Capillary Action (band)

This article is about the band, capillary action. For the physical phenomenon, see Capillary action.

Capillary Action
Genres	Experimental rock
Years active	2004–2012
Labels	Discorporate
Members	Jonathan Pfeffer Michael Harrist Julian Chin John DeHaven Colin Hacklander
Past members	Dan Sutherland Doug Stuart Ricardo Lagomasino Kevin McHugh Spencer Russell Sam Kulik Lauren Day Sam Krulewitch Bryan Cook Matt Davis Noah Hecht Curt Howard

Capillary Action is an American avant-rock/experimental music group formed at Oberlin College in 2004 by Philadelphia native Jonathan Pfeffer, the group's sole constant member, and active until 2012.

Capillary Action's self-described “confrontational cubist-pop” was characterized by an unusual blend of acoustic timbres; complex, constantly shifting meter; and Pfeffer’s 12-tone and Philly soul-inspired baritone vocals. The lyrics often employed autobiographical themes to critique power structures. Pfeffer cites Tropicália, Dizzee Rascal, Tim Buckley, the Batman Forever soundtrack, Need New Body, Joe Matt, the Minutemen, Converge, Ornette Coleman, and Scott Walker as major influences.

The group performed extensively across North America and Europe alongside Joe Lally, The USA Is a Monster, The Max Levine Ensemble, Už jsme doma, Lightning Bolt, Dirty Projectors, Deerhoof, Les Claypool, Rhys Chatham, Shudder to Think, and Dos, among others.

In 2009, Boston Phoenix named Capillary Action the Best New Band from New York, likening the group to "Both Elvises in a serious Burt Bachawreck with the Mothers of Invention".[3]

In 2011, Capillary Action performed at Willisau, Incubate, Primavera, Pop Revo, and Rumor Festivals.

Discography

• So Embarrassing - 2008 (US), 2009 on Discorporate (EU)
• Capsized - 2011

External links

• Official site
• Facebook page
• Pitchfork review
• Exclaim review
• PopMatters feature
• WFMU Interview
• Boston Phoenix Article
• Skyscraper Interview
• Gothamist Interview
• Subba Cultcha Interview
• Tokafi Interview