Ceremony
Ceremony is an American punk rock band from Rohnert Park, California. The band’s current lineup includes Ross Farrar (vocals), Anthony Anzaldo (guitar), Jasmine Watson (bass), Andy Nelson (guitar), and Jake Casarotti (drums). Known for their ever-evolving sound, the band spans genres such as powerviolence, hardcore punk, post-punk, and new wave. Pitchfork once noted, “Ceremony are hell-bent on not making the same record twice,” while Stereogum praised them as “a very good punk band executing old punk tricks to massive effectiveness.”
History
Ceremony formed in Rohnert Park, California, in 2005, initially named Violent World before adopting their current name, inspired by the New Order song of the same title. Their first EP, Ruined, was released in 2005 through Malfunction Records, followed by their debut full-length album, Violence Violence, in 2006. This album, which incorporated the material from Ruined, marked the band’s entrance into the hardcore punk scene.
Their second album, Still Nothing Moves You, released in 2008 via Bridge 9 Records, received critical acclaim, with Exclaim! magazine calling it “hardcore’s equivalent of Hiroshima.” The album also charted on Billboard’s Top Internet and Top Heatseekers charts. Following its release, the band toured with notable acts such as Blacklisted, Converge, and AFI.
In 2011, Ceremony signed with Matador Records and released a covers EP, Ceremony 6 Cover Songs, before their fourth studio album, Zoo, debuted in 2012. Marking a significant departure from their hardcore roots, Zoo showcased a more proto-punk style, drawing comparisons to Wire’s Pink Flag. Their subsequent album, The L-Shaped Man, released in 2015, delved further into post-punk, with many critics likening its sound to Joy Division.
The band’s sixth album, In the Spirit World Now, came out in 2019 via Relapse Records. Featuring singles like “Turn Away the Bad Thing” and “Presaging the End,” the album incorporated elements of new wave and indie rock, showcasing their continued evolution.
Musical Style
Ceremony’s sound has evolved significantly over their career. Starting with fast, aggressive powerviolence and hardcore punk reminiscent of Infest and No Comment, the band gradually incorporated post-hardcore, garage rock, post-punk, and new wave elements. Their influences include The Ventures, Joy Division, T.S.O.L., and The Beach Boys, among others.
Members
Current Members
- Ross Farrar – lead vocals (2005–present)
- Anthony Anzaldo – guitar, keytar, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (2005–present)
- Jake Casarotti – drums (2005–present)
- Andy Nelson – guitar, backing vocals (2011–present)
- Jasmine Watson – bass, backing vocals (2022–2023, 2024–present)
Former Members
- Ryan Mattos – guitar, backing vocals (2005–2011)
- Justin Davis – bass (2005–2022, 2023)
Discography
Studio Albums
- Violence Violence (Deathwish Inc./Malfunction Records, 2006)
- Still Nothing Moves You (Bridge 9 Records, 2008)
- Rohnert Park (Bridge 9 Records, 2010)
- Zoo (Matador Records, 2012)
- The L-Shaped Man (Matador Records, 2015)
- In the Spirit World Now (Relapse Records, 2019)
EPs
- Ruined (Malfunction Records, 2005)
- Scared People (Bridge 9 Records, 2007)
- Ceremony 6 Cover Songs (Bridge 9 Records, 2011)
