Treepeople

Treepeople Members, Gear & Sound

Members

Select a Treepeople band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

About

Treepeople emerged from the remnants of the Boise, Idaho punk band State of Confusion. They relocated to the vibrant underground scene of Seattle and carved out a unique space with their fusion of grunge, noise rock, and alternative pop. The original lineup featured Doug Martsch (guitar/vocals), Scott Schmaljohn (guitar/vocals), Pat Brown (bass), and Wayne Rhino Flower (drums). Over time, the band underwent several lineup changes, with notable members like Tony Dallas Reed (drums/bass) and Eric Akre (drums) contributing to their evolving sound. Despite the revolving door of musicians, Treepeople maintained a melodic yet gritty presence, never conforming to the mainstream Seattle grunge wave, which perhaps limited their reach beyond the local scene.

How to Sound Like Treepeople

Treepeople's sound is characterized by its raw, energetic guitar interplay, often blending melodic lines with a noisy, chaotic edge. Their style exhibits a dynamic contrast between aggressive riffs and introspective melodies, driven by a mix of clean and distorted tones. The use of effects like the Pro Co RAT distortion pedal adds a fuzzy, saturated crunch that complements their grunge roots. Meanwhile, the Boss DD-5 Digital Delay offers rhythmic echo textures, enhancing their sound with a layer of depth. Amplifiers such as the Fender Bassman Silverface Amp Head provide a rich, vintage warmth, grounding their music with a robust foundation that's both powerful and nuanced. Whether through driving rhythms or melodic explorations, Treepeople's music captures the spirit of the era while resisting easy categorization.

Discography

Get the Treepeople Sound

Want to sound like Treepeople? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.

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