Thursday, March 26, 2020

YouTube Channel Profile Series: GnaeusMusic

Keeping our steady stream of new content going on the SMS, here's this month's YouTube Channel Profile! This monthly feature series looks at 1-3 YouTube channels with content at least half devoted to local metal, hard rock, and/or punk concerts or artists, in order to spotlight their videos to current readers and encourage you guys to check them out and maybe even subscribe. This month's randomly selected channel features a very accomplished band from the past decade, so here's what you should know!
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GnaeusMusic (http://youtube.com/channel/UClp6tPgxTJnU2Py8vD-LCtQ)
 
Owner: A member of 2014-2017 local post-punk/garage rock quartet Gnaeus (exact identity unclear)

Channel Timeline: Launched on June 23rd, 2014; Videos posted from that November until November 2016

Channel Summary: The official YouTube channel for Gnaeus, it features two live concert videos, a lyric video, a jam session performance, and two promotional videos, representing the majority of their active run.

Why You Should Watch: While not jammed with content, this is the most official source for Gnaeus videos, and it captures their talents and high points pretty well! However, if you want more footage from their run, visit Gnaeus' Facebook page and our own Facebook page, while a number of other YouTube channels feature Gnaeus live videos. Also, note that Gnaeus have been defunct for the past 3 years, and accordingly, their channel has not been visibly updated in that time.

Our Recommended Videos To Check Out:

Gnaeus - The Curse (Live): Two of Gnaeus' three live videos come from their set at Lopstock I at LopLops Lounge in June 2014, where they played their songs "The Sound" and, as embedded below, the non-album track "The Curse". Filmed by Jason Lloyd, these videos feature Gnaeus' original lineup, including singer/guitarist Aaron Alessandrini, bassist Matt Fronzi, synth player Brad Irwin, and drummer Brendan Garlick. Including nice close-up footage of the band in action (if being too warmly lit with muffled guitars), these are a nice early look at the guys in their first year together, and "The Curse" will appeal to fans of the "post-punk" side of their sound! Gnaeus also played at Lopstock II, and there are more videos from that set.



Gnaeus - Lovers: The most popular upload on Gnaeus' channel, this March 2015 video is set to the studio track from their fan favourite original song "Lovers", and it features the guys playing the song in studio, intercut with concert footage, the guys hanging out, making a sandwich(?!), and even talking about their then-recent VM Radio Battle of the Bands victory. Sort of an official music video, albeit well in advance of their CD's release the next summer, this is well edited and varied on the whole, and the faster, more up-tempo "Lovers" was one of  my favourite songs of theirs!



Gnæus - Meditations: Available in Galaxy Near You: Despite releasing their only studio album "Meditations" in August 2016, this promotional video only went online in late November of that year, and was the band's final YouTube upload. A creative and amusing commercial, this features the green screened floating heads of the band talking about the album, how to pronounce "Gnaeus", and more eclectic, not-always-relevant topics, with liberal cameos from their blank-eyed Pompey the Great mascot. Then-drummer Alex Proulx (who could fire lasers from his eyes!) is featured here despite joining the band after "Meditations" was recorded. While an amusing commercial for the CD, the guys' dialogue is too quiet compared to the music, so make sure to have the volume dial in hand when listening.


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I hope you guys liked this month's YouTube Channel Profile! Next month, this series will focus on another local punk band, as I have randomly selected innercit's channel, an apparently official YouTube channel for The Inner City Surfers in the mid-2000s!  Look for that on or around April 26th, and stay tuned for a new news post on the site tomorrow! Thanks everyone!

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