Whirr is an American shoegaze band from San Francisco, California, United States. They formed in 2010, originally as Whirl. The name was created by the original drummer, Sergio Miranda, in the midst of recording the band’s first demos as a nameless project. It was a homage to all the bands of “the Scene That Celebrates Itself” (Lush, Ride, Moose, Medicine, Lilys, etc.). They had to legally change the name after a woman performing acoustic covers of Black Sabbath songs trademarked “Whirl” and threatened a lawsuit.
Whirr’s sound is often compared to My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive. Founding guitarist Nick Bassett also played in the band Deafheaven surrounding and including the release of their 2011 album, “Roads to Judah“.
After a self-released demo cassette and the “Distressor” EP, the band signed to Tee Pee Records in 2011. The original vocalist Byanca Munoz left the band because of creative differences, and was soon replaced by Alexandra Morte (Night School, camera shy). They released the June single that year, followed by their 2012 debut album “Pipe Dreams“. The band also released two splits in 2012 with Anne and Monster Movie.
In 2013, the original drummer Sergio Miranda left the band and was replaced by Devin Nunes. Former vocalist Alexandra Morte also left the band and was replaced by Kristina Esfandiari (Miserable, King Woman). The band released a live EP entitled “Part Time Punks Sessions“ on April 20, 2013. It was a performance recorded in 2012 that featured the band’s previous lineup.
Whirr released the “Around EP” on July 9, 2013, featuring the new vocalist along with session drummer Trevor DeSchryver (Lycus, Dispirit, formerly Deafheaven). They toured to support it that August with the band Nothing. Esfandiari was fired from the band prior to the tour, leaving the band without a female vocalist for the first time.
As a result of touring together, members of Nothing and Whirr formed a gothic rock / post-punk side project called Death of Lovers. Nick Bassett then joined Nothing as a bassist, and has been touring with them ever since. He also started an indie pop project with former Whirr vocalist Alexandra Morte called Camera Shy.
Whirr released their cover of Nirvana’s Pennyroyal Tea on the tribute compilation In Utero, in Tribute, in Entirety on April 19, 2014.
The second full-length LP entitled “Sway“ was released on September 23, 2014. It’s the first release with Loren Rivera as the sole vocalist for the band.
On October 7th, Graveface Records released a remastered version of their debut album entitled “Pipe Dreams (Redux)“. The reissue is remastered by Jack Shirley and includes new artwork and the originally-intended tracklisting that the band preferred over the 2012 release.
The Fat Angel Sings 