Jon Sprague Departing Steam Powered Giraffe
Dear friends,
It’s Bunny here. The band and myself humbly thank you for your support and love following our most recent show in Dallas, Texas. We had a blast and it seems you guys did too!
I know you’re all curious about our next project, and we’ve teased a little here and there- but we’d like to step away from all of that for a moment and focus on something else. And it is on that note we peel back the veneer of entertainment to speak with you more intimately.
Today we somberly announce that Jonathan Sprague has been let go of Steam Powered Giraffe. The decision has not been taken lightly, and we feel it is the best course of action not only for the survival of the group, but to help us all grow and be happy.It’s a sober moment for us because Jon not only brought infectious energy to our performances over the years, but he helped forge the group from its inception. He is also our good friend. The parting of ways, though for the best, is nevertheless deeply saddening for David, Sam, Steve, Michael, and myself.
Internal conflicts can often go unnoticed for the audience, especially when we’re all actors on stage. But like any band, we are not immune to being human. This show is a tough one, and one that requires all of our members to give ridiculous amounts of attention to the act. It has never been and will never be “just a band.” And due to that nature the demands of the group were high and we especially needed our three robots in the game with all their guns.
Jon’s attention and time behind the scenes was spread too thin for what we wanted to do though, and over the last two years the group’s frustrations from that subtly grew until it became a problem we had to deal with. Two years were spent attempting to re-balance the chemistry and all of us trying so hard to make it work. But there came a point when we all agreed we needed something to happen. Even Jon. That is why we are moving on.Suddenly the illustration that I did a few months ago with the three robots at the grave-site has new context. That was drawn back at the peak of conflict when the outcome was uncertain, but somehow I knew in my heart what had to happen. I didn’t even have to explain the piece to the rest of the members of the group, because they got it. It felt like we quietly sat on those troubling thoughts all through the rest of the zoo.
In our six years with Jon, David and I found a like-minded individual with a passion for art, music, and mime. We worked together in our performing infancy developing the skills necessary to do something as wild and wondrous as Steam Powered Giraffe.
We started in 2006 in San Diego, California with Miss Erin Burke, the Bennett siblings, and Jon Sprague. As eager college students, we were mesmerized by Jerry Hager’s mime class at Grossmont Community College. From there we put our passion into play with pantomime at charity events, amusement park characters, pirates and cowboys at childrens’ camps, and finally- into the beginnings of the act you see today.
Over the years as we grew, we added Michael Reed, Sam Luke and Steve Negrete, and parted ways with Erin. Steam Powered Giraffe has become much more than its busking roots at Balboa Park. It is now a six piece band with up to five part harmonies, and David and I together run all the business aspects of the group, including the website and graphic design, bookkeeping, and touring details.
We’re assisted by Steve Negrete, our personal sound operator and technician who also handles transportation via his touring bus, and Brianna Clawson, who handles merchandise sales and fulfills your purchases.
Michael Reed has served as our musical arranger for many years, and is a key part not only on stage, but also off stage in the development of our complex harmonies and playful instrumentation. Today, the company is on the road to releasing our third studio album and more music videos with help from even more talented individuals brought into the family.
This homegrown business is our pride and joy and unfortunately the amount of time and work often goes under the radar with our colorful image. We are a well-oiled machine, so I hope by showing you our gears you can appreciate all the individuals who help make this happen, and can come to understand why decisions like this must be made.
We love Jon, but the time has come for our professional relationship to move on. It was a mutual feeling for Jon and from every member of Steam Powered Giraffe. The time has come for change. This resolution comes with great relief and no hard feelings, and a sympathetic understanding that is ingrained in Jon and every person in the company.
The future of the group is right around the bend, and we understand you may have concern over who is going to fill Jon’s shoes. Well, we’ve been hard at work developing the next incarnation of Steam Powered Giraffe, and while we’re excited to reveal our plans, today is not that day.
Today is for The Jon, the golden child of Walter’s Steam Man Band. We ask that you please respect what we have forged together as the twilight of this robotic build comes to a close. Revel in the character’s legacy as we have, and take comfort in knowing his origin DNA still swirls in the bubbling creative soup.
We once again thank you for all the love you have given us, and we hope we convey our deep appreciation for your support. The next thing for the band is shimmering at the end of the tunnel right now, but keep your smile and prepare for the light.And as The Jon would undoubtedly say, “Stay fluffy, biscuiteers!”
Love,
Bunny Bennett
Wow… That’s heavy.
Lazer Eyes…Pew!Pew!
This hat is famous. I wore it in Austin for an acoustic version of Captain Albert Alexander. I’m glad we were reunited. And that bunny’s whiskers totally tickled my neck.
I think he was goin’ for the jugular.
I just squeegasmed.
*Damn rodents being so damn adorable*
Saturn Devouring His Son - Francisco Goya
(c. 1819 - 1823)
One of the 14 “Black Paintings” Goya painted directly onto the walls of his house, this piece was never intended to be shown publicly- in fact, it’s rumored that Saturn may have even had an erect penis before it deteriorated or was painted over once transferred to canvas.
An elderly Goya had a darkening mood at this time in his life, and indeed- these paintings are quite grotesque and dismal.
I’ve always liked this piece, but I’ve always felt saying so is embarrassing, ‘cause lets face it- it’s a gory piece and I’d imagine folks would think it strange for someone to actually enjoy something this horrific.
The fact that I’d hang it in my own home probably doesn’t help my case either- but let me put it this way…
I’m a squeamish person, and as dark as my tastes may be, I don’t see myself as a brooding individual. When I want to make something happy or euphoric, I think the art will reflect that- and when I want to convey something bad- well…I’ll go all out. Artistic gore works a little differently for me. I don’t look at this artwork and think the man who painted it would be a demented individual. I draw stylized gore all the time and I’m not a violent person. What I see on the canvas of something like this is human instinct- raw carnal desires expressed in an intelligent way.
But the meaning of the art is not as important to me as the imagery that goes with it- furthermore, if you’re familiar with the mythology…
Saturn’s children eventually escape their father’s belly and go on to rule over mortals.
So…with this piece by Goya in mind, the visual of his children piecing themselves back together from meat chunks is pretty sweet.
They are after all…immortals and cannot necessarily die.
Nothing wrong with liking gory work. Though I think I might have nightmares now…
It’s silly we have to post this.
But the more people who know, the better!
No, you can’t sell fan art, SPG plushies, SPG figures, SPG hoodies, shirts, tacos, or plungers.
We own the copyright to not only our music, but also everything that SPG encompasses. And anything you make in our universe…
This is why you need to make SPG plungers.
