ohGr

ohGr

Nivek Ogre circa 2008
Background information
Also known as Kevin Ogilvie
Origin Los Angeles, California
Genres Synthpop, electronic, idm, electro-industrial, post-industrial
Years active 2000–present
Labels Spitfire, SPV, Metropolis
Website ohGr.org
Members Nivek Ogre
Mark Walk
William Morrison
Justin Bennett
Jeff "Squigg" Smith
Past members Loki der Quaeler
Tim Skold
cEvin Key

ohGr is a synthpop band formed by Nivek Ogre, of Skinny Puppy, and musician/engineer Mark Walk. Although the pedigree of the group's members might suggest otherwise, early ohGr releases differed in sound to its related industrial bands, drawing more on hip hop and synthpop influences, incorporating more conventional structures and a lighter tone. However, from Devils in my Details onwards, ohGr has taken to a more abrasive, non-linear flavour of electro-industrial.

History

The band was officially formed in 2000, although the material for the first album, Welt dates back to the mid-nineties, having been held up due to legal trouble with American Recordings. W.E.L.T. was actually originally the title of the group (an acronym of "When Everyone Learns Truth"), until it was discovered that in the interval it had been taken by a Californian punk band. Al Jourgensen was also originally involved (who had the then band's name tattooed in anticipation of the project), and only one track he collaborated on has been leaked to the public, titled "Noreen". The music of that song later became industrial metal group Ministry's "The Fall", on their 1996 album Filth Pig.

Touring

The band toured in 2001 to support the release of their debut album Welt; the live band consisted of Nivek Ogre, Tim Skold (bass), cEvin Key (drums and keyboards), Loki der Quaeler (keyboards), and William Morrison (guitar). 2003 saw the release of a follow up, SunnyPsyOp (a play on the phrase "sunny side up" and military PsyOps). There were initially plans to tour for SunnyPsyOp, with Ministry in a festival type arrangement. These plans fell through, although much of the material from the second album had already been played live on the Welt tour.

2008 saw Ohgr on tour throughout the U.S. and Canada in support of the album Devils in my Details with a live band including William Morrison returning on guitar, drummer Justin Bennett and keyboardist Jeff "Squigg" Smith.[1]

In late 2011 OhGr announced a December 2011 West Coast USA and Canada tour consisting of 9 dates with direct support by fellow Metropolis Records artist Left Spine Down.[2][3]

Videos

ohGr has released three promotional videos, all directed by William Morrison. The first was a stop-motion creation for the track "Cracker". The second was a live performance of "Minus", filmed by Michael Condo at several venues from the 2001 tour. The third was for "MaJiK", from the second album; this also employed stop-motion, and was a collaboration with artist Thomas Kuntz. "Cracker" and "MaJiK" have both been played occasionally on MTV2 and Fuse. All three have been available through ohGr's website, and "MaJiK" appeared on the audio CD for SunnyPsyOp, albeit with some serious technical glitches. You can also see and hear a partial live performance from the 2001 tour on the short film John E. Dirt by director Bill Draheim.

Present

ohGr's third album titled Devils in my Details was released on October 17, 2008 in Germany,[4] October 20 in the United Kingdom, and October 21 in the United States.[5] ohGr toured in support of the album release during the autumn of 2008.[6] At Comic-Con 2008, Ogre announced that Bill Moseley will be contributing to the new ohGr album, as a result of them becoming friends through Repo! The Genetic Opera. It was tentatively revealed in a chat with the band that an album of B-sides from Devils in my Details (entitled "D-Sides") and an album of unreleased material from the 1990s (entitled "Dfault") was due to be released.[7] In October 2009 a link to www.wdihtf.com appeared on Skinny Puppy's website. When users sign up to the mailing list they receive a link to the song COLLIDOSKOPE which starts with many different voices saying "Welcome to Collidoskope".

As of May 10, 2011, ohGr has released a new studio album, unDeveloped[8] . The album was a collaboration with Mark Walk, with whom the previous album was created. Also on the album is the actual audio from the 911 call reporting Michael Jackson's death (Track titled crash).

Discography

Studio albums

Album details Peak positions
US US
Top
Heatseekers		 US
D/
El.		 iTunes Electronic Albums DAC
Welt
  • Released: March 20, 2001
  • Formats: CD and LP
  –  –  –  – 10
SunnyPsyOp
  • Released: July 1, 2003
  • Format: CD
  –  – 13  –  –
Devils in my Details
  • Released: November 4–5, 2008
  • Format: CD and LP
  – 18 9  – 8
unDeveloped
  • Released: May 10, 2011
  • Format: CD
 – 27 13 1  –

[9]

Singles

References

  1. ↑ "Litany: Ohgr Tour News"
  2. ↑ "ohGr with Left Spine Down live dates announced!"
  3. ↑ ":News: Left Spin Down Annouce [sic] Tour in Support of ohGr"
  4. ↑ SPV
  5. ↑ devilsinmydetails.com
  6. ↑ Litany.net, September 1, 2008 entry
  7. ↑ Litany.net, October 5, 2008 Entry.
  8. ↑ http://www.metropolis-mailorder.com/product.php?prodnum=MET+720
  9. ↑ http://www.metropolis-records.com/news/?id=70
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