Aetiology

Artist Information

Biography

Aetiology is a psychedelic groove rock band that indulge their listeners into an experience that transcends the casual and impersonal relationship between modern music fans and its players. The musicans speak through their instruments to each other and to the listener, who may interact with the sounds as they please.

The band, bonded by their intense love for music, has been having these deep instrumental conversations with each other since the Summer of 2009, when the friends decided to begin to make something that was inspired by their personal interests but created through their shared passion to jam and groove experimentally.

Aetiology's electrifying stage presence and powerful rock instrumentals are the kind ingrained in the idolized halls of late 60s and 70s classic rock era. Aetiology's musical style is an experimental trance rock amalgamation of drums, bass, and guitar with elements of prog, funk, post-rock and neo-psychedelia that combine to form a refreshing and sensational original sound. Simply put, Aetiology is a talented group of young musicians who are truly seeking their sonic identity and quickly gaining awareness as one of Chicago's top, up-and-coming, instrumental rock bands.

The creative side of Aetiology's sound is inspired by the group's unique musical tastes and interests. Artists such as The Mars Volta, RX Bandits, Pink Floyd, STS9, Russian Circles, King Crimson, Radiohead, The Bad Plus and Thievery Corporation, (to name a few) have been idolized catalysts who've pushed the trio further into the exploration of their own artistic abilities.

Scott Flesch, Aetiology's guitar wiz and and sound engineer, recorded, mixed and mastered the band's self-titled EP. "We've really learned ways to push our music forward together, its getting easier to be creative with our sounds and structures because we've matured together as musicians," says Flesch about the future direction of the band. Bassist Michael Brandt and Drummer Chris Ditton combine to form a powerful and dynamic rhythm section which allows Scott's hypnotic riffs to ascend over the band's frenetic and expansive psychedelic grooves.

The band's debut EP captures the trio's dynamic ability to lock in on their heavy, signature psychedelic groove sound, while including sections that showcase the group's more astral and dreamily expansive sound qualities.

"Codex," begins the EP with a fury of spacy grooves that tightly move forward until the composition slows and steadies into its calming melodic outro.

The next track, and the EP's first single, "Strange Hieroglyphs," is an eerie soundscape of whispered guitar phrases and haunting basslines driven by powerful drum rhythms that establish the mood of a place far from the imaginary confines of modern civilization.

The final track on the EP, "Decryption," is the most powerful of the three pieces. The song flows dynamically from atmospheric soft ambiance in the beginning into the thick, punchy heaviness of the song's massive final chorus and into its explosive, cosmic outro.

The EP, Aetiology's first studio recording, displays how far the band has come in their short time making music together and proves they're capable of producing a high quality studio recording completely on their own.

Aetiology's aesthetic, yet chaotic, style will continue to charm popular music fans into the impulsive and uncertain realm of instrumental music. The band is poised to record more of their current songs within the next couple months while they continue to write new material for their next releases. "The band is very free, we each have the ability to experiment individually within the context of the band because of the tremendous love and respect for each other that extends to our relationship outside of music," says Brandt about the band's creative chemistry.

As the group seeks to branch off into different creative directions their ability to groove as a collective will ensure that Aetiology's evolution is one of growth, maturity, accomplishment and progression.

Aetiology is currently independent and booking shows for the rest of 2010 and all of 2011. Hit us up at aetiology.band@gmail.com and download our music for FREE online at aetiology.bandcamp.com!

Instrumentation

Michael Brandt - Bass.
Scott Flesch - Guitar.
Chris Ditton - Drums.

Discography

Aetiology [EP] - September 2010

Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered by Scott Flesch and Aetiology

Official Website

http://www.aetiology.bandcamp.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Codex
  Listen  
• Strange Hieroglyphs
  Listen  
• Decryption
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Aetiology @ Reggie's 12/19 [+ Show ]
  

  Instrumental music is making a comeback, be it electronic or the heavy handed metal of Pelican. Thos...Instrumental music is making a comeback, be it electronic or the heavy handed metal of Pelican. Those little etch marks are threatening to succumb to a growing tide of "Singer? What singer?" bands. While singers exude expressive attitude on stage coaxing the audience along, instrumental groups have a significant disadvantage as intricate solos and elongated melodies steal focus away from literally staring out into the darkened venue to pull people's attention onto the stage. Aetiology is one such instrumental band, rooted in Wisconsin and Illinois, that surpasses that hurdle effortlessly, all with only a several months notched in live concerts.
  
  The three-piece mixes visuals with soaring rock instrumentals, the kind that is ingrained in the idolized halls of late '60s, early '70s rock. Aetiology created their own musical topography by dabbing into psychedelia and experimental rock with troughs of bass from Mike Brandt and cascading drums from Chris Ditton. All throughout the journey, Scott Flesch's guitarwork reinforced with ascending riffs and meandering solos. Even without their visualizations, Aetiology managed to take those Reggie's Rock Club adventurers on an expedition worthy of trekking out on a snowy Saturday night.
  
  As I had remarked, it had been a while since I had delved into traditional rock after being sidetracked-or sideswiped-by the experiments being concocted since early this decade. It wasn't for disinterest, rather concerted efforts to branch out. The night rekindled that old interest through the expert instrumentals and a surprising stage presence hinted at only from viewed YouTube clips. The landscapes created were predominately driven, complex jaunts founded in Chris' drum rhythms. Yet towards the end, they threw in a cliff diving, slower tempo "Strange Hieroglyphs" that was paced and gave time to sink your teeth into the trio's musical abilities. It was entirely refreshing, breaking up the set fantastically to build enthusiasm leading into the final songs. It dared to crack the evening's setlist mold by tossing staggered silence between whispered guitar and a haunting baseline.
  
  Yet I couldn't say more about Scott on stage. Aetiology gave hints of Mars Volta's elongated psychedelic rhythms, while Scott and his expressive hair concreted the comparison. The aforementioned drawback of being an instrumental band was easily surmounted as Scott visually pulled you into his riffs, enjoying the act of performing as much as the audience. There was no lethargy on stage, but an innate passion for those pivotal elements of traditional rock that survives and transforms this very day.

• Chicago Originals - Aetiology [+ Show ]
  

  Aetiology is an instrumental band that draws influence from bands like The Mars Volta, Pink Floyd, S...Aetiology is an instrumental band that draws influence from bands like The Mars Volta, Pink Floyd, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Russian Circles, Battles, Muse, Incubus and Thievery Corporation. Beyond the influence of other bands, Aetiology brings life into their music from what is surrounding them whether it be science, culture, art or anything that catches their attention. I went to a show about a month ago at Reggie’s and was simply blown away by their energy and stage presence. The bands influences are very apparent with their experimental rock style. While listening, really dive in, and escape from reality. Be sure to check out this local favorite Aetiology at their upcoming gig at Goose Island Saturday, February 12. Bring in the new year with some great tunes! Aetiology on Myspace Here are the tracks off of their Live Demo EP.
  
  Enjoy :] Aetiology – Strange Hieroglyphs [320 kbps] Aetiology – Dream Within A Dream [320 kbps] Aetiology – Appropriate Paranoia [320 kbps]
  
  Don’t forget, music saves. ?

• Fearless Radio Studio Performance and Interview [+ Show ]
  

  We had a studio performance and interview with Fearless Radio, a Chicago internet radio station. Her...We had a studio performance and interview with Fearless Radio, a Chicago internet radio station. Here is the link to the podcast, check it out!
  
  http://www.podcastfearless.com/nmb/index.php?id=947 Peace!

• Aetiology @ The Elbo Room 03.12.2010 [+ Show ]
  

  It was a fast, heart-pounding, instrumentally whiplashing psychedelic ride of guitar rock that wowed...It was a fast, heart-pounding, instrumentally whiplashing psychedelic ride of guitar rock that wowed SouthSide's ears. In one word - electrifying. And that, blogspot readers, precisely described how this reviewer felt after seeing Aetiology on stage. It was an honor reviewing this band after listening to their demo CD for months. Yet nothing could compare than experiencing this music live like SouthSide did. This local band took the audience on an incredible cosmic ride of sound through rip-roaring riffs and trippy rhythms. Essentially, Aetiology was merely jammin' on stage feeding us that energetic vibe note for note while entering music spectrum unknown. Though entirely instrumental, there were "lyrics" to be found wrapped within this band's mind-bending music, blogspot readers. You simply had to listen carefully to the guitars "chatting" to each other ...sometimes the percussions would control the conversation and the guitars would kindly reply back or vice versa. Still SouthSide felt privied to such unspoken communication amongst the instruments as she sat enjoying the experimental sound twisting and turning from song to song. For instance, Codex (off Aetiology's upcoming CD due out this spring) had this funky space theme going. However there was a sudden sharp change up in the tempo (slower) and rhythm (steady). This song had passion while retaining that energetic vibe felt earlier. Or try Geomancer - Aetiology's psychedelic version of a ballad. The music dazzled and amazed SouthSide's ears with its spellbounding sound that this reviewer had to close her eyes for a meditative minute break. This band had everyone (including SouthSide) under its rockin' magic psychedelic sound. You not only heard the music but felt it as well. There were shivers running down her spine while listening attentively with closed eyes. To her, it was the only way to fully experience what she was hearing. She simply allowed the music to take her away from the modern day worries into its peaceful serenity. Ah, this reviewer felt relaxed within the music groove especially during Sonoluminescence. There was so much beauty flowing from Aetiology's sound that one couldn't help admire its electrifying beat. Sadly, blogspot readers, this cosmic ride had to come to an end. Aetiology closed out this performance with their Pink Floyd-esque sounding song, Strange Hieroglyphs (also off their 3-song demo CD). SouthSide also suggests listening to Atom Smasher and Dream however she highly recommends seeing this band live to experience this psychedelic music up close and personal. For more information, visit www.outstage.com/aetiology or www.myspace.com/aetiology. Until next time, support the local scene, SouthSide
  

• Aetiology: A night to remember by C. Margolis [+ Show ]
  

  Last week I finally got a break from the usual hard rock scene, and decided to go to see a couple of...Last week I finally got a break from the usual hard rock scene, and decided to go to see a couple of bands that played “Indie” rock. Plus, this was in Chicago at Reggie’s Music Joynt, and I had personally never been there. So, I was about to kill two birds with one stone...lol (!).
  
  When I first arrived at Reggie’s, the place was about half full, mostly of people dining. I was cordially invited in by the door bouncer, and took a seat (not knowing the guys at the next table were members of Aetiology). We introduced ourselves and began to discuss music interests in the business. They, too, were very friendly and polite, a trait not often seen in Chicago. But I wasn’t there to judge them on their demeanor; I came to rock. And, I was not disappointed!
  
  Now, as most of you know, I have been around the field, and I know what it takes to be great, and what it takes to be good. So, when the first note was played, my rock senses when up quick! What was this new sound I was hearing? I was very impressed, to say the least. These guys had enormous talent, and were all at the top of their game! I quickly realized this style of music didn’t need a vocalist! With pounding bass licks, ripping guitar, and smooth drum rolls, Aetiology is a team who has incredible force in their sound. They have left an impression on the Indie Rock Scene and lasting memory for this writer. For venue owners, I give Aetiology two thumbs up and five stars so don’t wait booking these guys! A big thanks to Mike, Scott, and Chris for a night I will not soon forget! Rock long, rock hard, and rock proud!
  
  Chuckie Margolis
  

Setlist

- Atom Smasher
- ÷ by Ø
- Appropriate Paranoia
- Geomancer
- 9/4 "B" Jam
- Divine Plan
- Decryption
- Sonoluminescence
- Dream within a Dream
- Codex
- Glyphs Intro Jam
- Strange Hieroglyphs

Basic Requirements

Calendar