The Grand Silent System was conceived in early 1999 in the Latrobe Valley. With a wide range of musical influences from Classical, Jazz, Orchestral, Electronica, World Music, Funk, and Progressive Rock they bring a unique style to the Australian music scene. The Grand Silent System consists of six key members, bringing a wide array of instruments into play. These include vocals, guitar, keyboards/samples, clarinet, flute, saxophone, bass, drums and percussion. Such a broad range of textures, coupled with intricate compositions.
Live performance has always been a major factor in the success of The Grand Silent System. Extreme dynamics make shows very powerful and crowds are often awe-struck by the brute power of the live sound.
Word has spread quickly about one of the best live acts the local music scene here in Melbourne has to offer and rightfully so, as this sextet from the Latrobe Valley stretches and bursts every genre bubble known to man! Tim Cashmere, Undercover.
The Grand Silent System are one of the freshest bands to hit the local scene in a while, making a name for themselves with their blistering, eclectic live shows. David Richardson, Inpress.
The Grand Silent System came dangerously close to being better than the main act. Numerous whispers overheard from the audience expressed surprise at the quality of the opening support act. The GSS could be described as a rich, complex mix of Progressive rock, Funk and even Neo-classical, although the emphasis here is on “rich” and “complex” rather than any particular genre. This might be a vague description, but if I tried to be more specific, I would be doing them a great injustice. Just go and see them, OK? Beat - 10th March 2004 - Jesse Shrock.
Whilst performing shows both locally and nationally, the band has worked with many artists including: Machine Gun Fellatio, Skunkhour, COG, Something For Kate, Pre_Shrunk, Grinspoon, Groove Terminator, George and The Shrunk, Grinspoon, Groove Terminator, George and The John Butler Trio and have featured on festival bills including The Falls Festival and The Meredith Music Festival. Fishstock and Summertime Rocks 2 years running.
In 2002, the first full-length album ‘Gift or a Weapon’ was released. Recorded at Sing Sing studios and mixed by ARIA award winner Chris Thompson, the album was a big step up for the band and a great document of where the band was musically at this time. Re-released in late 2003 through Shock, the album continues to sell well nationwide and has increased the bands fan-base internationally. Follow up release to ‘They who Built’ released 2001. TGSS are currently working on their second full length album for release late 2004.
This exposure Internationally helped them gain the number 1 unsigned International act by the American magazine, Lowdown (http://lowdownunsigned.cjb.net) They have a huge presence within the web, with many tracks making it to number one on MP3.com and MP3.com.au all tracks rating number 1 including ‘Stint the Obey’. They were also the winners of the Big Day Out downloads competition winning by hundreds of votes...
The Grand Silent System are intent on writing and performing music with meaning, intelligence and emotion.
