Country of origin: USA
Year of creation: 2000
City/ Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Official site: http://www.thedrowningseason.net/
Members:
Matt Slowikowski - vocals, programming
Michael "Chewka" Marchewka - guitars
Michael Belt - guitars
James Bahleda - bass
Sideshow - drums, strings
Official contact mail: drowning_season@hotmail.com
Official Biography
Formed in early 2000, The Drowning Season is a Baltimore, Maryland, gothic rock band consisting of Matt Slowikowski (vocals, programming), Michael “Chewka” Marchewka (guitars), Michael Belt (guitars), James Bahleda (bass), and multi-instrumentalist Sideshow (taking on drum and synth duties). Major influences include The Sisters of Mercy, The Mission (UK) and Fields of the Nephilim.
The band’s first release was a four song EP entitled SIX HOLLOW PERFECT THINGS. Included were the songs “Six Feet Under,” “Hollow,” “Perfect (Dream)” and “Common Things.”
The debut full length HOLLOW was released in June 2002 on the Morphenic Release imprint. Live ventures followed and included performances alongside scene favorites like The Mission (UK), The Cruxshadows, Voltaire, Gene Loves Jezebel, Stromkern and Assemblage 23. Many of the songs on HOLLOW still receive generous club and gothic radio play, while the title track was included on both the M&A MusicArt compilation “Angel Child VI: The Need for Silence” and the Cop International issued “Dark Awakening: Volume 4.”
A three-song EP titled NEW DISEASE followed. The EP once again showcased The Drowning Season’s unique brand of guitar influenced gothic rock forged on their earlier releases. The band quickly returned to live activity. The Last Dance, Bella Morte, Ego Likeness and The Start were among the high profile acts with whom they would share the stage during this series of shows.
February 2009 saw the release of the long anticipated second full length album, CURSE. The Drowning Season opened for The Azoic at Dracula's Ball in Philadelphia (one of the largest dark music events in the United States), and the band traveled to Chicago to perform at a Wax Trax II Records showcase. Their dance floor favorite "Angel of the Odd" was included on the "WTII Sunday Showcases 4 Year Anniversary Sampler."
The band’s third CD, DRUM MACHINES AND AMPHETAMINES, was released in August 2011. The band headlined one evening of The Southern Gothic Rock Festival II in New Orleans, another Dracula’s Ball, and is playing live dates. In late 2012 we will release our next EP, TOMORROW‘S GONE.
Over the years, gothic rock had many voices and as many faces. And while electronic dance music continues to flourish in the dark music scene, one band defies the status quo to produce dark original guitar-oriented music that harkens back to the days of pointy boots and clove cigarettes. We are The Drowning Season.
Official Discography
- Six Perfect Hollow Things
- Hollow
- New Disease
- Curse
- Drum Machines and Amphetamines
- Tomorrow's Gone
