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The Senate
Acoustic / Rock

"Face-melting acoustic riffage!"

SEATTLE, Washington
United States

Profile Views:  71723




Last Login:  11/17/2008
View My: Pics | Videos

   Contacting The Senate

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/senateband  

   The Senate: General Info
Member Since2/9/2006
Band Websitesenateband.com
Band MembersNick Drummond- Acoustic guitar, vocals

Oliver Franklin- Acoustic guitar, vocals

Andrew Pulkrabek- Upright bass, vocals, beatbox
InfluencesSocio-economic currents, atmospheric pressure, sunspots, childhood traumas and our high school english teachers. Musically, a big melting pot of what-have-you. There's very little of which we all three agree upon the awesomeness, but a few pertinent names: The Beatles, Bob Dylan, early Motown records, Ben Harper, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Tom Waits, Alice Cooper, D'Gary, Elvis Costello, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Marilyn Manson, Dave Matthews Band, Frank Sinatra, Monster Magnet, The Beach Boys, Radiohead, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Opeth, Beck. And no, we're not kidding about any of these.
Sounds LikeNot your mamma's acoustic band
Record LabelCD AVALIABLE AT CDBABY.COM
Type of LabelMajor




   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Nov 20 2008 7:00P
University Bookstore Seattle, Washington
Nov 28 2008 7:00P
Edgefield Winery Portland, Oregon
Dec 4 2008 9:00P
Private Party Bellingham, Washington
Dec 5 2008 9:00P
Cafe Solstice Seattle, Washington
Dec 6 2008 8:00P
Private Party Vancouver, Washington
Dec 11 2008 9:00P
Club Masa Tacoma, Washington
Dec 12 2008 8:00P
Corbett Theater Centralia, Washington
Dec 31 2008 8:00P
Wonder Ballroom Portland, Oregon
Jan 10 2009 8:00P
Evergreen Coffeehouse Marysville, Washington
Jan 22 2009 8:00P
Chuckanut Radio Hour Bellingham, Washington
Mar 13 2009 9:00P
Yakima Sports Center Yakima, Washington
Mar 13 2009 9:00P
Yakima Sports Center Yakima, Washington
Mar 14 2009 8:00P
Private Party Yakima, Washington

The Senate's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

Hot new article on The Senate!  (view more)

The Triple Door 8/29/08  (view more)

Awesome Bellingham writeup!  (view more)

Jazzbones 7/18  (view more)

In Memoriam of the Awesome Song, 2004-2008  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About The Senate
The Senate, Seattle’s foremost purveyors of “face-melting acoustic riffage,” formed in 2002 when Oliver Franklin, a rock-and roll guitarist with a classical background, went to a local coffeehouse to hear a solo set by African drummer-turned guitarist Nick Drummond.

Though Nick and Oliver had been high school classmates, Oliver was unprepared for what he heard that night.

“Nick’s music was memorable and technically accomplished, and he had a rhythmic approach to the guitar that I had never heard before,” says Oliver.

The two nineteen year-old musicians swapped songs after the show, and soon began writing and playing shows together. Jazz bassist Andrew Pulkrabek, Oliver’s grade-school friend and frequent musical collaborator, went to one of their early shows and heard something new as well.

“I had no idea acoustic instruments could rock so hard,” says Andrew.

In 2005, Nick and Oliver invited Andrew to play with them at a benefit concert, and the band’s lineup was completed. The members’ diverse backgrounds in music ranging from Afro-pop to heavy metal to musical theater proved to be an asset as they began to develop their sound. Using acoustic guitars, an upright bass and three voices, the Senate began writing nuanced and aggressive music grounded in polyrhythmic grooves, three-part vocal harmonies and a heavily percussive playing style.

“We talked about finding a drummer, but it turned out we didn’t need one,” says Drummond.

The Senate’s songs range from simple and introspective to driving and chaotic, a stylistic breadth mirrored in lyrics about sex, death, power, love, war, and drinking in space.

The Senate will release its first full-length recording, “Live at Solstice,” at a party at the Triple Door in downtown Seattle on March 11, 2008. The ten-song record includes a DVD of the band’s live show, recorded in September 2007 at Café Solstice in Seattle’s University District.

“Our fans have been amazingly supportive of our live shows,” explains Drummond, “so when they asked for a live experience they could take home, we listened.”

The band has won opening slots for Everclear, the Paperboys, Vicci Martinez, and Handful of Luvin, and placed first in Washington State University’s 2007 Battle of the Bands. Its first recording, the EP “These Cold Winds, was produced by former Nirvana engineer Tom Pfaeffle in 2006.

With powerful walls of sound built by only two acoustic guitars, an upright bass, and three voices, The Senate’s catchy songwriting, tight arrangements, and unorthodox instrumental techniques create a dynamic musical hybrid that continues to push the boundaries of acoustic instrumentation.

Check them out at: http://www.senateband.com

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The Senate's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 990 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Martingale





Oct 31 2008 9:07 PM

Hey guys, it's Andy Gaines. My new band has their first gig this Sunday at High Dive.
If you're free, it would be awesome to see you there, we could definitely use the support!
DANIKA [[skye]]





Oct 16 2008 7:08 PM

Photobucket




Photobucket
Emily J





Oct 19 2008 8:29 AM

Hey guys! Awesome show tonight at Redhook! It was amazing as usual! Oliver it was nice chatting with you at the end of the show! Too bad that the Awesome song is gone now though! Oh well, I look forward to next time for sure! You guys are amazing!
Star





Sep 18 2008 4:33 PM

Hey ya'll. The show in Bellingham on the 16th was awesome.
You guys rock!
Jess





Sep 12 2008 8:33 PM

You keep stealing my Lisa and I might have to do something.... from across the country... I don't know what yet... but I'm creative....
Marsha





Sep 13 2008 6:59 AM

wow guys, gooooooood show tonight at solstice! i will most definitely be back in october :) hopefully.
RoseLydia





Sep 13 2008 7:21 AM

Thanks for yet again a phenomanal show tonight!It seems like everytime I see you guys perform, it's something new and always gets me pumped to hear you play in the future. I plan on seeing you next time at Cafe Solstice.

-Rose
Maldon Meehan





Sep 16 2008 2:26 AM

Thanks for the add.
-M
www. MaldonMeehan. com
S.O.A.P.Box Players





Sep 18 2008 11:59 AM

ok, that wasn't my imagination on Tuesday....as great as you guys are, that was not the same bass player you had the last time I saw you. You guys are trying to confuse me by growing your hair really long and shaving your beards...but, what's up???? Or was his disguise so good that it WAS the same guy???
wolfmoosepigchicken





Sep 22 2008 3:57 AM

Hey guys--hoping to see an updated schedule for October. Can't wait to come see you again--next time I'm bringing some new Senate fans who can't wait to see you play live.
Much love and continued awe!
nostradamus





Sep 25 2008 5:12 PM

Sup guys?! Can't wait til you come back down to the Olympia area.
Brob





Sep 26 2008 11:28 AM

I heard a rumor that you guys are playing the most bad ass new years eve party in PDX, seattle peeps cpme represent
The Clarences ™





Oct 8 2008 8:42 PM

The Clarences love & support The Senate!!!!
Brob





Oct 13 2008 9:56 AM

SEE ALL INFO ON THE SENATE'S NEW YEAR'S PORTLAND PARTY!

http://www. scifidelity. com/ExactTarget/SCI. newsletter. 100808. htm
DANIKA [[skye]]





Oct 14 2008 5:19 AM

so...as of saturday night, i am officially a HUGE fan of yours!!
you guys were amazing.

i loved it when andrew came out and started dancing when M. Bison was playing.

i have some pictures.

i will put them up

--- Danika
Mrs Ruggenberg





Oct 14 2008 8:47 PM

You guys were so perfect for our wedding! Thanks so much for coming out to Snohomish for us!

-Sarah and Zach
PS...everyone LOVED you guys!
Anthony(RIP Levi J.A.)


Is Online


Sep 3 2008 6:26 AM

AMAZING SHOW SATURDAY!
Way to ROCK WIRED and Melt some faces! Good call on the added Violin, Tyler, I think it was
Hope to see you guys soon.
Anthony
Cassandra [[ Livin' life ]]





Sep 2 2008 9:00 PM

Yeah i was hoping to be able to make it to cafe solstice when you play on the 12th
Mandie





Sep 2 2008 6:46 AM

So as much as I love ALL Senate songs.. I'd love to see Pied Piper up on here.
:D
nerdmans





Sep 1 2008 11:33 PM

Saw you guys last friday, and you guys KILLED.
You were amazing.

Hope to see you guys again!
:)
wolfmoosepigchicken





Sep 1 2008 6:16 PM

The internet is ablaze with tales of your awesomeness. Well, at least my little slice of it. Thanks again for an amazing show on Saturday.
I'll definitely see you again soon!
Laurie at Jinglefish Art





Sep 1 2008 6:00 AM

it's a good thing you guys blogged the Triple Door list and players because I can't keep anybody's name straight! (sorry!!!!)

You are to be congratulated on putting together such a full, rich, theatrical and downright spiffy show. EVERYONE was an absolute joy to experience.

And yea, those subwoofers... ;)
Cassandra [[ Livin' life ]]





Aug 31 2008 9:05 PM

You guys were great on friday at the triple doors. and that guy from the paper boy i believe. was defiantly set on liquify.
RoseLydia





Aug 31 2008 8:24 PM

Thank you so much for coming out to Wired and Unplugged last night. It made the last moments of the coffeehouse memorable for everyone. Hope to see you in Seattle!

-Rose
¸.¤**¤ {Moon Shine} ¤**¤·.





Aug 31 2008 6:08 AM

Hello awesome ones!!!!!! I just got home from your show at Wired and Unplugged. You guys rock so much it makes me smile... a lot. And the death of the awesome song saddens me greatly. I made an animated music video in flash and I'll send it too you guys as soon as I find the CD I saved it on... who knows... maybe it will be so godly amazing you guys choose to resurrect the awesome song? And yes, I am holding my breath.
Cene!