The Stiletto Formal
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Phoenix, Arizona , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
The Stiletto Formal was a distinctive "eccentric rock and roll" ensemble originating from Phoenix, Arizona, recognized for incorporating a cello alongside other atypical instruments into their musical arrangements. Their compositions were marked by intricate time signatures and featured the unique falsetto singing style of lead vocalist Kyle Howard. Establishing a dedicated following within Arizona, the group expanded their reach nationally through extensive touring, including appearances on the Vans Warped Tour. The band's online presence ended after Howard's move to Los Angeles in 2009.
Their discography includes two EPs: Masochism in the Place of Romance and This Is My Boomstick. Additionally, they had four unreleased songs: a cover of Smashing Pumpkins' "The Everlasting Gaze," two demo tracks named "This Song Can't Be About Blowing Things Up Because Of Terrorism" and "Moonshine," as well as an unrecorded piece titled "Botox in Bulk."
The group's first full-length album, ¡Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta!, characterized as "dark yet energetic," was launched on October 21, 2008, under the Eyeball Records label. The production team featured Cory Spotts (Job For A Cowboy, Greeley Estates) and Darrell Thorp (Radiohead, Outkast, Beck), with Nigel Godrich (Radiohead) handling sound engineering duties.
Final Lineup
- Kyle Howard – Lead Vocals, Percussion, Keyboard
- Paul Neely – Bass Guitar, Percussion, Keyboard
- Sunny Davis – Cello, Shaker
- Jimi Lamp – Guitar
- Pat McCarthy – Drums
Former members
- Nole Kennedy – Drums
- Drew Domm – Drums
- Shelly Barnes – Keyboard, Vocals, Percussion
- Brady Leffler – Keyboard
Discography
- Masochism in the Place of Romance EP (2005)
- This Is My Boomstick EP (2006)
- ¡Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta Fiesta! (October 21, 2008)
Equipment Used
- Kyle Howard – Korg synthesizer, Foot controller, Maracas, Cowbell, Timpani
- Paul Neely – MicroKorg, Roland SP-404 sampler, BOSS Bass Overdrive pedal, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi fuzz, Sans-Amp amplifier simulator
- Sunny Davis – Zeta Strados Fusion electric cello, Boss Digital Delay pedal, Danelectro Chorus or Octave effects pedal
- Jimi Lamp – 1972 Fender Telecaster guitar, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal, Boss Digital Delay pedal, Ernie Ball volume pedal, Ibanez Tube Screamer overdrive