This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "Switchblade Symphony" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Switchblade Symphony
Background information
OriginSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1989–1999
LabelsCleopatra
Past membersSusan Wallace
Tina Root
Robin Jacobs
George Earth
Eric Gebow
Scott van Shoick
Justin Clayton

Switchblade Symphony was an American gothic rock band from San Francisco, California. Their music combined orchestral sounds with heavy synth sequences and ethereal vocals to create a union of classical music and gothic rock.

History

Switchblade Symphony was formed in 1989 by composer Susan Wallace and vocalist Tina Root. The band's name refers to the cutting up elements of classical music to mix them with harder sounds.[2]

They released their first album in 1995 on the Cleopatra Records label. They also had two live guitarists, first Robin Jacobs (who later joined Razor Skyline) and then George Earth (most recently of Small Halo, also with Tina Root), and three live drummers, first Eric Gebow (now with Blue Man Group), Justin Clayton, and then Scott van Shoick.

The band's second album, Bread and Jam for Frances, was released in 1997.[3] The album peaked at #119 on the CMJ Radio Top 200.[4]

Switchblade Symphony disbanded in November 1999. Subsequently, Tina Root started Tre Lux. In 2008, Tina Root and George Earth formed Small Halo, a band based out of Los Angeles, California.

Their song "Clown" was featured in the 1998 film Wicked starring Julia Stiles. Their song "Gutter Glitter" was also featured in an episode of The Boulet Brothers' Dragula.

Discography

Albums and EPs

Singles

Other

Compilation albums

References

  1. ^ Phares, Heather. "Switchblade Symphony biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  2. ^ Porter, Alicia. "Eklectique: An Interview with Switchblade Symphony". Darkwaver.com. Retrieved February 8, 2007.
  3. ^ a b Vicki Aubin (November 10, 1997). "Short Circuits". CMJ New Music Report. CMJ Network, Inc.: 32–. ISSN 0890-0795.
  4. ^ Helms, Colin (December 22, 1997). "CMJ Radio Top 200" (PDF). CMJ New Music Report. Great Neck, NY: College Media, Inc. 52 (550): 5–6. ISSN 0890-0795. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  5. ^ "Amazon.com: Various Artists: Virgin Voices 2: Tribute to Madonna: Music". Amazon. Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2017.