HEADSHEAR

Eclectic Prog • United States

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Headshear biography
US-based band HEADSHEAR can trace their history back to 1995, when Gwyn Adams (guitars) started playing with Deirdre Lynds (guitars). Both of them shared a passion for playing challenging instrumental music; and both of them agreed that jazz fusion and similar genres where numerous, long soloing passages was not what they were interested in.

For the next few years they started looking for fellow musicians sharing their musical vision, and it took them 8 years to find Van Spragins (bass). With him in place the nucleus for the band was settled. Until he showed up various musicians filled out needed slots for live gigs; which they started playing from 2001 and onwards. In 2006 the band finalized their line-up as well, when Hudson Bunce (drums) joined Headshear.

2006 saw the release of Headshear's self-titled debut album on the Big Balloon Music label - so far the only CD produced by this outfit.

WHY IS THIS BAND LISTED AT PROGARCHIVES:
US outfit HEADSHEAR play a technically complicated brand of progressive rock, heavily influenced by mid 80's KING CRIMSON in general and Robert FRIPP's works in particular; with leanings towards heavy funk and dissonant and cacophonic tendencies.

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HEADSHEAR discography

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HEADSHEAR top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.41 | 11 ratings

Headshear
2006

HEADSHEAR Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

HEADSHEAR Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

HEADSHEAR Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

HEADSHEAR Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

HEADSHEAR Reviews

Showing last 10 reviews only

Studio Album, 2006
3.41 | 11 ratings
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Headshear
Headshear Eclectic Prog

Review by TenYearsAfter

This USA four piece formation hailed from San Fransisco, once the cradle of legendary rock music, from Santana and Jefferson Airplane to Grateful Dead and The Doors. Headshear started to perform in 2001 but it took five years before the band released its eponymous debut album, an instrumental one. Listening to their music I notice strong elements of King Crimson, but not the seventies prog, no Mellotrons or saxophones, this sounds like King Crimson since The Eighties. The focus is on the guitar featuring two original members and two guest musicians on guitar, and Headshear succeeds to keep my attention, with captivating guitar work and interesting compositions.

A Fripperian 'gentle chainsaw guitar sound' in the ominous and compelling Chunky Navy Part.

Swinging with a powerful bas and a hypnotizing blend of guitar runs in Phivunk.

Dreamy in Complex Nothing.

Atmospheric in the long Viscous.

And fiery and raw guitar runs and a propulsive, tight rhythm in Chunky Navy Part II.

To me this one-shot-band sounds as interesting to discover for the post-Seventies King Crimson fans and the aficionados of Robert Fripp his distinctive guitar work.

My rating: 3,5 star.

Studio Album, 2006
3.41 | 11 ratings
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Headshear
Headshear Eclectic Prog

Review by Rivertree
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions

I'm aware of HEADSHEAR for a longer time - liked their style since I came across the song 'Urban Conversation' when listening to an internet radio. Now they are added here and I took the chance to get closer to the entire album. This US band delivers quite sophisticated multiple guitar loaded rock music coupled with distinctive King Crimson reminiscences. Not less than four guitarists are credited for this eponymous album which is consisting of nine instrumental songs. Don't get discouraged by this very special cover art which is ugly as well as fascinating - it depends on your mood.

Deeply entering the eclectic realm I think their sound is more grooving in comparison to KC. But exceptions prove the rule - the longest track Viscous for example is provided with an extensively psychedelic/ambient tinged intro until the bass drum comes in. The song gathers speed later leaving the spacey mood by and by gliding into a heavy rocking finale. This immediately remembers me at Sean Malone's GORDIAN KNOT project.

Melodic melancholic moments are offered on Complex Nothing and The Bitter Cold appeals to me especially with the semi-acoustic preparation where the guitars sometimes are even evolving a slight hawaiian touch. Urban Conversation is my highlight appearing as a masterpiece of progressive rock - a grooving jam including art rock, fusion and psych elements. Suspense-packed - four guitars are swirling around at once interacting perfectly. And this is all backed by Van Spragins' fantastic heavy fretless bass performance.

I've learned that HEADSHEAR is not only reduced to 'Urban Conversation'. The whole album got my full attention in the meanwhile and after some time unfolded its real beauty. Great effort with a quite complex song structure. This is an interesting find for KC (and related bands) fans. You shouldn't miss that - wonderful, compelling guitar work in the whole (including the bass of course).

Studio Album, 2006
3.41 | 11 ratings
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Headshear
Headshear Eclectic Prog

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

This is an album made for a selected crowd it seems. The name of the game here is instrumental rock, placed somewhere in the grey area in between progressive rock, experimental rock and fusion.

The main inspiration here seems to be King Crimson from the early 80's, and to be exact Robert Fripp's guitar playing and experimentation made during those years. This release will be like manna from heaven for most people into that particular sound. Technically challenging, at times highly complex; filled to the brim with dissonances and disharmonies and other effects that should please listeners into adventurous progressive music.

Recommended tracks: The Walking Tapestry, Chunky Navy Part I, Phivunk

Thanks to windhawk for the artist addition.