Links
www.juniusmusic.com | official site
www.myspace.com/junius | myspace
Discography
Junius | 2007 CDLP
Radar / S.A.F. Records (USA)
Cargo Records (UK)
Make My Day Records (Europe)
The Fires of Antediluvia | 2007
7" Vinyl EP
Radar / Anchorless Records
Keep Singing!
A benefit compilation for
Compassion Over Killing | 2007
CDLP
Exotic Fever Records
Blood is Bright | 2006 CDEP
Radar Recordings
Hiding Knives | 2005 CD Single
Radar Recordings
Forcing Out The Silence | 2004
CDEP
Radar Recordings
Biography
Boston has long been known as a breeding ground for renowned political dissidents as well as mind-expanding sonic adventurists. Carrying in that tradition is Junius–a rainy supernova of gigantic guitars, entrancing lights and erudite lyrics, named after the enigmatic 18th century political critic.
The New England coast was first illuminated by Junius’ sonic declarations in 2004. Begotten as much by the Post-Rock movement as by any New Wave artist (singer/guitarist Joseph E. Martinez's uncle Trini was in the visionary Post-Rock group Bedhead), Junius electrified rapt audiences with spellbinding walls of distorted, reverb-drenched guitars and haunting vocals which continue to define the band’s signature aesthetic.
Shortly after releasing their 2004 EP, forcing out the silence, the Post Wave pioneers began a tireless regimen of headlining and co-headlining tours to fan the flames of an already blazing press. Among its accolades, Disclosure Magazine declared the debut "one of the most engaging Dark Rock albums to come out since Joy Division last graced a stage." Junius played over 200 shows in 2005 alone, and spent nearly 9 months on the road that year, embracing a DIY ethic which remains at the core of the band's ideology.
Both the debut EP and its 2006 follow-up, blood is bright, were recorded by Will Benoit (of Constants), and mastered by Nick Zampiello (Isis, Converge, Pelican, Torche). The songs from these EPs were re-released in 2007 as a full-length album, simply titled junius. Hailed as a “darkly lush epic” by Alternative Press and “genius” by The Big Takeover, Junius’ work is borne of experiments in isolation and asceticism. Over the years, month-long writing/recording sessions have taken place in such unconventional locales as a bank vault in California, a warehouse in Texas, a cabin in Pennsylvania, a farmhouse in Vermont, and a small shack in the swamps of Louisiana. It’s this austere approach that adds a weighty sense of purpose and intrigue to the band's artistic output. The resulting themes, forbidden knowledge and ancient mythology, permeate Martinez’s esoteric lyrics, while the band's layered sonics progressively push musical boundaries.
This year finds the members of Junius as tenacious as ever, recently embarking upon two full European tours in support of their eponymous album and latest 7 inch, lending music to a series of short films by director Mary Lambert (Pet Semetary), making their television debut on Fearless Music TV, and finally seeing the completion of their new record, The Martyrdom of a Catastrophist. The much-anticipated album, inspired by the life and theories of controversial scholar Immanuel Velikovsky, was recorded by Tom Syrowski and Kevin Mills (Weezer, AFI, Incubus) at the legendary Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood, and will be released worldwide in 2009.
"The best soundtrack for reveling in the melancholy of actually living since My Bloody Valentine's Loveless." - Alternative Press
"Genius... an epic audio masterpiece." - The Big Takeover
"This fiery Boston quartet displays the potential to emerge as the bridge between post-grunge and the future of alternative rock." - Amplifier Magazine
more press clippings below...
Audio
MP3 | "Blood is Bright" edit from the EP Blood is Bright (RDR-111)
MP3 | "At The Age of Decay" edit from the EP Blood is Bright (RDR-111)
MP3 | "Hiding Knives" edit from the EP Forcing Out The Silence (RDR-105)
MP3 | "From The Isle of The Blessed" edit from the EP Forcing Out The Silence (RDR-105)
Hi-Res Photos
# 1 | Photo by George Dubose (L to R: Michael Repasch-Nieves, Joseph E. Martinez, Dana Filloon, Joel Munguia)
# 2 | Photo by George Dubose (L to R: Michael Repasch-Nieves, Dana Filloon, Joel Munguia, Joseph E. Martinez)
Tour Poster
PDF | Tree & Stars Tour Poster (11" x 17") - Illustration by Matt Gauck
Contact
LABEL | Will Benoit
PRESS + RADIO | Geoff Summers for Javelin PR
BOOKING (North America) | Tom Kelleher for Radar
BOOKING (Europe / UK) | Niels Metzger for Selma Booking
BAND | Mike Repasch-Nieves
Press Clippings
junius (reissue of the blood is bright and forcing out the silence EPs - 2007)
"This darky lush epic...is the best soundtrack for reveling in the melancholy of actually living since My Bloody Valentine's Loveless." - Alternative Press
"This re-issue by Junius appears to harness post-apocalyptic lightning—filtering end-of-the-world desperation through their amps." - Geek Monthly
"This Boston band offers up an impressive album of shoegazerish psych-rock with a dynamic sound ranging from ethereal atmospherics to loud, distortion-drenched passages." - KEXP.org
"Joseph E. Martinez's voice is full of dramatics, falling somewhere between Robert Smith and Ken Andrews of Failure, full of melancholy and vulnerability. Somewhere between the treachery of My Bloody Valentine, the doomsday outlook of Joy Division, and the Space Rock glory of Cave In, Junius is one underground player who likely won't be underground much longer." - Decoy Music
"The whole album blew me away. The sounds and emotions that are put into each and every song are rare and can only be borne out of hard work and lots of attention to detail. The ethereal feel of some of the songs will put you in a trance-like state." - Instrumental Analysis
"There's something intellectual and relevant about how the Robert Smith-like wailing wraps around the chiming earnest guitars. Junius brings modern inspirations to the table and at times explodes with raw radio-ready chaos that at once could attract mainstream listeners without compromising their message and image as a band." - Azltron
"This band rocks a certain sonic middle ground between classic post-punk juggernauts (The Cure, My Bloody Valentine) and forward-thinking live bands like My Morning Jacket. Part of the splendidly dark aura that often enters their music is mined from unique recording practices that find the band exiling themselves to remote locations to work through their muse (remote farmhouses, cabins, storage facilities, etc). However unorthodox, it works. I've been taken with nearly every track I've heard from Junius. Brilliant Stuff." - Flash Vegas
"Junius have a lot to offer... Fans of both Post Metal and Post Rock will find some instrumental dexterity to sink their teeth into, while Rock fans will enjoy the emotional depth hidden within, and those of a more indie persuasion will take pleasure in the deep morbidity." - The Silent Ballet
"A potentially favorite, or even timeless album." - Slug Magazine
blood is bright (2006)
"Genius as far as contemporary New Wave / cinematic Art Rock goes... [an] epic audio masterpiece." - The Big Takeover
"Blood is Bright flows impeccably from beginning to end. This album certainly might catapult them into the realm of the most revered bands in their genre." - Absolute Punk
"An excellent EP from a band deserving of as much praise as possible. Fans of The Cure, Failure, and Oceansize will greatly appreciate what Junius has to offer. 9 / 10" - ScenePointBlank
"Breathtaking atmospherics and dark sensibilities deserved of being likened to The Cure's Disintegration punctuate this EP. Vocalist Joseph E. Martinez deadpans a brooding style that clashes at the perfect angle with the swirling sounds that rise around his words. Without straying into anything too heavy, Junius manages to maintain an intense presence that is as stylish as Interpol but carries a sincerity and distinction not found in enough young acts. This band seems to have borrowed just enough from previous decades to build and shape something all its own. This Boston-based quartet approach New Wave tendencies with a shield of spacey guitars and artistic vocal stylings to create something that is not soon forgotten. With high energy emanating out of a pensive sound, Junius punctures each track with unshakable singularity until it turns into something addictive and encompassing." - Exclaim! Magazine
"Blood is Bright showcases Junius' modern take on New Wave, with spacey guitars, looming vocals and enough originality to set them at the top of the game. With Blood is Bright, Junius have only ensured their rank as one of today's best outfits. The band has created strikingly original material while avoiding many of the trends of the current music scene, in turn bringing forth work that would make their influences proud. 4.5 / 5" - Decoy Music
"Junius' recent EP will likely be sticking around my CD player for a while. ...they just might be the next Hum—which, coming from this reviewer at least, is just about the best praise I can offer a band. 8.5 / 10" - Mammoth Press
"With their latest release, Blood is Bright, the Massachusetts quartet has produced a well-crafted EP that will surely grab attention from old fans, new fans, and those simply willing to put their blast-beats on hold for twenty minutes. If you enjoy intelligent music of all genres, then giving Blood is Bright a couple listens will be well worth it. 8 / 10" - Lambgoat.com
"Junius owe as much to instrumental Post Rock as they do to the Goth acts of the Eighties... The arrangements are unique and the sound is, at times, a perfect reproduction of that elusively cool Eighties vibe." - Skyscraper Magazine
"They wear their brooding Eighties swirling darkness on their sleeve, yet still manage to conjure something fresh, majestic and uplifting. The vocal drips onto a textured canvas of chiming echoed guitars and a throbbing backbeat reminiscent of Pornography-era Cure, with the bombastic crunch of My Bloody Valentine." - The Noise
"While Post-Rockers with big-ass pedal boards aren't exactly a novel concept these days, it's a rare treat for a band to have both the technical knowledge to make it all sound huge and otherworldly, as well as a knack for stringing parts together in an organic, cohesive manner. Radar Recordings road warriors Junius demonstrate both sides of this equation, delivering the goods with their sophomore EP Blood is Bright. Junius has a legitimate shot at attaining widespread recognition and praise." - Performer Magazine
"It's few and far between that you find a band that has a completely distinct style from the front lines of the vocals to the environment of the music. Junius is one of those bands. From the brooding, almost New Wave style bassy voice of the singer, you can feel a new movement coming from the source of Junius' center. Musically, they blend equal parts Codeseven, Hopesfall, and Dearly Departed, along with their own brand of spacy atmospheric rock. A lot of delicacy goes into the choices that this band makes, and all of the smallest of notes hold the heaviest of weights. Junius has a firm, solid sound that can take you places. I really like what they're doing on this record, and can't wait to see how they pull it off live. I can imagine nothing short of escapism. Definitely check these guys out if you like an edge to your meditation. 4 / 5" - Wrank Music
"The sheer scope and somber, heavily layered atmospherics brings to mind the most aggressive moments of the late Juno who were equally adept at painting lush, melancholy soundscapes full of raw power such as these. I wouldn’t be surprised to see fans of this genre being drawn to the eerie majesty of the songs presented here just as I was." - MetalReview.com
"Comfortably straddling the line between Interpol and Depeche Mode, Junius sculpts its pensive sound out of an inherently morose clay. The instrumentation throughout is so confident and focused that it subtly creates an aura of creeping immersion exemplified by our generation's greatest artists. With an enveloping sense of mood and deft embrace of atmospheric manipulation, Junius seizes senses and consideration with surprising efficacy." - UpBeetMusic
"Creating some very impressive music almost effortlessly, Junius creates songs that envelope the listener in a wave of sound that is warm, welcoming and powerful. This has substance and musicality. Music could certainly use more bands like Junius these days." - Deafening Sound
"This is one hell of an album to say the least. Junius is almost a hybrid which makes things more entertaining for the audience; their music merges Gothic influences (the old school of course) with Post Rock structures and a couple of Alternative schemes. In the end, they have a unique sound impossible to catalog… 8 / 10" - Metal Storm
forcing out the silence (2004)
"One of the most engaging dark rock albums to come out since Joy Division last graced a stage." - Disclosure Fanzine
"This fiery Boston quartet displays the potential to emerge as the bridge between post-grunge and the future of alternative rock." - Amplifier Magazine
"Nothing short of a revisioning of the art of the shoegazer. Junius is artful, thoughtful, and textured while also being heavy, intense, and impactful. Not since Cave In's album Jupiter have I been this taken with a rock band! If you want your brooding Art Rock to rock hard again, then Junius is your new favorite band. It has become mine!" - The Noise
"Take the darkness of The Cure's best and mix it with the heaviness of A Perfect Circle and moodiness of Placebo... This fell into my lap at the right time." - Razorcake
"Junius could be considered modern art-rock... Forcing Out The Silence has a saturating vibe, washing out in a fine spray of powerfully mentally invigorating mist... an expansive sounding record that absolutely encircles the listener in its own aura. The vocals drone and scream in a quasi-Brit way as if possessed by Dave Gahan and/or Robert Smith. These vocals do not "lead" this record; rather the full attack is experienced by the listener... If your stereo has a duress-meter, it will be flirting with the red zone... Forcing Out The Silence is a trip of a record and if the listener is seeking such an experience, said listener will not be disappointed." - Performer Magazine
live / misc.
"The Martyrdom of A Catastrophist is one of the most anticipated albums of the year." - Decoy Music
"Without hesitation, I consider their upcoming Martyrdom of A Catastrophist one of my most anticipated albums of the coming year." - Slug Magazine
"Their live show is thunderous." - Left Hip Magazine (2007)
"The band straight blew me away opening for frequent tourmates Circle Takes The Square... Think Jupiter-era Cave In, but more atmospheric and dissonant and with a lesser reliance upon guttural screams, tempered with the band's earlier influences." - Punknews.org (2007)
"Junius. In a word, epic. Yes, their music is heavy, but Junius are not a metal band. Theirs is a sort of heaviness that transcends mere riffing and embodies a more literal sense of the word. There is weight to their music. Junius is one of those rare bands that commands the attention of those with even the shortest of attention spans, leaving listeners itching for more. They could have played every song they've ever written last night and I would have wanted more still." - Crustcake.com (2007)
"If you are into stuff like My Bloody Valentine and the good parts from Jupiter era Cave In, and just genuinely deep and moving music, this is a band to definitely check out. I can honestly say there aren't many bands I know of doing anything as close to as good and as different as this." - Bystander Fanzine (2006)
"Incredibly tight... Highly recommended." - Punknews.org (2006)
"Junius has truly blazed its own path. While slower moments may briefly resemble post-punk revivalists like Interpol, Junius' sound is much darker, owing more to Sisters of Mercy or The Cult than British Sea Power or any of the modern bands laying claim to Joy Division's throne. Using the band's 2004 EP as a starting point, and this show as an indicator, the new album should be mind-blowing." - Too Much Rock (2005)
"Ever since Junius started rocking our headphones, we've been in a good place. This is dramatic stuff, kids; the kind of sound that takes us back to The Cure, the mainstay of our callow youth. If we admit to becoming addicted to the sound of lead singer and guitarist Joseph Martinez's voice, does that make us sound like some kind of weird stalker?" - The Boston Globe (2004)
"Junius has a distinct sound to call their own... dark yet powerful. While they make their high-energy live performances seem effortless, they pour their emotions into their music, conscious of each song's dynamic between dramatic slow sections and climax." - The Hippo (2004)