Jump to content

The Icarus Line

From Alfawiki
The Icarus Line
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1998
Defunct2015
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, singles

The Icarus Line was a post-hardcore group originating from Los Angeles, California, active between 1998 and 2015.[1]

1998–2003

The band evolved from the high school ensemble Kanker Sores.[2] In 1997, drummer Tim Childs tragically passed away in a car accident shortly after completing recordings for their Pivot EP and tracks intended for a split 7” with Treadwell that was never released.

Established in 1998, The Icarus Line's initial lineup included Joe Cardamone (vocals), Aaron North (guitar), Lance Arnao (bass), and Aaron Austin (drums). Prior to performing live, they organized an East Coast tour alongside Ink & Dagger, making their debut at The Melody Bar in New Brunswick, New Jersey. During this tour, they distributed an untitled demo tape featuring songs from their Kanker Sores days. Soon after, Alvin DeGuzman joined as a guitarist, reuniting the surviving members of Kanker Sores and solidifying the core lineup amid frequent changes in drummers.

Their debut release was the 1998 7-inch EP Highlypuncturingnoisetestingyourabilitytohate, issued by Hellcat Records, which included earlier material from Kanker Sores. That same year, they also put out the Red And Black Attack EP on New American Dream. In 1999, they followed with a split 7-inch alongside Ink & Dagger and released the single "Kill Cupid With A Nail File" through Buddyhead Records. Their first full-length album, Mono, was recorded in 2000 with producers Mark Trombino and Alex Newport, notable for its rapid, live-style recording sessions.

In 2001, The Icarus Line embarked on an eight-week European tour and issued the single "Feed A Cat To Your Cobra" in the UK. Between May and October that year, they conducted an extensive world tour covering Europe, Japan, Australia, and the United States. During SXSW in Austin, guitarist Aaron North attracted attention by smashing a guitar display case to seize one of Stevie Ray Vaughan's guitars.[3]

Following this period, Jeff Watson exited the band and was succeeded by Troy Petrey from Toys That Kill. The group recorded two John Peel sessions during their UK tours and released a split 7-inch with Burning Brides featuring covers of Misfits songs.

The second single from Mono, titled "Love Is Happiness", was released as a limited edition EP in the UK in May 2003. After Troy Petrey's departure, Jeff "The Captain" Watson returned to the lineup; simultaneously, bassist Lance Arnao left and was replaced by Don Devore.

Their sophomore album, Penance Soiree, marked their first release under label V2 Records. It was recorded during summer 2003 in Hollywood and mixed in London. Touring activities that year were minimal but included select support slots for acts such as Primal Scream and A Perfect Circle.

2004–2010

Released in 2004, Penance Soiree showcased a stylistic evolution influenced by bands like The Birthday Party and The Stooges, featuring a distorted guitar tone reminiscent of The Jesus and Mary Chain. In 2005, guitarist Aaron North departed to join Nine Inch Nails.

Prior to their third studio album, the 2006 EP Black Presents was issued. Their subsequent full-length record, Black Lives At The Golden Coast (2007), followed shortly after. Before this release, Don Devore left the band; guitarists Jason DeCorse and James Striff joined, guiding the group toward a blues-inspired sound. After completing worldwide tours with The Lemonheads and Wolfmother, they returned to Los Angeles to establish Gang Bang Park studio where they began recording new material with Joe Cardamone, Jeff Watson, Alvin DeGuzman, James Striff, and Jason DeCorse.

In August 2011, they unveiled Wildlife, highlighting frontman Joe Cardamone’s expanded role as both producer and engineer. Captured live on analog tape at Sunset Sound Studios, the album's raw production style divided critics. The lead single "We Sick," released in February 2010, featured guest appearances from Annie Hardy of Giant Drag and credited Ariel Pink for "Baby Noises."

2011–2015

Following the release of Wildlife, the band embarked on an extensive 2012 tour alongside Killing Joke, featuring founding bassist Lance Arnao and newcomer Ben Hallet on drums. During this period, they produced the Live in London album and completed a US tour with The Cult, highlighted by a sold-out performance at the Hollywood Palladium.

Toward the end of 2012, Cardamone, DeGuzman, Arnao, and Hallet collaborated on new compositions that were introduced during live shows. Their seventh studio effort, Avowed Slavery, was released in August 2014, followed by their eighth album, All Things Under Heaven, which arrived in October 2015.

After DeGuzman was diagnosed with cancer and Cardamone grew disenchanted with touring alongside Scott Weiland, Cardamone quietly departed from the band at the close of 2015 to focus on a solo path. DeGuzman succumbed to cancer in October 2017 after a two-year fight.

In media

The Icarus Line served as the inspiration for the 2018 indie film The Icarus Line Must Die, directed by Michael Grodner and distributed by Dark Star Pictures. Joe Cardamone stars as himself in the movie, which also features appearances by musicians such as Keith Morris, Ariel Pink, and Annie Hardy (Giant Drag).

EPs

Albums

Singles

  • "Kill Cupid With A Nail File" (2000)
  • "Feed A Cat To Your Cobra" (2001)
  • "Love Is Happiness" (2003)
  • "Up Against The Wall, Motherfuckers" (2004)
  • "Party The Baby Off" (2004)
  • "On The Lash" (2004)
  • "Gets Paid" (2007)
  • "We Sick" / "Holy Man" (2010)
  • "Bad Bloods" / "Slow Death" (2012)

Splits

  • w/ Ink & Dagger ("We're Never Gonna Make It") (1998)
  • w/ Burning Brides ("Angelfuck") (2002)
  • w/ Pen Expers ("Raise Your Crown") (2011)

External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=The_Icarus_Line&oldid=86481"