Tourmaline (band)

Tourmaline is an American rock band from, New Jersey. Formed in June 2004, the band consists of Matt Rauch (lead vocals, Ryan Baredes (guitar), and Max Rauch (Drums). They have released two albums. Strange Distress Calls was released in the United States a year after the band's formation on June 21. It was recorded shortly after they formed in the span of ten days. Three of the members were 15 years of age. The Swindle was recorded in March of 08 with producer Joe Mcgrath and released in the fall of 08.

History

Strange Distress Calls, their first full-length released on No Milk Records, has sold over 5,500 copies. The release was well received by many critics getting positive reviews from Absolutepunk.net , Punknews.org as well as receiving four out of five stars from Allmusic.

The band's first song to gain significant attention was "Blank”, which fell into rotation on many college radio stations during the summer of 2005, while they were on tour with Socratic (Drive-Thru Records). It was also featured on many compilations.

In late 2005 Tourmaline ended their association with No Milk Records. It is unclear exactly what happened, but there was plenty of speculation and gossip soon after the split.

In late December 2005 Justin Niemiec replaced Tourmaline’s second bassist and was in the group until his departure in the summer of 2010.

Matt Rauch produced the Just Turn E.P. for Socratic. He also worked with indie acts such as, "Someone Say Something," (Livingston, N.J.) Producing and engineering their E.P. which has garnered them a rabid fan-base, "Galaxy Queens" producing, engineering, and mixing their E.P. (former members of, "Small Towns Burn A Little Slower"), and The Embracers E.P., which he engineered and produced. It was mixed by Joe McGrath. All of these releases have been released to very good reviews and have made him an up-and-coming producer in the indie scene in the New Jersey area. He continues to produce bands in his studio.

In 2008 Tourmaline released their full-length record "The Swindle" to favorable reviews.

Max Rauch left the band in winter of 2010 to successfully continue his then side project "Washington Square Park." From those humble beginnings he has turned the band and himself into a raw and honest beast. Justin Niemiec, the bassist left the band in the summer of 2010. After Max left Rob Pratola, who has played drums for over 15 years in every different style you can think of joined the band. A couple months later in the spring of 2010 Zachery Inkley who is a guitarist at heart, put down the guitar and learned the bass parts in a week for a show the band was playing.

In the Winter of 2010 Tourmaline recorded the yet untitled album they plan on releasing later this year.

Most recently Tourmaline have released the E.P. titled Save Me for free download

This past year was not kind to some members of Tourmaline. Matt Rauch, the singer, was bit by a dog and had to have surgery to save his arm. He currently cannot play guitar and is recovering in his home in the town of, Verona, New Jersey.

Tourmaline has ended their 2 year long hiatus and is rumored to start work on a new album sometime during the winter.

Members

The band consists of:

• Matt Rauch - Songwriter, lead vocals
• Ryan Baredes - Guitar
• Max Rauch - Drums

Discography

LP

Strange Distress Calls - 2005
The Swindle - 2008
Wreckage - 2010 (Unreleased)
New Album - TBA

References

External links

• Tourmaline Official Site
• Tourmaline MySpace
• Tourmaline Purevolume
• http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p727195/biography