Grails

Grails
Background information
Also known as	Laurel Canyon (1999 - 2003)
Origin	Portland, Oregon, USA
Genres	Instrumental Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Post-rock, Experimental
Years active	1999 - Present
Labels	Neurot, Robotic Empire, Aurora Borealis, Southern, Temporary Residence, Important Records, Kemado
Associated acts	Holy Sons, Lilacs and Champagne, Dolorean, Modest Mouse, 3 Mobile Circus, Beaker, Little Wings, Norfolk & Western, Om, Watter
Website	Grail Songs

Grails are an instrumental rock band, based out of Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1999 initially as Laurel Canyon before changing their name in 2003 just before the release of their debut album The Burden of Hope. The band's sound is hard to pinpoint and drawing from a wide range of musical sounds, such as Eastern music, psychedelic, progressive rock, meditative ambient and a wider range of influences with a sound that is consistently evolving. Alex Hall and Emil Amos are the core members among rotating members who have come and gone throughout the band's existence.

Grails' touring is notably sporadic. The band largely has performed in Europe and the East Coast United States, with occasional tours of the West Coast and at least one tour of Australia. Despite living in Portland, the band rarely plays live shows in their hometown. Also of note is despite the band founding in Portland, the core members of Grails have moved to different cities in the years since forming. Since their formation, Grails have released seven studio albums among several EPs, a DVD and two compilation albums. Currently, the band is signed with the New York based label Temporary Residence.

History

Laurel Canyon and The Burden of Hope (1999 - 2005)

Grails began in 1999 as a bedroom recording project of guitarist Alex Hall. He had done his tour of duty in the local underground punk scene and decided to pursue something musically different. Initially the project was kept private but drummer and housemate Emil Amos (Holy Sons) encouraged Hall to assemble a band and perform some of the mini-symphonies in public. A small collective of talented local musicians -- violinist Timothy Horner, a Jackie-O Motherfucker alum; classically trained pianist/bassist William Slater; and second guitarist Zak Riles, also of Harbor -- was assembled under the moniker Laurel Canyon (before the film of the same name was released) to play a couple of one-off shows on a whim, which garnered a positive reception.

Laurel Canyon would record and self-release two EPs in 2000 and 2001 on Pamlico Sounds, played just a couple of shows and soon had Michael Gira (Swans) asking them to open for his band. On a whim, Hall sent an unsolicited CD to Neurot Recordings and shortly thereafter was quite surprised to hear from Neurosis guitarist/vocalist and label co-owner Steve Von Till offering to sign the band. The label predicated upon releasing music primarily by artists within its tight-knit family of like-minded iconoclasts (not just any band sending a demo) was so moved by the music, Von Till invited the band to join the roster.

Recording would begin on a debut album though by the time the album would be finished, Laurel Canyon would opt to change their name to Grails.They adopted a louder, more aggressive style, often switching instruments with each member writing songs that saw them branching out to increasingly disparate styles. The band's debut album The Burden of Hope would see release via Neurot Recordings on 7 October 2003, with a release party at PSWhat? Gallery in Portland on 9 November with Steve Von Till as direct support.

The Burden of Hope would garner positive reception, both at the time of release as well as retroactively.

Following a string of West Coast shows in 2004, work had begun on a follow-up, recording at Type Foundry in Portland through 2003 and 2004. Redlight would see release on 5 October 2004, supported by the band's first tour of Europe. Redlight would garner further acclaim from several publications.

In early 2005, following the band's first tour of Europe, Timothy Horner would abruptly leave the band and the members would ultimately lost contact with him entirely. The band would notably release a covers EP in Interpretations Of Three Psychedelic Rock Songs From Around The World in 2005, showcasing the band heading into new directions, one that shows the band delving deeply into psychedelic, Celtic, and Prog territory while still having a strong cinematic sound from their previous releases.

Temporary Residence and Burning Off Impurities (2006 - 2009)

Grails would carry on as a quartet, recording and releasing the Black Tar Prophecies series which is described as "... revealing their fondness for the ‘60s and ‘70s experimental artists that saw music as a process of discovery." The first volume of the Black Tar Prophecies would be released in 2006 via Robotic Empire, as part of a split with Red Sparowes. The second volume would see release that same year via Aurora Borealis. In 2006 they released a compilation called "Black Tar Prophecies, Vols. 1, 2 &3" on Important Records on 11 August. The compilation is made up by two 12" the band released in 2006 as well as two previously unreleased songs. The first 12" was in collaboration with Red Sparowes. On this compilation the band moved one step further into psychedelic territory by loosening up their song structures and adding a hazy LSD atmosphere throughout the album.

Following a tour of Europe in 2006, on 12 October 2006 it would be announced that Grails had signed with Temporary Residence Limited, with their third album in progress. Drawing from Krautrock and Acid Folk as well as other notable influences like Erkin Koray, Burning Off Impurities would see release on 24 September 2007 to positive reception. Prior to the album's release the band had toured with Mono and World's End Girlfriend while after the album's release the band would perform with the likes of Circle, Earth, Om and Jack Rose.

Returning to Europe in 2008 and after briefly touring with Nadja surrounding an appearance at Terrastock in Louisville, Kentucky, Grails would announce two new studio albums. The first of the two albums would be Take Refuge in Clean Living, released via Important Records on 13 May 2008 and featuring a cover of "11th Hour" by The Ventures. Dommsdayer's Holiday would see release less than five months later on 7 October via Temporary Residence. Both albums would attain positive reception.

A compilation DVD was released on 7 April 2009, called Acid Rain summing up their most productive period as a band, along with featuring music videos and footage from the band's earlier days. That same year the band would perform a string of shows with James Blackshaw, followed by an extensive tour of Europe, which would include marquee appearances at Roadburn Festival, Les Nuits Botanique and All Tomorrows Parties.

Deep Politics (2010 - 2013)

In 2010 Grails would resume their Black Tar Prophecies series with Black Tar Prophecies Vol. 4, a 12" EP released 11 May 2010 via Important Records. The 12" EP would be ready in time for a tour of Europe and work would begin on a sixth studio album. Details on this new album would surface in early 2011. Deep Politics would see release on 8 March 2011 via Temporary Residence, attaining positive reception from several publications such as Pitchfork, Rock Sound and Filter Magazine among others.

Grails would largely tour North America in 2011 to support Deep Politics, followed by the band's first ever tour of Australia the next year. In October 2012 the fifth volume of the Black Tar Prophecies series would be released via Kemado Records, this time as a split 12" with the Finnish experimental band Pharaoh Overlord. A compilation album featuring Volumes 4 and 5, along with unreleased tracks, would see release. Black Tar Prophecies Vol. 4, 5, & 6 would see release via Temporary Residence Records on 17 September 2013.

Grails would tour North America in 2013 with Lilacs & Champagne and Wrekmeister Harmonies, closing their tour with an appearance at the Lexington, Kentucky festival Boomslang. Following a tour of Europe in 2014, the band would go on a short hiatus. By this point the respective members had relocated to various other cities (Amos to New York, Hall to Germany, Riles to Kentucky, etc.) and would concentrate on other projects (Amos with Holy Sons and Om; Riles with Watter. In an interview with The Playground, Hall would state that "The time in between records is actually the most fun. Sort of like an unofficial R&D phase. We just do what we do normally and buy records and consume tons of music and begin to form ideas about what the next thing will sound like.".

Chalice Hymnal (2016 - Present)

The core trio of Amos, Hall and Riles would record with several collaborators in 2016. On 11 January 2017 Grails would announce their first album in six years and premiere two new songs in "Pelham" and "Chalice Hymnal", the latter being the title track to the band's seventh album. Chalice Hymnal would see release on 17 February 2017 to positive reviews. Grails would tour Europe and later North America to support Chalice Hymnal, followed by further touring over the next two years.

Grails would also notably return to Roadburn Festival and perform at Psycho Las Vegas in 2019. In 2023, Grails would announce their eighth studio album in Anches en Maat set for 22 September release The band would also announce a tour of Europe that Fall with James Blackshaw, who would be returning from a musical hiatus. The band's lineup notably changed, adding guitarist Ilyas Ahmed and percussionist A.E. Patarra.

Discography

Studio Albums

• The Burden of Hope (2003, Neurot Recordings)
• Redlight (2004, Neurot Recordings)
• Burning Off Impurities (2007, Temporary Residence)
• Take Refuge in Clean Living (2008, Important Records)
• Doomsdayer's Holiday (2008, Temporary Residence)
• Deep Politics (2011, Temporary Residence)
• Chalice Hymnal (2017, Temporary Residence)
• Anches en Maat (2023, Temporary Residence)

Compilation Albums

• Black Tar Prophecies Vol's 1, 2 & 3 (2006, Important)
• Black Tar Prophecies Vol's 4, 5 & 6 (2013, Temporary Residence)

Misc. Releases

• Laurel Canyon EP (As Laurel Canyon) (2000, Pamlico Sounds)
• Laurel Canyon 2 (As Laurel Canyon) (2001, Pamlico Sounds)
• Interpretations of Three Psychedelic Rock Songs From Around The World (2005, Latitudes)
• Acid Rain (2009, Temporary Residence)
• Adam's Peak b​/​w Kebnekaise (2017, Temporary Residence)

Members

Current Members

• Emil Amos (1999 - Present)
• Alex John Hall (1999 - Present)
• Jesse Bates
• Ilyas Ahmed
• A.E. Paterra

Former Members

• Paul Spitz - Guitar (1999 - 2001)
• Timothy Horner - Violin (1999 - 2005)
• William Slater - Piano, Bass (1999 - ?)
• Dave Abramson - Live Performer
• Randall Dunn - Live Performer
• Ben Nugent - Performer (Unknown Time Period)
• Zak Riles - Performer (2001 - ?)

List of Known Tours

• Redlight West Coast Tour (Select dates with Tarentel, Steve Von Till) (2004)
• Redlight European Tour (Select dates with Holy Sons) (2004)
• Spring 2006 European Tour (With Red Sparowes) (2006)
• November 2006 Shows (With Neurosis, Grey Daturas, Kayo Dot) (2006)
• Winter 2007 West Coast Shows (With Om, Neurosis, Red Sparowes) (2007)
• Burning Off Impurities European Tour (With Mono, World's End Girlfriend) (2007)
• Pilgrimage Tour (With Om, Jack Rose) (2007)
• 2008 European Tour (2008)
• 2008 Summer North American Tour (With Nadja; Select dates with Motorpsycho) (2008)
• 2008 Fall North American Tour (Select dates with Silver Apples) (2008)
• 2009 California Tour (With James Blackshaw) (2009)
• 2009 European Tour (2009)
• 2010 European Tour (2010)
• Deep Politics Spring North American Tour (With James Blackshaw) (2011)
• Deep Politics Fall North American Tour (With True Widow) (2011)
• Deep Politics Australian Tour (2012)
• 2013 North American Tour (With Lilacs & Champagne, Wrekmeister Harmonies) (2013)
• 2014 European Tour (With Lilacs & Champagne) (2014)
• Chalice Hymnal North American Tour (2017)
• 2018 North American Tour (2018)
• 2018 European Tour (2018)
• Winter 2019 North American Tour (With Helen Money) (2019)
• 2019 European Tour (2019)
• August 2019 North American Tour (With Nathan Bowles) (2019)
• 2023 European Tour (2023)
• 2024 European Tour (2024)
• 2024 North American Tour (2024)

External Links

Official Links

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Bandcamp

Archival Links

• Grail Archived Page circa 2003
• Burden of Hope Release Party
• Grails on Neurot Recordings
• Grails on Temporary Residence
• Grails sign with Temp Res
• Prog Archives
• Laurel Canyon