If you haven't heard yet, you will. Horse the Band is about to embark on a tour that spans 4 continents and 40 countries. Appropriately, it's called Earth Tour. I'd think a more fitting name would be the We're Completely Insane tour.
This tour was booked entirely DIY. You read that right. They did it all on their own. And boy, do they have something to show for it.
WARNING: Before you read any further, it's important for you to note that Horse the Band is known for bending the truth slightly for a laugh. For instance, when they dropped from the Gatsby's American Dream tour in 2006, they claimed they left because they were in Chicago, eating the best pizza they'd ever eaten. They even went so far as to record an EP - called, simply, Pizza - shortly after the prank.
Although Earth Tour appears entirely legit, I thought I should warn you in advance if it turns out to be a farce and I end up looking dumb for the praise I'm about to give them. Still, if that ends up being the situation, I'll have to give them credit for pulling such an elaborate joke.
The payoff? It seems the entire trip is going to be free. In fact, it seems they may even come out on top. Instead of summarizing, I'll pull a direct quote from an AbsolutePunk post.
"We are still planning a DVD, reality-TV series, and feature length documentary as well as press coverage in National Geographic, Time, Life, People, etc."
'Etc.' Like, big deal. Some other internationally acclaimed magazines might cover us. Who knows. Don't really care.
These guys, who are known for their insane live experience and proved it by playing shows with the ridiculous (yet awesome) Gwar, just put out one of the most unbelievable albums of 2007. A Natural Death makes the listener step back and examine his or her existence, then question reality all-together. A self-proclaimed "nintendocore" band, synthesizers that mimic Nintendo sound effects lead the melodies like a pied piper. Crunching guitars follow bursts of machine-gun drums as the sometimes screeching, sometimes crushing vocals of lead singer Nathan Winneke dominate the decadent playground that is Horse the Band.
Really though, Horse the Band is not for everyone. You don't have to like them, but I believe in my heart that everyone can at least appreciate them. Or at least laugh with them. Maybe even cry with them. The fourth track of AND, called "The Beach," portrays a woman weeping on top of an eerie synth melody. The first time I heard the track, I felt a little empty inside.
Well Horse, I better see you guys posing on the cover of National Geographic - maybe with a group of naked Aborigines.
"Then use the skills of the wolf / I don't use a bullet / I get close enough I can use my knife / My knife!"
- Nathan Winneke, "Murder"
