Album Notes

It was the spring of 1996, and Patrick McLaughlin (b) had just quit his job at UPS. Almost immediately, he began jamming again with old friend, John Doyle (dr). Both served time together previously, in their first band, Blu Laughtr. This time around, they switched instruments and recruited a talented young guitarist named Mike Pesavento or "Pez" (ex-Mr. Nippleberry), calling themselves Bloody Blood. After realizing how much better they'd become, Pat and John switched back to their original instruments to make it completely awesome. I Decline was born that day. They released the first three songs they had written together on a demo called Drug Prophet, shortly thereafter. Somewhere between Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, and Black Flag with a sci-fi/horror theme, most people hated it- that's how they knew they were doing the right thing. After playing some shows and writing even more strangely progressive songs (now splitting the vocal duties between the three of them), a real singer and his lead guitarist-buddy walked into I Decline's fucked up world.
Dustin Harnish (voc) and Tommy Bucina (g) (both ex-Crestfallen) who they had known for three years, joined them on stage to perform [a cover of] Monster Magnet's "Third Alternative." The oddball three-piece rehearsed with the two tall long-haired dudes for a couple of weeks prior to the gig they'd be playing, forming a cross-over between two of the three bands that played that night. The chemistry was that-of-what-dreams-are-made, and before they knew it, I Decline were five. Over the next year and a half, they wrote dozens of songs. In 1998, they released two EP/singles: "Order of the Red Sands/Dinoryde" and "The Venus Flies/27," both of which sold out almost instantly. Relying mainly on their friends to come see them play, I Decline began to play respected local rock venues such as Thurston's and the House of Blues (Chicago). The only problem was that they needed a full-length album. The problem was about to be solved.
December '99: I Decline began working on "Soundtrackfortherestofyourlife" at Doyle's house in the basement and garage, writing, arranging, producing, and recording the whole thing entirely on their own. Doyle was to graduate from DePaul University in May, 2000 with a bachelor's degree in sound recording; his education would begin paying sooner than he'd expected.
Released in August, 2000 on their own label, Black Rabbit Records, I Decline's first opus, "Soundtrackfortherestofyourlife," was complete. Since then, this is the spiritual model from which their highly-acclaimed live shows are based, live shows that soar high above the human stream of consciousness destroying and rebuilding everything in their sonic path. Following only the trends they create, I Decline continues to bend the rules, and kick major ass in the process. Expect this band to rule the future.