Sprain (band)

Sprain was an American experimental rock band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 2018. Its final lineup consisted of Alex Kent (guitar, vocals), April Gerloff (bass guitar), Sylvie Simmons (guitar) and Clint Dodson (drums).

The band released two studio albums and one EP before abruptly disbanding in 2023, a month after the release of their second album The Lamb as Effigy.

History
Sprain was formed in Los Angeles by Alex Kent and April Gerloff in early 2018. Their self-titled debut EP, released in August 2018, was inspired by the slowcore genre, especially by bands like Low and Duster. After adding two new members, Max Pretzer on drums and Sylvie Simmons on second guitar, they started to work on their debut album.

In December 2019, Sprain signed to The Flenser record label. The band's debut album, As Lost Through Collision, released in September 2020, saw the band playing louder and more abrasive music, by the virtue of having more members. Before recording a follow-up to their debut, drummer Max Pretzker was unable to record and had to be replaced by percussionist Clint Dodson. Their second album The Lamb as Effigy was eventually released in September 2023. The nearly two-hour album was developed through intense live shows over the preceding years.

On October 16, 2023, the band abruptly announced their disbandment in a post on their social media accounts. After Sprain's disbandment was announced, bassist April Gerloff revealed that she was kicked out of the band three weeks prior.

Musical style
Sprain have been described as an experimental rock and noise rock band, and their earliest works were labeled as slowcore.

Members
Final lineup


 * Alex Kent – vocals, guitar, piano (2018–2023)
 * April Gerloff – bass guitar, synthesizer, engineer (2018–2023)
 * Sylvie Simmons – guitar (2019–2023)
 * Clint Dodson – drums, percussion (2023)

Previous members


 * Max Pretzker – drums (2019–2023)

Studio albums

 * As Lost Through Collision (2020; The Flenser)
 * The Lamb as Effigy (2023; The Flenser)

EPs

 * Sprain (2018; Joyless Youth)

Singles

 * "Anything" (2018)
 * "True Norwegian Black Metal" (2018)
 * "Worship House" (2020)
 * "Constant Hum" (2020)
 * "Man Proposes, God Disposes" (2023)
 * "Privilege of Being" (2023)
 * "We Think So Ill of You" (2023)