Artist description Sonic Ordeal is a band that has been "together" (not a word usually associated with this group) for over twenty years, and yet they have only actually played together for about sixty hours. Certainly not more than seventy-five. They have performed in public only three or four times. Public venues have included a pool-side party, a nicely-paneled garage and the Grange Hall in McKinleyville, California. They are shy of being eyeballed. The band gets together every year or two or three for a recording session. There is very little advance musical preparation, by design and ennui...Mark brings some lyrics written in advance and makes others up on the spot, occasionally singing what he thinks of as a "melody." Sonic Ordeal is a band configured in the classic format of drums, bass, two guitars and a lead singer who holds a tambourine. Yes, just like the Rolling Stones but maybe more like Pere Ubu, except that we don't know how many people are in Pere Ubu and we don't know what they play, but they do have a fat guy who sings in a weird and limited voice, which is just like Sonic Ordeal. The other band members, Alan on bass, Sheldon on drums and Craig and George on guitars, are eerily similar to their counterparts in the original Rolling Stones, when Brian Jones was still alive. In order to describe Sonic Ordeal, it is necessary to define the genres in which they record. Much of the music can be classified as "Surfgeezer", with forays into "Surfgeezer Blues." Many would call them a "garage band", but they prefer the sub-genre, "Carport." They can also be described as, "Hard Listening" (as opposed to "Easy Listening), which is appropriate, as people often find this band hard to listen to. This is particularly true among people who are talented musicians or those who have good pitch. In the field of "Mood Music" they would be found under "Bi-Polar." They have also been referred to as, "Rock-and-Roll." Ultimately, Sonic Ordeal is a Sub-Art, Double Garage Band that exists in the hope that someone rich and powerful will hear them and say, "Hey, that's catchy!", and then become their patron, enabling them to devote the rest of their lives to music.

Music Style Abstract Americana Folk/Punk Satire Alternative/General Carport Mood Music

Musical Influences Tennesse Ernie Ford, Yardbirds, Captian Beefheart, Jere Smith, The Ventures, The Shaggs, Every Mother's Son, Right Said Fred, Old TV Shows, Commercial Jingles & Advertising, The Mellow Pickle, Dick Dale, The Scotia Band, The Swinging Medallions, Stockhausen, John Cage, Electric Prunes, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Pink Floyd, Herman's Hermits, The Guess Who

Similar Artists Deadbolt, Go Van Go, Roger Miller, Cannibal & the Headhunters, Jonathan Richman, The Music Machine, Homer & Jethro, Steppenwolf, Alan Sherman, Dino, Desi and Billy

Artist History In 1981, Sonic Ordeal was the name of a song sung in a car by Cap'n Craig and his significant other, Christy Wayne. The song soon took on a life of it's own and talk began of forming a band. The early Ordeal featured the Cap'n on surf guitar and Sheldon Reber on tenor saxophone. A jam session occurred at Sirius Studios in Eureka, CA where Alan Olmstead was added on bass guitar and Sheldon brought his drumsticks, garbage can lid, and cardboard box. Alan started to record the world's largest collection of Sonic Ordeal sessions. Christie was soon phased out of the band and replaced by current lead singer, lyricist, and t-bone artist, Mark Trail. The band rehearsed and recorded at a feverish pitch in preparation for the infamous Anne's 30th Birthday Party concert by the pool. The guys recruited the legendary, semi-retired, lead guitar player George Ross. Songs like "Baseball Paul," "Annie Baby," and "Who Killed the Bears?" were polished up for the performance. A turban was found on a subway in New York and became a popular item at this show. The October 1982 show was a smash hit and mentioned in Eureka's Times Standard newspaper. A selection of fezs were purchased for the next public performance at Bob's Garage. Bob's Garage, with it's phony woodpaneling and red shag carpet, was the perfect setting for Sonic Ordeal's unique brand of live music. Lead vocalist Trail was asked at this performance to describe the group's sound. "It's like Leftfield and Shoegazer, but I don't know what they are, "he stated. Van's Birthday Roast was held at the McKinleyville Grange. Van, a semi-successful local businessman had to endure much ribbing in-between songs. A 120-day past due advertising invoice was read aloud in-between "You Don't Have To Eat Like Vietnamese," and "Anna Sparks." During a break in his performance at the Grange, Trail was again asked to describe the Ordeal's music. "Tonight we're featuring a sound best described as abstract Americana folk/punk," he quipped. For Van's 1983 New Year's Party, the five-piece band wore their bathrobes and added new tunes like "Fudge and Tuna," and "My Dog Brings Me the Cheese," to their crowd-pleasing repertoire. The second song of the evening, a cover of the Surfari's "Wipeout," nearly destroyed Sheldon's arms during his manic 9-minute drum solo. Sonic Ordeal had local airplay with their smash single "Back at the Vista Del Mar." This homage to Humboldt County women was a top-10 hit on KXGO, a local radio station. Drunken Vista patrons would regularly call the station to request the song. The flip side, "Yodel Butt," was written by Trail while observing a Swiss tourist during a bus ride to the US Festival. For over 20 years, the boys of Sonic Ordeal have managed to keep making music despite geographical distances. "In the new millennium, we've sounded like satire alternative/general garage mood music," Mark Trail said recently. "You could also describe us as a sub-garage band, maybe even 'carport,'" he added. Be sure to listen to the magic and artistry of Sonic Ordeal.

Group Members Mark Trail : Lyrics/Lead Vocals, T-Bone................... Sheldon Reber : Drums, Clapping, Sparkle Flat Cement, ..............................Turban, Vocals..................................... Alan Olmstead : Bass, Mandolin, Trombone, Misc Knobs ............................and Effects,vocals................................... Craig Redwine : 1962 Fender Stratocaster, vocals........... George Ross : Fender Telecaster, Kurzweil 2000 Synth

Albums Doohickey

Location Eureka, CA - USA

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