Aristocrats

Aristocrats are a United States instrumental rock/fusion trio active since 2011. The group consists of Bryan Beller, Guthrie Govan and Marco Minnemann. Their music sits across funk, heavy metal, instrumental rock, jazz fusion and jazz rock.

Formation and early activity

The band forms through informal contact online and through friends. Before settling on the trio line-up, it experiments with several different line-ups in the mid-2000s, between 2005 and 2007. The group begins as a project driven by boredom, enthusiasm and a shared interest in making music they want to hear themselves, rather than the styles dominating mainstream radio at the time.

Recordings and releases

Their debut EP, L'aristocrats!, is produced in November 2007 and released in early 2008 through Syllabus Music on iTunes. The release sells in modest numbers but helps establish the band's reputation online. A second EP follows in late 2009 and further strengthens their standing in the UK scene.

Live activity

Aristocrats build their profile through live shows across Essex and London, playing with signed touring acts, rising artists and local bands in venues including bars and houses. Their performances help them develop a growing audience and attract support from fans, including the creation of videos for some of their songs.

Musical identity

The band is described as having overlapping and varied musical and artistic influences, and it aims for intricate, detailed songwriting. Its instrumental format places emphasis on the interplay between the three members rather than vocals.