Jason Roeder

Jason Roeder
Roeder with Sleep, 2013.
Background information
Alias	Jason James, R. Budd Dwyer, The Lerching Humungous
Occupation	Drummer
Genres	Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, Hardcore Punk, Post-Metal, Experimental, Ambient
Instrument(s)	Drums
Years active	1985 - Present
Labels	Alchemy, Alternative Tentacles, Relapse Recordings, Neurot Recordings, Southern Lord Records, Third Man Records
Associated acts	Neurosis, Sleep, Tribes of Neurot, Violent Coercion, A Storm of Light, Hayward
Website	Twitter

Jason Roeder (pronounced "ray-der") is a drummer based out of Oakland, California. Roeder is known for his intense drumming despite utilizing a relatively minimal kit, having played on kits with only a single rack and floor tom since he was 12 years old. In interviews Roeder has stated that the basic set-up forces more creativity. He custom builds his own snare drums while using DW hardware and Paiste cymbals.

Roeder's first band would be a hardcore punk band known as Violent Coercion. However that band would evolve into the seminal post-metal band Neurosis, whom Roeder is a founding member, having performed on twelve albums with the band in a career spanning over thirty years. He is also known as the drummer for the seminal stoner metal band Sleep, taking over in 2010 during the band's critically acclaimed second run and performing on the band's fourth album The Sciences.

Biography

Neurosis

• For more details, feel free to view the Riffipedia page on Neurosis.

Neurosis would be founded in late 1985 by Dave Edwardson, Jason Roeder and Scott Kelly. Prior to the band's formation the trio had played in a hardcore punk band known as Violent Coercion. Neurosis' sound in their formative years continued the hardcore punk theme, with elements of crossover and crust punk, drawing influence from the likes of Black Sabbath, Crass, Amebix, Discharge and Rudimentary Peni. In their early years the band played with punk and hardcore bands such as Christ on Parade, 7 Seconds, Econochrist, Spitboy and The Adolescents among others.

Not long after forming Chad Salter would join in 1986 as a second guitarist and vocalist. This quartet lineup would largely perform in California, recording a demo and eventually releasing a debut album in Pain of Mind via Alchemy Records (A label owned by Mark Deutrom) in 1988. An EP in Aberration would follow circa January 1989 but not long after it's release Salter would leave the band with Steve Von Till (Transgressor, Peace Test, Tribe of Resistance) taking his place.

Signing with Lookout Records and recording in December 1989 with synthesizer player Simon McIlroy, the quartet would release a second album in The Word As Law circa 1 June 1990. The band's sound began to incorporate longer songs and already expanding beyond their crusty hardcore sound. In the same sessions the band recorded a cover of "Day of The Lords" by Joy Division and a series of Discharge covers for a split tribute 7". Notably when McIlroy joined a close friend of his in Adam Kendall would also join to provide visuals, having played in experimental projects prior).

Following touring through the Midwest and the East Coast in support of The Word as Law, Neurosis would begin work on a new album. Signing to Jello Biafra's label Alternative Tentacles, the band would begin exploring new sounds, experimenting with new styles of playing while attaining multitudes of footage for visual displays to compliment their ever-changing live experience. The band also would draw heavily from the likes of Joy Division, Coil and Throbbing Gristle, along with the 1973 film "The Wicker Man". The band would even make their own straw effigy for the album cover.

Souls at Zero would see release on 19 May 1992, displaying a sound drawing elements of doom metal, industrial, psychedelic, folk and post-punk. Ultimately Souls at Zero would attain universal acclaim upon retroactive observation and, along with being cited as influential to the then-developing sludge genre, would be cited as a pioneering album in post-metal.

Neurosis would tour to support the album, including their first ever shows in Europe. Working with engineer Billy Anderson, work would quickly begin on a follow-up. Drawing in more tribal elements and more samples to further expand on this ever-evolving sound, Enemy of The Sun would see release circa 17 August 1993. The band would begin touring heavily to support Enemy of the Sun through North America and Europe. Like Souls at Zero, retroactive praise for Enemy of the Sun has been universal, with The Quietus observing that "at the time few could have predicted this black hole of agonizingly precise metal riffs, unnerving backmasking, industrial folkisms and extensive sampling". The band would also form a project known as Tribes of Neurot which would see the core members of Neurosis exploring dark ambiance, field recordings and sonic experiments as a sister project to Neurosis.

With a new label in Relapse Records and a bigger audience ahead of them, Neurosis would record at Brilliant Studios and Coast Studios in Oakland, California in December 1995, working again with producer Billy Anderson. Through Silver In Blood would see release on 23 April 1996 to critical praise at the time of release, over time attaining universal praise and cited as an important album in the development of post-metal and sludge genres. Terrorizer would rank it #2 among the heaviest albums ever made while Fact Magazine would cite it as the greatest post-metal album of all time.

To support Through Silver in Blood Neurosis would tour through North America and Europe, along with appearing at the inaugural OzzFest. That January Neurosis would tour with Clutch and Pantera through North America, followed by a full tour at OzzFest. The band would close out the year touring Europe with Entombed. In 1998 Neurosis would tour Europe again, sharing the stage with the likes of Pantera, Coal Chamber, Helloween and Black Sabbath.

Following the 1998 European tour and a North American tour, Neurosis would begin work on their sixth album that October and November. It would be the first album the band would record at Electrical Audio, beginning a working relationship with Steve Albini that would maintain for every subsequent album. Times of Grace would see release on 4 May 1999 to critical praise, in particular the production of Albini. Critics such as NME, BBC and A.V. Club would all praise the album. Tribes of Neurot would release a complimentary album entitled Grace on 13 July 1999, created in concept to be played simultaneously with Times of Grace to compose a multi-dimensional sound experience. Neurosis would tour heavily in support of Times of Grace, sharing the stage with the likes of Hatebreed, Skinlab, Cave-In, Today is The Day and Voivod among others.

In the late 1990s the band would begin to officially establish a label known as Neurot Recordings means to further their musical vision while achieving control of their own destiny. Through the 1990s the label largely put out releases by Tribes of Neurot but would eventually sign other bands and, once Neurosis' contract with Relapse had finished, would begin releasing their own works through the label. Aside from re-issues of early albums and a bootleg known as Short wave Warfare, Neurosis' first studio release through Neurot would be Soveriegn circa 31 October 2000. Along with Neurosis and the members' respective side projects the label would begin to sign more acts, eventually attaining distribution through Southern Records and Revolver USA. Josh Graham would also notably join as visual artist in 2000.

Neurosis would largely take off from touring to concentrate on their next album, working again with Steve Albini and finishing it by the Spring of 2001. A Sun That Never Sets would see release on 7 August 2001, noting a shift in the band's sound. Neurosis began incorporating more clean vocals and acoustic instrumentation with a growing folk music influence, more noted presence of classical string instruments as well as slower tempos and a more contemplative sound. A visual DVD was also composed to compliment the audio release. A Sun That Never Sets would see generally positive reception both at the time of it's release and retroactively.

With Neurosis leaving Relapse and focusing entirely on releasing through Neurot, the band would re-issue some of their early works on the label in the early 2000s. Having performed with former Swans vocalist Jarboe at Beyond The Pale, the two artist would collaborate together for a studio album. Neurosis & Jarboe would see release on 21 October 2003 to critical praise. Around the same time as the collaborative album would see release, Neurosis would begin recording a new studio album at Electrical Audio, finishing it by January 2004.

The Eye of Every Storm would see release on 28 June 2004, the band's first album being released through Neurot. Notably it would continue on the folk themes established on The Eye of Every Storm but push into different musical territories, incorporating more ambient tones and eliciting a sound similar to post-rock. The Eye of Every Storm would see positive reception from several critics such as Pop Matters, Your Last Rites, Scene Point Blank and Pitchfork to name a few. To support the album Neurosis would play four dates, featuring Jarboe and spanning 2 1/2 hours with no openers. Following an appearance at Fury Fest in France circa 2005 and a string of shows in 2006 with Grails and Grey Daturas, work would begin on the next album, recording at the end of 2006 at Electrical Audio.

Recording and mixing at Electrical Audio in just six days and following with a string of shows in California, details on Neurosis' ninth album would surface. Returning to a heavier direction, Given To The Rising would see release on 8 May 2007 to widespread critical acclaim. Along with critical acclaim, Given To The Rising would also chart in the United States for the first time, peaking at #31 on the Heatseekers.

To support Given To The Rising Neurosis would make a headlining appearance at Roadburn Festival, followed by appearances at Hellfest, Hovefestivalen and FunFunFun Fest. Following a string of short winter residencies sharing the stage with the likes of Converge and Mastodon, Neurosis would tour Europe again that Summer, touring with A Storm of Light and appearing in seven different countries.

Recording again with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio, finishing by the Spring of 2012. Details on the band's tenth album would surface by August with an album title, songs and artwork being revealed. Honor Found in Decay would see release via Neurot Recordings on 30 October 2012, peaking at #10 on the Heatseekers charts, along with attaining significant critical acclaim. A release party would be hosted at The Fox Theatre on 17 November, with support for Yob and Voivod. Following an appearance at ATP's Nightmare Before Christmas (Curated by Shellac) the band would embark on a winter mini-tour, followed by touring Europe the next year surrounding appearances at Primavera Sound and Hellfest. Notably longtime visual artist Josh Graham would amicably part ways with the band, leading to the band to cease using visual media at their shows.

In 2014 Neurosis, following a string of shows in Canada and Europe, would tour Australia for the first time in their career. The band would also make marquee appearances at Bestia Festival in Mexico City, Southwest Terror Fest in Rialto, Arizona and Husecore Horror Fest in Austin, Texas. In 2015 Neurosis would return to Maryland Deathfest and embark on their most extensive North American tour in over fifteen years. The band would announce plans for their thirtieth anniversary in the Fall, along with working with Steve Albini and Electrical Audio for their eleventh album.

Neurosis would begin 2016 having announced a series of special shows for their thirtieth anniversary as a band. The band would perform three sold out nights at the Regency Ballroom from 4 March to 6 March, each night featuring a two hour set with songs spanning the band's entire career. The band would follow up on this theme with two performances at Roadburn Festival the next month. Along with the special residency shows the band. Along with vinyl reissues, The band would also announce and release a career spanning box set entitled Strength & Vision, featuring eleven CDs and nineteen LPs, comprising every studio album to that point. Decibel Magazine would also release a special issue that August dedicated entirely to Neurosis, along with inducting three of their albums into the Decibel Hall of Fame.

With recording taking place at the end of 2015 going into 2016 at Electrical Audio with Steve Albini, an eleventh album would be recorded and mixed in seven days to coincide with the band's anniversary and career-spanning box set. Following a tour of Europe, Fires Within Fires would see release on 23 September 2016, peaking at #8 on the Heatseekers and charting in several other countries. Fires Within Fires would attain critical acclaim despite it's shorter length, even being cited as album of the year by both Terrorizer and CVLT Nation.

Neurosis would embark on their most extensive world tour in years to support Fires Within Fires, beginning with a tour of Australia and New Zealand, a short European tour including the band's first ever show in Iceland and an extensive North American tour with Converge and Amenra. After appearances at Psycho Las Vegas and Days of Darkness the band would embark on their first ever South American tour. The next year would see a return to Hellfest and Copenhell surrounding a tour of Europe, another North American tour with Converge and Amenra, followed with a headlining appearance at Muddy Roots Music Festival. In 2019 Neurosis would tour with Converge for their first ever tour of Japan, followed by appearances at Rock im Roma, Dour Festival and Supersonic Festival, rounding out the year touring North America with Deafkids and Bell Witch.

Sleep

• For further details, feel free to view the Riffipedia page on Sleep.

Following Sleep's initial reunion performances at All Tomorrow's Parties in 2009, original drummer Chris Hakius decided to retire from music to raise a family. It would be announced that Roeder would take his place on drums as a string of North American shows in 2010 would be revealed. This would lead to the Marijuanaut's Return tour as Roeder's first performances with the band, mainly echoing the ATP shows performing all of Holy Mountain, excerpts from Dopesmoker and Antartican's Thawed.

From 2010 forward, Sleep performed similar sporadic festival and touring engagements, when the member's otherwise busy touring schedules permitted. In late 2012, in conjunction with an upcoming appearance at Maryland Deathfest, the band stated that they consider Sleep to be a "full, reunited band". Along with announcing that work had begun on a new studio album, on 21 July 2014 a new song titled The Clarity was released via Adult Swim Singles, their first new recording in nearly twenty years. Sleep would tour throughout North America and Europe through the next several years, often headlining festivals.

On 19 September 2016 in an interview with CBS San Francisco, Matt Pike stated that Sleep have tentative plans to record their new album in March 2017. A tour of the United States would be planned in between the proposed recording sessions including headlining spots at DesertFest Berlin, DesertFest London and Primavera Sound.

On 12 April 2017, Sleep posted on their homepage a message in morse code confirming a new album is close to completion with Noah Landis as engineer, translating to the following: "INITIALIZE NEW TRANSMISSION 2017 CE SLEEP NEARING COMPLETION OF NEW ALBUM ENGINEERING ACCOMPLICE: NOAH LANDIS LOCATION: 37.8044 N, 122.2711 W RELEASE DATE: UNDETERMINED RECORD LABEL: UNDETERMINED". On 31 May 2017 it was announced that Sleep would once again be contributing to the Adult Swim Singles series as they did in 2014 with the release of The Clarity. On 18 September 2017 it was announced via Daymare Recordings that Sleep will perform in Japan for the first time in January of 2018 and performing for the first time in Mexico in March of 2018.

On 19 April 2018 (20 April 2018 in Australia at the time of publication) Sleep released their fourth studio album The Sciences as a surprise release with no announcement, via Third Man Records. Featuring four brand new songs and proper studio recordings of "Sonic Titan" and "Antarticans Thawed", it is the first studio album by the band in 20 years and the only to date with the current lineup. On 23 May 2018, Sleep finally released their second adult swim single entitled Leagues Beneath (Later released as a 12" single via Third Man). Spanning nearly seventeen minutes, this song was initially written in the same sessions as Dopesmoker and eventually recorded in the same sessions as The Sciences. The Sciences would attain significant critical acclaim, ultimately being named "Album of The Decade" by The Obelisk.

In August 2018 it would be announced that Sleep would make their return to Roadburn Festival as the festival's headliners. On one night the band will be performing all of Sleep's Holy Mountain with bonuses and on the other Sleep will perform all of The Sciences with bonuses. On 7 January 2019, Third Man Records would announce a 4LP box set of Sleep's first official live album. Sleep would follow up with further touring in support of The Sciences and ultimately the band's most extensive touring cycle of their career. On 10th November 2019, it was announced on Sleep's social media channels that the band would be playing three final shows at Thalia Hall, Chicago, Illinois, USA on the 29th, 30th and 31st of December, before taking an indefinite hiatus from 1st January 2020 onward.

On 26 October 2021, Sleep would announce a string of three shows slated for April 2022 with Superwolves (Matt Sweeney and Bonnie "Prince" Billy).

Other Projects

Roeder is part of the Valve Music Orchestra and has lent his drum talents to several notable video games, such as Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2.

Roeder has also contributed to various solo releases by his fellow Neurosis bandmates, namely Scott Kelly's 2012 solo album The Forgiven Ghost in Me and the 2017 Harvestman album Music For Megaliths. Roeder has also contributed to two studio albums by cellist and composer Helen Money.

Personal Life

Roeder is married and has two children.

Bands

• Violent Coercion - Drums (1985)
• Neurosis - Drums (1985 - Present)
• Tribes of Neurot - Contributor (1995 - ?)
• Sleep - Drums (2010 - 2020, 2022 - Present)

Discography

With Neurosis (Selected Works)

• Pain of Mind (1988, Alchemy Records)
• The Word as Law (1990, Lookout Records)
• Souls at Zero (1992, Alternative Tentacles Records)
• Enemy of The Sun (1993, Alternative Tentacles Records)
• Through Silver in Blood (1996, Relapse Records)
• Times of Grace (1999, Relapse Records)
• Sovereign (Extended Play) (2000, Neurot Recordings)
• A Sun That Never Sets (2001, Relapse Records)
• Neurosis & Jarboe (Collaborative Album with Jarboe) (2003, Neurot Recordings)
• The Eye of Every Storm (2004, Neurot Recordings)
• Given to The Rising (2007, Neurot Recordings)
• Honor Found in Decay (2012, Neurot Recordings)
• Fires Within Fires (2016, Neurot Recordings)

With Tribes of Neurot (Selected Works)

• Rebegin (1995, Alley Sweeper)
• Silver Blood Transmission (1995, Release Entertainment; Relapse)
• Grace (1999, Neurot)
• Cairn (2002, Neurot)
• Adaptation and Survival: The Insect Project (2002, Neurot)
• Meridian (2005, Neurot)

With Sleep

• The Clarity (Single) (2014, Adult Swim Singles; Southern Lord Records)
• The Sciences (Studio Album) (2018, Third Man Records)
• Leagues Beneath (Single) (2018, Adult Swim Singles; Third Man Records)
• Sleep Live at Third Man Records (Live Album) (2019, Third Man Records)

Guest Appearances and Other Contributions

• Om - God Is Good (Sleeve Photography) (2009, Drag City)
• Harvestman - Hawkwind Triad (Split Tribute Album with U.S. Christmas, Minsk) (2010, Neurot Recordings)
• Scott Kelly And The Road Home ‎– The Forgiven Ghost In Me (2012, Neurot Recordings, My Proud Mountain)
• Helen Money - Arriving Angels (2013, Thrill Jockey)
• Morbid Tales! A Tribute To Celtic Frost (As Hayward; performing on "Jewel Throne") (2015, Corpse Flower Records)
• Helen Money - Become Zero (2016, Thrill Jockey)
• Tyrannosorceress ‎– Shattering Light's Creation (Logo) (2017, Tofu Carnage)
• Harvestman - Music For Megaliths (2017, Neurot Recordings)

External Links

• / Discogs
• Time Made Flesh

References

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