Tweaker (band)
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| Tweaker | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States of America |
| Genres | Alternative rock, industrial rock, electronica, progressive rock |
| Years active | Late 1990s–present |
| Labels | Metropolis Records |
| Associated acts | Teargas & Plateglass, Marilyn Manson, Gnarls Barkley |
| Website | www |
| Members | Chris Vrenna Clint Walsh |
Tweaker is an American alternative rock collaboration founded by Chris Vrenna in the late 1990s. Tweaker's musical style incorporates synthpop, progressive rock, modern jazz and electronica genres, and is characterized by a generally melancholy and sombre sound with distinctive artwork to match.
The album The Attraction to All Things Uncertain was Vrenna's "solo" debut and it was not until the follow-up album, 2 a.m. Wakeup Call, that Clint Walsh was announced as a permanent fixture to the band. While Vrenna and Walsh supply most instruments and electronics, many other famous musicians have lent their voices and talents to Tweaker, including Robert Smith, David Sylvian, Burton C. Bell, Craig Wedren, Will Oldham, Hamilton Leithauser, Buzz Osborne, Jonathan Bates and Johnny Marr.
The albums that have been released follow a central theme that was planned out and this was given to the collaborators. Both albums' cover art were paintings by Joe Sorren.
Tweaker wrote and performed the Soundtrack to Doom 3, Of which the theme song was released via the band's website. The rest of the soundtrack is accessible from the game's files.
As Chris Vrenna and Clint Walsh, Tweaker did music for the animated television show Xiaolin Showdown.
While the Doom 3 theme was Heavy Metal-oriented (to the point of often being misattributed to Tool), most of Tweaker's music presents a unique combination of synthpop, shoegaze, modern jazz, Dark Ambient and industrial.
It was rumored for a while that Tweaker would release a new album in 2008, although no new material surfaced, possibly due to Vrenna's duties towards Marilyn Manson, as he worked with Manson on his 2009 album The High End of Low.
Live performance
In 2004, Tweaker opened for Skinny Puppy on select dates with a full live band, consisting of Chris Vrenna (drums, percussion and keyboard), Clint Walsh (guitar and keyboard), Paul Ill (bass guitar and keyboards) and Nick Young (vocals). They performed everything completely live (i.e., no pre-recorded tape), although they did have to alter some of their songs to fit the live format — the most extreme case being a completely revamped rock version of "Microsize Boy". The final performance on the tour was at QuakeCon 2005 in Dallas, TX.
Official members
- Chris Vrenna
- Clint Walsh
- Jesse Hall
Discography
- Linoleum (EP) (August 21, 2001)
- The Attraction to All Things Uncertain (Studio album) (September 18, 2001)
- Xiaolin Showdown (7") (2003)
- 2 a.m. Wakeup Call (Studio album) (April 20, 2004)
- Doom 3 Theme Song (7") (2004)
- Call the Time Eternity (Studio album) (October 23, 2012)
- And Then There's Nothing (Remix album) (November 26, 2013)
