What's the good news?  The good news is... the return of BRIAN!

Ithaca-based duo BRIAN!, who have been captivating and confusing audiences around Central New York for the last two and a half years with their experimental compositions,  have expanded to a trio which now includes the one and only, Willie B!

The line-up now consists of Ithaca Underground captain, Bubba Crumrine on guitar, bass, vocals, and electronics; David Resig on amplified bassoon, and the aforementioned Willie B. (a.k.a. Brian Wilson) on drums and percussion.

Willie B. has performed and recorded with many great artists such as Sally Timms (The Mekons), Warren Zanes (Del Fuegos), NYC punk legend Jayne County, and Neko Case. He has toured Europe and the U.S. extensively with Johnny Dowd and surf rockers the Mofos. From punk to jazz to country, Willie's versatility is his strength – which made him a “must-have” for the experimental duo BRIAN! whose compositions draw from avant-garde, prog, and math-rock while incorporating elements of noise and dark ambient music.  Expect Willie to fit in just fine behind the kit, armed with orchestral, experimental, and traditional percussion.


BRIAN! made its live debut in the fall of 2009.  Shortly thereafter, the duo recorded with Michael Stark in the winter of 2009 and subsequently released their first EP in the spring of 2010 aptly entitled “EEEEP” to underground acclaim. Their unconventional set-up, complex music, and unique structure drew subtle attention from rock, experimental, and classical communities. 2011 saw David and Bubba take their composition to new directions and volumes with modification of Dave’s bassoon to full amplification-ready.  Soon after, the material in the works began to hint that the addition of a percussionist could help take the bands’ ideas to the next level.  A search ensued throughout the fall and through a bit of “right place at the right time,” the duo caught wind that Willie was available and interested in the venture.  Two solid sessions later, it was clear that BRIAN! could not do without this one man behind the beat.

In their duo incarnation, BRIAN! has performed with the likes of Marnie Stern, Cheer Accident, Faun Fables, Giraffes? Girrafes!, Sleep for the Nightlife, All of Them Witches, Make-A-Rising, and many more.

The trio will make their debut later this spring and from February 24th-26th they'll a quick tour of Ithaca, Binghamton, Syracuse with hardcore acts Dance-A-Tron and Blunt Guts - from Binghamton and Syracuse respectively.

Dates, times, photos, and new music to come so, stay tuned to their Facebook page for all of what's next.

For questions or booking, contact Bubba at contact@ithacaunderground.com

THANKS - to everyone who came out, every band, and everyone involved on the back end of this, especially McNeil Music of Ithaca, Angry Mom Records, and of course, The Haunt - all for making this the biggest and best BIG DAY IN yet! See you in May for another. Tons of IU shows coming your way soon. Lots of vids below with Algernon Cadwallader, Pars & Labor, Summer People, HotChaCha, Megachurch, SIRS, The Sidekicks, Band Name, Shoppers, why+the+wires, and Kaboosh!



Algernon Cadwallader


Algernon Cadwallader


Parts & Labor - Constant Future (Clip)


Parts & Labor - Fractured Skies


Summer People - Baseball Bat


Summer People - Chapin 94


Summer People w/ Jovana from HotChaCha - Hallelujah, I'm A Bum (Clip)


HotChaCha - Suicide Mission


Megachurch - Resurrection w/ Intro


Megachurch - Speaking In Tongues


SIRS


The Sidekicks


The Sidekicks


Band Name


Shoppers - III


why+the+wires - Intro To Canada


Kaboosh! - Everyone's Gone


Kaboosh! - Waterboarding

It's been 11 months since SIRS graced Ithaca with their presence and we're ultra ready for another dose. Since then, they've put some more miles under their belts, made their Topshelf Records debut - another split, this time in collaboration with the UK's run, WALK! and their mates, Holy Roar Records - and have even more new material in the works.  They guys are in good spirits and amped for Big Day In. Below, Ithaca Underground's Bubba Crumrine catches up with Justin, Kyle, Mike and Hart - who is no stranger to this day-fest, having performed last December in Zona Mexicana.



IU: How has the band been since we saw you guys back in January?

Justin: Pretty great actually. January was when we really started to figure out how we wanted to sound.  When our first guitarist left to form another band, Mike joined pretty much the next day, and as soon as that happened we started to write songs that we really liked and we haven't stopped since.  Mike's a team player and an all around swell guy.

IU: Have you been hitting the road a lot?

Justin: We try to tour whenever we get the chance. This past summer we did a 20 something day tour around the eastern half of the U.S. but, our unreliable van (RIP Gladys) made the trip pretty nerve wracking.  Before that we did a couple shorter tours last summer and winter.  We've got some ideas for this winter and hopefully the summer, but we really have our sights set on next fall when we can hit up some other colleges besides our own.

IU: How did SIRS come to be?