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Howlin Rain is an American rock band based in Oakland, California,[1] formed in 2004 by guitarist/singer Ethan Miller. Their most recent album The Dharma Wheel was released in 2021. Their sound has been described as "classically soulful"[2] and "Unapologetically influenced by the strong but easygoing grooves of West Coast 1970s rock".[3]
Howlin Rain | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Oakland, California, United States |
| Genres | Psychedelic, Blues-rock |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Birdman Records, American Recordings, Easy Sound Records, Three Lobed Records |
| Members | Ethan Miller Jeff McElroy Dan Cervantes Brian "Nucci" Cantrell |
| Past members | (see below) |
| Website | www.howlinrain.com |
Ethan Miller formed Howlin Rain in 2004 when he was still a member of Comets on Fire, as an outlet for his songwriting interests and the influence of life in the Lost Coast area of Northern California.[4] The first incarnation of the band also included bassist Ian Gradek and drummer John Moloney (who later joined Sunburned Hand of the Man).[3] The final Comets on Fire album was released in 2006,[5] after which Miller dedicated himself to Howlin Rain full-time.[3] The group has since featured a revolving line-up with Miller as the only constant member.
The self-titled album Howlin Rain was released in 2006, establishing a "psychedelic country/garage rock" sound,[6] after which the band toured as the opening act for Queens of the Stone Age.[3] In 2007, the band signed with Rick Rubin to American Recordings.[7] Their second album Magnificent Fiend, featuring an expanded line-up, was released in 2008.[8] This album was noted for featuring jam band elements, and was described as a "combination of psychedelia, blues, funk and classic 1970s arena rock."[9] The EPs Wild Life and The Good Life followed.[3]
Howlin Rain performed at All Tomorrow's Parties in England in 2010.[3] Their third full-length album The Russian Wilds was released in 2012, featuring further experiments in blues rock and 1970s album-oriented rock.[10] This was the band's final album with American Recordings, and Miller reformed the line-up once again.[11][12] Miller then conceived an interconnected trilogy of albums, and the first installment Mansion Songs was released in 2015.[12]
Miller formed his own label, Silver Current Records,[3] which issued The Alligator Bride in 2018. That album introduced hard rock and R&B elements to the group's sound.[13] The third album in the planned trilogy, The Dharma Wheel, was released in 2021.[14]
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Current members
- Ethan Miller – vocals, guitar (2004–present)
- Justin Smith – drums (2018–present)
- Jason Soda – guitar (2021–present)
- Kyre Wilcox – bass (2021–present)
Past members
- Ian Gradek – bass (2004–2009)
- John Moloney – drums (2004–2006)
- Joel Robinow – keyboards, horns, guitar, piano, organ (2007–2012)
- Mike Jackson – rhythm guitar (2008–2009)
- Garett Goddard – drums (2008–2009)
- Cyrus Comiskey – bass (2010–2015)
- Raj Kumar Ojha – drums (2010–2012)
- Isaiah Mitchell – guitar (2010–2012)
- Dan Cervantes – guitar (2014–2021)
- Jeff McElroy – bass, guitar (2014–2021)
- Brian "Nucci" Cantrell – drums (2014–2015)
Studio guests
- Ben Chasny – guitar (2007)
- Utrillo Kushner – drums (2007)
- Eli Eckert – guitar, bass (2008, 2012)
- John Gnorski – guitar (2015)
- Neil Harmonson – guitar, drums (2015)
- Charlie Saufley – guitar, bass (2015)
- Meg Baird – drums, guitar, backing vocals (2015)
- Richard Danielson – drums (2018)
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Albums
- Howlin Rain (2006)
- Magnificent Fiend (2008)
- Wild Life (EP, 2008)
- The Good Life (EP, 2010)
- The Russian Wilds (2012)
- Live Rain (live, 2014)
- Mansion Songs (2015)
- The Alligator Bride (2018)
- The Dharma Wheel (2021)
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