The Giraffes
New York City, New York, United States
Music
Press
The Giraffes play with the kind of unchecked intensity that their press kit insists has largely been missing from the New York rock landscape. (This is probably what cost the city its bid for the 2012 Olympics.)
- Spin
Rolling Stone: But one of the most exuberant sets came from Brooklyn heavy-rock fourpiece the Giraffes, who delivered a head-banging set that included somersaults and stage dives. Never shy or sober, frontman Aaron Lazar announced to the crowd why they bothered to play CMJ: "We're here to win over the industry!"
- Rolling Stone
“The group…boasts the kind of yowling vocals, screaming guitars and barreling drum volleys that inspired many a bong hit and fist-pump in the original age of the mullet. That deliciously low approach has helped the Brooklyn-based group stand out from the local competition from the start.”
- Daily News
“The Giraffes opened with an explosive set of ear-tickling anthems, at once bluesy, grungy and melodic. The Brooklyn-based mayhem enthusiasts are perhaps the only remaining band that's truly dangerous onstage, jumping into the audience, pouring entire bottles of whiskey onto their fans and generally enjoying their roles as rock figureheads.”
- Denver Post
“four-wheel drive mud flappin' Supersuckers rocker; a slow Cream-like opus to skinheads; a few numbers that evoke Fear, Bad Brains, Rollins Band, and especially The Meatmen but not as overtly jokey.”
- Village Voice
Discography
Franksquilt: 1998
Helping You Help Yourself: 2001
A Gentleman Never Tells EP: 2003
The Giraffes (Razor & Tie Records): 2005
Pretty in Puke EP: 2006
Prime Motivator ( not released yet): Spring 2008
Photos
Bio
The Giraffes were formed in 1996 by guitarist Damien Paris, drummer Andrew Totolos and former bassist Tim Kent. They quickly gained a reputation apart from the rest of the soon to be burgeoning Williamsburg rock scene. Combining their self taught virtuosity with a playful sense of what constitutes rock and heavy music The Giraffes were a near instant sensation. Most of their following consisted of other bands and their members, forming an educated fan nucleus that encouraged The Giraffes to take chances with their song-writing as well as their live performances. Aaron Lazar joined them as a lead vocalist late in 2000 changing the nature of The Giraffes sound and opening the band up to a wider audience. With the addition of John Rosenthal as Bassist after Tim Kent left the band to pursue a painting career, the current iteration of the Giraffes was complete. Upon the release of their first full-length album "Helping You Help Yourself" in 2002 The Giraffes began touring nationally and receiving label attention. Their follow up EP "A Gentleman Never Tells" cemented them a record contract with Razor and Tie records who released The Giraffes self titled label debut in 2005. Critical praise of the record was extensive, however differences between the band and Razor and Tie lead to The Giraffes opting out of their 3 album contract in 2006. Wasting little time The Giraffes immediately went into the studio and recorded a second EP "Pretty in Puke" in three days squeezed in between touring with acts like Eagles of Death Metal, Local H, Skeleton Key and more. In 2007 The Giraffes recorded their fourth full length at Rancho de la Luna studios in Joshua Tree California, home of the famed "Desert Sessions" and epicenter for the desert rock phenomena. Produced by Dave Catching (Queens of the Stone Age) and tentatively titled "Prime Motivator" the record was mixed at Studio G (Unsane, Elvis Costello) in Brooklyn by Joel Hamilton and is due to be released in the spring of 2008.
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