Biography
Some indie acts lean into scholarly quirks, yet Miniboone took their name directly from MiniBooNE, the noted physics experiment in which researchers investigated the properties of neutrinos, those electrically neutral subatomic particles. No specialized training is needed to appreciate the group’s sound, an edgy yet exuberant blend of Talking Heads, Arcade Fire, and early XTC.
Although none of the musicians came from a physics background, the band originated when Craig Barnes and James Keary connected at college and discovered shared musical tastes despite performing in different groups. Barnes later traveled to Japan through a student exchange program, where he encountered fellow American Doug Schrashun, who shared similar interests. Following graduation, Barnes, Keary, and Schrashun settled in New York City and began composing material, rotating duties on vocals, guitar, and keyboards. The lineup expanded with the arrival of Sam Rich on bass and Taylor Gabriels on drums, allowing Miniboone to perform live for the first time late in 2008.
In 2010 the quartet partnered with Drug Front Records for their debut single, issued as a 7" picture disc, followed by the EP On Miniboone Mountain in 2011. They then moved to Ernest Jenning Record Co., which issued their self-titled debut album in 2013. By the time the group recorded its next full-length release, personnel shifts had occurred: James Keary departed, and Sam Rich and Taylor Gabriels were succeeded by Tony Aquilino on bass and Drew St. Aubin on drums. The resulting album, Bad Sports, was produced by Travis Harrison and appeared on Ernest Jenning in spring 2015.
Although none of the musicians came from a physics background, the band originated when Craig Barnes and James Keary connected at college and discovered shared musical tastes despite performing in different groups. Barnes later traveled to Japan through a student exchange program, where he encountered fellow American Doug Schrashun, who shared similar interests. Following graduation, Barnes, Keary, and Schrashun settled in New York City and began composing material, rotating duties on vocals, guitar, and keyboards. The lineup expanded with the arrival of Sam Rich on bass and Taylor Gabriels on drums, allowing Miniboone to perform live for the first time late in 2008.
In 2010 the quartet partnered with Drug Front Records for their debut single, issued as a 7" picture disc, followed by the EP On Miniboone Mountain in 2011. They then moved to Ernest Jenning Record Co., which issued their self-titled debut album in 2013. By the time the group recorded its next full-length release, personnel shifts had occurred: James Keary departed, and Sam Rich and Taylor Gabriels were succeeded by Tony Aquilino on bass and Drew St. Aubin on drums. The resulting album, Bad Sports, was produced by Travis Harrison and appeared on Ernest Jenning in spring 2015.
Albums
