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==History== ===Formation and ''Industrial'' (1989–1991)=== Pitchshifter was formed in 1989 (initially spelled '''Pitch Shifter''') by guitarist and programmer Johnny Carter and bassist Mark Clayden, later joined by Stu Toolin, and then [[JS Clayden|Jon "JS" Clayden]] (Mark Clayden's brother).<ref name="Larkin90"/> During this time, the band played with local bands and soon gained attention of the [[Peaceville Records]]. During this time, JS went to live in France to sell paintings. They have cited major influences as [[Black Sabbath]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Metallica]], [[Nine Inch Nails]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[The Cure (band)|The Cure]], [[The Doors (band)|The Doors]], [[The Sex Pistols]], [[The Ramones]], and [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]].{{fact|date=May 2023}} During 1990, the band started recording their début album, ''[[Industrial (album)|Industrial]]'', with the main vocalist being Mark Clayden instead of JS, who contributed with backing vocals. The band later went on a small tour with bands like [[Napalm Death]]. ===''Submit'', ''Desensitized'' and Phoenix Festival (1992–1995)=== The band later joined the British label [[Earache Records]] where they released their mini-album/EP ''[[Submit]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://alternativetentacles.com/pages/artist-page/pitchshifter |title=Pitchshifter Bio |website=[[Alternative Tentacles]] |access-date=August 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Hit-Music/1998/Hit-Music-1998-02-28.pdf |title=New Entry Singles |page=16 |magazine=Hit Music |date=February 28, 1998 |access-date=August 20, 2024}}</ref> Later, Stuart Toolin left the band, and the band hired Matt Godfrey to fill his place for some shows. Matt later left the band and they hired drummer D.J. Walters, now being a four-piece band. Later, the band released their second album, ''[[Desensitized (Pitchshifter album)|Desensitized]]''.<ref name="Larkin90"/> The band played at the [[Phoenix Festival]] in [[Long Marston, Warwickshire|Long Marston]], England, in 1995. The band's manager, armed with a tractor, arranged for an enormous [[crop circle]] replica of the band's famous "eye" symbol to appear in the adjoining field to the festival site during the night prior to their performance there. The crowd's enthusiasm for the band when they performed was so high that they rushed the stage, making Pitchshifter's performance the first in the history of the festival to be stopped early.<ref name="pitchshifter" /> ===''The Remix War'' and ''Infotainment?'' (1995–1996)=== The band later released the remix album ''[[The Remix War]]'', which had appearances from other groups like [[Biohazard (band)|Biohazard]], [[Therapy?]] and [[Gunshot (band)|Gunshot]].<ref name="Larkin90"/> The band then started working on the third album, ''[[Infotainment?]]'' and later played at the [[Dynamo Open Air]]. The band later left Earache and joined [[Geffen Records]].<ref name="Larkin90"/> ===Spelling change and ''www.pitchshifter.com'' (1997–1999)=== [[File:JS Clayden live.JPG|right|thumb|upright|Vocalist JS Clayden in June 2008]] During this time, the band changed the spelling of their name from 'Pitch Shifter' to 'Pitchshifter', and recruited former [[The Prodigy]] live guitarist [[Jim Davies (musician)|Jim Davies]], with the band returning to their five-piece form.<ref name="Larkin90"/> The band later released their single "[[Genius (Pitchshifter song)|Genius]]", which was later included in ''[[Test Drive 5]]'' and the ''[[Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (soundtrack)|Mortal Kombat: Annihilation]]'' soundtrack, which helped the band to gain [[music recording sales certification|platinum]] recognition.<ref name="pitchshifter" /> In 1998, the band released their fourth album ''[[www.pitchshifter.com]]'',<ref name="Larkin90"/> which is their best selling album, selling around 60,000 copies in the U.S.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=2000|title= Metal/Hard Rock Album Sales In The US As Reported By Soundscan|date= 9 March 2002|work= [[Blabbermouth]]|access-date= 24 April 2010|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20021030123911/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=2000|archive-date= 30 October 2002|df= dmy-all}}</ref> The band later played in Ozzfest 1998 and [[Livid (festival)|Livid]] in support of their album. During 1999, they played on [[Reading Festival]] and again at Dynamo. ===''Deviant'' (2000–2001)=== In 2000, founder Johnny Carter and drummer D.J. Walters left the band, and the band hired guitarist Matt Grundy and drummer Jason Bowld. The band later released their fifth album ''[[Deviant (Pitchshifter album)|Deviant]]'', which had appearances from drummer [[John Stanier (drummer)|John Stanier]] and [[Jello Biafra]]. The band played in that year's Ozzfest. The cover used a picture of one of [[Gee Vaucher]]'s Paintings, who did artwork for [[Crass]] and [[Carcass (band)|Carcass]]. The painting shows a cross between the Pope John Paul II and Queen Elizabeth II. Due to outrage over the use of a caricature of the Pope, the album was banned in Poland. The band apologized for the artwork and changed it. ===''PSI'' and hiatus (2002–2003)=== Live rhythm guitarist Matt Grundy announced his departure from the band in January 2002. The following month, Pitchshifter played their first show of the year at [[Ministry of Sound]] (London). This show marked the debut for guitarist Dan Rayner whom, along with his brother Tim, had previously worked with the band in 2001 as an additional programmer for the album ''[[PSI (album)|PSI]]''. This time serving as the group's touring rhythm guitar player (switching to live lead guitar in 2003). ''[[PSI (album)|PSI]]'' - the sixth studio album was released on May 7, 2002. The band then went to a few more shows until their last show in 2003 when the band went on an "indefinite hiatus". ===Side projects (2003–2006)=== [[File:Dan Rayner live.JPG|left|thumb|upright|Guitarist Dan Rayner in June 2008]] During this time, Jim Davies returned to [[The Prodigy]], while Dan went to work on Drawbacks, with his brother Tim Rayner, who later joined Pitchshifter as well. Jon formed the alternative rock group Doheny with former [[The Cult]] guitarist [[Billy Morrison]]. Mark later left The Blueprint and with Jason, they formed [[This Is Menace]], a supergroup featuring members from various other bands including [[Carcass (band)|Carcass]], [[Napalm Death]], [[Sikth]], [[Send More Paramedics]], [[Funeral for a Friend]] and [[earthtone9]]. Doheny later broke up and JS went to form his own label, ''PSI Records'', and in 2003 released the compilation album ''[[Bootlegged, Distorted, Remixed and Uploaded]]'' and the DVD ''[[P.S.I.entology]]''. In 2005, [[This Is Menace]] released their début album ''[[No End in Sight]]'' through PSI Records. During this time as well, Jon worked as a teacher at the [[Los Angeles Recording School]] teaching Music Business Communications and was a featured member of [[Pigface]] during the supergroup's 2003 United II tour of the US. During the tour, he performed vocals on songs including Pigface's "Insect/Suspect" and Pitchshifter's classic "Genius." ===Return and ''None for All and All for One'' (2006–2008)=== During late 2006, there were rumours that band was going to return, which were later confirmed and the band announced the "Back From the Dead" tour, supported by various bands including [[Funeral for a Friend]]. Davies did not return to the band to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by Tim Rayner. The band released the ''[[None for All and All for One]]'' EP, with some copies given away for free in certain shows. There were some rumours that the band was working on a new album, but the band has denied. In 2008, the band along with [[Carcass (band)|Carcass]] and [[Cathedral (band)|Cathedral]], headlined the [[Damnation Festival]]. ===Hiatus (2009–2018)=== [[File:Jason Bowld live.JPG|right|thumb|250px|upright|Drummer [[Jason Bowld]] in June 2008]] In 2009, the band announced in their official website that they were working on a new album. Frontman JS Clayden stated that "It's been refreshing to get back in the demo studio. We are taking this record in a few places we haven't been before in terms of guitar work. Brian Harrah <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Professional Murder Music]] and [[Tura Satana (band)|Tura Satana]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> is writing with me on guitar at The Manor Studios, and Jason is jamming at his place. So far we are having a blast and kicking ass. There are a few new moves in terms of song timing and vocals that have us all jazzed. I guess you'll just have to wait and see what we came up with."<ref name="news">{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchshifter.com/v4/news.php|title=>> Pitchshifter :: Home <<|website=Pitchshifter.com|access-date=24 April 2010}}</ref> In late 2009, guitarist Tim Rayner was diagnosed with [[b cell]] [[lymphoma]] while on vacation in [[Australia]] and underwent treatment.<ref name="news" /> In February 2010, he arrived in the UK and started [[radiotherapy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drawbacks.net/web2/thehome.html|title=+++ dRAWBACKS Official Web Site +++|website=Drawbacks.net|access-date=30 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230155057/http://www.drawbacks.net/web2/thehome.html|archive-date=30 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band headlined the Wakefield Rock Festival on 15 May 2010.<ref name="news" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/whats-on/music/fresh-wakefield-launch-two-day-rock-5002465|title=Fresh: Wakefield to launch two-day rock festival headlined by InMe and Pitchshifter|newspaper=The Huddersfield Daily Examiner|access-date=1 July 2016}}</ref> The band's statement, made on their website in 2011, is "We're excited to be back in the studio. Looking at a 2012 release right now; but we're not under any pressure to finish on someone else's deadline - so we'll do it right and finish on our own schedule."<ref>{{cite web |title=Home Page |url=http://www.pitchshifter.com/v5/home.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517174258/http://www.pitchshifter.com/v5/home.html |archive-date=17 May 2012 |access-date=22 December 2012 |website=Pitchshifter.com}}</ref> However, no further updates were published, and in July 2015, the official website's domain had been purchased and replaced with a Japanese website unrelated to the band; years later, JS Clayden admitted that "we carried the website for such a long time that it felt like a burden being lifted to let it go".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/whats-on/gigs-and-music/pitchshifter-s-tour-to-mark-20-years-of-their-classic-www-pitchshifter-com-album-hits-the-wedgewood-rooms-southsea-1-8699889|title=Pitchshifter's tour to mark 20 years of their classic album : The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea|website=Portsmouth.co.uk}}</ref> ===Reunion tour and occasional shows (2018–present)=== [[File:M Clayden2.jpg|left|thumb|JS and Mark Clayden in 2018]] In June 2016, the band tweeted "Looking at some live shows in Feb 2018 in the UK".<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Pitchshifter|author=Pitchshifter|number=738209815906779137|date=2 June 2016|title=Looking at some live shows in Feb 2018 in the UK. Does anybody still care!?!?}}</ref> This was followed by an announcement in April 2018 that the band would reunite for a short tour the following November to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the ''[[www.pitchshifter.com]]'' album; Simon Hutchby from [[earthtone9]] would be replacing Jason Bowld on drums,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/208968999150488/photos/a.1611066525607388.1073741828.208968999150488/1660450374002336/?type=3|title=Pitchshifter|website=Facebook.com}}</ref> as Bowld could not break away his commitments with [[Bullet for My Valentine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/208968999150488/posts/a-number-of-you-have-been-asking-if-jason-bowld-will-be-drumming-on-the-upcoming/1660450374002336/ |title=Pitchshifter - A number of you have been asking if Jason... |website=Facebook.com |date=2018-06-06 |access-date=2020-04-07}}</ref> When asked about a longer term reunion, J.S. Clayden emphasized that the current band members live in different cities and countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundspheremag.com/spotlight/band/band-spotlight-pitchshifter/|title=Band Spotlight: Pitchshifter|website=Soundspheremag.com|date=29 September 2018}}</ref> Select demo material from the band's would-be seventh album, ''Sprint Finish'', was released on the band's [[Bandcamp]] page. In January 2020, the band announced they were releasing a "redux" of ''[[Un-United Kingdom]]'', with additional guest vocals, to coincide with the day of [[Brexit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2020/01/01/news/pitchshifter-to-release-20th-anniversary-edition-of-un-united-kingdom/|title=Pitchshifter To Release 20th Anniversary Edition Of "Un-United Kingdom"|date=1 January 2020|website=Theprp.com}}</ref> Jason Bowld and Mark Clayden guested on former guitarist Jim Davies' album ''[[Headwars]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://originalrock.net/2020/01/26/jim-davies-formerly-of-the-prodigy-pitchshifter-announces-new-album-headwars-teases-new-single/|title=Jim Davies (Formerly of The Prodigy / Pitchshifter) Announces New Album 'Headwars'; Teases New Single|website=Originalrock.net|date=26 January 2020}}</ref> In July 2020, the band released a re-recorded version of "Everything's Fucked" for the EFKD 2020 EP. Later that year, the band successfully crowdfunded though [[Kickstarter]] a retrospective diary book entitled ''Chasing The Broken White Line'', chronicling the band's 1998 world tour; a sequel book, ''Tokyo or Bust'', was announced in 2022. In July 2023, the band re-joined to perform two shows in the UK, one of them as part of the [[2000trees]] festival.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-22 |title=Frank Carter, The Wonder Years, Hundred Reasons and more for 2000trees |url=https://www.kerrang.com/frank-carter-the-wonder-years-hundred-reasons-and-more-for-2000trees/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Kerrang! |language=en}}</ref>
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