Horseneck is a Sacramento heavy-rock band — variously described as sludge metal, stoner metal and post-hardcore — founded by guitarist/vocalist Anthony Paganelli as a blues-based, classic-rock-leaning counterpoint to the scream-o and metalcore acts dominating the local scene.[1] The band is explicitly identified as a local Sacramento act, made up of members of notable Sacramento bands.[2]
At a glance
- Sacramento heavy band; sludge/stoner metal with a sense of humor[3][2]
- Founded by Anthony "Pag" Paganelli (also of Will Haven, Shortie, Tenfold)[4][1]
- First mentioned as a "new project" in 2011; releasing music by 2013[4][1]
- Released two EPs in 2013 via Artery Records: Belly Full of Blood and The Worst People Ever[1]
- Debut full-length Heavy Trip self-released Feb. 17, 2017[5]
- Lineup evolved from a power trio to a four-piece including Chelsea Wolfe drummer Jess Gowrie[5]
- Sophomore full-length Fever Dream released independently Feb. 21, 2020[6][7]
Origin and formation
Horseneck grew out of Sacramento bar culture and the city's heavy-music circle. Paganelli knew bandmate Lennon Hudson through their mutual manager, Eric Rushing; both were already active locally — Paganelli in Tenfold, Shortie and Will Haven, and Hudson in Still Life Projector.[1] Paganelli, Hudson and Hudson's longtime friend Matthew Ison began discussing playing together over drinks at the Golden Bear, an idea that grew into a band that was renamed Horseneck.[1]
Paganelli has said he started the band because "there weren't very many heavy bands out in Sacramento that I could relate to," wanting something that hearkened back to a blues-based era of metal (citing Led Zeppelin) rather than the prevailing scream-o and metalcore.[1] The group settled as a power trio with Paganelli on vocals, having decided not to recruit an outside singer.[1]
The band's bar-centered origin is documented in their own music: the EP The Worst People Ever opens with "The Birth of the Neck," featuring ambient bar noise, and the record is built around the Midtown bar Cheaters — situated, per Paganelli, between his home on 32nd and his bandmates' home on 35th.[1]
Local status
Horseneck is local to Sacramento. Submerge consistently frames the band as a hometown act: the 2013 feature calls it a "Sacramento band" / "Sacramento metal band" / "Sacramento rock band,"[1] the 2017 release show describes them keeping things "regional,"[5] and the 2018 anniversary writeup calls them "local headbangers" and "veterans in the scene … made up of members of notable Sacramento bands like Will Haven, Chelsea Wolfe, Eightfourseven and Red Host."[2] Confidence: high.
Releases
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Belly Full of Blood (EP, 2013, Artery Records) — described as the heavier of the two 2013 EPs: a low, grungy, Melvins-esque five-song record (track titles include "Dirt Turkey" and "Hooker Toilet"). It comprised the first five songs the band wrote.[1]
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The Worst People Ever (EP, 2013, Artery Records) — seven tracks recorded later in a more deliberate process; conceptually built around Cheaters bar. Mixed by Dance Gavin Dance's Josh Benton.[1] Both 2013 EPs were recorded at Pus Cavern with Matt Pedri (who had worked with Armed for Apocalypse and Will Haven). The two were issued as separate EPs rather than one full-length because of their differing sounds.[1] Both were originally released only digitally via Artery; the band cut ties with the label shortly after, and as of 2017 neither EP was available to stream online.[5]
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Heavy Trip (LP, 2017, self-released) — the band's debut full-length, written as a group for the first time and conceived as a fuller artistic statement.[5] It expanded their sludge with keyboards and horns/brass, plus backing vocals from Sharlotte Gibson (a former backup singer for Whitney Houston). Submerge placed it "somewhere within the sonic field of Murder City Devils and Red Fang."[5] Tracks include "P.A.G." (post-alcohol guilt), "Hangman," "Michael Caine," "Bobby Brown" and "Bird Worried." It was self-managed with a limited cassette run followed by a digital release.[5] The album was released as a limited edition 12" black vinyl (250 copies) in addition to digital; it was mixed by Scott Evans and mastered by Carl Saff.[8]
Full track listing:[8] 1. Bird Worried, 2. Michael Caine, 3. P.A.G, 4. Smokin' Stacks, 5. Hangman, 6. Bobby Brown, 7. No Gods, 8. Lester Vitalis, 9. Basket of Snakes, 10. Plow the Road.
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Fever Dream (LP, 2020, independent) — the band's sophomore full-length, released February 21, 2020.[6][7] Compared to the debut, it was the product of a more collaborative process, with all four members contributing more to the lyrics and music.[9] It was released independently on vinyl and digital formats.[7] Engineered by Lance Jackman at The Dock in Sacramento; mixed and mastered by Eric Stenman at The Appliantz Shop in Encino — Stenman has also worked with Will Haven, Far, and Weezer.[7] The album features guest vocals from Grammy-nominated rock pioneer Gary U.S. Bonds on the opening track, and from Jules Bee (Baenziger) of Sea of Bees on "Red Curtain."[6][7]
Full track listing:[6] 1. Barbra Streisand (feat. Gary U.S. Bonds), 2. Pen15, 3. Happily Level Lafter, 4. Porcelain Ass, 5. Red Curtain (feat. Jules Bee of Sea of Bees), 6. A Discarded Mess, 7. Matt Lauer's Secret Button, 8. Sleeping With Silverfish, 9. Grease, 10. Mr. Funny Guy, Full of Bullshit, 11. Margaritadelphia.
The Worst People Ever was ranked No. 9 on Submerge's Top 30 Albums of 2013, described as "booze-fueled bone-breaking sludge metal with a sense of humor."[3]
Lineup
- Anthony Paganelli ("Pag") — guitar, vocals; founder. Also a member of Will Haven, and previously Shortie and Tenfold.[4][1][5]
- Lennon Hudson — bass; founding member, also of Still Life Projector.[1][5]
- Matthew Ison — early co-founder present at the band's formation.[1]
- Lance Jackman — guitar (by 2017); recorded Heavy Trip at his studio, The Dock.[5] Also engineered Fever Dream at The Dock.[7]
- Jess Gowrie — drums (by 2017); also drums for Chelsea Wolfe, touring extensively with Wolfe through 2017.[5][2]
Live activity and scene role
Horseneck appeared in the 2012 Friday Night Concerts in the Park lineup, playing the May 11, 2012 date at Cesar Chavez Park alongside Middle Class Rut, Lite Brite and DJ Whores.[10] They were noted for a live show at Blue Lamp on July 12, 2013 with Armed for Apocalypse and Death Valley High.[1] The Heavy Trip release show was Feb. 17, 2017 at Harlow's, co-headlined with Kill the Precedent (releasing its own record), with Peace Killers and The Moans opening.[5] Horseneck also played Submerge magazine's 10-Year Anniversary Party on Feb. 3, 2018 at Holy Diver, alongside Screature, Destroy Boys and Sam I Jam.[2]
Members' commitments to Will Haven and to Chelsea Wolfe's touring schedule led the band to keep activity mostly regional, doing things on their own terms rather than touring full-time.[5]