mewithoutYou
MewithoutYou (stylized as mewithoutYou) is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based experimental rock band. The band consists of vocalist Aaron Weiss, guitarist Michael Weiss, bassist Greg Jehanian and drummer Rickie Mazzotta. MewithoutYou's music is generally dominated by spoken-word vocals and free-ranging drums, bass, and guitar. In their most recent album, Brother, Sister, the band incorporates more varied instrumentation including percussion instruments, accordion, and harp. Aaron Weiss writes lyrics about issues such as unity or division in the church, suicide, money, war and love. They tour in a 40 foot 1976 MC8 Charter bus that runs on vegetable oil.[ Synthesis Interview]
Jeremy Enigk and Aaron Weiss Catch Up as the World Waits, 2006-12-07
History
The band was originally conceived as a side project. The Weiss brothers and former guitarist Christopher Kleinberg were playing together in another band called The Operation (who released one album, 2001's There Is Hope for a Tree Cut Down, on Takehold Records), but Aaron wanted to start another band to experiment with new sounds. After picking up Rick Mazzotta on drums and Ray Tadeo on bass, Kleinberg and the Weiss brothers released their first EP (I Never Said That I Was Brave) in 2001 and shortly thereafter signed to Tooth & Nail Records after a show at Cornerstone Festival the same year. Around this time Tadeo had moved on, Daniel Pishock picked up as the bass player, and The Operation disbanded soon afterward. MewithoutYou's debut full-length album,  Life, was released in 2002. The band garnered more attention for their second release, 2004's Catch for Us the Foxes, which was produced by Brad Wood (Smashing Pumpkins, Fire Theft). In December 2004 Pishock had made a decision to retire as the bassist for the band and former Operation frontman, Greg Jehanian, was selected to replace him. In 2005, MewithoutYou won mtvU's "Left Field" award for most original artist. Their third album, Brother, Sister, again produced by Wood, was released on September 26, 2006. In late 2007, guitarist Christopher Kleinberg left the band, to pursue a degree in medicine. Kleinberg was replaced by Pete Syuom in the fall of 2007, but later returned to play with the band on their 2008 Summer tour since school was not in session.
Aaron Weiss provides narration for the Forgive Durden album entitled, "Razia's Shadow: A Musical" which was released October 28, 2008. He also provides vocals for Norma Jean's "Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste" and Indie/Hip Hop project Bella Futuro's "70 X 7".
The band has recently finished recording their fourth album which was being produced by Dan Smith (Danielson, Sufjan Stevens) and Brian McTear.
Lyrical themes
The Weiss brothers are of Jewish descent and their songs explore Judeo-Christian themes. The Weiss brothers were also raised in a Sufi household—their mother had converted from Episcopalianism, and their father from Judaism.
The title of their second album Catch for Us the Foxes is taken directly from Song of Songs 2:15: "Catch for us the foxes,/ the little foxes/ that ruin the vineyards,/ our vineyards that are in bloom" (New International Version).[Song of Songs 2:15, NIV] This passage is also used in the song "The Soviet": "Good god, please! Catch for us the foxes in the vineyard—the little foxes". See lyrical themes of Catch for Us the Foxes for the themes explored on the album.
The title of their third album, Brother, Sister, is derived from St. Francis of Assisi's "Canticle of the Sun": "We praise You, Lord, especially for Brother Sun, We praise You, Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars".[ St. Francis of Assisi's "Canticle of the Sun" at prayerfoundation.org]
Current
 Aaron Weiss – Lead vocals, acoustic guitar, accordion, trumpet, keyboards, percussion
Michael Weiss – Guitar, keyboards, Vocals
Rickie Mazzotta – drums
Greg Jehanian – Bass guitar, Vocals
Former
Christopher Kleinberg – Guitar
Daniel Pishock – Bass guitar
Ray Taddeo – Bass guitar
Steve Smoker – Bass guitar
Albums
Life, 2002 (Tooth & Nail Records)
Catch for Us the Foxes, 2004 (Tooth & Nail Records)
Brother, Sister, 2006 (Tooth & Nail Records)
mewithoutYou & Friends (working title), 2008/2009 (Tooth & Nail Records)
EPs
Blood Enough For Us All EP, 2000 (self-released)
I Never Said That I Was Brave EP, 2001 (Kickstart Audio)
Vinyl
Norma Jean / MewithoutYou, 2002 (Solid State Records/Tooth & Nail Records)
Life, 2002 (Gilead Media)
Catch for Us the Foxes, 2004 (Gilead Media)
Brother, Sister, 2006 (Burnt Toast Vinyl)
Nice and Blue (Pt. Two), 2007 (Strange Addiction Records)
Electric guitars
Gibson Custom Les Paul Goldtop (Michael)
Fender American Telecaster, Sunburst (Michael)
Fender Standard Stratocaster, Pink (Michael)
Rickenbacker 330 (Michael)
Effects pedals
In order of appearance:
Dunlop Crybaby (Michael)
Line 6 DL4 Delay x2 (Michael)
Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Analog Chorus (Michael)
Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator (Michael)
HAO Soul Pressure (Michael
Boss RV-5 Reverb (Michael)
Bass
Fender Jazz Bass (Greg)
Percussion
C & C Drums
Meinl Byzance Heavy Hi-Hat Traditional 14"
Meinl Byzance Medium Thin Crash Traditional 19"
Meinl Byzance Medium Ride Traditional 21"
Videography
"Bullet to Binary" from A→B Life directed by Shane Drake
"January 1979" from Catch for Us the Foxes directed by Shane Drake
"Disaster Tourism" from Catch for Us the Foxes directed by Casey McBride & Daniel Davison
"Leaf" from Catch for Us the Foxes directed by Josh Bender (unfinished)
"Paper Hanger" from Catch for Us the Foxes directed by Lex Halaby
"Nice and Blue, Pt. 2" from Brother, Sister directed by Shane Drake
External links
Official website
Official website of Brother, Sister
Interview with Aaron Weiss dated January, 2007
Interview with Aaron Weiss dated September 29th, 2006
Interview with Aaron Weiss
Interview with Aaron Weiss dated September 9th, 2006
Interview with Michael and Aaron Weiss dated August 1st, 2006
Interview with Aaron Weiss dated May 25th, 2005
Interview with Richard Mazzotta dated April 27th, 2005
Interview with Michael and Aaron Weiss and Daniel Pishock dated Summer 2002
Tooth & Nail Records · Record label to which mewithoutYou is currently signed.
MewithoutYou on PureVolume
MewithoutYou on MySpace
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