It's not like we didn't see it coming. It was obvious to the point of painfulness. The question was "when" not "if" Brent Knopf would leave. Interviews published back in the days of 2007's Friend and Foe already revealed cracks. They dicussed their strife freely, but still managed to look like they were having fun. They laughed their way through interviews. But that was around 2007.Flash forward to 2010 and the cracks were bigger, the burden was heavier. They almost didn't finish Mines. They hired a manager, Ami Spishock of Zeitgeist Artist Management, to help smooth things out. They never did think about how they would play their songs live while composing them. Certainly this led to a few more fights as they tried to pare down the loops and layers of song and actually play them...together..in the same room...after all the other disagreements. They brought in a fourth person for touring purposes, Joe Haegge from 31 Knots and Tu Fawning.
Their tour was musically brilliant, but offstage they looked unhappy. It just didn't seem like fun anymore; and it had always seemed like they were having a blast in their photo shoots and music videos. It seemed like they could put aside creative differences and enjoy each other.
Mines leaked onto torrents and YouTube a full 2 months before release date, causing great worry about sales. There were probably more fights and finger-pointing about how it could have leaked. When the much-anticipated record was finally released, it charted into Billboard's Top 200 at 96, and hit the Tastemaker and Indie charts at 11. It also appeared in Digital Albums, Rock Albums, Heatseekers and Alternative charts. Those were their highest chart positions ever, but the album fell off the charts completely after two weeks. Still, it was a success. They promoted the album on Jimmy Fallon, and Carson Daly using footage from their LA concert.
It was hoped that some success might change things, particularly combined with new management. Meanwhile, a local Portland news feature ran in Williamette Weekly with the headline, "Everyone Loves Menomena...Except Menomena." The Portland Mercury ran an article titled "Damaged Goods: Menomena is a band in ruins and that's a good thing." Much like the album title it kind of was funny, yet not funny at all.
What it came down to was the process. At first it was amicable, described almost like a bunch of jazzers improvising and recording what came out by passing the mic. But as it always is with maturing bands, jobs, commitments, and marriages tied them up from those easier days. Just hearing about three distinct songwriters working out their ideas via a computer program sounds like a mess; add frustration and avoiding personal contact. They sent song files back and forth, along with fighting words. Even a mega-manager couldn't save them from years of being at each other's throats over song structure. She inherited a minefield. It was only a matter of time before something else blew up.
The indie world feels more than a bit of sadness that things couldn't be worked out between the three guys, but sometimes a band becomes so mired and embattled that ending it is the only way. Well, at least that's how it is for Knopf. He already tried the solo project route with Ramona Falls to release his musical frustrations. Intuit was a beautiful album of fairy tales for grown-ups. When it came to discussing side projects he was ebullient. But for the sake of Menomena, it was too little, too late. When he discussed Menomena in the Examiner.com interview, he seemed inconsolable at times.
Danny Seim and Justin Harris plan to continue their tour. In February they head to Australia. In March they tour the US again. They will not visit Los Angeles as they did last time through. For many fans, Brent Knopf leaving is a deal breaker.
History chronically repeats itself. Breaking up or breaking away are one of the inevitable parts of being in a band. After 10 years, it's more like a divorce in some ways. Who will get custody of that vast, uncharted territory of unfinished songs?
Here is the announcement from www.Menomena.com 1/7/11:
Farewell Brent Knopf, March Tour.
After 10 years of fruitful collaboration, Brent Knopf has decided to part ways with Menomena to focus on Ramona Falls and other creative pursuits. We want to thank Brent for his vast contributions over the years and wish him nothing but happiness in all of his future endeavors. All three of us look forward to seeing you soon!
The March US Tour will feature Paul Alcott rounding out the quartet.
Their tour was musically brilliant, but offstage they looked unhappy. It just didn't seem like fun anymore; and it had always seemed like they were having a blast in their photo shoots and music videos. It seemed like they could put aside creative differences and enjoy each other.
Mines leaked onto torrents and YouTube a full 2 months before release date, causing great worry about sales. There were probably more fights and finger-pointing about how it could have leaked. When the much-anticipated record was finally released, it charted into Billboard's Top 200 at 96, and hit the Tastemaker and Indie charts at 11. It also appeared in Digital Albums, Rock Albums, Heatseekers and Alternative charts. Those were their highest chart positions ever, but the album fell off the charts completely after two weeks. Still, it was a success. They promoted the album on Jimmy Fallon, and Carson Daly using footage from their LA concert.
It was hoped that some success might change things, particularly combined with new management. Meanwhile, a local Portland news feature ran in Williamette Weekly with the headline, "Everyone Loves Menomena...Except Menomena." The Portland Mercury ran an article titled "Damaged Goods: Menomena is a band in ruins and that's a good thing." Much like the album title it kind of was funny, yet not funny at all.
What it came down to was the process. At first it was amicable, described almost like a bunch of jazzers improvising and recording what came out by passing the mic. But as it always is with maturing bands, jobs, commitments, and marriages tied them up from those easier days. Just hearing about three distinct songwriters working out their ideas via a computer program sounds like a mess; add frustration and avoiding personal contact. They sent song files back and forth, along with fighting words. Even a mega-manager couldn't save them from years of being at each other's throats over song structure. She inherited a minefield. It was only a matter of time before something else blew up.
The indie world feels more than a bit of sadness that things couldn't be worked out between the three guys, but sometimes a band becomes so mired and embattled that ending it is the only way. Well, at least that's how it is for Knopf. He already tried the solo project route with Ramona Falls to release his musical frustrations. Intuit was a beautiful album of fairy tales for grown-ups. When it came to discussing side projects he was ebullient. But for the sake of Menomena, it was too little, too late. When he discussed Menomena in the Examiner.com interview, he seemed inconsolable at times.
Danny Seim and Justin Harris plan to continue their tour. In February they head to Australia. In March they tour the US again. They will not visit Los Angeles as they did last time through. For many fans, Brent Knopf leaving is a deal breaker.
History chronically repeats itself. Breaking up or breaking away are one of the inevitable parts of being in a band. After 10 years, it's more like a divorce in some ways. Who will get custody of that vast, uncharted territory of unfinished songs?
Here is the announcement from www.Menomena.com 1/7/11:
Farewell Brent Knopf, March Tour.
After 10 years of fruitful collaboration, Brent Knopf has decided to part ways with Menomena to focus on Ramona Falls and other creative pursuits. We want to thank Brent for his vast contributions over the years and wish him nothing but happiness in all of his future endeavors. All three of us look forward to seeing you soon!
The March US Tour will feature Paul Alcott rounding out the quartet.
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