A Place to Bury Strangers
{{short description|New York City-based noise rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = A Place to Bury Strangers
| image = A Place To Bury Strangers.JPG
| landscape = yes
| caption = A Place to Bury Strangers performing in 2007
| image_size =
| origin = Brooklyn, New York, United States
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| years_active = 2003–present
| label = {{flatlist|
- Killer Pimp
- Rocket Girl
- Mute Records
- Dead Oceans
- Dedstrange
}}
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
- Skywave
- MOFO
- My Best Fiend
- the D4
- Black Acid
- Ceremony
}}
| website = {{URL|https://aplacetoburystrangers.bandcamp.com/}}
| current_members = Oliver Ackermann
Sandra Fedowitz
John Fedowitz
| past_members = David Goffan
Tim Gregorio
Jonathan "Jono Mofo" Smith
Jason "Jay Space" Weilmeister
Justin Avery
Robi Gonzalez
Dion Lunadon
Lia Simone Braswell
}}
A Place to Bury Strangers are an American rock band formed in 2002, in New York City. The trio is currently composed of Oliver Ackermann (guitar/vocals, bass), John Fedowitz (bass guitar) and Sandra Fedowitz (drums). Commonly known by the initials APTBS, the band plays a heavy, atmospheric Wall of Sound–influenced blend of noise rock, shoegaze and space rock.{{Cite web |title=The louder side of the Wall of Sound – A Place to Bury Strangers interviewed |url=http://www.releasemagazine.net/the-louder-side-of-the-wall-of-sound-a-place-to-bury-strangers-interviewed/ |website=Releasemagazine.net|access-date=2023-03-14 |language=en-US}}
The band is known for the loudness of their intense live shows.{{Cite web |date=2018-06-07 |title=A Place to Bury Strangers likes spontaneity |url=https://www.straight.com/music/1086001/place-bury-strangers-likes-spontaneity |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=The Georgia Straight |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-04-11 |title=LIVE REVIEW: A Place To Bury Strangers, Loppen, 10.04.2016 |url=http://heretoday.dk/live-review-a-place-to-bury-strangers-loppen-10-04-2016/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=Here Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Live Blog: A Place to Bury Strangers |url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/live-blog/place-bury-strangers |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=Tiny Mix Tapes |language=en}} A Place to Bury Strangers are commonly referred to by music writers as the "loudest band in New York", a reputation the band developed even before the release of their first album.{{Cite web |date=2010-11-19 |title=A Place to Bury Strangers: More Than Just the "Loudest Band in New York" |url=https://alarm-magazine.com/2010/a-place-to-bury-strangers-more-than-just-the-loudest-band-in-new-york/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=ALARM |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Varias |first=Chris |title=They're loud, but they're A Place to Bury Strangers |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2015/09/25/loud-place-bury-strangers/72816616/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=The Enquirer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Newby |first=Jake |title=A Place to Bury Strangers: 'Our music is the sound of a breaking public address system' |url=http://www.timeoutshanghai.com/features/Music-Music_features/49144/A-Place-to-Bury-Strangers-Our-music-is-the-sound-of-a-breaking-public-address-system.html |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=Timeoutshanghai.com |language=en}}
History
=Early days=
A Place to Bury Strangers were formed in 2002 by David Goffan and Tim Gregorio. Current frontman and guitarist Ackermann had moved to New York from the Rhode Island School of Design following the disbanding of his previous group, Skywave, to join APTBS, and become the primary songwriter after the departure of Goffan. Ackermann also founded the guitar pedal company Death By Audio.{{Cite web |title=Inside: Death By Audio |url=https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/blogs/news/inside-death-by-audio |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=Chicago Music Exchange |language=en}} They played their first show at Luxx in Brooklyn in 2003. Jason "Jay Space" Weilmeister and Jonathan "Jono Mofo" Smith, both from the New York City-based band MOFO, joined the band when Gregorio left. In 2006, APTBS self-released three different EPs, handmade with different color schemes: Breathe, Missing You and Never Going Down.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/A-Place-To-Bury-Strangers-A-Place-To-Bury-Strangers/release/3749678 |title=A Place To Bury Strangers - A Place To Bury Strangers (Vinyl, LP, LP) at Discogs |website=Discogs.com |date=2008-11-03 |access-date=2015-04-08}}
It is likely that the band took inspiration for their name from Aleister Crowley whose work 'Aceldama' features the subtitle 'A Place to Bury Strangers In'.
In 2006, APTBS gained acclaim following their Webster Hall performance with the Brian Jonestown Massacre. The band returned to Webster Hall in 2007 to play with one of their major influences, the Jesus and Mary Chain. Throughout these formative years, the band's live shows became increasingly chaotic, which earned them the title of New York City's "loudest band" from various indie reviewers and bloggers,{{Cite web|url=http://www.sonicfrontiers.net/php/show-11.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011213254/http://www.sonicfrontiers.net/php/show-11.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 11, 2007|title=A Place to Bury Strangers: 2007-09-20: Show Review|date=October 11, 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/common/htdocs/discog/pimpk004.php?site=pimp |title=A Place To Bury Strangers |website=Brainwashed.com |access-date=2015-03-26}} as well as "the most ear-shatteringly loud garage/shoegaze band you'll ever hear" by The Washington Post.{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/events/cal|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919121810/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/music-events/a-place-to-bury-strangers,1139889.html|url-status=dead|title=Event Calendar | Washington Post | Washington, DC|website=Washingtonpost.com|archive-date=19 September 2012|access-date=21 November 2020}} The New York Times applauded their revival of "the ominous, feedback-drenched drones of the 1980s".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/22/arts/music/22cmj.html?ref=arts |title=Play Well, and May the Blog Buzz Be With You|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 October 2007 |access-date=2015-03-26|last1=Pareles |first1=Jon }}
=First album and touring=
In 2007, Jon Whitney from the Killer Pimp label wrote the contract for their first album, A Place to Bury Strangers, on a napkin. In August 2007, the band gained national attention after a favorable Pitchfork review of this album.
In 2007, the band joined Black Rebel Motorcycle Club on the "Holy Fuck" tour.[http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/46102-a-place-to-bury-strangers-open-for-brmc] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115145951/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/46102-a-place-to-bury-strangers-open-for-brmc|date=January 15, 2008}} In April 2008, it was announced that APTBS would open for Nine Inch Nails on several dates of the latter's US tour. That year, the band played the Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona.{{Cite web |title=The Quietus {{!}} Features {{!}} Escape Velocity {{!}} A Place To Bury Strangers Guide Us Through Their Teeth-Kicking Distortion |url=https://thequietus.com/articles/00644-new-york-s-a-place-to-bury-strangers-guide-us-through-their-teeth-kicking-distortion |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=The Quietus |date=30 October 2008 |language=en-us}} Following several UK gigs, the first album was issued in the UK in October 2008 by Rocket Girl,{{cite web|last=Maher|first=Dave|title=A Place to Bury Strangers Expand Tour|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/30123-a-place-to-bury-strangers-expand-tour/|website=Pitchfork.com|date=4 September 2008 |access-date=20 September 2012}} and they received strong praise from the British media including NME and Kerrang!. In November 2008, the band returned to Europe and the UK on tour supporting MGMT.
=''Exploding Head''=
In early 2009, APTBS signed to Mute Records. The band also announced another European tour and appearances at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Seaport Music Festival and Siren Music Festival.
Their second album, Exploding Head, was released by Mute in October 2009.
In spring 2010, Smith decided to leave APTBS for personal reasons rather than participate in their US tour supporting the Big Pink. He was replaced for that spring tour by Lunadon, formerly of the bands the D4 and the True Lovers. On July 5, 2010, APTBS visited Bogotá, Colombia for the first time and played at Rock al Parque, the largest free rock festival in South America.
=''Worship''=
On February 14, 2011, Ackermann stated that the band had begun working on their third full-length album.{{cite web |url=http://www.rockedition.com/interviews/interview-with-oliver-ackermann-of-a-place-to-bury-strangers |title=Interview with Oliver Ackermann of A Place To Bury Strangers |website=Rockedition.com |date=2011-02-14 |access-date=2015-03-26 |archive-date=2011-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715195448/http://www.rockedition.com/interviews/interview-with-oliver-ackermann-of-a-place-to-bury-strangers |url-status=usurped }} On January 10, 2012, A Place to Bury Strangers released an all-Hipstamatic video shot on an iPhone for the song "So Far Away" from the Onwards to the Wall EP. On February 12, 2012, the band announced that Robi Gonzalez had replaced Weilmeister as drummer.{{cite web|title=School of Seven Bells Remix A Place To Bury Strangers|url=http://deadoceans.com/blog/2012/02/school-of-seven-bells-remix-a-place-to-bury-strangers/|publisher=Dead Oceans|access-date=2012-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511050055/http://deadoceans.com/blog/2012/02/school-of-seven-bells-remix-a-place-to-bury-strangers/|archive-date=2012-05-11|url-status=dead}} On May 2, 2012, it was announced that the band's third album, Worship, was scheduled for release on the Dead Oceans label, on June 11 in the UK and Europe and on June 26, 2012, in the US.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/45996-a-place-to-bury-strangers-announce-new-album |title=A Place to Bury Strangers Announce New Album | News |website=Pitchfork.com |date=2012-04-02 |access-date=2015-03-26}} The band announced plans to support the release with a full North American tour in October 2012.{{cite web|title=U.S. Tour |url=http://aptbs.tumblr.com/ustourdates/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121130070353/http://aptbs.tumblr.com/ustourdates/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-30 |publisher=APTBS |access-date=2015-03-26 }}
=''Strange Moon'' and ''Transfixiation''=
In early March 2013, APTBS announced that they had recorded covers of songs by Portland band Dead Moon for release on Record Store Day 2013 as an EP titled Strange Moon.{{cite web |url=http://deadoceans.com/blog/2013/03/aptbs-announce-tour-dates-with-japandroids-set-to-release-dead-moon-covers-ep-for-rsd/ |title=APTBS Announce Tour Dates with Japandroids, Set to Release Dead Moon Covers EP for RSD News |publisher=Dead Oceans |date=2013-03-06 |access-date=2015-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324024120/http://deadoceans.com/blog/2013/03/aptbs-announce-tour-dates-with-japandroids-set-to-release-dead-moon-covers-ep-for-rsd/ |archive-date=2015-03-24 |url-status=dead }} Gonzalez decided to retire from touring and during the subsequent 2016 tour, John Fedowitz (Skywave, Ceremony) played drums for the band.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/aplacetoburystrangers/photos/a.334259118246/10153482309508247/?type=3|title=A Place To Bury Strangers|website=Facebook.com}}
In March 2013, the band began recording their fourth studio album, Transfixiation. They recorded for several days at ABC Studios in Etne, Norway, with Emil Nikolaisen of Serena Maneesh.{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=no&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fgaffa.com%2Fartikkel%2F70113&authuser=0 |title=Google Translate |website=Translate.google.com |access-date=2015-03-26}} The album was released on February 17, 2015, on Dead Oceans.
=''Pinned'', ''Hologram'' EP, and ''See Through You''=
In February 2018, the band announced that Lia Simone Braswell would be a permanent replacement for Gonzalez as the band's drummer.{{cite web|title=A Place to Bury Strangers Release New Single "Never Coming Back"|url=https://www.spin.com/2018/01/a-place-to-bury-strangers-new-album-pinned-never-coming-back-stream/|website=Spin|access-date=23 February 2018|date=31 January 2018}} Their fifth studio album, Pinned, was released on April 13. After another lineup change in 2021 with John Fedowitz on bass and Sandra Fedowitz of Ceremony East Coast on drums, the new APTBS roster released the Hologram EP.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/a-place-to-bury-strangers-hologram/|title=Hologram|work=Pitschfork Media|access-date=2022-02-20}} On November 16, 2021, the band announced a new album, See Through You, which was released on February 4, 2022, with the "Let's See Each Other" single accompanying the announcement.{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2167555/a-place-to-bury-strangers-lets-see-each-other-see-through-you/music/|title=A Place To Bury Strangers – 'Let's See Each Other'|date=16 November 2021 |publisher=Stereogum|access-date=2022-02-20}}{{cite web|url=https://floodmagazine.com/101230/a-place-to-bury-strangers-see-through-you/|title=A Place to Bury Strangers, See Through You|work=Flood Magazine|access-date=2022-02-20}}
= ''Synthesizer'' =
In October 2024, APTBS will release their 7th album Synthesizer showcasing a raw and refined sound, blending extreme noise and catchy hooks. The video for You got me{{Cite web|url=https://www.prescriptionmusicpruk.com/press-releases/a-place-to-bury-strangers-share-new-single-you-got-me|title=A Place To Bury Strangers share new single ‘You Got Me’|website=Prescriptionmusicpruk.com|access-date=October 4, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2275889/a-place-to-bury-strangers-you-got-me/music/|title=A Place To Bury Strangers Share New Single "You Got Me": Listen|website=Stereogum.com|date=August 13, 2024|access-date=October 4, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/news-a-place-to-bury-strangers-announce-world-tour-new-single-w-video-you-got-me-album-synthesizer-coming-soon/|title=News: A Place to Bury Strangers- Announce World Tour, New Single w/ Video" You Got Me" & Album 'Synthesizer' coming soon! !|first=Stefanie|last=Sanchez|date=Aug 14, 2024|website=New Noise Magazine|access-date=October 4, 2024}} was released August 15 and directed by British Film Director Browzan, (Christopher Brown) - a horror film set in Berlin starring Johnny Cooke of British indie band Dogs who toured with Paul Weller in the 2000s. The video was released worldwide on Stereogum with Prescription Music PR.
Band members
Current members
- Oliver Ackermann - vocals, guitar, bass, drums (2003–present)
- Sandra Fedowitz - drums (2021–present)
- John Fedowitz - bass (2021–present), drums (2016)
Former members
- David Goffan - guitar (2002–2003)
- Tim Gregorio - vocals, bass (2002–2006)
- Justin Avery - drums (2003–2006)
- Jonathan "Jono Mofo" Smith - bass (2006–2010)
- Jason "Jay Space" Weilmeister - drums (2006–2012)
- Robi Gonzalez - drums, bass, guitar (2012–2016, 2016–2018)
- Dion Lunadon - vocals, guitar, bass, drums (2010–2020)
- Lia Simone Braswell - drums, vocals{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/a-place-to-bury-strangers-pinned/|title=A Place to Bury Strangers: Pinned Album Review|website=Pitchfork|last=Geffen|first=Sasha|date=April 13, 2018|access-date=November 6, 2023}} (2018–2020)
Touring members
- Robi Gonzalez - drums (2023 (one show only), 2024){{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/aptbs/p/C7Bgb6Xtlaa/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Instagram |language=en |title=Instagram }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C7Bgb6Xtlaa/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Instagram |language=en |title=Instagram }}
- Sarah Wilson - drums (2024){{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C8rFF2YtQy9/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Instagram |language=en |title=Instagram }}
Timeline
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bar:Auckermann text:"Oliver Ackermann"
bar:Goffan text:"David Goffan"
bar:Gregorio text:"Tim Gregorio"
bar:Smith text:"Jonathan Smith"
bar:Lunadon text:"Dion Lunadon"
bar:Avery text:"Justin Avery"
bar:Weilmeister text:"Jason Weilmeister"
bar:Gonzalez text:"Robi Gonzalez"
bar:JFedowitz text:"John Fedowitz"
bar:Braswell text:"Lia Simone Braswell"
bar:SFedowitz text:"Sandra Fedowitz"
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bar:Gregorio from:start till:06/01/2006 color:Bass
bar:Gregorio from:start till:06/01/2006 color:Vocals width:3
bar:Smith from:06/01/2006 till:02/01/2010 color:Bass
bar:Lunadon from:03/03/2010 till:03/01/2020 color:Bass
bar:Avery from:01/01/2003 till:06/01/2006 color:Drums
bar:Weilmeister from:06/01/2006 till:02/12/2012 color:Drums
bar:Gonzalez from:02/12/2012 till:01/01/2016 color:Drums
bar:Gonzalez from:11/30/2016 till:02/01/2018 color:Drums
bar:JFedowitz from:01/01/2016 till:11/30/2016 color:Drums
bar:Braswell from:02/01/2018 till:03/01/2020 color:Drums
bar:Braswell from:02/01/2018 till:03/01/2020 color:Vocals width:3
bar:JFedowitz from:04/06/2021 till:end color:Bass
bar:SFedowitz from:04/06/2021 till:end color:Drums
}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
- A Place to Bury Strangers (2007, Killer Pimp)
- Exploding Head (2009, Mute Records)
- Worship (2012, Dead Oceans)
- Transfixiation (2015, Dead Oceans)
- Pinned (2018, Dead Oceans)
- See Through You (2022, Dedstrange)
- Synthesizer (2024, Dedstrange)
=EPs=
- A Place to Bury Strangers 3-song CD/EP (2004, self-released)
- Breathe CD/EP (2006, self-released)
- Missing You (2006, self-released)
- A Place to Bury Strangers 6-song CD/EP
- Never Going Down (2006, self-released)
- The Box Set (2008, Vacancy Records)
- Hoxton Square Sessions (2009, Mute Records)
- Ego Death 2010 Tour EP (2010, Mute Records)
- I Lived My Life to Stand in the Shadow of Your Heart (2010, Mute Records)
- Onwards to the Wall (2012, Dead Oceans)
- Strange Moon (2013, Dead Oceans)
- Fuzz Club Sessions 12" EP (2019, Fuzz Club Records)
- Ice Cream Sucks 7" (2019, self-released)
- Hologram (2021, Dedstrange)
= Compilations =
- Rare Meat: Demos and Rarities 2003-2017 cassette (2017, self-released)/digital (2020, self-released)
=Singles=
- "To Fix the Gash in Your Head" 10"/12" (2008, Meal Deal Records)
- "I Know I'll See You" 7" (2008, Rocket Girl/Vacancy Records)
- "Breathe" 7" (2008, Vacancy Records)
- "Missing You" 7" (2008, Rocket Girl/Vacancy Records)
- "In Your Heart" 7" (2009, Mute Records)
- "Keep Slipping Away" 7" (2009, Mute Records)
- "You Are the One" 7" (2012, Dead Oceans)
- "And I'm Up" 7" (2012, Dead Oceans)
- Less Artists More Condos Series #1 split single with Ceremony (2012, Famous Class)
- "Raiser" 7" (2013, Sweet Mistakes Productions)
- "Petty Empire" 7" (2015, Dead Oceans)
- "We've Come So Far" 7" (2015, self-released)
- "Straight" 7" (2015, self-released)
- "Never Coming Back" (2018, Dead Oceans)
- "There's Only One of Us" (2018, Dead Oceans)
- "Frustrated Operator" (2018, Dead Oceans)
- "End of the Night" (2021, Dedstrange)
- "I Might Have" (2021, Dedstrange)
- "I Need You" (2021, Dedstrange)
- "Let's See Each Other" (2021, Dedstrange)
- "Hold on Tight" (2021, Dedstrange)
- "I'm Hurt" (2022, Dedstrange){{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2173305/a-place-to-bury-strangers-im-hurt/music/|title=A Place To Bury Strangers – 'I'm Hurt'|publisher=Stereogum|last=Rettig|first=James|date=January 18, 2022|access-date=January 31, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220131084209/https://www.stereogum.com/2173305/a-place-to-bury-strangers-im-hurt/music/|archive-date=January 31, 2022|url-status=live}}
- "Always Gonna Be the Same" with Podsongs (2023, The Independent Record Company){{cite web|url=https://www.gothville.com/blog/gv-rock-8/a-place-to-bury-strangers-podsongs-releases-single-always-gonna-be-the-same-on-spotify-3681?anim#blog_content|title=A Place To Bury Strangers,Podsongs releases single 'Always Gonna Be the Same' on Spotify|publisher=GothVille vzw|date=February 25, 2023|access-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230503061437/https://www.gothville.com/blog/gv-rock-8/a-place-to-bury-strangers-podsongs-releases-single-always-gonna-be-the-same-on-spotify-3681?anim%23blog_content|archive-date=May 3, 2023|url-status=live}}
=Live albums=
- Loud and Live in 2012 (2013, self-released)
=Remix albums=
- Re-Pinned (2018, Dead Oceans)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://aplacetoburystrangers.bandcamp.com/}}
{{A Place to Bury Strangers}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Place To Bury Strangers}}
Category:American noise rock music groups
Category:Indie rock musical groups from New York (state)
Category:Musical groups established in 2004
Category:Musical groups from Brooklyn
Category:Musical trios from New York (state)
Category:Post-punk revival music groups