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David Galas - Biography


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Biography

1984 David begins recording drones and audio manipulations on 2 track, using a keyboard, acoustic and electric guitars, microphones and a drum machine. Many hours of music recorded during the mid-80's, mostly experimental in nature.

1987 David begins to manipulate audio with synthesizers. Learned to play many instruments. piano, alto/tenor/baritone saxophones, baritone clarinet, guitar, drums and tuned percussion. Additionally he begins to score short musical compositions.

1988 David begins College and studies music theory/composition, ear training, classical piano, classical guitar and audio engineering. He begins to experiment with sampling. David also starts recording music with high-school friend Tom Dearing using a 4-track recorder borrowed from Robert J. (Opus X, The Blue Room Conspiracy). The music was a very unique mix of a rhythmic/noise loops, audio manipulations, noise and heavily effected vocals.

1989 David and Tom continue to write and record music through the spring and summer. Many songs were recorded during this time and the end result was a 10 track audio cassette under the name "The Hiroshima Lovers - drug". The cassette was given to friends and sent to various independent record labels. David starts to assemble a small home studio for recording his own music and becomes interested in producing and working with other musicians. During the Summer of 89' David records music with Robert J. and Tom Dearing, but unfortunately only a few songs were ever created. Robert J, studied at the same school of music with David and both of them would occasionally work on music together. Unfortunately nothing much ever came out of their collaborations at this time. In November David met Jason Farrell at College and forms a band with local bass player Russell Ramirez('House of the Dark Blue Arts'). They begin writing music together, Jason Farrell - vocals/guitar, Russell Ramirez - bass guitar, David Galas - keyboards/drum programs. Russell ends up leaving the band shortly after the first couple of sessions. David and Jason continued on as a project named 'Cat-Hous...', the music was heavily inspired by post-punk gloom bands of the 80's and the movie 'Alice in Wonderland'.

1990 Cat-hous continues writing and recording throughout the winter, spring and summer of 1990 and performs their first show in June at 'Club Dv8' in Scottsdale Arizona. They produce and complete their first release. A 60 minute audio cassette of music. In September they give copies away to friends at a party at Kiwana's Park in Tempe. Recording slows down later that year.

1991 In the spring Cat-Hous refocuses and begins to send out demo's to independent labels and other various record companies. They take a road trip to California for spring break and spend the week in Lompoc at Jason's parents. Afterwards they spend a few nights in Hollywood visiting various Gothic nighclubs for inspiration. Cat-Hous returns to Arizona and puts together two more live shows with help from Tim 'Dink' Deaver on bass guitar. Cat-Hous's final show was opening for Gene Loves Jezebel at Club Dv8, this would be the last time that Jason and David would ever perform together. After much criticism and negative feedback from various record labels both Jason and David lose inspiration to continue with Cat-Hous. As a result, they ultimately decide to end their collaboration together. All three of the performances were video taped, but unfortunately all copies were lost, only a single audio recording of a live show survived. Projekt Records, which received one of their demo's, referred Jason to a local artist recently signed by Projekt Records. The artist was Mike VanPortfleet, his band 'Lycia' was releasing the debut CD 'Ionia'. Jason meets Mike and holds a release party for Lycia at a local record shop in Tempe called 'Stinkweeds'. Masterminded by Jason Farrell, an idea to produce a compilation tape of local artists in Arizona was produced. A party was held with the bands, it was here that David met Mike VanPortfleet and discussed audio production and recording techniques. The name of the local band compilation was called 'Meliorate' , one of the artists featured on the tape was Micheal Plaster, his song generated interest from Projekt Records and was eventually signed under the name 'Soul Whirling Somewhere'.

1992 David spent this year writing and recording his own music while producing and recording other artists and local bands. He also tried out playing guitar for a new band that was formed between Jason Farrell of Cat-Hous, Mike Plaster of 'Soul Whirling Somewhere' and Tim 'Dink' Deaver of 'Heartfelt Knife'. The band was called 'Firecracker'. After a short period of time David didn't feel that his contribution to the band worked well and parted ways.

1993 In January, David was asked to record and produce 'Firecracker'. This recording was recently re-mixed to CD and self released throughout the friends of the band. In early spring of 1993 Jason contacted David about a festival of local band being put together for April 30th. Lycia was scheduled to play but needed another musician. Jason had recommended that David help Lycia. David is eventually contacted by Mike VanPortfleet, shortly afterwards getting together to work on a 20 minute song to be performed at the festival. The festival was aptly named "Night of Beautiful Noise". Mike VanPortfleet and David write the 1st version of the 20 minute piece entitled "The Last Thoughts Before Sleep". Oddly a break down in communication almost abruptly ends their collaboration together. After a couple weeks they regroup and practice a new version of "TLTBS" which was rewritten by VanPorfleet. (The original version has not been released yet).

On April 30th, Mike VanPortfleet and David Galas took the stage as Lycia and performs "The Last Thoughts Before Sleep" for the first time. The sound was so excessive that a cable from the ceiling fell down and nearly struck Micheal Plaster. (a few moments of this performance was videotaped, and is somewhere lost.). During the show, David was asked to sit in and play bass with a group whom had just lost their bass player that day. The band was called "LovesLiesCrushing" whom was signed to Projekt Records shortly afer. A few days after the show Mike VanPortfleet asks David to help him support live performances supporting the new Lycia CD 'A Day In the Stark Corner'. David agrees to help Mike and Projekt begins to arrange a small California tour scheduled for Autumn of 93. During the summer Lycia practices for what would be known as 'The Stark Corner Tour'. Lycia tours California in the first week of October 93'. Sam Rosenthal of Projekt Records records portions of the shows and releases it under the name 'Lycia - Live'. A week after returning from the tour Mike and David sit down and plan out a side project to explore the more chaotic aspects of Lycia. This side project was named 'Bleak'. Recording began in November of 93' and lasted until February of 94'.

1994 The recording of 'Bleak' was completed in February. The CD is titled "Vane". Shortly after the completion of Bleak discussions are held about the next Lycia cd, and in March, David and Mike begin production and record 'The Burning Circle and Then Dust'. The recording of Disc 1 was completed that Summer. However, many songs are cut out due to time constraints. During the Summer a side project was initiated called 'Tetsuo'. The idea initially involved many musicians. The group consisted of: Mike Vanportfleet, David Galas of Lycia, Jason Farrell and Josh Graham of 'The Sycamore Trio' and John Fair from early Lycia. The project was abandoned rather quickly and only one song was actually recorded. As a result, Mike Vanportfleet and John Fair begin to record songs for their side project 'Dust'. In August Mike Vanportfleet and Tara Flower form yet another side project called 'Estrella' and record two songs at David's home studio. Later that year, Projekt Records suggests that 'The Burning Circle' become a double CD release because of the amount of material left from the initial disc. As a result the two songs that were recorded as 'Estrella' (Nimble and Surrender) end up being used on Disc 2 as Lycia tracks and Tara Flower becomes a member of Lycia. Production begins for the remaining songs for Disc 2. The recording lasts throughout December.

1995 Sometime in the Winter of 95' Lycia is asked to support a Type-O-Negative spring tour. Lycia re-groups with a new lineup. Mike Vanportfleet - guitar and vocals, Tara Flower - synth and vocals, Jason Farrell - guitar, Josh Graham - synth/sampler, drum machine and David Galas - bass guitar and synth. Frustrated with the overall progress after a few nights of practice, Mike decides to change the lineup to just Mike, Tara and David. One week later the tour management informs Lycia that they are not needed for the tour. Lycia continues to practice and Projekt Records plans another California tour. Slated for the last week of April through the first week of May, Lycia performs a series of shows supporting 'The Burning Circle' release. During the tour, Lycia meets band 'Trance to the Sun' and performs a set together in Santa Barbara. After the tour, Mike Vanportfleet and Tara Flower relocate to Streetsboro, Ohio. David joins them that summer to help prepare for an east coast tour supporting 'The Burning Circle'. That summer, Lyia performs nearly 30 shows with band 'Trance to the Sun'.

August, Mike and Tara begin to write music together for the next Lycia CD. David remained distant from the couple as tensions built up. Lycia records a version of 'In A Lonely Place' for a Joy Division compilation CD. Frustrated with the tension of performing live, David discontinues performing shows with Lycia. Lycia goes on to open up for Type-O-Negative in October that year with Scott B. on bass guitar. While Lycia is on tour David re-assembles his studio and begins recording music for his solo project called 'Snowblind'. Additionally he prepares the studio for the production of the next Lycia CD.

1996 In January Lycia begins production on the 'Cold' cd. The intial 7 songs that Mike and Tara wrote together are recorded first. David quickly assembles two songs (Colder and December) and records them. 'Cold' is quickly finished by February. David discontinues writing music for his project 'Snowblind' and in August moves back to Arizona. September, back in Arizona, David Galas re-assembles his studio and begins to write some music. Frustrated with his progress he ultimately decides to quit music and pursue a career in the culinary arts. David ends up getting various cooking jobs at several restaurants for the next couple years.

1998 September, Robert J. asks David to play guitar for his band 'The Zero- Hour'. David works with him for the remainder of 98' and into 99'.

1999 David continues playing for 'The Zero Hour' and in May they record 10 songs. June, David unexpectedly moves back to Ohio with nothing but his car and a computer and gets a job doing computer technical support in Kent, Ohio. During the Summer David begins to re-build a new home studio and starts writing songs on 12 string acoustic guitar. August, Mike Vanporfleet meets with David and asks him to rejoin Lycia to play bass on the next Lycia cd. The music for the new CD is written by Mike and reflects the style of early Lycia (Pre-Wake and Wake era sound). Lycia regroups with Mike Vanportfleet - voclas, guitar and audio engineer, Tara VanFlower - vocals, John Fair - drum programming and David Galas - bass guitar. November, Lycia begins to record 'Empty Spaces' and ten songs are recorded. Unexpectedly, due to various reaons, Mike Vanportfleet decides to end the project and retire from music all together. David continues working on his own music for the remainder of the year.

2000 David writes only a couple songs, very little work is produced.


2001 David writes very little during this year.
April, at Cleveland's Case Western University David performs a two song acoustic set with Greg Helm on vocals. David and Greg begin a short collaboration together which only lasts a couple months. Nothing was ever recorded. Due to the outsourcing trend in America, David is laid off from his technical support job. After roaming around the East Coast he eventually gets a job washing dishes and cooking at Mikes Place Restaurant in Kent, Ohio.

2002-2003 A period of little to no activity, David spends most of his time working, driving around, getting lost, working on his car and generally spending time away from music. Music is mostly unfinished and shelved away.

2004 David writes a few more songs, and at the advice of friend Jill Podany he posts them on Songplanet.com. Shortly after, David contemplates retiring from music and eventually packs up his entire home studio and prepares to sell his equipment. November, David begins to collect all music recorded between 99'-2004' and plans to release them all for free on Usenet and Songplanet for Lycia fans. David is contacted by Joseph Cortese of Vendlus Records and offers to release the music. December, David signs with Vendlus Records to release a CD. David begins to sort out, re-record, re-write and produce the music that he had been working on since 99'. During this time, David had quit the restaurant and spends a large amount of time unemployed and broke..

2005 April, David announces that all of the music has been finished and the name of the new CD will be called 'The Cataclysm'. 19 tracks with a running time near 75 minutes. Between May - October David completes vocals and post-production of the CD. Final mix is completed on Los Dias De Los Muertos and finally the CD is sent to Vendlus Records.

2006 March, after a series of unexpected delays, 'The Cataclysm' is finally mastered by Matt Lindsay at Moondog Studio's in Kent, Ohio. July, after another series of delays, artwork for 'The Cataclysm' is completed by Mariusz at Halftone Productions in Poland. The final CD master and artwork is sent to New York to be pressed. David begins working on new material for the second CD. In addition he begins working on a side project 'The Petting Zoo' which is a much more experimental sound than his solo work. In May, David gets married to girlfriend. August, Mike Vanportfleet contacts David and plans to start recording is brought up. Mike and David begin working on music via the internet. After a couple months the official word is released that Lycia had regrouped and is working on a new CD. Unfortunately in October. due to issues in Arizona, the situation quickly derails their work. As a result, recording is put indefinitely on hold. Shortly after 'The Cataclysm' is released and made available from Vendlus Records. Several good reviews are written about the cd.

2007 February, 'The Cataclysm' is officially released and is picked up by distribution. David continues writing material for both his second solo release and 'The Petting Zoo'.

David records vocals on two songs for Methadrone's new cd titles 'Sterility'.

2008 David continues production of the second cd.

He is asked to produce a soundtrack for the dance troupe 'LAPSUS' from San Francisco. David starts work on the instrumental project titled 'Rituales de los Muertos'. In May, David announces the title of the second cd 'The Happiest Days Of My Life' and plans to release the first two singles 'When The Thread Breaks' and 'Glory'. In August he releases 'Glory' followed by 'The Last Days Of The War' on November 1st. On November 7th he releases the third single 'When The Thread Breaks'. Two weeks later, due to the failing world economy, David is laid off from his job of nearly three years. He makes the commitment to throw himself into recording and writing music and plans to finish the next CD by the end of December 2008.

2009 Recording for the new CD 'The Happiest Days Of My Life' is completed in March. Mixing begins and lasts throughout April. David creates the video for 'Last Days Of The War'. Writing and recording begins for the third solo double-cd entitled 'The Ghosts of California'. After a couple months David decides that he doesn't like the finished mix of the 2nd cd and completely (re)mixes 'The Happiest Days Of My Life' from scratch. Finishes mixing on Sept 29. David moves to Cubase 5 as his main software for producing music. October, David begins to (re)mix and re-master Lycia's side project 'Bleak - VANE' that was originally released in 1994. The tapes from the project were available and David uploaded them to digital in 2007. October 27th 'The Happiest Days Of My Life' is released on iTunes and Amazon.com/mp3. In November 23rd, the re-release or the completely remixed and remastered version of 'Bleak - Vane' is available on iTunes. However the name has been retitled 'Lycia - Bleak ~ Vane'.

2010 December/January - David re-organizes his studio and prepares to begin recording material for the third and final solo cd 'The Ghosts Of California' and his new project 'The Petting Zoo'. May, David decides to put the third release on hold and instead begins recording an acoustic EP titled 'The Only Way Through Is Out'. Later in May, David finds out that he will be relocating to the U.P. in Michigan. June, David packs up studio and prepares to move. July, David begins moving. August, finalizing the sale of the house.

Source: http://www.davidgalas.com/davidgalas/biography.html