Five Star Prison Cell was an Australian four-piece band from Melbourne, Australia, whose music was generally labelled as tech metal or math rock. They were known for their use of unusual time signatures, dissonant guitar riffs, and a vocal approach that explored many different avenues and styles.

History

Five Star Prison Cell was formed in 2004 from members of various other bands. Vocalist Adam Glynn came from Melbourne band

Frankenbok Frankenbok is an Australian heavy metal band from Melbourne. The band was founded in 1997 by guitarist Aaron Butler and vocalist Adam 'Hutch' Glynn and have since released three full-length albums and one EP. Frankenbok have toured Australia ...

, Marc Whitworth had played

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

for Gold Coast band Tension and Cameron Macdonald and Mark Holain played

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range: ** Bass (instrument), including: ** Acoustic bass gui ...

and guitar in Extra Virgin. The group was initially conceived as a one-off studio project but after Extra Virgin disbanded it was decided to continue with Five Star Prison Cell. In 2005, the band released its debut album ''The Complete First Season'' through

Faultline Records Faultline Entertainment Group also known as Faultline Records is an Australian independent record label based in Melbourne. It was founded in 1998 by metal music producer, dw Norton, and began as a development label. As of 2007 it has taken on ...

. During the year the band toured throughout Australia and supported Arch Enemy and

Spiderbait Spiderbait is an Australian alternative rock band from Finley, New South Wales, formed in 1991 by bass guitarist and singer Janet English, drummer and singer Kram (musician), Kram, and guitarist Damian Whitty. In 2004 the group's cover version o ...

. Much of the following year was spent writing and recording another album. On 14 November 2006, Five Star Prison Cell won the annual Musicoz award for best metal/hardcore act of 2006.2006 Musicoz award winners
A new album, ''Slaves of Virgo'', was issued in March 2007. Five Star Prison Cell have rigorously toured

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

and New Zealand throughout their career, and have shared the stage with many international acts including: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Danzig, Cephalic Carnage, The Black Dahlia Murder, Arch Enemy and

Clutch A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission, especially from a drive shaft to a driven shaft. In the simplest application, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts (drive shafts or line shafts). ...

. In early 2010, Five Star Prison Cell completed recording their third album, titled ''Matriarch'' with Australian producer Forrester Savell ( Karnivool, The Butterfly Effect, Helmet). The album was released in May and supported by a nationwide tour. April 2011 Five Star Prison Cell decided to disband and go their separate ways. No particular reason was provided other than wanting to focus on other areas in their lives. They remain best of friends and have left the door open to the possibility of doing another album in the future. In October 2013, Five Star Prison Cell announced their re-activation.

Band members

* Adam Glynn - vocals * Mark Holain - guitar * Cameron Macdonald – bass * Marc Whitworth - drums

Discography

*'' The Complete First Season - 2005'' *'' Slaves of Virgo - 2007'' *'' Matriarch - 2010''

Notes and references

''LOUD!'' Magazine, issue 38, May/June 2005

External links

*
Five Star on MySpace

Interview from Australian Music Online
2/21/2005
Five Star Prison Cell Feature Interview
at '' Blistering'' magazine
Metalforge interview (and take on math metal)
{{Authority control Experimental musical groups Math rock groups Victoria (Australia) musical groups Australian heavy metal musical groups Musical groups established in 2004 Musical groups disestablished in 2011