The For Carnation

Biography

The For Carnation was a low-key, mostly acoustic automobile for ex-Slint/Squirrel Bait member Brian McMahan, whose previous tasks had all made their influence through jagged, noisy art-punk. Mirroring his previous bandmate David Grubbs’ progression with Gastr del Sol, McMahan continuing to explore the complicated, cerebral patterns which were his share in trade, but with sensitive arrangements and considerably subtler dynamics. Slint supporters were astonished with the For Carnation’s low-key sparseness, even though it wasn’t as groundbreaking as McMahan’s previously efforts, the silently unsettling creepiness of its greatest occasions was rooted solidly within the leader’s brand visual. McMahan was the lone continuous within the For Carnation, which designed up as a revolving-door clothing with collaborators arriving and heading from various other projects; the original lineup featured many associates of Tortoise, who provided method to a assortment of Louisville and Chicago scenesters. McMahan produced the For Carnation in 1994 because the most recent in some high-profile indie clothes. Beginning his profession in Louisville’s seminal post-Hüsker Dü punkers Squirrel Bait, he following moved on towards the groundbreaking mathematics rock device Slint; pursuing their break up, he transferred to Chicago and performed for a short while being a sideman in Will Oldham’s Palace Brothers task, along with previous Slint bandmate David Pajo. McMahan and Pajo began jamming independently, alongside ex-Slint/Squirrel Bait drummer Britt Walford, who remained around just briefly. Pajo got begun using post-rock bigwigs Tortoise, and two of this band’s people — Doug McCombs (bass) and John Herndon (drums) — arrived up to speed to fill issues out, completing the very first version from the For Carnation. This lineup documented the three-song EP Battle Songs, that was released on Matador in 1995. Pajo consequently left to focus on his additional projects, including Tortoise along with the single enterprise Aerial M and many sideman gigs. McCombs and Herndon continuing to try out sporadically using the group, but their full-time dedication to Tortoise produced things tough. McMahan pieced jointly another For Carnation record, 1996’s fairly short full-length Marshmallows, from efforts by McCombs and Herndon, and the ones of a fresh lineup offering onetime Rodan drummer John Weiss, guitarists Tim Ruth (also of Slint offshoot) Evergreen) and Michael McMahan (Brian’s sibling), plus extra efforts by hotshot Chicago manufacturer Brad Hardwood. The For Carnation eventually embarked on its initial national tour, using a lineup offering the McMahan brothers and an all-Louisville helping cast of guitarist Tim Furnish, bassist Todd Make (both ex-Crain), and drummer Kip McCabe. By this time around, the group’s make of post-rock was sketching evaluations to Gastr del Sol, in addition to slowcore rings like Codeine and Low. The For Carnation afterwards divided from Matador to indication with Contact & Move, and McMahan came back to Louisville and go about crafting brand-new material using a lineup of Michael McMahan, Todd Make, and the coming back Britt Walford (after that also in Evergreen). On the other hand, Runt reissued the band’s initial two EPs collectively under the name Promised Functions. Walford came back to his additional commitments later on in 1997, and was ultimately changed by Steve Goodfriend; guitarists/keyboardists Bobb Bruno and Rafe Mandel later on came up to speed aswell. Finally, in 2000, Contact & Proceed released The For Carnation, the band’s most substantive and completely realized record up to now. Boasting considerable participation from Tortoise’s John McEntire, the recording also featured visitor spots through the Breeders’ Kim Offer and that pet.’s Rachel Haden.

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