Horse The Band - Biography

Biography

Horse the Band was started in Lake Forest, CA in 1999 while founding members Erik Engstrom and David Isen were attending El Toro High School. The band were originally to be called The Mexican Economy, however in an effort to avoid being viewed as racist, the moniker Horse was eventually adopted. The name had to be altered further to prevent copyright issues from becoming another problem (a woman with the name of "Horse"); and so it was that HORSE The Band was born. The band booked its own parental financed tours starting the summer of 2002, including a three-month tour spanning seven countries. With a carefully maintained web presence including their MP3.com and Myspace accounts, they successfully accrued a minor cult following.

In the summer of 2004, they embarked upon the Horse the World Tour 2004, giving way to 85 shows in 90 days, spanning seven countries throughout North America and Europe. Early 2008 saw the band planning Horse the Band Earth Tour that would travel to 40 countries starting in early March. The band stated "we've become disillusioned, bad-attitude nerds and pariahs of the established music industry. " They asked for their fans' help booking shows in most places, with no intention of bringing other bands with them. The band booked the tour themselves, and played mostly un-promoted shows in 45 countries, starting with Australia and culminating with Ireland. Of the Asian shows, many were performed without financial compensation (short of merchandise sales), leaving the band heavily reliant upon their European shows for financial recompense. Furthermore, roughly 10 percent of the shows "fell through." The band also expressed anxiety regarding some shows, most notably those in Belarus wherein they were the first band in 5 years (since Cannibal Corpse) to play there, but ultimately no problems arose and the shows were a great success, the band even returning there soon after.

The band's lineup has fluctuated continuously throughout its existence. In February 2008, it was announced that Chris Prophet had been fired and that Jon Karel from The Number 12 Looks Like You would be temporarily replacing him on drums for the duration of the Earth Tour. In July 2008 the band stated that long-time band friend Daniel Pouliot of Bleeding Kansas had joined as the band's full time drummer. On December 3, 2008, the band announced that Dash Arkenstone would be leaving the band, though he remains on good terms with the other members and has since attended local shows. In Dash Arkenstone's absence, Brian Grover (of Thriller) filled in on bass during live shows and contributed to Desperate Living, with Jeremiah Bignell now acting as their permanent bassist.

On February 2, 2009, Horse the Band signed to Vagrant Records. In an interview they stated that they had been trying to get onto that label for nine years.

Horse the Band's latest album Desperate Living was released on October 6, 2009, to wide critical acclaim. Due to financial pressure and other lif-oriented obstacles, the group are currently taking a break from touring and recording, their first break in over six years. According to rumours, the band-members have stated that Horse the Band is "very healthy," but not especially high on their respective lists of priorities.