Grassfight
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Grassfight

New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | SELF

New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2011
Band Rock Alternative

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"North of the Dial"


"We're all pretty Radiohead-obsessed," says Grassfight's Nathan Forster, and certainly the opening bars of "Rhodendron," from his group's French Schemes EP, with its spare, ambient guitar line and Godrich-like touch to the mix, demonstrates that Yorke and Co. have indeed made their mark on this Denton group.

A strange admission from a band based out of a town where the anxiety of influence runs as high as the Corn-Kits sign on the old Morrison Milling grain silo? Maybe; the good news is that, in 2008, a Radiohead obsession is as good as any excuse to launch an ambitious band's career. It's the 21st-century equivalent of seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan; for every Muse that starts out under the sway of The Bends, there's a Midlake that moves on and takes only the idea of Radiohead's self-determination with it.

And that's the trajectory Grassfight has set for itself: Even now, barely a year and a half into its existence, the band is pulling out of Radiohead's orbit, adding elements of Joy Division, The Smiths and even a whiff of Kevin Shields. In fact, Forster is as confident about Grassfight's ultimate musical destination as he is candid about their origins: "We're playing exactly what we want to play," he says, "and we're exactly where we want to be. Every practice we're getting better."

As we get further into our conversation, it becomes clear that it is indeed Radiohead's artistic autonomy that Grassfight respects the most. "Radiohead has done it perfectly," Forster says, "to be a big band without trying to be commercial. They've become 'big' by doing exactly what they want. And that's our philosophy—if we think it's good, maybe other people will too."

I ask if Forster thinks that balance is easier to strike in Denton: "That's a great quality of Denton," he says, "to have the freedom to do what you want. There isn't this feeling 'we're all trying to make it out.'"

But Forster also thinks Denton's commercial antipathy is a blessing and curse. "I feel like there's not that level of excitement that there needs to be. I don't know if we're doing our part to make this an exciting scene."

Is it that Denton bands should try to get out of Denton more? "Sure. What if bands said, 'Screw it, we are trying to make it out of Denton'? I think everyone's scared to say that."

But as far as Grassfight is concerned, its goals go beyond just becoming local heroes. "[The band members] are all on the same page," says Forster. "It's a step-by-step process. But we're not so starry-eyed that we don't see the steps."

by Dave Sims
- The Dallas Observer


"Preston Jones' Lone Star Sounds"


Grassfight, The French Schemes EP: Another Denton foursome worth seeking out. Nathan Forster, T. New, Nathan Reed and Travis Self make a lovely, haunted brand of music informed by such disparate influences as Johnny Cash and Radiohead (I hear Editors as well). Schemes is ideal for a nighttime drive to nowhere in particular; just be sure to keep the Joy Division-y [A]wful Cells on repeat. According to the band, they've also completed a full-length with producer Chris Wilder. Currently, the quartet is offering Schemes as a free download on their Web site. Grassfight, The French Schemes EP: Another Denton foursome worth seeking out. Nathan Forster, T. New, Nathan Reed and Travis Self make a lovely, haunted brand of music informed by such disparate influences as Johnny Cash and Radiohead (I hear Editors as well). Schemes is ideal for a nighttime drive to nowhere in particular; just be sure to keep the Joy Division-y [A]wful Cells on repeat. According to the band, they've also completed a full-length with producer Chris Wilder. Currently, the quartet is offering Schemes as a free download on their Web site.

by Preston Jones - Fort Worth Star-Telegram


"Grassfight Plays Post-Punk, Does Not Appear to Use Much Hairspray"

Grassfight
The French Schemes EP

Nothing about Grassfight really makes sense. What band with Stephin Merritt-esque vocals and bass that broods of midnight would assume the name of a ritual pictured on the cover art for New Found Glory's Sticks and Stones? And what's with the ambiguous collared shirts? Don't you have to dress like Black Tie Dynasty to play post-punk in these parts? Apparently, this youngish Denton three-piece is confused about how things work when your band sounds even remotely like Interpol. And it's kind of refreshing.*

"Secular Trends", track three on Schemes , is exhibit A. Hypnotic guitar lines are awash with shimmer, moody vocals sound low and make it serious. "Count Me Out" has brighter swing and a catchy chorus. The EP reminds listeners of the classic soundtrack to dark night that too many late-comers to Joy Division have tried rehashing, sure. But even though some of us have long tired of Cure followers, it's hard to dislike Grassfight's form of flattery. The songs on Schemes celebrate literate 80's music with a genuine study of it, not an outfit from it.

Hear the EP in its entirety here.


* I'm Lyndsay, by the way, and I like that Grassfight has a female bassist who is pretty and blonde and not plastered all over the band's myspace page. I also like that I live in a town where a musician signed to Sub Pop constantly urges residents to attend city council meetings and write letters to the local paper. I do not believe that good music and good ideas are unrelated. Holla.

by Lyndsay Knecht - Denton Record Chronicle


""Four Bands You Must See at NX35""

"This Denton foursome recently supported the Starlight Mints -- they'll keep contending with bigger-name indie-pop bands as their sound further polishes itself. If you still adore Interpol, Grassfight's hypnotic bass lines and crowd-friendly hooks -- a study of Joy Division and the Cure as much as the work of the New York band -- will carve the Denton band's name into your head in some slick, sans-serif font."

Lindsay Knecht Milne
NBC-DFW
- NBC-DFW


Discography

Release in Fall 2011.

"Rhodendron", "When Everything's Alright", "Intercoastal", and "Count Me Out" have all received airplay.

Photos

Bio

Sitting in a dimly lit rehearsal space in Denton, Texas in the fall of 2010, the trio, Nathan Forster, Tamsi New, and Mark Demiglio felt eerily rooted in their slow-paced Texas environment and discussed making a move. Both New York City and Los Angeles were on the table but when put to a vote, it was 2 against 1 and Grassfight became part of the NYC music scene in June of 2011.

Nathan and Tamsi started Grassfight in 2006 despite several factors. Nathan had never sung in front of anyone, Tamsi didn’t play bass, and they both shared a fear of people eventually finding out they were a couple in a band together, which they felt was “lame”. Undaunted, they created a few demos, found a drummer, and played their first show at Hailey’s in Denton in January 2007.

Following a tumultuous departure from his brother’s band, The Demigs, Mark joined Grassfight in 2010. After a few revolving fourth members that triggered yelling matches, punched mics, scrapped recording sessions, kicked over amps and smashed beer bottles, the band returned to being a trio and swore off adding anyone else to the mix.

Within the first week of moving, Grassfight got a NYC hazing: Tamsi’s car broke down, Mark’s cat escaped the moving truck, and Nathan was arrested in Washington Heights. Fortunately, the band’s music was far better received. The Deli awarded Grassfight with “Band of the Month” honors and gave their first EP, Icon, a score of 9.33 out of 10, making it the highest rated music submission of 2011.

Grassfight’s second EP, Icon 2, blew up the blogosphere in 2012 and established the band as a major New York contender. As the reviews stopped coming in and the shows became redundant, the band went in different directions. Mark joined established band, The Dig, and went on tour, Tamsi entered the comedy arena and was performing nightly, while Nathan began writing and recording for Grassfight’s follow-up.

Grassfight disappeared from the scene longer than anticipated - prolonged by busy schedules, a stinging argument among the three and a long, deteriorating break-up between Nathan and Tamsi. Resolved to keep the band they started together, the trio continued writing and recording.

In the summer of 2013, Nathan sent a long-time friend and fellow musician some of the new tracks to get an opinion. Andrew Kerr had collaborated with Nathan for years on writing music but they had since gone their separate ways – Nathan with Grassfight and Andrew with Gordon Raphael produced band, Education. Instead of a critique, Andrew (then bartending in San Antonio) responded with, “I have to be a part of this” and booked a one way ticket to New York.

On February 16, 2014, Grassfight played their first show in a year and a half at Glasslands as a four-piece.

Grassfight’s long-anticipated debut album, Songs for Monogamists, is set for release in 2014. 

Reviews for Icon EP and Icon EP2: 

"These cardigan-clad boys (and girl) have cultivated a new brand of post-punk." - The Owl Mag

"Icon, EP2 is arguably the best EP released this year and veritable proof that New York City has a major contender on their hands." - Absolute Punk

"...Grassfight plays a flavour post-punk that’s sure to have all the cool kids…well, cowering in the corner while their darkwave overlords promenade on the dancefloor." - My Old Kentucky Blog

"...delightfully unhinging cocktail of binary Krautrock infused drumbeats and string fuzz, the whole led along with an angst-fuelled speed rush by Nathan Forster..." (also overall submissions winners with 9.33 out of 10) - The Deli

"...Grassfight gained heaps of online recognition when it released its Icon EP last fall. Blogs quickly began comparing the band's sound to that of Interpol and Joy Division because of its heavy, driving basslines and urgent rhythms, but there's more to this group than just a series of brooding reference points. They've got the songs to justify the gloom." - CMJ

"Keep an eye out for future releases because Grassfight is off to a hell of a start, and from the sound of it, they will definitely have something vital to contribue to indie rock." - Dig In Magazine

"The work on the high-hat is solid, and the cascading guitars that continuously assault your ears are precisely what I want an indie rock band to sound like nowadays." - Austin Town Hall

"...delightfully terse, taut with tension, and displays a shimmering resentment - Grassfight has given us much to admire." - Mad Mackerel

Band Members