Alcian Blue

Alcian Blue was a shoegaze and new wave influenced band operating out of the Washington DC suburb of Takoma Park from 1998 to 2006. The band initially consisted of Sam Chintha, Jake Reid, Clark Stacy and Matt Welch. Self recording and self releasing a full length and several eps and singles, they honed their characteristic sound by relentlessly experimenting with diy recording techniques and effect boxes. They toured extensively with fellow east coast shoegaze bands such as Skywave, A Place to Bury Strangers, and The Emerald Down. In April 2004 Clark Stacy left the band to join the Air Force. The band decided to continue by using drum machines and added Jake Reid's future wife Kim Reid (née Dodd) on synthesizers and extra guitars. This sudden change in the group dynamic resulted in their self titled full length which was released in July 2006 by Elephant Stone Records. The new sound featured synthesizers and drum machines more prominently. The band toured with the new line up extensively prior to the release of the record and developed a cult regional and world wide fan base. They were known for their extremely loud wall of sound live aesthetics coupled with the use of disorienting video projections. The band decided to part ways in September 2006 to pursue new projects and new sounds. They posthumously released an EP consisting of songs culled from older recordings in 2007. Jake and Kim Reid currently operate the independent label Safranin Sound and Design. They also form the core of Screen Vinyl Image. Sam Chintha is working on music under the moniker Vacuole Eyes and currently plays with The Antiques. Matt Welch is currently part of the Torsion Fields collective which includes Sam Chintha and John Wood of A Cricket in Times Square among others.