Thrones

The Thrones is Joe Preston, formerly of the Melvins, though I believe they are still technically together. Known to some as "logger punk" and to others as "earth metal", it is as unique an experience as one can expect from a huge guy with a double necked guitar and a beat box. IMHO, his bass playing is better than his guitar playing, sounding a bit like godheadsilo. Joe, ironically, denies being in "the thrones".

See also Caspar Brotzmann Massacre, for this sorta guitar.

Discography:

Major releases:

• Alraune - CD released by Communion and recorded at Smegma Studios No date is listed anywhere, but based on deduction and memory it was probably recorded/released in 1996-97. During the summer according to the liner notes.
• Sperm Whale - CD version contains a 12" EP called White Rabbit. White Rabbit was recorded from January of 1997 to June of 1999 and the Sperm Whale was recorded from winter of 1999 to 2000. Both EPs are sold separately on vinyl. Released by kill rock stars.

There are also several 7" records.

• Reddleman/Algol - released by Punk in My Vitamins
• Senex/Silvery Colorado - released by Soda Girl Records
• The Suckling/Young Savage - released by kill rock stars. On the site it is advertised as Salty Green and Denial Fiend together again. As far as I understand, Salty Green is Joe Preston's pseudonym in the Thrones. Anyone who knows when they were together the first time is welcome to fill me in.

And finally there are compilations and split records.

• A split 7" with Behead the Prophet of Blue Öyster Cult covers. Thrones perform Blackblade. - released by Voice of the Sky Records
• A 7" compilation called Today the Planet...Tomorrow the World. Thrones perform Easter Woman by The Residents. - released by Thin Herd records
• A 10" compilation called Enlightenment. Thrones perform Coalsack. - released by Soledad records

While it seems to be a running joke for the Thrones to deny that he is Joe Preston, Joe himself doesn't deny being the Thrones and appears in several pictures on the kill rock stars website for the Thrones.

For the record:

The Melvins are still together (and more than technically, may I say). However, Joe has not been a part of the band for about 9 years. And he was only their bass player for about a year. The Melvins go through a lot of bass players.

Fun Stuff

Several Thrones songs contain samples from movies. I can't claim to recognize all of them... There are probably even samples that I haven't realized are samples.

• "Ted Williams" from the album Alraune has a sample from Caligula. "Out my little fishies, you've had enough for today."
• About 11 minutes into "Ted Williams/Googander" from Alraune there are parts with unrecognizable (distorted?) dialogue, gunshots, breaking glass that is presumably from a movie (maybe more than one).
• "Nuts and Berries" from Sperm Whale opens with a line from A Clockwork Orange. "I'm pleased you appreciate good wine. Have another glass."

The vinyl version of White Rabbit ends on song that doesn't end. I remember I let it continue for an embarrassingly long period of time because I thought it was just a really long song. At least I think it was White Rabbit... I lost my records in a fire so I'm going by a several year old memory.