Sleepbomb

 

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Founded in 2003 by Charles Hernandez and Mark Jones, Sleepbomb began as an casual ensemble project performing improvised industrial/experimental scores to German Expressionist films like Caligari and Metropolis. Performing in local beer gardens and art galleries, the duo were joined by Chris Bishop on bass, Rob Johnson on drums, Tim Gotch on synths and James Presley on the saw. Along with a rotating cast of background vocalists, Sleepbomb performed several times a year until mid-2013.

After a short hiatus, the band retrenched and refocused in 2015, dropping much of the improvisational/casual nature that previously defined the project’s scores for pre-arranged music (and sadly losing founding member Mark Jones to adult responsibilities in the process.)

Stylistically, the band moved towards a heavier sound, while still retaining much of their experimental roots. Formal scores were written and performed live to sold out audiences around the Bay area, including signature scores for Conan the Barbarian (with Arnold Schwarzenegger) and German Expressionist classics Metropolis and Nosferatu. Great momentum was in place for 2020, but nature interfered.

Post-pandemic, Sleepbomb returned in a limited fashion in 2021 and expanded to a full slate in 2022. Activities included many events around the Bay area and a first out of state trip along with the premier of brand new scores for The Cabinet of Dr Caligari and Night of the Living Dead. Moving into 2023, plans include more regional shows around the West coast and a summer recordings of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Night of the Living Dead scores.