Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Meandering and meditative, Philadelphia transplants Missing Pilots' accomplished musicianship create faint melodies that hit like hammers to the heart. The churchgoing chime of "The Truth Is Never Easy" leads a slow progression towards a delicate release that would be buried anywhere else, but it's fiery and defiant when played in this setting. Howlingly unhinged by comparison to the rest of the songs, "Properties of Undoing" finds the inward depression thrust to outward rage in sweeping soundscapes and pounding resonance. Missing Pilots' ability to retain poise amidst both their gloom and mania affords the songs a genuine elegance. Only the scope of their inspiration holds them from success.
-Rob Macy
- Skratch
Missing Pilots
Dispassionately
Rating: 3/5
Who: Philadelphia four-piece who've shared the stage with everyone from Engine Down to the Suicide Girls
Sounds Like: Delicate minimalist indie rock with shimmering guitars, breathy vocals and endless repitition.
How Is It? Missing Pilots certainly aren't going to get your party started, but if you're looking for mood music for your next date, you've just found it.
Rocks Like: Sigur Ros - the Black Heart Procession - Blonde Redhead - Alternative Press
Having seen Missing Pilots live a few times, I've been very excited to hear how their songs sound recorded. As I'd suspected, the intensity of their live sound isnt necessarily captured (most bands that play this sort of softer indie rock tend to have that happen), but the songs shine in a whole different way. Missing Pilots wear their Anglophilia on their sleeve on this release, sounding clearly influenced by bands like Radiohead and the Cure, but instead of simply sounding like a knockoff of those bands, MP take their influences and create something unique. Most of the songs on this six song EP create a calm, lulling mood. Missing Pilots' strongest point is their use of restraint. Rather than layer busy guitar and keyboard parts over one another, they make each and every note count towards building the melody into a part of the greater whole. They realize the importance of the space in between the notes as well as the notes themselves. Only once does the band "rock out", on the fourth track, before sliding back into the more intimate, softer sound of the rest of the EP. This is an excellent debut for an excellent band, and I cannot wait to see what they do with a full length. My only regret is not having this record when it snowed a couple months back- it would have been perfect to listen to while driving. - Centerfuse.net
MATES OF STATE,
MISSING PILOTS
Friday, March 26
@ Public Health Auditorium
...
With their tendency towards haunting, tremolo vocals and operatic guitar work, it's no surprise that the part Philly-based, part Pittsburgh-based Missing Pilots have been compared to early Radiohead ad nauseam. For once, though, the description fits; vocalist Nick Curran even sounds eerily similar to Thom Yorke on various bits and pieces of Dispassionately, their new six-song EP, which was recorded in the studio at WPTS-FM at the University of Pittsburgh. Various other post-emo influences pop up here and there, especially from the lullaby, slowcore school of indie rock perfected by bands like Sharks Keep Moving and Minus the Bear. Ultimately, though, Missing Pilots have their own sound going on, thank you very much, and thanks to the crystal clear production on their album, all 30 minutes of its college-age angst sound a bit better with each listen.
-Dan Eldridge - Pittsburgh Pulp
If there's any under-appreciated place in Pennsylvania east of Pittsburgh that's worth talking about musically, it sure ain't Philadelphia. No, I'm talking about West Chester, PA. This metropolis has produced some great underground bands, and along with that, some great underground venues as well. To get a cheap taste of this town's talent, don't miss Missing Pilots, opening for Engine Down. "We like to make crazy layered messes, but always with some melody peeking out over the top," say Missing Pilots. Used to playing in every basement, dump and dive, they're sure to feel right at home in Oakland.
-Alexis Miller - Pittsburgh City Paper
With a powerful and interesting approach to making music, Mates of State makes some pretty impressive music. Fortunately, you get the chance to experience it in person tonight at 8 PM. The band will be heading the WPTS-sponsored show at the Public Health Auditorium [along with Oranges Band and Palomar]....
Rounding out the night is the Philadelphia-based Missing Pilots. WPTS holds this band dear to its heart as one of its very own radio staffers, Rob Hart, hammers the skins for the Missing Pilots.
Playing what may be the most emotional and darkest music of the four bands that will take the stage, Missing Pilots have what can be described as My Bloody Valentine meets Radiohead. Although some Radiohead is less desirable than the music produced by this young band, you can still compare the two.
Missing Pilots have an emotionally driven sound- that at times may be depressing as well as rock- but it never sucks, which is key. They have gotten together with local record label Eidus Records to release a six-song EP that can be purchased at www.eidusrecords.com - The Pitt News
Discography
Dispassionately EP. Released 12/2003
Tracks 3 and 6 available for streaming from www.missingpilots.com or www.eidusrecords.com
Radio airplay via Team Clermont 02/2004. Charted on the CMJ Top 200 for over four weeks.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Let's face it: giving musical instruments to a bunch of young, bummed out guys can be a dangerous endeavor, all too often resulting in over the top emotional anthems, noisy artistic masturbation, or half-fast boredom ballads. But the flip side to that coin, thankfully, can be something beautiful. When skilled musicians become overbearing on their instruments, instead of on the listener, a bunch of bummed out guys can put together some pretty saccharine, enthralling songs.
Meticulously layering reverb-heavy guitars, thumping bass lines, and oft-synthetic beats, Missing Pilots pour themselves into their instruments with both composure and vigor, constructing epic songs in which melodies wrestle with drifting sound-scapes, and win.
Missing Pilots formed in the summer of 2002, when members from two defunct Philadelphia-area bands came together - drummer Rob Hart and bassist Erik Kornet from Blue Flavored Bliss, guitarist Brad Topping and Curran from Noc26.
Despite having only played together for a little over a year and half, Missing Pilots have already spent a lot of time on the road, opening for established national acts including Kinski (Sub Pop), The Oranges Band (Lookout!), Mates of State (Polyvinyl), and Engine Down (Lovitt Records). Quite a large fan base has built around them over the course of that time, as the band has performed in numerous clubs, coffeehouses and basements all over North East United States. They never fail to pack empty rooms in their hometown of West Chester, PA, either.
In 2003, Eidus Records released their debut, Dispassionately, a six-song EP that finds the band at its most anxious, creative, and, yes, a little bummed out. The end of 2003 found the band’s popularity growing at a breakneck pace. In December alone they completed a week long winter tour, sold out their CD release party in Philadelphia, and were selected by judges from Pitchforkmedia, Makeout Club, and Buddyhead to open for the Suicide Girls national tour in Philly. In February, the release debuted on the CMJ Top 200 and charted for over four weeks.
On record, the band captures just what makes their live performances so captivating: a keen ability to make something soft sound angry, something loud sound timid, and something urgent sound like yesterday's news. Maybe their posture isn't the best, but they have the talent and commitment to follow their music wherever it goes, and right now it's going nowhere but up.
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