Vennart - The Demon Joke (2015) (ex-Oceansize frontman solo debut)

**mnprogger** · 05-29-2015

This debut record "The Demon Joke" was just released on Monday to the preorders (it comes out on June 22nd worldwide including on Insideout in the States).

I have been thoroughly impressed by a lot of it, although I suppose there aren't any overtly "prog" tracks on it; but there's a lot of the mood and changing tone and energy that many love from Oceansize.

"Doubt" is probably my favorite track overall as the outro always gives me goosebumps.

I would definitely recommend people to check it out, especially if they are fans of Oceansize.

Some tracks are stream-able:

"Infatuate"
https://soundcloud.com/superballmusic/vennart-infatuate

"Operate"
http://www.stereogum.com/1799852/ven...premiere/mp3s/

**doh** · 06-12-2015

I've been binging on Oceansize lately and really missing that there won't be any more of that. Are there any other opinions on Vennart? I was not a fan of the YouTube clip above, but Infatuate is good.

**mnprogger** · 06-12-2015

well I love this album, but a lot of the reviews have been positive, but also saying how different it is from 'Size.

It is different, but I still hear a lot of the Oceansize kind of music on The Demon Joke.

also here's a good interview about TDJ, British Theatre and Oceansize (and Biffy Clyro a bit) with Mike
http://altprogcore.blogspot.com/2015...t-italian.html

**Geoff O'Donoghue** · 06-15-2015

The Independent website has an interview with Mike and the full album streaming via Soundcloud

http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2015/...iffs%E2%80%99/

**Geoff O'Donoghue** · 06-16-2015

I'm on my 8th or 9th listen of this stream (been listening since I posted the link above) and I'm loving it. I liked the earlier tracks Mike made available (Operate and Don't Forget The Joker) but I wasn't blown away. I am now.

**iguana** · 06-16-2015

autobuy. i miss OCEANSiZE. they were the missing link between MOGWAi and PORCUPiNE TREE and their split left a void which has not been sufficiently filled yet.

**mnprogger** · 06-16-2015

yeah thanks for posting that link.

I really love this album. Each song has different things to like. "Doubt" is so good. Also "A Weight in the Hollow" is dreamy as hell.

I even posted a video review a few days after hearing it

**jcarr73729** · 06-16-2015

There have been MP3's of the album on the internet for a week or two, and I succumbed to temptation based upon the on-line previews. It moves between progressive metal and full-on symphonic prog, so I found it a difficult album to play from start to finish. Not a keeper for me, but I sense it will find a willing audience.

I will commit to saying that the opening track is one of the best progressive album openers I have ever heard.

**doh** · 06-16-2015

Thanks for the interview link and the Soundcloud. This has graduated to "Buy Now" for me. I love this quote too: "I’ve stopped trying to rip-off The Cardiacs because I found that was completely impossible."

**iguana** · 07-24-2015

please check this one out. tracks 3, 5 and 9 are instant hits and i am inclined to call this ‘OCEANSiZE’s lost pop album’ which is not a bad thing at all. quality stuff. i'll try and get a proper review together as soon as possible. way to go vennart!

**doh** · 07-24-2015

I ordered mine and it just arrived today. About to bite in.

**Haruspex Carnage** · 07-25-2015

Was a decent revisit of his/their sound but like he himself stated it's more about the vocals...this didn't last too long in my rotation.

**doh** · 07-27-2015

After one spin, I am excited. This is definitely scratching my Oceansize itch. This feels like earlier Oceansize, perhaps Everyone Into Position. There are still multi-layered songs, quirky drumming, unexpected time signatures, etc. Perhaps a little more on the accessible side, but I can't see this playing on the radio. Which is supposed to be a compliment.

**doh** · 07-31-2015

After about 3 spins, I would rate this 75% Oceansize, which is about 75% more than any other band I can find. This needs more ears on it.

**mnprogger** · 07-31-2015

it's enough like Oceansize for me, but some fans are not into it as much.

I keep going back to it, I think largely due to it always leaves me with ear worms.

**doh** · 08-01-2015

Yes, ear worms galore. Maybe that's one of the reasons I get the Oceansize vibe.

**iguana** · 08-21-2015

i can't stop listening to this one. i just can't. here is my review:

Vennart | “The Demon Joke” | superball music

As a solo artist Mike Vennart is proving that the size of his ocean is still far and wide.

Tedious puns aside this is a monstrous release by the former Oceansize figurehead. During the noughties they became a much appreciated and, of late, influential band, whose brand of psychedelic Post Rock and Alt.Prog conveniently filled the void between Mogwai and mid-period Porcupine Tree and, consequently, tore it open again by their fast break-up in early 2011. Although they have left a sizable legacy (judging by new names such as Russian band “iamthemorning” or Germany’s own “Effloresce”) Vennart makes a strong statement in closing that gap which has been with us for far too long. Besides his tenure as a touring member of Biffy Clyro and his partaking in electronica act British Theatre (with fellow Oceansizer Richard Ingram) the impish Mancunian is now ready to do so on entirely his own terms.

He succeeds on several levels. Vennart’s and, indeed, Oceansize’s clandestine pop sensibilities are finally given free reign. While there is still plenty of multi-layered guitar psychedelia present to enlighten the old fan base the concise songwriting achieves an urgency that allows the album to sit closer to contemporary rock than cumbersome avantgarde. This is not to its detriment. Much of the album’s material is centered around Mike Vennart’s emphatic vocals (which occupy a space somewhere between Francis Dunnery and Chris Cornell) and songs like “Infatuate”, “Duke Fame” and “Operate” posess all of those those shimmering, victorious choruses that Indie Rock radio is craving for – the second example’s one is beautifully carried by Cardiacs muse Jo Spratley and expertly juxtaposes the song’s fuzz-drenched Post Grunge energy.

While the album in places passes as a mini Oceansize reunion (both “Gambler” Ingram and current Amplifier-member Steve Durose are heavily featured) a surplus of electronica and the more straightforward yet no less spectacular drumming by the Wildhearts’ own Denzel conveniently remove it from any comparison to past Oceansize glory. If at all applicable, some of their early Noise Rock elements have been revived (“Retaliate”) but this does not stand in the way of an A-grade in the mastery of infectious, smart songwriting which never succumbs to majority-grabbing dumbness but is always engaging and displays enough bravery for barbs and twists. Tim Smith must be flashing his most benign smirks.

This is the perfect album for anyone with a functioning set of ears and a twisted yet open mind inbetween. “Infatuate” is probably the finest song that you are likely to hear this year and the stacked sung-screamed vocals during the coda of the album closer “Amends” are no less than twisted, tortured genius. Manchester’s stalwart anti-Gallagher has met the challenge with one of the best releases of this year so far. He ought to do more of this.

**mnprogger** · 08-21-2015

great review iguana! you really hit the nail on the head on some of those comparisons and descriptions.

Also this was posted the other day: VENNART live back in May, playing the Oceansize track "Build us a Rocket Then..."

**Matt Stevens** · 08-23-2015

Originally Posted by mnprogger

great review iguana! you really hit the nail on the head on some of those comparisons and descriptions.

Also this was posted the other day: VENNART live back in May, playing the Oceansize track "Build us a Rocket Then..."

Saw Vennart at ARCTANGENT on Friday, we played on the same stage. Amazing live, what a singer!! Really powerful.

**mnprogger** · 02-21-2017

bump.

For those who didn't know, a new live DVD/CD was just released by Vennart called TARGET 15.

Great performances of Vennart, Oceansize and British Theatre stuff.

Also for those in North America, Mike Vennart is a touring guitarist with Biffy Clyro and will be with them this March/April.

Upcoming Biffy Clyro Tour Dates & Concerts

FRI 24
Mar 2017
Las Vegas Vinyl at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas Nevada, USA

SAT
25 Mar 2017
Phoenix Crescent Ballroom -
Phoenix Arizona, USA

SUN
26 Mar 2017
Los Angeles Belasco Theatre - LA
Los Angeles California, USA

TUE
28 Mar 2017
San Francisco Fillmore -
San Francisco California, USA

THU
30 Mar 2017
Seattle Neptune Theatre
Seattle Washington, USA

SAT
01 Apr 2017
Portland Hawthorne Theatre
Portland Oregon, USA

TUE
04 Apr 2017
Saint Paul Turf Club
Saint Paul Minnesota, USA

WED
05 Apr 2017
Chicago House Of Blues -
Chicago Illinois, USA

FRI
07 Apr 2017
Detroit Saint Andrews Hall -
Detroit Michigan, USA

TUE
11 Apr 2017
Boston Paradise Rock Club
Boston Massachusetts, USA

THU
13 Apr 2017
New York Irving Plaza
New York New York, USA

FRI
14 Apr 2017
Philadelphia Theatre Of The Living Arts
Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA

SAT
15 Apr 2017
Washington 9:30 Club
Washington District Of Columbia, USA

FRI
31 Mar 2017
Vancouver Vogue Theatre - BC
Vancouver British Columbia, Canada

SAT
08 Apr 2017
Toronto Phoenix Concert Theatre
Toronto Ontario, Canada

SUN
09 Apr 2017
Montreal Cafe Campus
Montreal Quebec, Canada

**The Black Light** · 02-27-2017

Nice to see some other Vennart/Oceansize fans on here! Oceansize's demise is one of life's great tragedies. Truly exception music.

**mnprogger** · 05-16-2018

bump.

http://www.vennart.com/

new song available "Donkey Kong," when signing up/ re-signing up for the email list (although it may take a few hours to get the email).

while not dramatically different with Vennart's tendency to be schizophrenic in changing styles and dynamics within 1 song, it seems even more extensive. Yet, it still flows and works.

New album coming soon as well.

**iguana** · 05-17-2018

Originally Posted by mnprogger

bump.

http://www.vennart.com/

new song available "Donkey Kong," when signing up/ re-signing up for the email list (although it may take a few hours to get the email).

while not dramatically different with Vennart's tendency to be schizophrenic in changing styles and dynamics within 1 song, it seems even more extensive. Yet, it still flows and works.

New album coming soon as well.

that is good news indeed. i look forward to seeing him live at ArcTangent (near bristol/UK) this august. feast.