Come (American band)
Come was an American indie rock band, formed in 1990 by Thalia Zedek (vocal, guitar) and Chris Brokaw (guitar, vocal).
Come came to being when Zedek's former band, the post-no wave New York band Live Skull, disbanded i 1990. Zedek formerly played in the bands Uzi and Dangerous Birds. Brokaw was plying drums with Codeine, and the pair had been talking about playing together.
After a year of jamming with Arthur Johnson (drums) and Sean O'brian (bass), Come debuted with the 12 inch single Car on Sub Pop in 1991. The song, a seven minute epic in the blues noir style of The Birthday Party and These Immortal Souls, encapsulated what was to become the trademark style of Come. Dark, intense and lengthy songs marked by Zedeks emotional and distressed vocal, abrupt rhythms, and by the tension-filled guitar interplay between Zedek and Brokaw, both extraordinary accomplished guitarists.
Come released their debut album 11:11 on Matador Records in 1992, to general acclaim in the independent and established media. Brokaw left Codeine after the release, devoting himself full-time to Come.
The band released their second album, Don't Ask Don't Tell, in 1994. Though somewhat more calm than its predecessor, the tension and graveness was kept to the max. Among the highlights of the album, and of the whole of the band's impressive song catalogue, are the two dark ballads Let's Get Lost and Arrive, each closing its respective side of the vinyl edition.
Johnson and O'brian left the band after Don't Ask Don't Tell, to pursue family-raising and education. The following album, the short Near Life Experience was recorded with a number of different musicians, such as drummer Mac McNeilly of the Jesus Lizard and John McEntire of Tortoise.
The last album from Come, the 66 minutes running tour de force of Gently, Down the Stream took its cue from Near Life Experience, but with a more fluent integrated soundscape.
Zedek and Brokaw took a break after Gently, Down the Stream, and the band never regrouped.
Both Zedek and Brokaw has released several albums in their own names after Come, and the couple has performed together on many occasions.
Quotes
"Come's music evokes those moments in rock's demonic journey when the seam is about to split." - New York Times.
"Music you won't soon forget." - Rolling Stone.
"Come really rock, with force, like hell, almost literally." - Melody Maker.
"Impossibly original." - Option.