So Many Dynamos

So Many Dynamos is a rock band from St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Their music is generally classified as indie rock, combining aspects of electropop and dance-punk. They take their name from a famous palindrome.

So Many Dynamos
OriginSaint Louis, MO
GenresIndie rock, dance-punk, electropop
Years active2002–present
LabelsAmbivalent, Skrocki, Discos Mariscos, Hello Sir, Vagrant
Websiteofficial website
MembersAaron Stovall
Clayton "Norm" Kunstel
Travis Lewis
Nathan Bernaix
Alison Arida
Past membersGriffin Kay
Ryan Wasoba
Ryan Ballew

History

The band's first recording, a five-song EP entitled Are We Not Drawn Onward to New Era?, was released by now-defunct St. Louis label Ambivalent Records in 2003. The album was recorded by John John (John Katsafanas) at Red Light Studios in St. Louis. Like the band's name, the title of the EP is also a palindrome.[1]

So Many Dynamos recorded their first full-length, When I Explode, in February 2004 at Semaphore Studios in Chicago, Illinois. The album was recorded onto 2" tape by Jeremy Lemos and was mixed on 1/2" tape by former Dismemberment Plan member Jason Caddell at Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia. When I Explode was released by Skrocki Records in June 2004.[2] Shortly thereafter, guitarist Ryan Ballew quit the group. Griffin Kay joined on as guitarist in September 2004.

In February 2005, the band recorded "It's Gonna Rain" for a split 7" single with Bring Back the Guns. The song was recorded and mixed on 1" tape by Chris Deckard at Radio Penny Studio in St. Louis. The band spent most of 2005 touring, attempting to play all 48 continental states within the year, but ultimately only playing in 35. In October 2005, So Many Dynamos began playing as the touring band for Emperor X, a solo project of Chad Matheny. In December 2005, Matheny released the "So Many Dynamos"/"Bring Back the Guns" split 7" on his label, Discos Mariscos.

So Many Dynamos began recording their second full-length album, Flashlights, with Chris Deckard at Radio Penny in March 2006. The band spent more time in the studio than with When I Explode, and consequently was able to experiment wildly with instrumentation; the record utilizes a horn section and a choir, and incorporates instruments such as thumb pianos and toy accordions. This resulted in a more intricate and "live" sounding record, expanding on the band's existing sound. Flashlights was released on CD by Skrocki Records in June 2006, and Hello Sir Records released the vinyl in early 2007. Architecture Label released the CD in Australia and New Zealand in June 2007.

In July 2007, So Many Dynamos began recording their third full-length, The Loud Wars with Christopher Walla.[3] Sessions took place at Tiny Telephone Studios in San Francisco, Alberta Court in Portland, and the band's house in Edwardsville, Illinois. The record was mixed by Alex Newport at Metropolitan Sound, Brooklyn, New York, in December 2007. The band recorded another track for the album in February 2008 at Great Western Records Recording in Champaign, Illinois. This track was mixed by Alex Newport in May 2008. The Loud Wars was released by Vagrant Records on June 9, 2009[4] and on vinyl by Hello Sir Records in 2010.

On August 25, 2009, Ryan Wasoba announced he was leaving the band. Nathan Bernaix, of St. Louis band Target Market, took his place as guitarist.[5]

In March 2010, UK label Hassle Records released The Loud Wars and the band embarked on a tour of the UK and Eastern Europe.

On June 10, 2011, Griffin Kay announced he would be leaving the band. After a final performance in St. Louis on July 30, Travis Lewis would become the newest member and take over as the band's guitarist.

On June 26, 2012, So Many Dynamos self-released a digital-only EP in the form of a refrigerator magnet, designed by The Bungaloo.

On November 13, 2015 the band released "Safe With Sound".[6]

Members

Current

  • Aaron Stovall - vocals, keyboard, percussion, guitar (2002–present)
  • Clayton "Norm" Kunstel - drums, percussion, keyboard (2002–present)
  • Nathan Bernaix - guitar, vocals, keyboard (2009–present)
  • Alison Arida - Drumkat, percussion, vocals (2013–present)
  • Stephen Inman - guitar, keyboards, percussion, vocals (2013–present)

Former

  • Travis Lewis - guitar, keyboards (2011-2013)
  • Griffin Kay - guitar, vocals (2004–2011)
  • Ryan Wasoba - guitar, vocals, keyboard (2002–2009)
  • Ryan Ballew - guitar, vocals (2002–2004)

Discography
Name Year Format Label
Are We Not Drawn Onward to New Era? 2003 CD-EP Ambivalent Records
When I Explode 2004 CD Skrocki Records
So Many Dynamos/Bring Back the Guns split 2005 7" Discos Mariscos
Flashlights 2006 CD Skrocki Records
The Loud Wars 2009 CD Vagrant
New Bones (single) 2009 7" Vagrant
Self-Titled EP 2012 Digital Download Refrigerator Magnet Self-Released
Safe With Sound 2015 CD Self-Released

References
  1. Friswold, Paul. "So Many Dynamos | Critics' Picks | St. Louis News and Events". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  2. "So Many Dynamos". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  3. "Best Local Album of the Past 12 Months | Flashlights So Many Dynamos (Skrocki Records) | Arts & Entertainment". Riverfronttimes.com. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  4. "New Release: So Many Dynamos: The Loud Wars". Pitchfork. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  5. Zaleski, Annie. "SXSTL: St. Louis sends several representatives to Austin for this year's SXSW festivities | Music Stories | St. Louis News and Events". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  6. Schaeffer, Christian. "Don't Call It a Comeback: So Many Dynamos Releases Safe With Sound After a Six-Year Wait | Homespun | St. Louis News and Events". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
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