation

The band was established by vocalists Jordan Blilie and Johnny Whitney, along with drummer Mark Gajadhar, who transitioned from their earlier project, Vade, during their teenage years. In 1997, bassist Morgan Henderson and guitarist Devin Welch joined them, and by the following year, they recorded their debut 7-inch for $200. After guitarist Welch was replaced by Cody Votolato, the lineup solidified. Their first tour commenced immediately following Votolato’s high school graduation. In July 2002, they toured across the United States alongside math rock group The Cancer Conspiracy and indie rock outfit The Rocking Horse Winner. Their third studio album, ...Burn, Piano Island, Burn, was released in 2003 with production handled by Ross Robinson.

Their fifth studio release, Young Machetes, arrived on October 10, 2006, co-produced by Fugazi member Guy Picciotto.

Breakup and Hiatus

Initial news from Punknews.org suggested the band had disbanded; however, this was later clarified as a hiatus. The confusion originated from a forum comment by Justin Pearson, owner of Three One G, who briefly stated "the blood bros broke up."

Though the group officially parted ways in June 2007, this remained undisclosed until November that year. Speculation about their dissolution began circulating as early as July. Instead of announcing plans for the future in early 2008, the band confirmed their split on November 8, 2007:

In a December 2008 interview with Seattle’s The Stranger, Blilie attributed the breakup to diverging personal paths and conflicting artistic directions within the group:

On October 19, 2009, Epitaph Records revealed intentions to re-release the band’s last four albums augmented with b-sides, live recordings, and remixes.

Reunion Events

On May 16, 2014, The Blood Brothers declared their reunion to perform at FYF Fest scheduled for August 24. Their first concert after seven years took place on August 22, 2014, at Seattle’s Showbox venue. Additional shows were added in cities including New York City, Austin, and Santa Ana. Jordan Blilie confirmed that no new material would be produced.

On May 15, 2024, The Blood Brothers announced another reunion accompanied by a U.S. tour and a special reissue celebrating two decades of Crimes. Blilie emphasized that the vitality of live performances motivated their return. Their first appearance in ten years occurred on October 13, 2024, in Las Vegas, where they replaced Bright Eyes as headliners at the Best Friends Forever festival.

Musical Style

The Blood Brothers are identified within the post-hardcore genre while incorporating influences from experimental music, screamo, emo, hardcore punk, noise music, post-punk, and dance.

A hallmark of their sound lies in the contrasting vocal interplay between Johnny Whitney and Jordan Blilie. Guitarist Cody Votolato’s approach evolved notably—from dense and dissonant textures on ...Burn, Piano Island, Burn to stripped-down lead guitar lines on Crimes, where rhythmic elements and vocals fill spaces left by reduced distortion. Whitney’s vocal style shifted from a slurred delivery on This Adultery Is Ripe to piercing high-pitched screams on Crimes, while Blilie maintained his deep and powerful vocal tone. The band cites influences such as Drive Like Jehu, Botch, Swing Kids, Rye Coalition, and Gang of Four. Votolato’s distinctive angular guitar work draws inspiration from groups including Drive Like Jehu, Swing Kids, Rye Coalition, and Antioch Arrow.

Additional Endeavors

Various members of the band have engaged in significant side ventures:

  • Johnny Whitney and Mark Gajadhar, under the name Neon Blonde, unveiled the album Chandeliers in the Savannah in 2005, following their 2004 release Crimes. Earlier that same year, they also put out an EP.
  • Shortly after Crimes, Jordan Blilie and Cody Votolato collaborated with musicians from The Locust and Yeah Yeah Yeahs to create Head Wound City. This group debuted with a self-titled EP and later released the album A New Wave of Violence in 2016.
  • In 2007, Johnny Whitney and Cody Votolato joined forces with Jay Clark (formerly of Pretty Girls Make Graves) to establish Jaguar Love. Their initial EP was launched in June 2007, followed by the full-length album Take Me To The Sea in August 2008, and then Hologram Jams in March 2010.
  • Between 1999 and 2001, Johnny Whitney, Devin Welch, and Hannah Blilie performed in The Vogue (1999–2000), which transitioned into Soiled Doves (2000–2001). The Vogue released As Brass As Satin in 2000, while Soiled Doves issued Soiled Life in 2003.
  • Whitney and his spouse Amy Carlsen co-founded the apparel brand Crystal City Clothing, which has produced merchandise for artists such as Panic! at the Disco, Thursday, and Rocky Votolato, as well as handling most of The Blood Brothers' merchandise over several years.
  • In 2007, Jordan Blilie, Mark Gajadhar, Morgan Henderson, and Devin Welch formed Past Lives. Their debut EP Strange Symmetry was digitally released in August 2008. They contributed a five-track suite to The Journal of Popular Noise in June 2008 and followed up with their full-length debut Tapestry of Webs via Suicide Squeeze Records in February 2010.
  • Morgan Henderson’s solo electronic project O, Hunter includes remixes for groups like Minus The Bear. Additionally, he played a significant role on Fleet Foxes' album Helplessness Blues (2011) and toured with them until 2017.
  • Mark Gajadhar performs as DJ Gajamagic and is part of the group Champagne Champagne alongside rapper Pearl Dragon and Thomas Gray. He also forms half of WEEKEND with Ryann Donnelly from Schoolyard Heroes. In 2014, Gajadhar became the drummer for Hardly Art band Grave Babies.
  • Cody Votolato plays guitar for the Merge Records band Telekinesis and acts as touring guitarist for Cold Cave.

Band Members

Current Lineup
  • Jordan Blilie – vocals, guitar, piano (1997–2007, 2014, 2024–present)
  • Johnny Whitney – vocals, keyboards, piano, programming (1997–2007, 2014, 2024–present)
  • Mark Gajadhar – drums, percussion (1997–2007, 2014, 2024–present)
  • Morgan Henderson – bass guitar, guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (1997–2007, 2014, 2024–present)
  • Cody Votolato – guitars, percussion, backing vocals (1999–2007, 2014, 2024–present)
Previous Members
  • Devin Welch – guitars (1997–1999)

Studio Albums

EPs

Singles

  • "Ambulance vs. Ambulance" (2003)
  • "Love Rhymes with Hideous Car Wreck" (2004)
  • "Laser Life" (2006)
  • "Set Fire to the Face on Fire" (2007)

Music videos

  • Ambulance vs. Ambulance (2003)
  • Cecilia and the Silhouette Saloon (2003)
  • Love Rhymes with Hideous Car Wreck (2004)
  • Laser Life (2006)
  • Set Fire to the Face on Fire (2007)

DVDs

Other appearances

  • Recorded a cover of Queen's "Under Pressure" for the tribute compilation Dynamite With a Laser Beam.
  • Performed Gang of Four's "Anthrax" for an unreleased tribute project; a remix version was included on the Love Rhymes with Hideous Car Wreck EP.
  • Delivered a live performance of "Trash Flavored Trash" on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2005.
  • Showcased "Set Fire To The Face On Fire" and "Laser Life" on IFC's The Henry Rollins Show in 2007.

Family connections

Several band members maintain relationships with prominent Pacific Northwest acts:

  • Cody Votolato is related to Rocky Votolato, a solo folk musician and former member of Waxwing, as well as Sonny Votolato, guitarist for various groups including Slender Means.
  • Mark Gajadhar’s brother, Rudy Gajadhar, plays drums for Gatsbys American Dream and was previously part of Waxwing alongside Rocky Votolato.
  • Jordan Blilie's twin sister, Hannah Blilie, performs as the drummer for The Gossip.

External links

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