Big Business (band)

Big Business
Big Business performing in 2019
Big Business performing in 2019
Background information
OriginSeattle, Washington, U.S.
GenresStoner metal, sludge metal
Years active2004–present
LabelsJoyful Noise, Hydra Head
MembersJared Warren
Coady Willis
Past membersScott Martin
Toshi Kasai
Websitebigbigbusiness.com

Big Business is an American stoner/sludge metal band founded in 2004 by bassist/vocalist Jared Warren (Karp) and drummer Coady Willis (The Murder City Devils). They formed in Seattle, Washington and have been based in Los Angeles, California since 2006. Their music is characterized by a bombastic and frantic style, and for most of their existence Big Business has been a bass-drums duo with occasional other musicians contributing.

History

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The band released its first Tour EP and the vinyl version of their first album, Head for the Shallow, on January 25, 2005, through Wäntage USA. The CD version of Head For the Shallow was released by Hydra Head Records, the first of a three album run.[1]

In late 2006, after relocating to Los Angeles, Jared and Coady both became members of the Melvins, first appearing on (A) Senile Animal. The tour, titled "the Double-Drumming Rock for Peace tour", featured Warren and Willis playing a set as Big Business before being joined by Crover and Osborne for a set as the Melvins. While on tour, Big Business played with frequent Melvins collaborator David Scott Stone who would later play guitar and Minimoog Voyager on all songs from their 2007 release Here Come the Waterworks.

After releasing Here Come the Waterworks to critical acclaim, Big Business was given an opening spot on the summer leg of the Tool tour. Toshi Kasai played guitar for Big Business throughout this tour.

After the fall US tour ended, Big Business started recording material for the new Melvins album, entitled Nude with Boots, which was released on July 8, 2008.

On March 9, 2008, guitarist/keyboardist Toshi Kasai was introduced onstage as the third member of Big Business. Both the band and Toshi verified this addition on their respective Myspace pages. Big Business released their third album Mind the Drift on May 12, 2009. The album was produced by Phil Ek who has produced both of their previous albums.[2]

In October 2010, after a year of not playing any concerts, they posted on their Myspace that they had added another guitarist, Scott Martin (400 Blows, Crom), officially making them a "Power Quartet".

They toured the summer of 2011 with Torche and Thrones.

Big Business toured with Red Fang and American Sharks in the spring of 2014. In 2016, the release Command Your Weather (2016) was issued by Joyful Noise Recordings / Gold Metal Records.[3][4]

Around 2016, Warren and Willis were no longer part of Melvins. At this same time, Big Business began touring as a two piece once again without any specific announcement or press regarding changes from the earlier trio and quartet lineups.

Their latest release, The Beast You Are, was issued by Joyful Noise Recordings / Gold Metal Records.[5]

Big Business performing in 2019

In April 2019, drummer Coady Willis appeared on the podcast Conan Neutron's Protonic Reversal to discuss the making of The Beast You Are and a general career retrospective for Big Business and his other musical projects.[6] He also appeared on an episode of The Vinyl Guide around the same time.[7] In 2020, Jared Warren also participated in a long form career spanning interview on Protonic Reversal,[8] speaking about the Whip reissues, Big Business, his time with the Melvins and much more.

Members

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Current members

  • Jared Warren – bass guitar, lead vocals, synthesizer (2004–present)
  • Coady Willis – drums, backing vocals (2004–present)

Former members

  • Toshi Kasai – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2008–2012)
  • Scott Martin – guitar, backing vocals (2010–2014)

Guest guitarists

Discography

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Albums

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EPs and singles

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  • Tour EP (2004, Wäntage USA)
  • Tour EP II (2006, self-released)
  • Tour EP III (2008, self-released)
  • Biz Bot Remixes (2009, Hydra Head)
  • Quadruple Single (2011, Gold Metal Records)
  • "Battlefields" / "Into the Light" (Tour 7" single) (2012, Gold Metal Records)
  • "Blacker Holes" (2014, Joyful Noise)
  • True Gold Digital Single (2015, Gold Metal Records)
  • Tour EP 4 (2018, Gold Metal Records)
  • Tour EP V (2021)

Compilations

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  • Dope-Guns-'N-Fucking in the Streets Volume Thirteen: "You Need Surgery" (2014, Amphetamine Reptile Records)
  • Solid Gold Metal (2004–2009) (2018, Joyful Noise)

References

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  1. ^ "Hydra Head Records signs Big Business". lambgoat.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "Heavy | MTV Hive". Headbangersblog.mtv.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  3. ^ James Christopher Monger (July 8, 2016). "Command Your Weather - Big Business | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  4. ^ "INTERVIEW: JARED WARREN FROM BIG BUSINESS". echoesanddust.com. May 8, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  5. ^ Mark Deming (April 19, 2019). "The Beast You Are - Big Business | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  6. ^ "Ep132: Coady Willis (Big Business, Murder City Devils, Melvins)". protonicreversal.com. April 13, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  7. ^ "Ep156: Coady Willis of Big Business, Melvins & more". thevinylguide.com. February 11, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  8. ^ "Ep180: Jared Warren (Big Business, the Whip, KARP, Melvins)". protonicreversal.com. June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  9. ^ "Big Business | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  10. ^ Kaufman, Spencer (January 31, 2019). "Big Business unveil new song 'Let Them Grind', announce new album and tour". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
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