Quasi consists of Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss, both of whom possess impressive indie rock credentials. Sam has recorded and/or toured with Heatmiser, Elliott Smith, Built to Spill and more. He also performs solo under the moniker Blues Goblins. Janet has played with The Go Betweens, Junior High, and Elliott Smith, and she continues to play drums with Sleater-Kinney.
Quasi formed in Portland, Oregon in 1993 and released their first recording, a self-titled cassette, that same year. 1995 saw the release of Early Recordings, and two years later they joined the roster of Up Records. Up released their next three albums: R&B Transmogrification (1997), Featuring “Birds” (1998), and Field Studies (1999). Quasi has released three full-length records on Touch and Go since 2001: a reissue of Early Recordings, The Sword of God (2001), and Hot Shit (2003). 2006 sees the release of their latest, When the Going Gets Dark.
Quasi creates an incredibly large sound within the limitations of a two person band. Much of their signature style was originally derived from the use of a Roxichord (a unique hybrid keyboard) and Sam’s acidic lyrics coupled with Janet’s deft drumming and honeyed backing vocals. The duo fleshed out each album with a number of different instruments at their disposal. Recent years have seen the band moving away from sunny, keyboard-driven songs into a bluesier, psych-tinged guitar-based sound. Hot Shit saw the addition of caustic, politically charged lyrics to their already highly personal agenda.
With When the Going Gets Dark, the duo is further expanding their sound with perhaps their most furious playing to date. Seven albums into their constantly changing career, Quasi continue to explore and stretch the boundaries of what they can achieve together. |
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