Torche (band)

The group was formed in 2004[http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Torche/Biography/ Torche Biography] starpulse.com. Retrieved on July 31, 2009. by Steve Brooks (ex-Floor), Juan Montoya (ex-Floor, ex-Cavity, ex-Ed Matus Struggle), Jonathan Nuñez and Rick Smith (who also played in the grindcore bands Shitstorm, Tyranny of Shaw, Adore Miridia, the screamo band Tunes for Bears to Dance To, and punk band Post-Teens).[http://www.stonerrock.com/interviews/index.asp?InterviewID=161 An Interview with Steve and Rick of Torche] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928050349/http://www.stonerrock.com/interviews/index.asp?InterviewID=161 |date=September 28, 2011 }} stonerrock.com. July 24, 2005. Retrieved on July 30, 2009.

According to MTracks.com: "Their music has a unique, hard-hitting sound that provokes a wide range of emotions, and they have a large fan base throughout the world."{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtraks.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220023754/http://www.mtraks.com/blog/article/torche_interview_casbah_carries_the_torche|url-status=usurped|title=Best Music Making Software – Free Production Creation Download|archivedate=December 20, 2008}}

They have toured with Mogwai, Isis, Pelican, Clutch, Black Cobra, Baroness, Jesu, The Sword, Coheed and Cambria, Stinking Lizaveta, Harvey Milk, Boris, and High on Fire.{{Cite web|url=https://www.torchemusic.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215025224/http://www.torchemusic.com/|url-status=dead|title=Torche|archivedate=December 15, 2007|website=Torche}} Steve Brooks, however, has said that they do not consider themselves a metal band.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120313131551/http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/sep2006/gaysinmetal.aspx?terms=gay+metal&searchtype=2&fragment=True] In describing the band's sound, Smith said in an interview: "To me it's mostly a combination of everything we listen to collectively as a band. We take what we like from what we grew up on and use it as creatively as we can. I think the meshing of different sounds comes naturally just because we all have different musical backgrounds yet have a ton of common interests."{{cite web |url=http://deafsparrow.com/Torche-Interview.htm |title=Torche Interview – Deaf Sparrow Zine |publisher=Deafsparrow.com |accessdate=December 31, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209025610/http://www.deafsparrow.com/Torche-Interview.htm |archivedate=December 9, 2012 }} In terms of touring, Brooks said Torche is getting more of a young crowd.{{cite web |url=http://www.stonerrock.com/interviews/index.asp?InterviewID=161 |title=All That is Heavy |publisher=Stonerrock.com |accessdate=December 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928050349/http://www.stonerrock.com/interviews/index.asp?InterviewID=161 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

On April 8, 2008, the band released their second full-length, entitled Meanderthal. It was produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge, Genghis Tron).{{cite web |last=Carman |first=Keith |url=http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=120&csid2=4&fid1=30243 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730183629/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=120&csid2=4&fid1=30243 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |title=Torche Make It Quick • Interviews • |publisher=Exclaim.ca |accessdate=December 31, 2012 }}

It was met with critical acclaim from publications including Decibel magazine, who ranked Meanderthal No. 1 on their list of the Top 40 Extreme Albums of 2008,[http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=140019] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222154828/http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=140019|date=December 22, 2008}} and Pitchfork, who gave the album an 8.2/10 score in their review.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12020-meanderthal/ |title=Torche: Meanderthal | Album Reviews |publisher=Pitchfork |date=July 31, 2008 |accessdate=December 31, 2012}} In an interview, Brooks said the band themselves came up with the album's concept in terms of artwork and packaging, along with Aaron Turner.[http://paradeofflesh.blogspot.com/2008/05/torche-interview.html Torche interview] Paradeofflesh.blogspot.com. May 29, 2008. Retrieved on July 21, 2010. Brooks has also said that in terms of writing material, the band focuses on what they like, rather than worrying about a "backlash" from their fans.{{cite web |url=http://www.smnnews.com/2008/03/27/torche-steve-brooks-vocalsguitars/ |title=Torche – Steve Brooks, Vocals/Guitars |publisher=SMNnews.com |date=March 27, 2008 |accessdate=December 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322221321/http://www.smnnews.com/2008/03/27/torche-steve-brooks-vocalsguitars/ |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Singer/guitarist Stephen Brooks is one of the few openly gay musicians in the metal scene.{{cite web|title=Dirty Laundry Presents: Torche|url=http://dirtylaundry.tv/dirty-laundry-presents-torche/|publisher=dirtylaundry.tv|accessdate=November 13, 2010}} He did an interview round table in 2008 on thestranger.com with other openly gay musicians such as Brian Cook (Russian Circles, Sumac, These Arms Are Snakes, Botch), and Juan Velazquez of Abe Vigoda.Reighley, Kurt B. [http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=729140 A Big, Gay Roundtable], Thestranger.com. October 28, 2008. Retrieved on October 29, 2010.

In late 2008, Juan Montoya left the band, a move credited to musical differences. Steve Brooks said, "He is an amazing guitarist, but we are just not on the same page... but Torche will still carry on as a 3 piece band". As of 2010, Juan Montoya joined up with ex-Bloodsimple members Bevan Davies and Kyle Sanders, and Charlie Suarez of Sunday Driver to create the band "MonstrO" In an interview with Malia James, Brooks revealed that Montoya's departure was acrimonious, and involved physical violence between the two of them.

Torche embarked on tours with bands such as dredg in April 2009,[http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/02/torche_dredg_20.html Torche & Dredg – 2009 Tour Dates], Brooklynvegan.com. February 23, 2009. Retrieved on March 1, 2010. and another with a reunited Harvey Milk. The band opened for Coheed and Cambria on their headlining tour alongside Circa Survive in spring 2010. One of Torche's earliest festival performances was at Incubate in 2006. After that, the band played at SXSW in 2008.

In January 2011, it was announced on the Riverfront Times blog that Andrew Elstner (Riddle of Steel, Tilts) would be joining Torche.Zaleski, Annie.[http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/atoz/2011/01/andrew_elstner_joints_torche_tilts_riddle_of_steel.php Andrew Elstner of Tilts, Riddle of Steel Joins Stoner-Metal Band Torche] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123001012/http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/atoz/2011/01/andrew_elstner_joints_torche_tilts_riddle_of_steel.php |date=January 23, 2011 }} blogs.riverfronttimes.com. January 14, 2011. Retrieved on January 16, 2011. The band released their fourth full-length, Restarter, in February 2015 on Relapse Records.

Torche announced their fifth full-length record, Admission, on May 19, 2019, with the release of the song "Slide". The album was released on Relapse Records July 12, 2019.{{cite web |title=Torche Admission |url=http://relapse.com/torche-admission/ |website=Relapse Records |accessdate=June 17, 2019 |ref=Admission}}{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=Torche – "Slide" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2043634/torche-slide/tour-dates/ |website=Stereogum |date=May 14, 2019 |publisher=Prometheus Global Media, LLC. |accessdate=June 17, 2019 |ref=Slide}}

In May 2022, founding frontman Steve Brooks announced the upcoming tour supporting Meshuggah would be his last with the band, stating "We're a few months away from the last tour I'm doing with Torche," he writes. "We've been so very lucky and went far beyond what I imagined. I just don't have it in me to keep this going living on opposite sides of the country. Much love to my band members and everyone that supported us these 18 years! See y'all this Sept/Oct."[https://www.brooklynvegan.com/torche-frontman-steve-brooks-says-upcoming-tour-will-be-his-last-with-the-band Torche Frontman Steve Brooks States Upcoming Tour Will Be His Last With The Band], Brooklynvegan.com. May 13, 2022. Retrieved on July 18, 2022.

On September, 17, 2022, it was later confirmed in previous comments from a post on Brooks's personal Instagram that the band will not continue without him after their current tour ends.{{cite web|last = Deville|first = Chris|title = Torche Will Break Up After Final Tour With Steve Brooks| date=September 17, 2022 | publisher = Stereogum|url = https://www.stereogum.com/2199804/torche-will-break-up-after-final-tour-with-steve-brooks|accessdate = September 20, 2022}} Torche played their final concert on October 16, 2022, opening for Meshuggah and In Flames at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia.{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=Torche Play Their Final Show In Atlanta: Watch |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2203044/watch-stoner-metal-greats-torche-play-their-final-show/news/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=October 17, 2022 |language=en |date=October 17, 2022}}

File:SteveBrooks(by Scott Dudelson).jpg

;Final lineup

• Steve Brooks – guitars, vocals (2004–2022)
• Jonathan Nuñez – guitars{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BZwcBRagSJI/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BZwcBRagSJI |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Jonathan Nuñez on Instagram: "Love my @dunable_guitars Cyclops loaded with a pair of Sacha's very own Bigfoot pickups!! This is the first guitar that feels perfect since…"|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}} (2017–2022), bass (2004–2017)
• Rick Smith – drums (2004–2022)
• Eric Hernandez – bass (2017–2022){{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BbfcBj3l5Ub/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BbfcBj3l5Ub |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Dunable Guitars on Instagram: "Eric from @torche_band and @wrong_band doesn't approve of many things as you can probably tell from his demeanor in this pic, but he…"|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}

;Former

• Juan Montoya – guitars (2004–2008){{cite web| title = Guitarist Juan Montoya Talks About Altercation That Led To His Dismissal from Torche| work = Blabbermouth.net| date = December 16, 2008| url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitarist-juan-montoya-talks-about-altercation-that-led-to-his-dismissal-from-torche/| accessdate = August 24, 2016}}
• Andrew Elstner – guitars, vocals (2011–2016){{cite web| last = Zaleski| first = Annie| title = Andrew Elstner of Tilts, Riddle of Steel Joins Stoner-Metal Band Torche| work = Riverfront Times| date = January 14, 2011| url = http://www.riverfronttimes.com/musicblog/2011/01/14/andrew-elstner-of-tilts-riddle-of-steel-joins-stoner-metal-band-torche| accessdate = August 24, 2016}}{{cite web|last1=wookubus|title=Torche And Guitarist Andrew Elstner Reportedly Part Ways|url=http://www.theprp.com/2016/11/07/news/torche-guitarist-andrew-elstner-reportedly-part-ways/|website=The PRP|date=November 7, 2016 |accessdate=January 16, 2017|ref=Andrew parts ways}}

;Touring

• Howard Johnston – live guitars (2010){{cite web| last = Landau| first = Erica K.| title = Q&A: Jonathan Nunez from Torche, Playing Respectable Street Saturday| work = New Times Broward-Palm Beach| publisher = The Village Voice| date = July 14, 2010| url = http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/countygrind/2010/07/qa_jonathan_nunez_from_to.php| accessdate = July 23, 2010}}

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;Studio albums

;EPs

;Splits

;Singles

;Other appearances

• Metal Swim – Adult Swim compilation album (2010)
• "In Bloom" (originally by Nirvana; tribute album Whatever Nevermind) (2015, Robotic Empire)

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.torchemusic.com}}
• [http://www.roboticempire.com/ Robotic Empire (Label US)]
• [http://www.rock-action.co.uk/ Rock Action (Label UK)]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080207032239/http://deafsparrow.com/Torche-Interview.htm Torche Interview]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071027041318/http://www.bartolomy.com/Torche-Underworld_London-021106/index.html Pics London Underworld 2006 by: Bartolomy]
• {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p380625}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110403085206/http://www.bonereader.com/2011/01/11/torche/ Interview with Steve Brooks of Torche at The Bone Reader]
• [https://archive.today/20130123160639/http://www.floridageekscene.com/interviews/an-interview-with-torche/ Florida Geek Scene Interviews Torche]

{{Torche}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2004 establishments in Florida

Category:2022 disestablishments in Florida

Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Florida

Category:Musical groups established in 2004

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2022

Category:American musical quartets

Category:American sludge metal musical groups

Category:American stoner rock musical groups

Category:Alternative rock groups from Florida