2/03
BREECH BIO
BREECH evokes a stark purity, an explanation of both rock and roll's darker soul and delicate pleasures. The style is visual, dynamic, and yet at times vulnerable. Thom Jurek of Detroit's Metro Times and contributor to Rolling Stone writes, "Breech's songs reveal the beauty in human flaws, the subtleties of passion, and the dynamics of anger, ...challenging our notion of what rock and roll is...They are raw, gutsy, frail, tainted with the stain of life and to the bone."
Breech embodies the musical vision of singer songwriter Missy Gibson. Originally from Detroit, Missy made her way to Los Angeles in the summer of 1996. In collaboration with other musicians, including Joe McAlevey on accordion/keys, Mike Flanagan on guitar/clarinet, Michael Patterson on Bass and Dan Hughes on drums, Breech has established itself as one of LA's most compelling, up and coming acts.
Gibson's intensity and ability to connect with her audience have established her as one of the most passionate new voices out there. Option Magazine writes, "Missy has a throaty, full voice which delivers poignant stories of innocence lost, and of confusion, hope and redemption." Her performances back in Detroit earned her the Metro Times/Detroit Monthly annual Music Awards for Best Vocalist, Best Songwriter, and Artist Deserving Wider Recognition. Breech was chosen as one of LA's top unsigned bands by Music Connection Magazine.
Spare me indecision/ I am not a flower nor a kitten/ Foul mouthed, a crass lass/ I was the first to kick dirt and spit milk back into my glass/ I'm not a willow but a switch/ I'm always hurtin' the ones who I love best." ("Curtains")
Breech's songs attempt to connect rock and roll's fragile and violent extremes. Gibson's reputation for passion and direct, in-your-face expression drives its live performances, not only filling the space, but destroying the barrier between audience and performer. As Chris Dickinson from the Chicago Reader puts it, "Watching Gibson on stage is a lot like watching James Cagney in the last minutes of White Heat. She leans into the crowd. She threatens and pouts...She mans her stage the way Cagney manned his burning tower. But this isn't an angry confrontation. It's just a singer in the throes of a song, albeit one who's acutely aware of the moment and the audience. In simpler terms it's what used to be called "Star Quality."
Within a year of moving to LA, Gibson signed a publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing and in 1999 released a self titled Breech EP produced by Matt Thorne (The Eels, Plastilina Mosh, Skeleton Key), followed in 2000 by a CD single, ("Junk"). As a seasoned LA Band, Breech has a large following and continues to perform at a variety of venues on a regular basis. They have opened for among others, Weezer, White Stripes, Liz Phair, Jeff Buckley, Tracy Bonham, The Spinanes, Graham Parker, and Royal Trux. Breech's past accomplishments also include appearing on Ed McMahon's "Next Big Star", and having a song ("Thistle") featured in a recent episode of "Dawson's Creek".
Again I am weeping/ This sorrow I am sinking/ Cause you took a piece of me/ I cried on your dress, gave you something to take on your skin/ I kissed the wood, smudged you all in red/ I'm bringing flowers to my mother/ She can't complain about the color." ("Charms")
As Michael Norman of Cleveland's The Plain Dealer accurately praises, "Call it what you want- riot grrrl folk, singer songwriter grunge, punk poetry- Gibson is the real thing."
Breech released a full-length CD ("Apron Strings") in June of 2002 as part of a successful 12-city Midwest tour.
Gibson has also been making waves in the local press as "Betty Rocker". Breech paid for "Apron Strings" through a series of Guerilla-style bake sales held outside of major concert venues in LA. All items are homemade fresh in Gibson's kitchen.
For more information, please check out the Breech website at www.breech.net
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