Line Out Music & the City at Night

  |  

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Life / Band The Sudden Demise of Titanium Sporkestra: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Posted by on Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 2:41 PM

This morning, a few emails came into Stranger HQ asking why Titanium Sporkestra—a popular punk-rock marching/brass band and regulars at HONK! Fest—would post something like this on their Facebook page:

titanium_spork_facebook.jpg
  • fb

After asking around, it sounds like internal band politics and unresolved frustrations tore TS apart. David Stern, Titanium's former manager, sent an explanation I'll post below.

This is a really tough time for me and our whole community and I fear that some more joy of Seattle's music scene is now gone. After 5 years together and many different lineup changes, my project Titanium Sporkestra is no longer a functioning band. This decision came after frustrations amongst the band and its leadership could not or would not be resolved.

Managing a band with this many strong-willed members is extremely difficult at times, but not without its outstanding rewards. Unfortunately, the rest of the players in the band no longer stood behind me as their manager and leader and decided to break up the band/fire the manager. This was truly shocking for me and has left me feeling empty and without a solid foundation to my life...

From this point forward members of Titanium Sporkestra will be working on their own projects and bands and will have more free time to do other things. This band has always been demanding of its members, requiring multiple practices per week and up to 70 performances per year, including 3 tours. I am the only fulltime performer/producer in the band and the late nights started to take a toll on the working class. When the demand for quality and time became too much, I believe the rest of the members couldn't, or did not want to continue, in the direction I had been taking the band.

I wish them all the best of luck with whatever they do. I will continue to perform, write music, and produce METALESQUE! at the Columbia City Theater as well as host and produce many other shows under the "Reckless Revue" moniker with my soon-to-be wife, Madisun Avenue.

Bands come, bands grow, and then bands break up. Nothing gold can stay.

 

Comments (14) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
destroythebrain 1
As an ex-Spork, really tough to say, I appreciate this note and its diplomacy. We all loved this band and fought hard for what we got, and I'm very sorry things happened as they did. I wish everyone the best, am excited for everyone's future projects, and I just know every Spork is an in-born performer who will make it big. Good luck, friends!
Posted by destroythebrain on June 7, 2012 at 4:44 PM
Cordwainer 2
The thought of no Titanium Sporkestra in this world makes me sad. I hope everyone involved finds fertile ground for their talent and creativity wherever they end up. And it's my experience that when a vacuum is created in any community, something soon comes along to fill it. I just hope it's something at least as good.
Posted by Cordwainer on June 7, 2012 at 4:46 PM
3
My few experiences as a Spork are some of the richest memories I have as a musician. Thanks ladies and gentlemen for the amazing experiences and for making Seattle a better place to live. I'll always think of the mighty Spork anytime I hear "Jump In The Line," "Ring of Fire," or "California Über Alles." Seey'all in the funny papers (like this one!)
Posted by Billjonestrpt on June 7, 2012 at 5:45 PM
katrat 4
THANK YOU, SPORKESTRA!!!!!
Posted by katrat http://www.kathrynrathke.com/ on June 7, 2012 at 6:30 PM
5
I've been a fan of, and employer of, the Sporkestra since they were just an insanely amazing drumline. I have friends who are Sporks, were Sporks, and wanted to be Sporks. And whenever they performed for an international community (like at Burning Man) I swelled with pride that they hailed from Seattle.

Since we can't go back, I simply look forward to whatever these individuals come up with next. My best wishes to all.
Posted by Buckstar on June 7, 2012 at 6:51 PM
6
I was in this band.

Band "leadership" drove me a bit nuts.
I found Kevin/"Cevin" as or more challenging than David.

The whole Burning Man worship thing drove me a bit nuts.

A band this big with this many eccentric people/personalities is hard for anyone to mange.
"Managing" a trio or quartet is hard enough.
As we are a nation of adult infants (of which the Stranger is an endless example).

Hopefully good things will bloom from this decomposition.
Posted by Blacker Sabbath on June 8, 2012 at 1:58 AM
7
The Emerald City has lost a little of its sparkle. i always got a kick out of seeing the Sporks play. hopefully a new band or two will rise from the ashes.
Posted by Greenwood_Bob on June 8, 2012 at 1:13 PM
8
Thank you, Titanium Sporkestra for giving me some of the best moments of my life. Seriously. It was totally worth the DUI.
Posted by katiesaurus rex on June 8, 2012 at 4:34 PM
bleedingheartlibertarian 9
Up to 70 performances a year with that big of a lineup? That's fucking impressive, guys. Congratulations, TS, on a great run, and good luck with whatever you all do next.
Posted by bleedingheartlibertarian on June 9, 2012 at 9:25 AM
10
HAIL SATAN!! Love, Megatron AKA Major Rabble Rouser
Posted by Megatron the Seatroiter on June 9, 2012 at 11:02 AM
11
HAIL SATAN! Love, Megatron AKA Major Rabble Rouser
Posted by Megatron the Seatroiter on June 9, 2012 at 11:04 AM
12
SO SAD to be losing Sporkestra. Lots of fun to see and hear, even more fun to jam with. Thanks for all of your music, your work on behalf of the Honk family, and for your ass-kicking attitude. Good luck in the rest of your endeavors!
Posted by pugetsounder on June 11, 2012 at 12:03 PM
13
Being in a band with a couple members can be very difficult and trying, so I can only imagine how complicated it is to get consensus from such a large crew. What a great run for Sporkestra though, cheers to everyone, I'm sure some awesome new projects will come from this.
Posted by Alicia1000 on June 11, 2012 at 2:18 PM
destroythebrain 14
Also, way to only recognize us posthumously, The Stranger.
Posted by destroythebrain on June 22, 2012 at 10:49 AM

Add a comment

 

Want great deals and a chance to win tickets to the best shows in Seattle? Join The Stranger Presents email list!


All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC
1535 11th Ave (Third Floor), Seattle, WA 98122
Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Takedown Policy