Chef Menteur (band)

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Chef Menteur is an instrumental rock band from New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States with heavy leanings towards the style of ambient music. It was formed in 1998 by Alec Vance (of Shinola) and Jim Yonkus (of Locus Solus), both of whom were looking to explore new sounds from different music worlds: electronica, post-rock, experimental noise and drone, and improvisational jazz. The current line-up includes Dan Haugh (drums, Minimoog Voyager) from the bands godheadSilo and Smoke and Smoke.

The original lineup comprised of Vance on Farfisa organ and Yonkus on bass, with both members of the duo also playing other synths, manipulating samples and drum machines. They also run their own custom video projections at live shows from self-produced DV footage. The sound of the band has become gradually more guitar-and-drums oriented over time and less sample-based and reliant on computer-synchronized beats, and shows feature psychedelic improvisations.

Their 2005 album We Await Silent Tristero's Empire was released by the independent label Backporch Revolution to international critical acclaim[1].

The band reformed in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Chef Menteur counts among its fans noted actress Grace Zabriskie.

[edit] Band members

As of August 2006, the full time membership of Chef Menteur consists of:

Dan Haugh (Minimoog Voyager, drums)
Alec Vance (guitar, Farfisa, keyboards)
Jim Yonkus (bass)

Other past and contributing members of the band have included Bryan Killingsworth (keyboards, sampling, programming, guitar), Chris Sule (drums) and Mike Mayfield (drums, keyboards; also known for his work in Electrical Spectacle, the Buttons).

Retro-minimalist musician potpie has also added live theremin and sine wave generator to many Chef Menteur shows.

[edit] Discography

Vive La France! EP - released 2003 on Backporch Revolution
We Await Silent Tristero's Empire - released 2005 on Backporch Revolution
"Empires Sans Frontières" - track contributed to WTUL's Songs from the Basement 2 compilation, 2003
"Oceanic No. 23" (with Alexandra Scott) - track contributed to WTUL's Songs from the Basement 4 compilation, 2006
"Aquavitae" - track contributed to Proud To Swim Home: A Backporch Revolution Compilation for New Orleans, 2006
"Charlie Don't Surf (pinkysqueak mix)" - track contributed to Proud To Swim Home: A Backporch Revolution Compilation for New Orleans, 2006