The Olivia Tremor Control is an American psychedelic band from Athens, Georgia. The band's ine-up consisted of Will Cullen Hart (1971-2024), Bill Doss, Eric Harris, John Fernandes, and Peter Erchick. The Olivia Tremor Control's music combines indie rock and neo-psychedelia, taking influence from psychedelic pop bands of the 1960s, such as the Beach Boys and the Beatles.
The Olivia Tremor Control originated as a band called Cranberry Lifecycle, which was formed in Ruston, Louisiana in the late 1980s by Hart and his high school friend Jeff Mangum. The two moved to Athens, and reworked Cranberry Lifecycle songs as a new band called Synthetic Flying Machine. After Doss joined, Mangum left the band to pursue a solo project that eventually became Neutral Milk Hotel. Doss and Hart then renamed the band to the Olivia Tremor Control, and recruited Fernandes, Harris, and Erchick. With this line-up, the Olivia Tremor Control released two albums: Dusk at Cubist Castle (1996) and Black Foliage (1999). Both albums received positive reviews from critics.
After the release of Black Foliage, tensions grew between Hart and Doss, and the Olivia Tremor Control broke up in 2000. Hart was hospitalized with multiple sclerosis in 2005, and when Doss went to visit him, the two reconciled and reunited the band in 2009. While recording a third album, Doss died of an aneurysm in 2012. The remaining band members decided to continue performing, and as of 2019 the Olivia Tremor Control's third album is still being recorded.
Links to Peel[]
Peel discovered the band in 1996 and played a track via their single, 'The Giant Day'. Further material from the group were played on his radio programmes including a session they recorded for his show in 1997. After 1997, Peel seemed to have lost interest in the group's records.
Sessions[]
The Olivia Tremor Control - John Peel Session
Session is available on John Peel Session 18.3.97 CD Limited Edition, Not On Label (The Olivia Tremor Control Self-released), OTC9200CD and John Peel Session 12”, 2014 (Chunklet CHKLP012)
1. Recorded: 1997-03-18. First Broadcast: 09 April 1997
- Not Feeling Human / Suite 1 / Suite 2
Other Shows Played[]
- 1996
- 22 March 1996: ‘The Giant Day (7 inch )’ Drug Racer
- 30 March 1996 (BFBS): 'The Giant Day (7")' (Drug Racer)
- 21 April 1996: The Giant Day (Dusk) (7" EP - The Giant Day) Drug Racer
- 27 April 1996: ‘Curtain Call Pt’ 3 (7 inch – The Giant Day)’ Drug Racer
- 04 May 1996 (BFBS): 'Curtain Call Pt. 3 (7"-The Giant Day)' (Drug Racer)
- 07 September 1996: The Opera House (album - Music From The Unrealized Film Script "Dusk At Cubist Castle") Blue Rose
- 30 September 1996 (BBC World Service): Define A Transparent Dream (LP – Music From The Unrealized Film Script "Dusk At Cubist Castle") Blue Rose
- 12 October 1996: Define A Transparent Dream (album - Music From The Unrealized Film Script "Dusk At Cubist Castle") The Blue Rose Record Company
- 13 October 1996: Memories Of Jacqueline 1906 (album - Music From The Unrealized Film Script "Dusk At Cubist Castle") The Blue Rose
- 1997
- 01 April 1997: ‘Jumping Fences (CD Single)’ The Blue Rose Record Company
- 10 April 1997 (BFBS): 'Jumping Fences (CDS)' (Blue Roses Record Company)
- 08 May 1997 (BFBS): 'Jumping Fences (CDS)' (Blue Rose)