Red Sparowes

Lore & Background

Red Sparowes formed in 2003 as a side project for its members. They signed to Neurot Recordings, Neurosis's record label. After recording demos for their debut album, they toured with The Dillinger Escape Plan and Made Out of Babies in 2004. The debut was recorded in May 2004 by engineer Desmond Shea, with a sound in the vein of Isis, Pelican, Sonic Youth, and The Cure. Members Jeff Caxide and Josh Graham relocated in late 2004, forcing them out of the band; they were replaced by Andy Arahood and David Clifford.

Their first studio album, At the Soundless Dawn, was released in February 2005. A split 12" album with Gregor Samsa followed, and the band headlined a European tour and participated in an American tour with Pelican, Big Business, and Breather Resist. Their second album, Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun, was released in 2006, followed by more touring. In early 2008 Josh Graham departed and was replaced by Brendan Tobin. The EP Aphorisms was released digitally in August 2008. Tobin departed in 2009 and Emma Ruth Rundle replaced him. The third album, The Fear Is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer, was released on April 6, 2010.

The band went on indefinite hiatus from late 2011 until late September 2019, when they were announced for the 2020 Roadburn festival. The show was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the band confirmed they were working on a new album.

Reader's Guide

Red Sparowes are significant for their distinctive fusion of post-rock and post-metal with the unusual inclusion of pedal steel guitar, an instrument rarely heard in these genres. Their sound, often compared to Isis and Pelican, helped define the experimental edge of the 2000s post-metal scene. The band's lineup has included members of notable acts such as Isis, Neurosis, Marriages, and Angel Hair, linking them to a broader network of influential underground bands. Their albums At the Soundless Dawn and Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun are considered key releases in the instrumental post-metal canon. After a long hiatus, their reactivation in 2019 and announcement of new material underscores their enduring relevance. Their legacy lies in expanding the sonic palette of heavy, instrumental music and inspiring later bands to incorporate unconventional instruments.

Did You Know?

• Red Sparowes formed in 2003 as a side project for its members.
• Their style features prominent use of pedal steel guitar, an unusual instrument for post-rock and post-metal.
• Members have also been part of bands including Isis, Marriages, The Nocturnes, Halifax Pier, Angel Hair, and Pleasure Forever.
• The band was on indefinite hiatus from late 2011 until late September 2019, when they were announced for the 2020 Roadburn festival.