News
06.30.08 | Red Masque Interview Airs Online Tonight
Well, we have finally decompressed after NEAR Fest and just want to thank everyone that stopped by and bought the CD or just came by to say "hi." We had tons of fun and only wish we had more time to hang out with everyone.
DJ Debbie Sears of the Prog Rock Diner interviewed Lynnette, Brandon, and Vonorn while at NEAR FEST and will broadcast it from her show tonight. Her program airs from 5 to 7 PM and will also feature a track off our new album, Fossil Eyes. See www.progrockdiner.com for broadcasting information. Afterwards, the interview will be archived online.
As far as the official CD release through RER USA/Ad Hoc goes, label prez. Dave Kerman assures us the album will be out within the next month on his site (www.rerusa.com). They are waiting to do a batch release of all their new albums at one time, so if you want to purchase the new album, rest assured it will be available shortly...
We are also busy trying to work on some possible shows so we'll let you know as something concrete is pencilled in....
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06.24.08 | Baltic Prog Fest Cancellation
Due to a myriad of circumstances beyond our control, the band has to cancel its Baltic Prog Fest show in July. We are sorry to disappoint anyone who was planning on attending, but the trip to Lithuania is just not feasible at this time.
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06.13.08 | Upcoming Events & CD Release
On Wednesday, June 18th, the Red Masque will perform at the Black Lodge in Philadelphia with Texas Zeuhl band Corima. Please visit the schedule page for details and directions. Later that week, at NEARFest, in Bethlehem, PA, The Red Masque will be premiering their new album. The CD will be available at the RER USA vending table in the Black Box room of the venue. Members of the band will be by the vending room in order to autograph copies of Fossil Eyes, or greet fans. After the festival, the album will be available for purchase through the RER USA website. Other distributors, including Squidco, will be announced soon.
The band is also collaborating with filmmaker David Pym on a video for "The Spider is the Web," the first song on Fossil Eyes, and will have some free promotional copies of the video to pass out at the fest. The video features animations by Pym based off of illustrations by vocalist Lynnette Shelley. These videos will be available in a limited quantity and available for FREE to the first people who buy copies of the album at Nearfest (until supplies of the DVD run out) After the festival is over, the band will make the video available online, most likely through Youtube.com. Details TBA.
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06.02.08 | Fossil Eyes to be released late June through RER USA
The Red Masque have signed with progressive label RER USA (headed by David Kerman) and will be releasing their new album, Fossil Eyes, in late June 2008 through RER USA's own label Ad Hoc Records. RER USA was founded in 2003 as the exclusive North American distributor of the English label, ReR Megacorp, a twenty five year old company that defines the vanguard of experimental, progressive, interesting and genre-defying music. The Red Masque expect to have the new album available at the North East Art Rock Festival (NEARFest) from June 20-22 at the RER USA vending booth for purchase. Member of the band will be on hand to sign copies. Fossil Eyes will be available through RER USA's webstore by late June. More details forthcoming....
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05.12.08 | Site Revamp!
We just gave our site design a much-needed overhaul. Let us know what you think.
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05.10.08 | Major album announcement coming shortly...
The Red Masque will be announcing the release date for their new album Fossil Eyes and their new label shortly. Stay tuned for details...
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04.30.08 | New Show Announced
The Red Masque will be performing with a talented zeuhl-influenced band from Texas, Corima, on June 18 at the Black Lodge in Philadelphia. Please see our schedule page for details.
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04.22.08 | The New Album
The Red Masque are pleased to announce that work on their new album, Fossil Eyes, is finally complete and is being sent off to the record label. Vonorn wrapped up productions this weekend, and the final song list is below:
01. The Spider Is the Web
02. Carbon 14
03. Gliese 138
04. Das Snail
05. The Worm
06. Carbon 13
07. Lost in the Petrified Forest
08. The Hive
09. Polyphemus
10. Metamorphosis
11. The Anti-Man (Not Afraid)
As soon as the band has release date information from the label or further details, we will let you know.
As a reminder, The Red Masque will be performing on May 2nd in Philadelphia at Germ Books and Gallery (2005 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125; 215.423.5002). This concert is featured as part of Philly's "First Friday" Arts Crawl. Show time is 7 PM and admission is FREE but donations accepted. This will be a very intimate concert experience with a limited number of seating. Germ Books is also an unusual space and describes itself as an “alternative independent bookstore that [provides] access to ideologically unpopular books; books that address difficult social topics; books that don't cater to the lockstep mentality of the current counterculture; and books that reveal who our true masters are: The UFO Overlords.”
Also check out the new interview with the band by David Lilly. Click here to read.
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04.15.08 | Buddhas and Germs, Oh My. Two upcoming & unusual concerts
The Red Masque will be performing at two unusual and intimate shows in the coming two weeks so we hope to see you at one or the other. The first show, scheduled for April 19 (this Saturday) will be as part of Buddhafest at the Tritone in Philadelphia. The Tritone concert (1508 South Street, Philadelphia, PA) is part of a monthly concert series and open jam sponsored by Buddha Zen Recording Studio. Show time is early, starting at 4 PM with an open jam and will continue to closing time. The Red Masque are scheduled to go on around 11:30. Intermission solo acts will play during all breaks between band setups and break downs. Tickets are only $3.
For Buddhafest, because of the holiday and previous family commitments for one of the band members, The Red Masque will perform as a stripped back three-piece with vocals, bass, guitar and some percussion.
Two weeks later, at Germ Books and Gallery (2005 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125; 215.423.5002), on Friday, May 2nd, the full band will perform. This concert is featured as part of Philly's "First Friday" Arts Crawl. Show time is 7 PM and admission is FREE but donations accepted. This will be a very intimate concert experience with a limited number of seating. Germ Books is also an unusual space and describes itself as an “alternative independent bookstore that [provides] access to ideologically unpopular books; books that address difficult social topics; books that don't cater to the lockstep mentality of the current counterculture; and books that reveal who our true masters are: The UFO Overlords.”
For the upcoming Baltic Prog Festival show in Lithuania on July 25-26, all the acts have been announced for the event: Delirium, Final Conflict, Nick Barrett and Clive Nolan, Panzerballett, Indukti, Obiat, The Red Masque, Flamborough Head, Goad, Zombie Zoo, Olive Mess, InFront, Earworm, and Knyaz Myshkin. Band order is still being determined but tickets are on sale now and at a discount until May 1, after which they will be full price. The Red Masque are very excited to be a part of this fun festival. For more information on Baltic Prog Fest, as well as all the bands on the program, please visit their website at www.balticprogfest.com.
There will be an announcement regarding the band's new album, Fossil Eyes, shortly. Please stay tuned...
Also, please note that The Red Masque's Lynnette Shelley will be featuring three artworks at an art and fashion show benefit on May 3. The show will be at The Well, 1631 Loretta Ave, Feasterville, PA 19053. Partial proceeds to go towards the Eyes of Hope Project. For more information on Lynnette's art and design, as well as other upcoming art shows, please visit Redeye Design LLC at www.designbyredeye.com.
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02.13.08 | The Red Masque to perform at Buddhafest on April 19.
Please see our schedule page for details. We also have another show in the works for May. Stay tuned for details....
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02.13.08 | The Red Masque open for Ascension of the Watchers (featuring members from Fear Factory and Ministry); Plus other news
This just in! Philadelphia avant rock band The Red Masque will be opening for Ascension of the Watchers, featuring Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory, at the Khyber in Philadelphia on Feb. 21.
"Ascension of The Watchers, the creative journey of Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory, G//Z/R) and John Bechdel (False Icons, Fear Factory, Killing Joke, Prong, Ministry, and Murder Inc.), is a vision born of life, love and spirituality. The intimate nature of Ascension of The Watchers is envisioned to draw the minds, hearts and aspirations of a people to a higher level of thinking and feeling by bringing them together in celebration and reflection in the beauty of life and spirituality, through these melodies and words."
About The Red Masque:
"From Pennsylvania hails a quartet without limitations to their purposes and without shame regarding norms and dogma within new rock." - Tarkus Magazine
"In the Nu-progressive rock underground, few bands are as respected and feared as Philadelphia's The Red Masque. Without irony or kitsch, the whirlwind that is Masque ... stalks the darkness of Hammer Horror ambiance and cursedly complex musicianship (think Gong meets Bauhaus) with only feedbacking noise, sound-collage clustering and the howl of vocalist Lynnette Shelley to light its way." - Philadelphia City Paper
Along with Ascension of the Watchers and The Red Masque, the evening will also feature The Collingwood and Cloudminder. Showtime is 8 PM and tickets are $8. To purchase advance tickets, or for further venue information, go to the Khyber's website.
Update on Baltic Prog Festival, July 2008
The Red Masque will be performing in Lithuania in July at the Baltic Prog Festival. While more acts are still to be announced, the following have been confirmed: The Red Masque, Indukti, Olive Mess, Final Conflict, Panzerballett , Obiat, Flamborough Head, Goad, Zombie Zoo, and Earworm. For more information, please visit www.balticprogfest.com.
Art Show
The Red Masque's vocalist Lynnette Shelley will be featuring her artworks at two group art shows in early March. On March 1 there will be a group art show and film festival at the Fortress of the Arts, 221 West Glenwood Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19140; 610.291.1020. 7 PM. $10 door fee. The show will feature independent films, a group art show, live music and food and refreshments. Lynnette will feature four artworks at the event ("The Eagle", "Two Dogs" , "The Tail Biter", and "Gray Fox"), and these works will be on display at the Fortress until the end of the month.
On March 8th, Lynnette will feature three works from her "Red Dragon" series at Higher Grounds, 631 N. 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA; 215.922.3745. This will be part of an RPG themed collective art show featuring tournaments, music and more. The RPG Art Show opening night will be on March 8, starting at 5 PM, however the art exhibit will hang until the end of the month.
For more information on Lynnette's art and design work, please visit www.designbyredeye.com.
Enigma Guitar Repair
For those of you who may be interested, The Red Masque guitarist Andrew Kowal has a new website for his guitar repair work: please visit http://www.enigmaguitarrepair.com/.
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01.07.08 | New Music & Upcoming Shows
Happy New Year everyone. To celebrate we are offering free live downloads from out latest show on December 8th, 2007 at the Highwire Gallery in Philadelphia. Please visit our downloads page to listen to these mpeg files. Special thanks to David Pym for the recordings and also for these photos.
Upcoming January Shows:
01.16.08 | Khyber, Philadelphia
01.19.08 | NJ Proghouse, Metuchen NJ (Private Party).
Please see the schedule page for directions, details etc. Hope to see you there!
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12.18.07 | The Red Masque to perform at Baltic Prog Fest 2008
It is our pleasure to announce that Philadelphia's avant/prog band The Red Masque will be performing at Baltic Prog Fest in Lithuania on July 25-26 2008.
The Red Masque is the first band to be announced but there will be more announcements forthcoming from the festival's organizers, including the exact lineup of the artists.
We will keep you posted with further details…
Festival Website: http://www.balticprogfest.com
Festival Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/balticprogfest
Fest Hotel: http://www.revalinn.com/en
Fest Beer: http://www.avilys.lt/
The Red Masque | theredmasque.com | myspace.com/myredmasque
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12.04.07 | First show at the New Highwire!
Thanks to Radio Eris for the following write-up:
Saturday, December 8th
At The Highwire Gallery
2040 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA
With:
Radio Eris - myspace.com/radio5eris
The Red Masque - myspace.com/myredmasque
Poet Bonnie MacAllister – www.myspace.com/bonniemac
Open jam to follow
Suggested $5 Donation
From Old City to the Gilbert Building , over the last two decades, The Highwire Gallery has become legendary in Philadelphia 's music and arts subcultures, known for interactive and outsider art exhibits, experimental installations and many rich and varied performances, from musical groups of all genres to dance troupes and theater to unforgettable impromptu jam sessions.
It seemed uncertain whether the Highwire would return after the demolition of its most recent home at the Gilbert Building , a victim of the Convention Center's appetite for expansion. However, phoenix-like, the Highwire has once again reopened, this time on the Frankford Ave. Arts Corridor, near the new Germ Books location and the Rocket Cat Café, and with their very own storefront.
In the wake of long-time performance curator John Van Zandt's untimely passing, member Lisa Spera has decided to carry on the tradition of hosting performances from outside the mainstream. For the first event since its reopening, The Highwire will host an evening of music and spoken word, with acclaimed avant-garde rock bands Radio Eris and The Red Masque, plus post-feminist poetry by Bonnie MacAallister.
Both Radio Eris and The Red Masque have performed multiple times in previous incarnations of the Highwire Gallery. "We prefer playing unusual venues; it's a lot more fun to play in front of some piece of surrealism than being shoved onto the average bill at some bar," says bassist Matt Stevenson of Radio Eris. Though their genres differ, the Red Masque being a darkly medieval, demonic prog-rock group and Radio Eris an ambient and noisy spoken-word act influenced by garage punk and 60s psychedelic, both bands share a certain psychedelic sensibility: strong on improvisation and experimentation, powerful lyrics from an eccentric female vocalist, a dramatic, theatrical flair and a signature sound that is uniquely their own.
Pushcart nominated poet Bonnie MacAllister has explores cutting edge feminist themes, and her spoken word has won multiple poetry slams. A true renaissance woman, she has produced poetry-based burlesque acts and directed her own films; her visual art is displayed all over the world including The Highwire Gallery and she is active in the Woman's Caucus for the Arts.
For those bold souls who crave adventurous arts, prepare to be blown away by a darker, more intense side to feminine lyricism and a cathartic musical experience set to a colorful artistic backdrop. The audience will be invited to be part of the action in the traditional end-of-the-evening jam session
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