Maillist
FOCUS ON: Spleen
- Official Website >>
- Label: Sartorial >>
- Genre: Alternative
"Comfortably disconcerting - disconcertingly comfortable..."
The band was formed in the mid-nineties as an outlet for Rob Ellis, the mainstay of many PJ Harvey line-ups, to realise his own music which is as influenced by Ligeti as it is by Tom Waits or The Magic Band. Past incarnations of the band have included John Parish, Tim Farthing, Pinkie MacLure, Mike Smith (of Blur / Gorillaz fame), Terry Edwards and, of course, Polly Harvey herself. The 21st Century Spleen consists of guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, noted for his work with Beck, Sparks, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Butthole Surfers and Moris Tepper - and that's just the tip of the iceberg of his CV! - alongside Cristiano Godano, frontman of Italian rock band Marlene Kunzt (best known for the runaway success album Che cosa vedi featuring a duet with Skin of Skunk Anansie). Renowned bassist Giorgio Vendola, sidesman with Italian jazz giants Gaetano Partipilo, Roberto Ottaviano and Mirko Signorile, completes the rhythm section alongside Ellis on drums (and several other instruments).
