Sprain (band)
Sprain | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, US |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2018–2023 |
| Labels | The Flenser |
| Past members |
|
Sprain was an American experimental rock band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 2018.[1][2] Its final lineup consisted of Alexander Gregory Kent (guitar, vocals, keyboards), April Gerloff (bass guitar), Sylvie Simmons (guitar), and Clint Dodson (drums).[3]
The band released two studio albums and one EP before abruptly disbanding in 2023, a month after the release of their second album The Lamb as Effigy.
History
[edit]Following the disbandment of Hybrid Sheep Organizer, Alex Kent and several former members regrouped to record new material. Shortly afterwards, April Gerloff would join the sessions and many of these recordings would end up comprising their self-titled debut EP, released in August 2018.[4] It was inspired by slowcore bands such as Low and Duster.[5] After adding two new members, Max Pretzer on drums and Sylvie Simmons on second guitar, they started to work on their debut album.
In December 2019, Sprain signed to The Flenser record label.[6] The band's debut album, As Lost Through Collision, released in September 2020, saw the band playing louder and more abrasive music, by the virtue of having more members.[7] Before recording a follow-up to their debut, drummer Max Pretzker was unable to record and had to be replaced by percussionist Clint Dodson. Their second album The Lamb as Effigy was eventually released on September 1, 2023.[3][8] The nearly two-hour album was developed through intense live shows over the preceding years.[9]
On September 3, 2023, the band performed what would turn out to be their final concert at the Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles, California, where they played The Lamb as Effigy in its entirety as well as a 30 minute-long new song. The show would be documented on the officially approved bootleg concert film The Lamb as Effigy (Live). On October 16, 2023, the band abruptly announced their disbandment in a post on their social media accounts. After Sprain's disbandment was announced, bassist April Gerloff revealed that she was kicked out of the band three weeks prior.[10][11]
Following the breakup, Kent started a solo career, releasing two albums under his own name, as well as performing live under the moniker "Big Brown Cow".
Shearling | |
|---|---|
| Years active | 2023-present |
| Spinoff of | Sprain |
| Members |
|
Shearling
[edit]In July 2024, it was announced that Kent and Simmons formed a band called Shearling and that songs made during their time in Sprain but not released would be reused and further developed. They announced an upcoming album and performed a debut show on August 3, 2024.[12] The album was formally announced on April 24, 2025, and released on May 1, 2025.[13][14]
Discography
[edit]- Motherfucker, I am Both: "Amen" and "Hallelujah"... (2025; Mishap Records)
Members
[edit]Final lineup
- Alex Kent – vocals, guitar, piano (2018–2023)
- April Gerloff – bass guitar, synthesizer, engineer (2018–2023)
- Sylvie Simmons – guitar (2019–2023)
- Clint Dodson – drums, percussion (2020–2023)
Previous members
- Max Pretzker – drums (2019–2020)
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- As Lost Through Collision (2020; The Flenser)
- The Lamb as Effigy (2023; The Flenser)
Live albums
[edit]- The Lamb as Effigy (Live) (2023)
EPs
[edit]- Sprain (2018; Joyless Youth)
Singles
[edit]- "Anything" (2018)
- "True Norwegian Black Metal" (2018)
- "Worship House" (2020)
- "Constant Hum" (2020)
- "Man Proposes, God Disposes" (2023)
- "Privilege of Being" (2023)
- "We Think So Ill of You" (2023)
References
[edit]- ^ "The Quietus | Features | Escape Velocity | A Collision Course: Sprain Interviewed". The Quietus. September 15, 2020.
- ^ "Interview: Sprain". August 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "Sprain Discuss Their Sophomore Album "The Lamb as Effigy" | Post-Trash Feature". POST-TRASH. August 23, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ "Interview w/ Alex Kent". NickC. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ "Interview: Sprain". Good Album Friday. September 18, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Flenser, The. "Welcome SPRAIN". The Flenser. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ Dempsey, Colin (September 13, 2020). "Sprain Interview". Medium. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ "Sprain: The Lamb as Effigy or Three Hundred and Fifty XOXOXOS for a Spark Union With My Darling Divine". Pitchfork.
- ^ H, Rob (June 21, 2023). "Sprain spiral through intense guilt on "Man Proposes, God Disposes", announce new album". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ "Sprain Announce Breakup". Stereogum. October 16, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ staff, Treble (October 16, 2023). "Sprain break up".
- ^ "Former Sprain Members Announce New Band Shearling". July 9, 2024.
- ^ "Exclusive: Shearling Kiss Sprain Goodbye, Embrace Future". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
- ^ "Stream Sprain Offshoot Shearling's New Single-Track Debut Album Motherfucker, I Am Both: "Amen" And "Hallelujah"…". Stereogum. Retrieved May 3, 2025.