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Horrid Hydrangeas | |
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| Also known as | Lost Dreams (2024) |
| Origin | Galway, Ireland |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2024-present |
| Spinoffs | |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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Horrid Hydrangeas is an Irish alternative metal band from Galway. Founded in May 2024 by frontman Andrew Brotherton on lead vocals and his then-girlfriend Sophia DeBrunner on keyboards and piano. Having been intended as a five piece with Brotherton on only vocals, it would settle on its current four piece arrangement in late 2024 with Brotherton (Lead vocals, bass guitar), Mateusz Krynicki (Lead guitar), Markó Sukhyi (Rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Aaron Walsh (Drums and percussion).
History
editFoundation
editHorrid Hydrangeas was founded on 12 May 2024 by Andrew Brotherton, who had intended to start a career in music with ambitions dating back to 2022. Originally called Lost Dreams, Brotherton initially wanted it as his solo project, but decided against that, and soon invited his then girlfriend Sophia DeBrunner to join as a second member. Brotherton made himself lead vocalist, and DeBrunner the keyboardist and pianist, as well as backing vocalist. On 25 May, Lost Dreams was renamed Horrid Hydrangeas, as suggested by DeBrunner.
Soon, the search for a guitarist, bassist and drummer began. Mateusz Krynicki, a friend of Brotherton and frontman of the dissolved Sockborn, was added as initially sole guitarist in June 2024. As a search for the last two members was underway, Brotherton decided against a separate bass player, instead choosing to buy a bass and learn the instrument himself. Soon, ideas began to be developed for the band, including its influences.
July - present
editAfter Brotherton and DeBrunner broke up in July that year, she would leave the band. The announcement of her leaving mentioned the band becoming a three piece of a bassist/vocalist, guitarist and drummer, soon this would be disregarded. Markó Sukhyi was added to the line up later in July as rhythm guitarist, and Krynicki stayed as lead guitarist. The band would be largely inactive with exception to a few announcements on social media and ideas being circulated.
Brotherton would eventually acquire a bass guitar in August 2024, now able to perform his duties as bassist of the group. Markó Sukhyi was also given responsibility of backing and co-lead vocalist of the band the same month. After two unsuccessful attempts at recruiting a drummer, Sukhyi offered to quit guitar and do drums. Reluctant, Brotherton instead asked his friend Aaron Walsh, who had recently developed an interest in drums, if he’d be willing to learn them and join Horrid Hydrangeas. Agreeing to this, Walsh would begin his look at drums, eventually deciding on electric drums. Walsh has been a provisional member of the band since October, pending his learning of the drums. Sukhyi would take on additional duties as keyboardist in October as well.
That same month, Brotherton would start a side project entitled The Orion Pact, which is largely an electronic and experimental project based around his previous love of electronic and house music. He started this whilst staying as frontman of Horrid Hydrangeas. Progress on songs for a demo would continue throughout October and November.
Musical style and influences
editHorrid Hydrangeas derives influence from all aspects of rock and metal, primarily alternative metal, alternative rock, thrash metal, shoegaze, grunge, and speed metal. Brotherton and Krynicki are the primary songwriters, with Brotherton also being the primary lyricist. The dual-vocal harmonisation of Brotherton and rhythm guitarist Markó Sukhyi is directly inspired by that of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell, both of Alice in Chains.
Bands and individuals cited as influences or inspirations include Deftones, The Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park, Tool, Motörhead, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Jimi Hendrix, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Stone Temple Pilots, Pantera, Death, System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, The Cure, and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Members
editCurrent
edit- Andrew Brotherton - Lead vocals, bass guitar (2024–present)
- Mateusz Krynicki - Lead guitar (2024–present): Rhythm guitar (2024)
- Markó Sukhyi - Rhythm guitar, backing and co-lead vocals, keyboards (2024–present)
- Aaron Walsh - Drums, percussion (2024–present)
Former
edit- Sophia DeBrunner - Keyboards, other instruments, backing vocals (2024)
Timeline
edit
Line-ups
edit| Period | Members | Studio releases |
|---|---|---|
| 12 May - 7 June 2024 (as Lost Dreams) |
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none – rehearsals only |
| 7 June - 4 July 2024 |
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| 4 - 13 July 2024 |
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| 13 July - 25 August 2024 |
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| 25 August - 23 October 2024 |
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| 23 October 2024 - present |
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The Orion Pact
editThe Orion Pact | |
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| Also known as | Orion Pact |
| Origin | Galway, Ireland |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2024-present |
| Spinoff of |
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| Members | Andrew Brotherton |
The Orion Pact (or Orion Pact for short) is the electronic and experimental side project of Andrew Brotherton. Started in October 2024, the Orion Pact is consists permanently of Brotherton, who is joined in studio and live by collaborators, similar to to artists such as Nine Inch Nails and Puscifer. The Orion Pact focuses primarily on electronic music, with emphasis on artistic expression than the alternative metal style seen in Horrid Hydrangeas.
Musical style and influences
editThe Orion Pact is described by Brotherton as an electronic-experimental project, inspired by Daft Punk, Radiohead, The Prodigy, and Linkin Park (specifically their albums A Thousand Suns and Living Things). As opposed to the alternative metal and grunge influences of Horrid Hydrangeas, The Orion Pact embraces sampling, drum machines, vocoders, and other electronic instruments. In studio, Brotherton is the only permanent member, with collaborators being invited on a session and live basis.
Members
editPermanent
edit- Andrew Brotherton - Vocals, guitar, bass, drum machine, vocoder, sampling (2024–present)