Biography

Introduction

Grails is an American instrumental rock band from Portland, Oregon.

Biography

Initially the band 'Laurel Canyon' (guitarist Alex Hall, drummer Emil Amos (also of 'Holy Sons') and second guitarist Paul Spitz) formed to play one show on a whim. Following a positive reaction to the band, local musicians Timothy Horner (violin) and Bill Slater (piano/bass) were asked to join the group to record their first EP. The band then released two self-financed EPs in 2000 and 2001. Paul Spitz left the US to travel in Turkey and Zak Riles joined as guitarist, often playing more of an acoustic role. In 2002 Hall sent a promotion CD to Neurot Recordings who were quickly convinced of the band's potential. In 2003 the band changed its name to Grails, just before the release of their first full-length album. They adopted a louder, more aggressive style, often switching instruments with each member writing songs that saw them branching out to increasingly disparate styles. By the time the 'Black Tar Prophecies' series was released Timothy Horner had literally disappeared and the band carried on with only 4 players. The group often picks up an extra musician for tours, allowing Amos to switch between guitar and drums and expanding the live instrumentation. Recently, Randall Dunn and Dave Abramson have joined the group live.

In their early years Grails only toured Europe but have switched to focusing on the East Coast of the United States for the last few years. They live in Portland but rarely play live in their hometown. The various members stay busy with several different projects. Hall has played guitar with Steve Von Till of Neurosis in Von Till's project Harvestman , Amos has played drums with Jandek, produced for Yellow Swans and releases solo records under the name 'Holy Sons', and Riles has toured as 2nd guitarist for M. Ward. In 2007 Grails released "Burning off Impurities" with Temporary Residence.

In March 2008 it was announced that Emil Amos joined OM and a new Grails record called "Take Refuge in Clean Living" was released May 13 on Important Records. Their latest album, "Doomsdayer's Holiday" was released on October 7, on Temporary Residence Limited. And a comprehensive DVD was released on April 7,'09 called "Acid Rain" summing up their most productive period.

Discography

The Burden of Hope (CD/LP, Neurot Recordings/Robotic Empire, 2003/2006)
Red Light (CD/LP, Neurot Recordings/Robotic Empire, 2004/2006)
Interpretations of Three Psychedelic Rock Songs from Around the World (CD-EP, Southern Records, 2005... LP re-release in 2008)
Black Tar Prophecies Vol. I (Split 12" with Red Sparowes, Robotic Empire, 2006)
Black Tar Prophecies Vol. II (12", Aurora Borealis, 2006)
Black Tar Prophecies Vols. 1, 2 and 3 (CD, Important Records, 08/2006)
Burning Off Impurities (CD/LP, Temporary Residence Limited, 2007)
Take Refuge in Clean Living (CD/LP, Important Records, 2008)
Destroy Independent Music! (2006-2007, Temporary Residence Limited) sampler
Doomsdayer's Holiday (CD/LP, Temporary Residence Limited, 2008)