Tripping Daisy

Infobox musical artist
Name = Tripping Daisy


Img_capt = Wes, Mark, Tim, Bryan
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = Malakoff, Texas
Genre = Alternative rock, Grunge
Years_active = 1991-1999
Label = Island Records
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URL = http://www.trippingdaisy.com/
Current_members =
Past_members =
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Tripping Daisy was a rock band that formed in Malakoff, Texas in 1985. They started off as a garage grunge rock band in a small town. After the band disbanded in 1999, member Tim DeLaughter, along with bandmates Mark Pirro and Bryan Wakeland, went on to form the 24-piece symphonic choral rock group The Polyphonic Spree. Ben Curtis formed a progressive rock trio called The Secret Machines.

First album

After playing local gigs, the band released their first single, "Lost and Found", which received moderate airplay on local radio. The band soon began recording what would become their first full length album, "Bill", released on the independent label Dragon Street Records. The album was a favorite on Dallas college radio. The sound on "Bill" is characterized by the heavy use of vocal effects and unconventional riffs, both of which lend to a neo-psychedelic sound.

The band released a live album in 1994 titled "Get It On". The album closes with a cover of the Bad Religion song "We're Only Gonna Die".

Commercial breakthrough

After signing a deal with Island Records, the band recorded their first major-label release, "I Am an Elastic Firecracker". The music video for the song "I Got a Girl" received extended airplay on MTV.

Later albums

The band's third album, "Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb", was a mix of both creativity and experimentalism. DeLaughter has been quoted as saying that the album "is the band at their best". The album has a fragmented style: from one vignette to another.

Wes Berggren and Tripping Daisy

Wes Berggren was found dead of an apparent heart attack in his apartment on October 27, 1999. Although never officially stated, rumors have circulated that his death was due to a drug overdose. With Berggren's death, the band cancelled its upcoming tour dates and finished some minor recording sessions for the final album. The self-titled album was released posthumously, with Berggren's father Don playing a Fender Rhodes electric piano on the unfinished song "Soothing Jubilee". The album included a re-recording of "One Through Four", a song originally featured on "Bill".

Tripping Daisy officially disbanded on December 14, 1999.

Personnel

*Tim DeLaughter - Lead vocals/guitars/dulcimer/Califone/keyboards ) (1991 - 1999)
*Wes Berggren - Lead guitars/Mellotron/Ace Tone/cello/keyboards (1991 - 1999)
*Mark Pirro - Bass guitars/percussion (1991 - 1999)
*Philip Karnats - Guitars/trumpet/banjo (1997 - 1999)
*Bryan Wakeland - Drums (1991-1995)
*Stephen McCord - Guitars (1985-1989)
*Jeff Bouck - Drums (1991)
*Mitch Marine - Drums (1995-1997)
*Ben Curtis - Drums (1997-1999)

Discography

Albums

*"Bill" - 1992
*"I Am an Elastic Firecracker" - 1995
*"Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb" - 1998
*"Tripping Daisy" - 2000

EPs

*"Get It On - Live" (1994)
*"Time Capsule" (1997)
*"The Tops Off Our Head" (1999)

External links

* [http://www.trippingdaisy.com/ Official Website]