OFFICIAL C10 BANDS

There were nearly 80 bands who submitted to play at the Convergence 10 festival and only 7 slots to fill! This wasn’t an easy task and it took months to complete. If it could have been possible, we could easily have turned C10 from a 3 night event into a week long array of bands, bands, bands! In the end, our finalists were chosen on several criteria: they had to have a distinct sound, be talented musicians & vocalists, be currently (or very recently) working on music & their band as a whole (after all, the theme of C10 is “Hope for a Dark Future ”, emphasis on “Future ”!), and have a fantastic live show- even for people as-of-yet unfamiliar with their music.

Many thanks to *all* of the bands who submitted! As stated above, there were many who would have also been great choices, and we wish you all the very best!

And now, without further ado:

The Convergence 10 Bands
(With thanks to Starvox.net, Uncle Nem, Blu Matt, Funprox.com, Deathrock.com, Kaleidoscope Magazine, & RedSunRecords.nl for some source material used in these descriptions.)

The Brides thebrides.net
New York, formed in 2001, (founding members formerly of The Brickbats)
performing SATURDAY, MAY 8

Looking somewhat like a mix between four silent movie era horror stars, a fascist sports franchise (?!) and an absurdist work of art, The Brides play fast bursts of spooky rock: they display up-tempo elements of garage, punk, old school death rock and all with pop sensibilities that never let you get away without a catchy chorus or a memorable melody. Recently signed to Hell ’s Hundred Records (a division of Middle Pillar Presents), The Brides have been dedicating themselves to a finishing up their self-titled debut scheduled for 2004. Since the band's inception in 2001, The Brides have released a steady stream of well-received e.p.s: "If You Dance," "Baby Girls Are Much More Tender," and the dual issue of "Here Come The Brides - Part One" and "Here Come The Brides - Part Two." The New York Press ’April 29th, 2003 issue reported: “The Brides aren’t quite riffing the 60s, 70s or 80s, nor are they trying to anticipate 2010. Too campy to be goth, not trite enough to be fashionable, not deadpan enough for some, too tongue-in-cheek for others ­they’ve moved past irony to absurdism."

Key words: spooky horror garage psychobilly rock, melodic ghoulish synths & guitars, excellent squeaky clean production, funny, graveyard humour, sick'n'twisted lyrics, catchy & memorable tunes, intense and interactive live show, zombies, morbid Victorian charm.

Well now that you know, how can you live without them?

black tape for a blue girl (New York based)
www.blacktapeforabluegirl.com
performing SATURDAY, MAY 8

Since its debut in 1986, Sam Rosenthal's (founder of Projekt Records) black tape for a blue girl has developed an intensely loyal following amongst lovers of ethereal, darkwave and gothic music. Melodically intense male and female vocals accentuate Sam's moving lyrics on black tape's recent 8th release, "The Scavenger Bride."

black tape for a blue girl has matured in the live setting, amazing audiences with their powerful sets at 2002's Projektfest (Philadelphia, PA) and 2003's Wave-Gotik-Treffen (Leipzig, Germany). Convergence 10 attendees can look forward to black tape for a blue girl's premiere of new material from their upcoming autumn 2004 Projekt release. Bret's dramatic voice and guitar mixes with Elysabeth's soul-stirring vocals and viola, Michael's guitar & percussion, Lisa's flute and Sam's electronics creating a mixture of heavenly voices and driving darkwave. Rosenthal and ensemble create a memorable series of delicately crafted panoramas; black tape has always tempered sensuality with sadness and beauty, and their music perfectly reflects this dichotomy.

"Poetically sincere lyrics add beauty to their already branded melancholic magnificence. So timeless, it's as beautiful as it is haunting. This band should be huge!" - Delirium Magazine. "What they're doing here is original and singular in its ability to touch the listener both emotionally and intellectually." - Alternative Press Magazine

Passion Play (Germany & UK) www.passionplay.co.uk
performing SATURDAY, MAY 8

Although Passion Play is generally categorized under Goth this tag alone does not do the band justice. Passion Play has a very distinct musical style, which combines energetic, guitar based goth rock, atmospheric arrangements and strong melodies. Passion Play ’s material is varied, with catchy up-tempo songs, like their popular "Frantic" and "Analgesia", as well as those that are a bit slower & more melancholy, such as "Caught By the Nails" and the bittersweet "Running On Empty". The music is dominated by excellent drumming and lush atmospheric guitar arrangements that are both energetic and ethereal and Justin Stephens has an amazing voice that goes perfectly with the music. It is sincere, natural, warm, & emotional. This is atmospheric, guitar-driven, intense, moody, & melodic dark music.

Passion Play have held impressive live spots at the Whitby Gothic Weekend festival (twice) in England, the immense Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival in Leipzig, Germany, Austria ’s Judgement Day festival, the Saturnalia IV festival in Chicago, & many others.

Their first release was the “Name No Names ”e.p. in 1998, which was followed by their full-length albums “Stress Fractures ”in 1999 and the critically acclaimed “Dreaming Spikes ”in 2001. Passion Play ’s new full-length c.d. will be released in the autumn of 2004, making it the inaugural album for a brand new record label. Several of the new tracks from this forthcoming album will be making their live debut amongst their set at Convergence 10. Their live lineup for C10 features Justin on vocals & guitar, John Berry (formerly of Die Laughing & This Burning Effigy) on lead guitar, Ryan Swift (formerly of Emma Conquest) on bass, & Justin ’s twin brother Doug on drums.

Manuskript (U.K.) www.manuskript.co.uk
performing SATURDAY, MAY 8

If there was a good goth version of “Pop Idols ”, Manuskript would win, hands down. They take the vibrancy of 80 ’s new-romantic, meld it with the best emotion that 90 ’s dark-wave gave, and add their own original, highly energetic & exciting sound. Though they draw on certain influences, Manuskript have carved their own niche, an irresistible combination to lovers of synth-pop and hardened rock fans alike, yet still firmly entrenched in the goth scene. Their unique sound is characterized by unerring vocal lines, which weave in and out of a backdrop of grandiose synthesisers and searing guitars - all cemented with a pounding, electronic rhythm section. Lead vocalist Mike effortlessly -and inevitably- has his live audiences bouncing & singing along with their unbelievably catchy choruses. The energy & interplay between Mike and keyboardist/second vocalist Tim (also known for the band Pretentious, Moi?) during their gigs is infectious & looking around at a Manuskript gig, you get the pleasant sight of many smiling faces, even on the most jaded of Goths. Clever lyrics and choruses to die for, full-speed-ahead rhythms and ideas that tumble forth as if tipped out of a bucket. This isn ’t all “happy go lucky ”music here, though; there are still those darker moments, and even a bit of social commentary. (But just wait for the surprise cover song at the end of their set!)

They have recently released “The Cyprus Recordings ”, a collection of remixes, live tracks, & tracks previously available only on compilations and are working on a new full -length c.d. Their discography also includes: “I Can ’t Believe It ’s Not Goth! ”(e.p; ‘96), “The Diversity of Life ”(full-length; ‘96); “Spooky ”(e.p; ‘97); “Devil ’s Advocate ”(full-length; ‘99); and their best produced, popular, and excellent album, “Natural High ”(2002), which has spawned many dance floor hits at goth nights around the globe.

Goteki (UK) www.goteki.com
performing FRIDAY, MAY 7

Goteki began in 2002, starting out previously as Sneaky Bat Machine (probably the inventors of “cyber goth ”!) Goteki front man, Sneaky, has expanded the scope of the band from those former days, creating a wider & individual sound, combining eastern themed electro with a healthy dose of camp, still with obvious industrial/ebm roots, but nice & surprising touches of synth pop & even dark trip hop at times. Goteki make intelligent dance music for people who like to have fun.

The theme running through their first e.p, “Fight the Saucermen ”conjures up films like “Plan 9 from Outer Space ”and their most recent full-length c.d. “Goteki O/S ”is resplendent with references to the pop & kitsch sides of Japan and robots galore. They have just released a remix-cd. of the latter album, entitled “Goteki O/S: Corrupted Files ”, with mixes by such bands as Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Seize, Icon of Coil, Echo Image, & The Chaos Engine. All three of their c.d. s have been released through Wasp Factory Records.

Their image is semi-futuristic, blending, for instance, manga cartoons with Commodore 64 graphics in the artwork and their live performance is very visual, as well. C10 will be the first stage for Goteki ’s new expanded live lineup. Expect to see visions of robot geisha girls, surveillance cameras, big fake-furry outfits, frantic keyboards that appear to be possessed, and especially ninjas!

Frank the Baptist (San Diego, CA) www.frankthebaptist.com
performing FRIDAY, MAY 7

Frank the Baptist is a band that has been around in the American underground since 1997. Only recently, new Austrian/German gothic rock label, Strobellight has released their debut album. This first release, “Different Degrees of Empty ”, sets high hopes for the future.

Though Frank the Baptist seem to be linked with the Death Rock scene, they aren ’t what you ’d typically expect . They go well beyond sticking to that older punk-influenced sound, refreshingly providing much more than “style over substance ”. These are musicians who are talented & creative. The music of Frank the Baptist is sincere and powerful, yet modest. There is no fashion statement to be made, Frank concentrates simply on the music and lyrics, hiding underneath his simple top hat and jacket, conveying a feeling of broken romance and fallen stars, but leaving an aftertaste of hope for a better tomorrow. They are the exasperated hopes of a dark romantic that though jaded, quixotically strives ever forward. It is melancholy yet at times aggressive rock and roll; it has amazing lead and rhythm guitars that bounce off each other in perfect sync. Prominent, fluid bass is enhanced by sparse piano/keyboards. Each song's lyrics are a nostalgic foray into a cluttered room of emotional mementos and visual metaphors that provoke imagination and empathy - a wonderful approach to lyricism.

Just prior to C10, Frank the Baptist will have completed their “Baptising Europe Tour ”, with gigs in Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, Germany, and culminating with an appearance at the famed Judgement Day festival in Austria.

P.S. They ’re not Baptists.

Arch Visceral Parlor (Chicago) www.archvisceralparlor.com
performing FRIDAY, MAY 7

In 1999, Arch Visceral Parlor was formed by Abigail and Nathaniel, who have known each other from childhood, as an expression of their similarly haunted existence, to seek out dreamy and moody expressions in music and vocals. The results are a spellbinding blend of darkwave romanticism and shoegaze atmospheres. Soft strains of glorious e-bow effected passages, lulling bass lines, and surreal synthesized swirls all make for a beautiful and highly entrancing package. The dense and dreamlike soundscapes are capped with the breathy alto of Abigail Ferraris, who opts for a decidedly more primal, low & seductive vocal approach, as opposed to rigid attempts at angelic operatics.

AVP have become favourites in the Chicago scene and several of their romantic & soul-stirring tracks have been filling the Chicago goth club dance floors for over a year now. The band is beginning to gather positive attention in other cities and has also received praise in respected musical publications such as Alternative Press, Kaleidoscope, and Meltdown magazines. They have self-released several e.p.s, including the 7-track “Lascia ”and have just released a new 3-track, “Wilis ”(available through their website.)

Arch Visceral Parlor frequently gig around Chicago and the Midwest & played at the Saturnalia III festival. Their performance at Convergence 10 will be to their largest audience yet and their hometown crowd is especially proud of them!