Howlin Rain is an American rock band based in Oakland, California,[1] formed in 2004 by guitarist/singer Ethan Miller. Their most recent album The Dharma Wheel was released in 2021. Their sound has been described as "classically soulful"[2] and "Unapologetically influenced by the strong but easygoing grooves of West Coast 1970s rock".[3]
Howlin Rain | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Oakland, California, United States |
| Genres | Psychedelic, Blues-rock |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Birdman Records, American Recordings, Easy Sound Records, Three Lobed Records |
| Members | Ethan Miller Jeff McElroy Dan Cervantes Brian "Nucci" Cantrell |
| Past members | (see below) |
| Website | www.howlinrain.com |
History
editEthan Miller formed Howlin Rain in 2004 when he was still a member of Comets on Fire, as an outlet for his songwriting interests and the influence of life in the Lost Coast area of Northern California.[4] The first incarnation of the band also included bassist Ian Gradek and drummer John Moloney (who later joined Sunburned Hand of the Man).[3] The final Comets on Fire album was released in 2006,[5] after which Miller dedicated himself to Howlin Rain full-time.[3] The group has since featured a revolving line-up with Miller as the only constant member.
The self-titled album Howlin Rain was released in 2006, establishing a "psychedelic country/garage rock" sound,[6] after which the band toured as the opening act for Queens of the Stone Age.[3] In 2007, the band signed with Rick Rubin to American Recordings.[7] Their second album Magnificent Fiend, featuring an expanded line-up, was released in 2008.[8] This album was noted for featuring jam band elements, and was described as a "combination of psychedelia, blues, funk and classic 1970s arena rock."[9] The EPs Wild Life and The Good Life followed.[3]
Howlin Rain performed at All Tomorrow's Parties in England in 2010.[3] Their third full-length album The Russian Wilds was released in 2012, featuring further experiments in blues rock and 1970s album-oriented rock.[10] This was the band's final album with American Recordings, and Miller reformed the line-up once again.[11][12] Miller then conceived an interconnected trilogy of albums, and the first installment Mansion Songs was released in 2015.[12]
Miller formed his own label, Silver Current Records,[3] which issued The Alligator Bride in 2018. That album introduced hard rock and R&B elements to the group's sound.[13] The third album in the planned trilogy, The Dharma Wheel, was released in 2021.[14]
Members
editCurrent members
edit- Ethan Miller – vocals, guitar (2004–present)
- Justin Smith – drums (2018–present)
- Jason Soda – guitar (2021–present)
- Kyre Wilcox – bass (2021–present)
Past members
edit- Ian Gradek – bass (2004–2009)
- John Moloney – drums (2004–2006)
- Joel Robinow – keyboards, horns, guitar, piano, organ (2007–2012)
- Mike Jackson – rhythm guitar (2008–2009)
- Garett Goddard – drums (2008–2009)
- Cyrus Comiskey – bass (2010–2015)
- Raj Kumar Ojha – drums (2010–2012)
- Isaiah Mitchell – guitar (2010–2012)
- Dan Cervantes – guitar (2014–2021)
- Jeff McElroy – bass, guitar (2014–2021)
- Brian "Nucci" Cantrell – drums (2014–2015)
Studio guests
edit- Ben Chasny – guitar (2007)
- Utrillo Kushner – drums (2007)
- Eli Eckert – guitar, bass (2008, 2012)
- John Gnorski – guitar (2015)
- Neil Harmonson – guitar, drums (2015)
- Charlie Saufley – guitar, bass (2015)
- Meg Baird – drums, guitar, backing vocals (2015)
- Richard Danielson – drums (2018)
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Howlin Rain (2006)
- Magnificent Fiend (2008)
- Wild Life (EP, 2008)
- The Good Life (EP, 2010)
- The Russian Wilds (2012)
- Live Rain (live, 2014)
- Mansion Songs (2015)
- The Alligator Bride (2018)
- The Dharma Wheel (2021)
References
edit- ^ "Howlin Rain - Magnificent Fiend - Fuss Magazine". 1 June 2009. Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ Maerz, Jennifer (2008-03-05). "Bay Area Picks for SXSW | Music | San Francisco | San Francisco News and Events". Sfweekly.com. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Howlin Rain Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ^ "Howlin Rain - Magnificent Fiend". 13 March 2008. Archived from the original on 13 March 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ Avatar - Comets on Fire | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ^ Howlin Rain - Howlin Rain | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ^ Maerz, Jennifer (2008-02-27). "Rick Rubin Digs Howlin Rain's Distorted View of the '70s | Music | San Francisco | San Francisco News and Events". Sfweekly.com. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ Magnificent Fiend - Howlin Rain | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ^ Krajewski, Kari (2008-03-05). "Jam band 'Magnificent'ly refreshing on latest release". Badgerherald.com. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ "Album Review: Howlin' Rain - The Russian Wilds". Consequence. 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ^ Akamatsu, Rhetta (2014-11-04). "Howlin Rain Announce New Album, Mansion Songs". AXS.com. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
- ^ a b "Howlin Rain: Mansion Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
- ^ The Alligator Bride - Howlin Rain | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2021-11-23
- ^ "Review: Howlin Rain – The Dharma Wheel". Nanobot Rock. 2021-09-29. Retrieved 2021-11-23.