Artist description 20 strings,4 drums,88 keys and 1 sampler. Air oscillated in specific ways.

Music Style heavy post/indie rock

Musical Influences heavy petting,nocturnal transmissions, creaky bedsprings

Similar Artists sonic youth,shellac,slint,mogwai,mozart,god speed you black emperor!,varistor,desperosity,johnny cash,

Artist History Based in NYC Heston Rifle is the collective Mind of Bill Oxios,Jerry Chierchio,Vicki Pilato,Erik DeAngelis and Brian Gallagher. As the stye of this collective is often deemed unplaceable,The Rifle credit their sound to the heavier,melodic,avant garde sound of the indie scene. With their first release,"20 strings"(cd ep),on Inner-Flight Records,Heston Rifle has gained a strong interest in both the punk and indie communities in the northeast. In addition to their first full length album (out in june 2001),the band will be touring non-stop and release several 7" and cd ep's on various labels in the U.S. and Europe.

Group Members Erik, Jerry, Bill, Vicki, and Brian.

Instruments 2 guitars, Bass, Violin, Drums,keyboards,various materials found in current environment.

Albums 20 Strings (out now)

Press Reviews Music Reviews of “20strings”: “This new five piece noise rock band from New York is about to create a scene. Not the scene you would see at a party where a boy is confronted by his ex-girlfriend but the kind of scene you see where other indie labels will be trying to scoop up this band. Heston Rifle is a band that has lived and learned from other bands such as Shellac and Paul Newman. Having done this, the band is in good shape for its full length album, which is to be expected later this year. Heston Rifle is the kind of band that likes to sneak up on you and tear your head off. Take the third track entitled simply “Quad” where it has some old Irish guy ranting in the background and the band slowly comes in and then they kick it hard. This is the point you have lost your head. They occasionally have vocals but rarely do they actually need them. They are a powerful band and the thing that makes them unique is the fact that they have a violinist in the band. I see a bright future for Heston Rifle”.-Musiemissions.com (Inner-flight 2001) “A satisfyingly thunderous, occasionally arty noise-rock EP, "20 Strings" features in-your-face guitar and bass but is most notably defined by its processed violin and wild-man drums. There's some shouting. And there are found spoken-word sources: "Blackbox" tells the story of an airline disaster, complete with dramatic build and solemn epilogue. "Burning Copper" is heavy on the fuzz, and the multi-part "Quad" is a sort of noise-sonata. Closing out the EP, and faintly reminiscent of "Nursery Cryme"-era Genesis, "Mike Found God" is a dramatic live track that proves Heston Rifle's creative energy is no studio trick.good healthy original sonic fun. I'd pay to see Heston Rifle live” - Jon Sobel for THEGLOBALMUSE.COM “Singing with obscure sounds and erieeee samples Heston Rifle will have you looking for ways to bend metal objects into a wonderful mass of sound.This 5 peice band from New York includes creepy violins and guitar bowing sounds that can actually give you the chills."-Crabby Girl Zine “Moody and jangly math rock with violin. Very raw and emotional that goes from melancholy to raging in 6.2 seconds. Lots of build ups, interludes and aggression throughout this 4-song/30+ minute CD”. -Dana Morse/ Punk Planet Magazine …Heston Rifle has put together a damned impressive half-hour package in 20 Strings. If this band ever does a full-length disc, it should be mind-blowing. Extraordinarily recommended –Delusions of Adequacy “As precursors to indie "stardom" go, 20 Strings is extremely promising. Utilizing ethereal violin workings, wild drum thrashings and feedback galore, Heston Rifle brings art noise to a strange and pleasantly unique level. There are occasional vocals scattered through the four tracks, but they're almost unnoticeable, as you'll be far more fascinated with the avant garde instrumental oddities flooding your ears. "Mike Found God", a live track, is perhaps the most impressive; the fact that their live performances achieve the same "large" sound as their studio work is quite a feat, and a definite incentive to catch a Heston Rifle show if they meander into your area. A full-length is scheduled for the fall, but until then you can prepare yourself by picking up 20 String”s. – Splendid (al) For more information on “heston rifle” Contact: Inner-Flight Records Box #314 3280 Sunrise Hwy. Wantagh, NY 11793 inflight@optonline.net

Additional Info Heston Rifle/The Feud split coming in the fall.

Location woodside, new york - USA

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