Scarab Domain
Prog rock band with a southern rock and punk twist.
3
songs
97
plays
Speak The Truth Speak The Truth
This was our flagship song, usually played at the opening of our second set.
Flight Flight
Industrial Oaks Industrial Oaks
Scarab Domain was formed in 1983 by three budding musicians; Mike Garrison (vocals/guitar), Marty Hobratschk (bass), and Derk Sullivan (drums). Cutting their teeth on every Rush song they could learn, the group played high school talent shows, local parties, and even a bar mitzvah, before quickly moving into developing their own original tunes. Although their roots were in Southern Rock, the band was also heavily influenced by Triumph, Marillion, Queensryche, and Yes. The band's style was described by a local club soundman as "a cross between Rush and April Wine." Admired by some, shunned as "geek rock" by others; the band didn't care. We just had fun doing our thing. Scarab Domain added long-time friend and guitarist/vocalist Bill Upton and continued to play local showcase gigs in Houston and College Station, but ended up parting ways in 1992 when Derk moved into a more jazz-influenced phase, and joined the local outfit, Demise of Folly.
This site was created to remember and hopefully preserve some of the music created by four guys with a little talent and alot of passion. We might've made a decent living at it (Marty is still trying), but more stable careers and level-headed women kept it to a mere hobby for the rest of us.
I hope you enjoy the music. Most of it was re-recorded using scratchy live tapes and bad demos as a point of reference. Since Derk tragically passed away in 2001, it was not possible to bring him into a real studio to capture his phenominal drum playing as it should've been heard. I am working hard to eventually get his note-for-note licks into an acceptable electronic format. It is more important to me now as a tribute to this fine, somewhat unknown drummer.Band/artist history
Musicians who performed and contributed to the final lineup of Scarab Domain include Mike Abels (drums), Dave Hardy (vocals and keyboards), Gary Snell (drums), and Martin Connaughten (bass). There is no doubt that Mike and Dave had a great impact on the final sound of the band, with their eclectic taste in progressive rock at a very early age (thanks, guys!).Have you performed in front of an audience?Past gigs included tiny showcase venues such as Zelda's and Blythe Spirits in Houston.
Your musical influences
Progressive guitar-heavy rock. High energy with some shallow but more often deep lyrics regarding love, relationships, politics, and the fear of isolation. Marty was the lyricist of the group, but has mostly abandoned his writing now that he's backing more established bands.What equipment do you use?
2010 Gibson Les Paul Classic, Fender '60s Road Worn Strat, Suhr M6 Pro, and a Martin GPCPA1 acoustic. All guitars are tricked out with various boutique pickups. Signal feeds through a JRockett Archer, REVV G2, Pigtronix Quantum, Eventide H9, and finally a Wampler Ethereal. Final signal drives a REVV D20 Head with a Barefaced Reformer 112 Cab. Drums lifted from old tapes using ToonTracks EZ Drummer software. Bass parts recorded with a Fender Classic '60s Jazz Bass through a Phil Jones briefcase bass combo. All signals wind up going into Cubase LE software.Anything else?
Not trying to get discovered. Just wanting to create a few memories for some old friends and for my kids to experience something their dad still holds very close.Contact
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