Casper Bangs

Artist Information

Biography

Casper Bangs is the recording project of DC based vocalist and guitarist Rob Pierangeli. Named after the ex-lover that inspired many of the songs, Casper Bangs is a trip through the joys and downers of loving and being loved.

The Whitespace 7” and s/t EP are a preview of Casper Bangs’ full-length record, I Woke Up. It was written and performed by Pierangeli at his desktop computer in the midst of relational bliss - it's a document of a good thing that ultimately goes bad. The songs contain strong unaffected vocals balanced with harmony, layers of noisy guitars, and reverb.

Live, Pierangeli is joined on stage by Rishi Chakrabarty (guitar), Mike Tasevoli (drums), Sam McCormally (keyboards + vocals), and Drew Doucette (bass).

Instrumentation

Casper Bangs - Guitar + Vox
Rishi Chakrabarty - Guitar
Charlie Flexon - Bass
Thomas Collier - Keyboards + Vox
Dennis Manuel - Drums + Vox
Dennis Manuel

Discography

Casper Bangs EP - 5/09
I Woke Up LP - 9/10

Official Website

http://www.casperbangs.com

Audio

• Kathryn
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• Always On
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• Queen of Hearts
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• The other half
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• One Track Mind: Casper Bangs [+ Show ]
  

  Standout Track: No. 5, “Skylark,” in which Casper Bangs (aka Rob Pierangeli) croons romantically ami...Standout Track: No. 5, “Skylark,” in which Casper Bangs (aka Rob Pierangeli) croons romantically amid an ocean of quasi-psychedelic squalor. But the curtain of noise can’t quite obscure the song’s melodic sophistication—in the hands of a open-minded jazz combo, “Skylark” might even make a pretty good cocktail tune.
  
  Musical Motivation: In keeping with the song’s classy Jesus and Mary Chain–meets–Burt Bacharach vibe, “Skylark” is somewhat highbrow in its origins. Pierangeli, a Shaw resident and former frontman of the D.C.-based rock band the Hard Tomorrows, says the chichi décor at Dupont Circle’s Tabard Inn inspired the song. “On the wall there was an old-timey picture of a balloon floating away, and ‘skylark’ was written on it,” he says. “Basically it’s just about someone leaving and moving toward something else.”
  
  Moniker Resolution: Unwilling to christen his solo project with his given name, Pierangeli developed the Casper Bangs pseudonym by combining Casper—a name he thought sounded good—with Bangs, his girlfriend’s surname. “I thought it would be a cool thing to take her last name as my stage name,” he says. “Then…we broke up and I was like, ‘fuck.’” Pierangeli decided to roll with it. “It made sense with the record and it felt like it was the right thing to do,” he says. “Five years from now it may be another story.”

• May Mixtape [+ Show ]
  

  "Queen of Heart" - Casper Bangs (May 21, Black Cat) Rob Pierangeli, formerly of local indie-pop stan..."Queen of Heart" - Casper Bangs (May 21, Black Cat) Rob Pierangeli, formerly of local indie-pop standouts the Hard Tomorrows, is back with a new project, and thankfully, the same knack for hooks. This one sounds a lot like current blog sweethearts the Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

• Casper Bangs Download [+ Show ]
  

  What. You do not know who Casper Bangs is? How is that possible? Remember as a kid not being able to...What. You do not know who Casper Bangs is? How is that possible? Remember as a kid not being able to keep up with all the stuff the cool kids knew about before anyone else. Like Bands! Well this is your chance to act really cool with your friends when you start dropping the name Casper Bangs.
  
  If you have not heard of this guy…you will and you will start to hear his name all over the place shortly. Call it a hunch. Or call it for what is it, the guy is just simply talented. Like a pint size espresso that will surely jack you up, Casper Bangs combines a catchy poppy rock and indie flavored pleasure pill of sounds that leaves you tingling all over. The Washington D.C artist is starting to make his voice heard with this new project and it is obvious there is something remarkable about it.

• CASPER BANGS [+ Show ]
  

  Some of you may remember DC native Rob Pierangeli from the Hard Tomorrows, but since that band broke...Some of you may remember DC native Rob Pierangeli from the Hard Tomorrows, but since that band broke up he has been exploring other musical avenues. His new project Casper Bangs has been receiving a ton of buzz, and with good reason. He's combined a love of British-influenced indie rock with his knack for perfect pop hooks. Whitespace, a five song EP will be released on December 1st via Planaria and North Sea Records, while the full-length record, I Woke Up is due in early spring 2010.

• SONG OF THE DAY [+ Show ]
  

  We’ve been listening to one song pretty much nonstop all day and it’s “The Other Half” by Casper Ban...We’ve been listening to one song pretty much nonstop all day and it’s “The Other Half” by Casper Bangs. This song’s catchier than an email virus and it’ll spread around even quicker. Download the song here (right click, save as) and it’ll have you craving more from Casper Bangs. Good news, although his full length album isn’t due till next year, you can now purchase the newly released EP, Whitespace at casperbangs.com. You can also download “Queen of Hearts” from our earlier post on Casper Bangs. Keep checking back here and www.casperbangs.com.
  

• TVD Fresh Pick | Two From Casper Bangs [+ Show ]
  

  Fresh tracks? Sure. Quality? Perhaps. You make the call...similar to lingering at the fruit stand ...
  Fresh tracks? Sure. Quality? Perhaps. You make the call...similar to lingering at the fruit stand and looking through the bin for the perfect orange or apple. This one, maybe. This one, yes.
  
  To be clear, we think DC's Casper Bangs is f'n great. We think you'll feel the same way.

• BANDS TO WATCH...Get Signed [+ Show ]
  

  How are these kids not signed?? Casper Bangs, pet project of The Hard Tomorrows’ lead singer Rob Pie...How are these kids not signed?? Casper Bangs, pet project of The Hard Tomorrows’ lead singer Rob Pierangeli is the most… at the least… meaning that it’s pretty outstanding start to finish. The whole album is an ode to failing into and out of love with none other than – Casper Bangs (my heart aches for that poor over-exposed soul, whoever you are).
  
  The track entitled “Queen of Hearts” is kinda ridiculous; I kid you not, it could be played on z100 right now and I bet you it would generate some buzz. Listen to the whole album below and get in on the ground floor of something that’s sure to be big.

• Two Free Download from Casper Bangs [+ Show ]
  

  Casper Bangs may not be a friendly ghost, but he sure is friendly. In honor of his EP Whitespace, re...Casper Bangs may not be a friendly ghost, but he sure is friendly. In honor of his EP Whitespace, released December 1st, Bangs is giving away two – not one, but two! – singles for download.
  
  Whitespace, which includes the singles ‘The Other Half” and “Queen of Hearts,” is a preview for the upcoming release by the Washington, DC singer-songwriter, I Woke Up.
  
  Casper Bangs, who is also known as Rob Pierangeli, have mastered the art of turning heartbreak into great music. Both tracks for download pair up the insight and pain that come with a heartbreak with fast drumming and experimental guitar work, making for some very smart indie pop rock.
  
  Though heartbreak may have inspired the songs and even the band name, Casper Bangs is no broken man; he turned has turned his heartbreak into intelligent and fun music.

Setlist

Typical Set is 35 minutes, and consists of about 10 songs.

Basic Requirements

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