Chantigs

The singular formation of Chantigs began in late 1996 during the burgeoning influx of avant-pop muzik into the San Francisco Mission art scene ÖIn 1995, Greg Turner, Matt Slavnik, and Josh Bevelacqua eagerly traversed their way from their homeland of Yorktown, Virginia to the amber mountains of California. The three were well familiar with each other, as they had been playing for four years under the guise of Dying Echo (w/ Joshís older brother Dennis). Upon arriving in San Francisco they then stumbled across a local musical conceptualist and creator of Rodent Records and Global American studios, Elton Ridge. Elton was in transition after the demise of Kin To Weasel and Corn and Co. and shared with them a similar wry vision and hurly-burly humor of what avant-pop should sound like.The instrumental duties were naturally solidified with Greg and Elton on guitar, Matt on the bass, and Josh on the drums. Now the quartet needed a name. After incessant debating, Chantigs was decided on due to its subtle vibro-resonance on the tongue and upper cleft of the mouth. The next obvious step was to write, perform and produce an album showcasing this fruition. While the Global American recording studio was usually booked solid during the days with bands, after midnight the facility became completely empty. It was during these wee hours that the Chantigs sound was realized.Released during the summer of 1998 on Rodent Records, ìUp With Chantigsî is an eclectic mix of songs that combines infectious melodies and soaring harmonies with funky drumbeats and bombastic production style. A 45î single of Raquel (Hey) was quickly released accompanied with a non-album b-side called ìInvisible Stairsî.After playing a handful of local gigs to perfect their live delivery, Chantigs began writing and working on a new release. ìMission Faucetî was unveiled during the late fall of 1999. Described as epic and surreal but with the signature harmonies and ìall over the shopî production, ìMission Faucetî is more introspective and fluid than their first album with more focus on collaborative song crafting.Around this time Chantigs became a more prolific live act performing in various events such as the International Pop Overthrow (IPO) in Los Angeles and Noise Pop in San Francisco as well as traveling longer distances to cities like Portland, Eugene, Chico, and Humboldt (Eureka).In the spring of 2001Rodent Records released ìFour Hatsî, Chantigs third release, the title being inspired by Eltonís recent epic wedding in Zipolite, Mexico. ìFour Hatsî is described by one reviewer as ìone crazy, fun, and rocked-out trip that at first glance might have you scratching your head, but upon a second listen will have you cutting a rug in no time flatî. It was the last record to be recorded at the Global American facilities, as the studio moved to a more accessible location at 18th and Mariposa St.For the moment Chantigs are still trying to write the perfect song, and to sing the perfect melody.Website http://www.chantigs.comDiscography Up With Chantigs, CD, 1998 Raquel, 7" Single, Rodent Records (1999) Mission Faucet, CD Rodent Records (1999) Four Hats, CD Rodent Records (2001) "Come as You Are" Nearvana Compilation, Loud as Fuck Records (2002) My Door, Your Door 7" vinyl EP, Rodent Records (2003) Korea 7" vinyl single, Rodent Records (2004) "Holly Jalopy" West of Eden, Zip Records Compilation (2005)