Biography

Despite seeming like they could never stay together very long, Floor would go on to become an influential band in the doom/sludge world thanks to their signature guitar tone and fusion of heavy metal and power pop influences. Formed in 1992 by guitarists Steve Brooks and Anthony Vialon along with drummer Betty Monteavaro (who would be replaced by Jeff Sousa the following year), the Miami, Florida trio first made a name for itself as a sludge metal outfit, releasing a number of singles and even recording the material that would be released a decade later on Dove before breaking up in 1996. It was during this time that Brooks and Vialon, who were trying to find a way to play without a bass player, came up with the droning, detuned guitar sound that would become the band's trademark. After a brief reunion in 1997, the band came back together to write new material in 2001 with Henry Wilson as its full-time drummer. It was then that the band began incorporating poppier influences, crafting a sound that owed as much to Hüsker Dü and Guided by Voices as it did to Sunn 0))). This would be the foundation for 2002's groundbreaking Floor, the band's first full-length release. With the bandmembers parting ways again in 2003, it also seemed like it would be the last. Although the members branched out into other projects, with Brooks going on to form Torche and Wilson starting Dove, the trio eventually came together again in 2010 to play a handful of reunion shows. Enjoying their time together, Floor continued to tour more and, growing tired of playing the same songs night after night, began writing again. Floor eventually made their long-awaited return with Oblation, which was released by Season of Mist in 2014. ~ Gregory Heaney, Rovi