Oneida

Oneida is an experimental rock band from Brooklyn, United States, active since 1997. Their music draws on psychedelic rock, krautrock, electronic music and noise rock, while also fitting within drone, indie rock, neo-psychedelia and psychedelic rock. The group is known for building songs around repetition and for using antique keyboards and analog electric pianos as part of its sound.

Sound and approach

Repetition is one of the most consistent features of Oneida’s recordings. Their 2002 album Each One Teach One opens with two extended tracks, “Sheets of Easter” and “Antibiotics”, both built around repeated riffs, with “Antibiotics” including short interludes. The band’s use of old keyboards and analog electric pianos is another defining feature of its music.

Recordings and labels

Oneida first records on Turnbuckle Records, releasing its first two albums there in 1997 and 1999. The band later runs Brah Records, an imprint of Jagjaguwar.

Members

The group’s lineup includes John Colpitts, Hanoi Jane, Kid Millions, Barry London, Bobby Matador and Shahin Motia. Kid Millions plays drums and vocals, Bobby Matador plays organ, guitar and vocals, Hanoi Jane plays guitar and bass, and Shahin Motia plays guitar. Barry London is also listed as a member. Double Rainbow, also known as Phil Manley of Trans Am and The Fucking Champs, appears in the lineup as a guitarist. A former member is Papa Crazy, also known as PCRZ of Oakley Hall.

Notable activity

In September 2007, Oneida marks 10 years of existence with a concert at the P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center in New York City. Kid Millions also takes part as drummer 53 in the Boredoms’ 77 Boadrum performance at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn on 7 July 2007.

Related connections

Papa Crazy later records Oakley Hall’s album Gypsum Strings on Oneida’s Brah Records label, re-establishing a connection with the band.