User:Ravanast1/theredpaintingsrenov

The Red Paintings is an art rock band from Brisbane, Australia, originally formed 1999 in Geelong. The band consists of lead vocalist\songwriter Trash McSweeney (born Jamie Barrett) on guitar, sequencing and samples; Ellen Stancombe (violin, tin whistle, vocals); Mike Langdale (bass), Andy Davis (drums) and David Sue Yek (Cello).

The band is known for their unique, confronting and intense themed performances incorporating elements of theatre and art, often dubbed "Orchestral Sci-fi Art Rock". Band members often dress in elaborate themed costumes, ranging from geisha outfits, alien costumes and more recently, sea creature\Neptune themes. They employ elaborate and eccentric stage props to support their shows, varying from virgin mary statues, giant robots, children toys, Tim Burton themed props and self-made projected videos. They often invite members of the audience to paint on blank canvasses during their shows, and also 'human canvases' are often painted upon on stage.

The band has a strong underground fanbase in Australia and the USA, and their debut studio album is being produced almost entirely on fan donations. Their many costumes, props and street performances are often organised and produced with help from their large volunteer street teams. They are recently also known for their vocal support of animal rights issues, and in particular, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Formation (1999-2002)
The band was formed in 1999 in Geelong, Victoria by Trash McSweeney. Frustrated with the music scene in Geelong, McSweeney soon moved the band to Brisbane, Queensland, after playing some songs on holiday and receiving a more positive reception. In Brisbane they soon became known for their unique shows, experimentation and friendliness. During this period McSweeney featured heavily in local media, becoming known for his revolutionary views on music, eccentric interviews\performances and the influence of his colour synesthesia on his music and art. During this period there was frequent band lineup changes, although they still produced three EPs, Angel Flummox EP, Reality (Ahead of Schedule) EP and Cinema Love EP.

Robot Trilogy Concept Era (2003-2007)
In 2003 the band conducted two extensive national tours, including sets at the coveted Livid and Big Day Out festivals. Following this success they released a acoustic and strings album in 2004, The Virgin Mary Australian Tour Acoustic/Strings Album, which received yet more positive feedback. They also headlined the 2004 Valley Fiesta, and played support for Australian singer\songwriter Missy Higgins. 2005 saw the band conduct a two week tour of China, and release the Walls EP with Modern Music/Sony BMG, to critical acclaim. The EP received high rotation play on the national Triple J radio station and generated plenty of new fans. The title track, Walls, entered the stations "Net 50" chart at #3 and charted for fifteen weeks.

The next release from the band in 2006, the Destroy The Robots EP, would see the emergence of the Robot Trilogy concept. Also the arrival of current drummer, Andy Davis. Clashes with the Modern Music/Sony BMG label at the time over creative direction saw the band ending it's contract after the EP was released, and becoming independent of label or outside management. The band toured Australia's capital cities and regional centres for the Destroy The Robots EP. In each capital city centre unannounced 'Robot Marches' were staged also, where fan-made giant (up to 9 foot) robots were paraded through pedestrian malls. .

Recognition and radio airplay from this tour saw them picked as support for Mogwai, and play at The Great Escape (festival). Off the back of this success, their sounds reached the ears of Amanda Palmer, of The Dresden Dolls, who contacted the band with an offer to support their 2006 Australian tour. The tour was a great success for the band , and they were invited to continue as support for the tour in New Zealand, the UK and USA. The band received significant attention in the USA as a result of this tour, and also released a live EP and tour documentary DVD; Live In Minneapolis and Seizure & Synesthesia. The band returned to play two special christmas-themed charity events, and released the third album in the 'Robots Trilogy', the Feed The Wolf EP. Mid 2007 saw the band on another large national Australian tour for this EP, with accompanying street parades as seen before, albeit with genetically engineered animals marching into a giant Ark. The EP receieved good airplay on Australian and US radio stations, and spawned the single and music video for "We Belong In The Sea", which received top honours on Youtube. With this recording also saw a change in lineup, with the departure of cellist Wayne Jennings and bassist Amanda Holmes. In June 2007, songwriter Trash McSweeney announced his plans for recording their debut LP record, and made the unusual move of requesting fan donations to suporrt this endeavor. He was met with mixed reactions from the Australian music industry, but nonetheless fans responded and he achieved his goal, raising $AUD40 000 towards their independent LP. The band also played further support for Amanda Palmer's 2007 solo tour in Australia.

Independence and Touring (2008-Current)
In 2008 the band embarked on another Australian tour and also their first headlining tour of the West Coast of the United States. The tour was successful and saw them receive high radio airplay, including on Los Angeles Indie 103.1FM, Portland's KNRK and San Francisco's Live 505 radio stations. The band were also invited to play at the prestigious Musexpo 2008. During this tour singer Trash McSweeney also met and became personal friends with Sea Shephard captain, Paul Watson. This partnership led the The Red Paintings to play a benefit show for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ; and later that year a collaboration with Paul Watson covering the Midnight Oil song Beds are Burning, titled Whales Are Dying and accompanying music video. The collaboration, and McSweeney's outspoken support, received wide media coverage in the USA. Also this year the band's independent album, The Revolution Is Never Coming, was recorded in Australia by New York producer Tidy Kid.

2009 saw the band tour performing sporadic free shows in Australia, and supporting the national tour of punk band Mindless Self Indulgence. The band also opened shows for the Australian tour of poet Saul Williams. The band has currently relocated to Los Angeles in preparation for their album release. They are currently in post-production and mastering of their debut album, which has taken place in Brisbane, Winnepeg, Los Angeles and now Nashville and Toronto, and has been mixed by Brandon Friesen. It is said to be, pre-release, generating positive reviews and interest from US and UK record labels, although McSweeney still appears determined to release their LP independently. While in the US, McSweeney has also played several solo shows and teamed up again with Captain Paul Watson to perfom at Worldfest 2009.

The debut LP album, The Revolution Is Never Coming is due out 2010.

Discography

 * Albums
 * The Virgin Mary Australian Tour Acoustic/Strings Album (2004)


 * EPs
 * Angel Flummox EP (1999)
 * Reality (Ahead of Schedule) EP (2000)
 * Cinema Love EP (2002)
 * Walls EP (2005)
 * Destroy The Robots EP (2006)
 * Feed The Wolf EP (2007)


 * Singles
 * "Rain" (2004)
 * "We Belong In The Sea" (2007)
 * "Whales Are Dying" (2009)