Artist description You may have already heard music from these guys. Some of the other bands they are in or were in, include Screaming Trees, Tad, Kitty Kitty, King Crab and many others. 1996 - Formation These five men are bound by what some call a curse and others would call destiny. In 1996 the group formed under casual circumstances in the basement of Mudhoney drummer, Dan Peters. That night, Dan, Van Conner (Screaming Trees) Patrick Conner (Kitty Kitty) and Kurt Danielson (TAD) created the beginnings of what would become VALIS. 1997 - Pre-Destination The band recorded their first CD with Martin Feveyear in Seattle and played shows in and around the Northwest US. 1998 - Release The band releases VALIS/Kitty Kitty, a split CD with Patrick Conner and Sean Hollister's Band, Kitty Kitty. Dan Peters leaves VALIS to peruse the greater good of mankind and to make more rock with Mudhoney. The band began to jam with former Screaming Trees/Kitty Kitty drummer, Sean Hollister. After six months of this they began working on new material and began to played more shows in the Northwest U.S. 1999 - Discovery In the meantime Van began playing with Gardener and recorded a record for SubPop and played shows across the USA. Kurt formed OWLES and recorded with Martin Feveyear. Patrick disbanded Kitty Kitty and formed a new band, Kittitas with former Seaweed Guitar player, Clint Werner. 2000 - The New Hope Valis decides to record the new record with Wes at Uptone Recording Studio (Van and Wes co-produced/recorded Gardner and Kitty Kitty). Wes contributes Keyboard and Guitarsynth parts to the emerging record……….fancies himself the "Eno figure" in the band. After several crazed, hazed and inspirationally dazed sessions, a block of solidly tripped heavy rock songs begins to form. 2001 - The Pillars of Creation VALIS signs with the Swedish label Luna Sound Recording, purveyors of true Rock from a country that has never let the Rock die! They are now preparing for the release of their first full-length record. 2002 - Vast Active Living Intelligence System VALIS release their new album on November 26th in the states (click here to buy it!), and they have already started recording their 2nd album due out next year.

Music Style Hard Rock

Musical Influences Black Sabbath, Screaming Trees, Bad Company, Black Flag, TAD, Kitty Kitty, Earth, Hawkwind, KISS, Deep Purple.

Similar Artists Black Sabbath, Hawkwind, Nebula, Queens of the Stone Age, Screaming Trees, Fu Manchu.

Artist History VALIS was formed in Seattle, Washington in 1996 by Screaming Trees bassist Van Conner. VALIS captures the sound of heavy metal/hard rock bands of the '70s like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, KISS, Deep Purple, and others, VALIS released an album in 1998 on Mans Ruin with VALIS members Patrick Lee Conner and Sean Hollister's band Kitty Kitty, VALIS had 4 songs on the album Kitty Kitty had 4. VALIS is now releasing first full-length titled, the release date will be announced soon.

Group Members Van Conner: Vocals/Guitar, Patrick Lee Conner: Guitar, Kurt Danielson: Bass, Sean Hollister: Drums, Wes Weresch: Guitar Synthesizer, Therimin.

Albums VALIS - Kitty Kitty, Full Power, Vast Active Living Intelligence System (coming soon in 2002)

Press Reviews Valis Vast Active Living Intelligence System Abstract Sounds 10/29/2002 When a disc such as Valis' Vast Active Living Intelligence System comes along featuring former members of Screaming Trees and Mudhoney I know that because I am so fucking metal and a full-on supporter of the underground that by unwritten law I am supposed to immediately not like it. Let me explain, both of the aforementioned bands have basked in semi-commercial success and also lets not forget that these same bands hail from the home of pure metal-kryptonite, Seattle.( Ya, ya Nevermore resides here as well I know) So you have two very significant reasons weighing against all that is metal, correct? Here's my dilemma, I fucking like this album even though the metal radar points in all directions of run not walk as fast as I can to the nearest troo release from Norway. I am strangely grooving on the Valis pure fuzzed out guitar smothered stoner rock experience which upon each listen gets my blood pumping everytime. The formula is rather simple but fully effective, big ass guitars and goddamn it lets fuzz the fuck out of them. These are riffs that infect your beer guzzling stupor with full force leaving your head bobbing and arms working the air gee-tar. Will Valis win an award in the lines of technical make-up, I sure as hell don't think so but every tune within Vast Active Living Intelligence System smacks around a hook that hits and hits hard and my guess is no matter how fucking metal you perceive yourself to be given the right situation they will break through your meager force field only to infect your mojo with that fat fucking spleef you so deserve. Smoke up motherfuckers and let the stone groove take affect, leave the metal grimace at home and take it at face value. This is definitely not a disc to over evaluate and once you get that through your skull everything will be good to go. The jams are exactly that, Jams. The whole affair reminds me of a smoky ass run down bar where the cliental exclusively wear bell bottoms and jean jackets, no frills straight forward "rawk". Reviews Valis - Vast Active Living Intelligence System (Abstract) by Kevin McHugh Valis is an acronym for "Vast Active Living Intelligence System", and was also the name of one of Philip K. Dick's last books, a schizophrenic view on religion and the battle of good ("Valis") vs. evil. Its also the name of a post-grunge supergroup of sorts which includes Van Conner (Screaming Trees), brother Patrick (Kitty Kitty, Kettitas), and Kurt Danielson (TAD), along with Sean Hollister (Screaming Trees) and synthesist and producer Wesley Weresch. Short and sweet: Valis' music is like a stoned-out mix of Screaming Trees, Hawkwind, and Sabbath. And that's about as stoned as they come. 'Indian Giver' starts out with heavy guitar riffing and Van and Patrick's clean harmonies; he even throws in a few phrases that sound like Ozzy's "Try Me Out" from 'Sweet Leaf.' 'Universe' sounds like a brain-melting reworking of Hawkwind's classic 'Master of the Universe. 'Pass Me By' has weird sound effects and a melodic descending guitar riff combined with distorted vocals that unexpectedly sound like a Dinosaur, Jr. outtake, while 'All Phase' boasts vocals reminiscent of former 'Trees bandmate Mark Lanegan. In my book all of these influences add up to infinite credibility, 'cause I've been a fan of all these bands for years. But of course, Valis goes far beyond their influences; they've developed an individualistic and remarkably mature sound in a very short time. Sure, the vocals seem a bit stretched at times, but more often than not they sound great, and when you're presented with music of this quality you run with it; no bitching allowed. Spacerock heads will love Valis, but fans of Nebula or even Queens of the Stone Age will find a lot to chew on as well. Nice effort, gentlemen. Band: Valis Album: Vast Active Living Intelligence System Format: CD Label: Abstract Time: 47 Minutes Year: 2002 Track list: Indian Giver Transmitter Universe Pass Me By Mealworm Yakima Preacher Kill the Ones You Love Universe 2 All Phase Paper Doll Love Loader Pilots House

Location Stanwood, WA - USA

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