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Tommy Walter

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Tommy Walter
Birth nameThomas Edward Walter
Born (1970-10-30) October 30, 1970 (age 53)
Thousand Oaks, California, U.S.
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, French horn
Years active1995–present
LabelsDreamWorks, Extasy, Universal, Visionary Music, CreateSpace, I Miss You, Tooth & Nail, Hype Music, Position Music, Boba Fettish, Little Gabriel
Websiteabandonedpools.com

Thomas Edward Walter (born October 30, 1970) is an American musician, best known for his alternative rock band Abandoned Pools and as the former bassist and one of the founding members of Eels.

Early years and Eels

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Tommy Walter was raised in Westlake Village. His father was an airplane pilot; his mother a stewardess. His father is from Canada,[1] and was almost 47 when Tommy was born. He grew up in a modest, middle-class household. He began playing bass at a young age, and was formally trained on the French horn in college. He attended the University of Southern California, followed by Pacific University. He began teaching classical music theory, and worked with local Los Angeles area musicians.

He met with singer-songwriter Mark Oliver Everett (known as E), and Butch Norton and formed Eels. Prior to their founding, E had already released two records by himself, under his single-letter pseudonym, and their name was decided upon so that their music would be placed next to E's solo works. However, it was in retrospect that they realized that there were bands that would be placed in between, such as Eagles.

Their collaborations led to refining songs that E had previously written, as well as creating new material. They released their debut album, Beautiful Freak, in 1996. However, after a year of touring, Walter left the band. In an interview, he stated his dissatisfaction with E's personality, and the loss of the amount of creative input that both Butch and himself had prior to the success of Beautiful Freak.

Soon after, he formed a band called Metromax. They shortly changed their name to Tely, and released an album over the Internet. However, the band didn't garner much success, and it soon evolved into Walter's solo project, Abandoned Pools.

History

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Humanistic (2001–2004)

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Walter, using new material, as well as several songs he had worked on beforehand in both Tely and Metromax, composed, recorded, and released his solo album, Humanistic, in 2001 on Extasy Records. While being the creative force behind the project, other musicians contributed to the project, such as Angie Hart of Frente!, who sang backing vocals to "Start Over," "Ruin Your Life," "Sunny Day," and "Seed."

Although a solo project, he recruited a touring band, featuring Leah Randi and Bryan Head filling out the ranks of bassist and drummer, respectively. They had several successful tours, going across the country and headlining with acts such as Garbage, A Perfect Circle and Lenny Kravitz. They also appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn and two videos, "Mercy Kiss", and "The Remedy", were released. Monster, another video, was composed of shots taken while on touring, but wasn't released for years, via MTV's website.

In 2002 they performed the theme song for the short-lived Teletoon (also broadcast on MTV) animated series Clone High, called the Clone High theme song. Many of their songs can be heard in the background during the show. Walter also voiced himself in a brief appearance in the final episode, "Changes: You Got A Prom Wit Dat?". After Clone High was dropped by MTV, however, the band stopped its touring.

Armed to the Teeth (2005–2007)

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While keeping in touch with his fanbase and caring for his sick cat, Iggy, Walter began working on material over the next few years, preparing to release another album. After a relationship of his came to a rough conclusion, he was picked up by Universal, and wrote several new songs for his next album, citing his personal life, as well as politics, as his main inspirations.

Teaming up with Bryan Head once more and bringing in guitarist Sean Woolstenhulme, Walter started work in 2004 to record his next album. In June 2005 they released an EP, consisting of a few songs from the new album along with b-sides and demos, called The Reverb EP. This was followed by the full album, Armed to the Teeth, in September 2005

In January 2006, Walter wrote in his online journal that Universal Records had stopped promoting the album. He subsequently quit the label, also noting that Abandoned Pools is once again a one-man project. He has since created two side projects—Glacier Hiking, an alternative rock band, and Oliver the Penguin, an electronica project.

Sublime Currency (2011–2012)

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On May 3, 2011, Abandoned Pools released the song "In Silence", available in all digital stores, as the first single from the upcoming album Sublime Currency. On June 7, 2011, the second single, "Marigolds" was released in all digital stores.

On January 30, 2012, Abandoned Pools revealed that they had signed onto a new record label, Tooth & Nail Records, and that Sublime Currency would be released under this label. They also mentioned that the release date of the third album will be revealed "soon".[2]

It was revealed on May 17, 2012, that Sublime Currency would feature 11 tracks.[3] On July 10, 2012, it was revealed that Sublime Currency would be released on August 28, 2012, and the final artwork for the album was shown.[4]

On July 26, 2012, the album's title track premiered on Alternative Press' website.[5] On August 14, 2012, the track was officially released as the album's third single.[6] The next day, the track "Unrehearsed" was made free to download on RCRD LBL's website.[7] On August 22, 2012, the track "Behemoth" premiered on CMJ's website.[8]

Sublime Currency was released on August 28, 2012, and a music video for the single "Sublime Currency" was released on September 7.[9]

Somnambulist (2013)

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On June 6, 2013, the Abandoned Pools Twitter account announced that the band's next LP, entitled Somnambulist, will be released on July 2, 2013.[10] Shortly after, it was announced that album will be delayed by a week, and will instead be released on July 9, 2013.[11]

On November 26, 2013, Abandoned Pools released a cover of the Christmas song "The First Noel" through the album Hype Music Presents Holidays, Vol. 1.[12]

Instrumental solo album and The Haunted House (2020-2024)

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On July 29, 2020, Walter released the instrumental album Supraliminal on the Position Music label.[13]

On April 6, 2021, Walter released a Kickstarter campaign for making a potential 5th album, 8 years after his last album, Somnambulist, due to articles revealing that a revival of MTV's Clone High was in development,[14] is going to be released on HBO Max. The Kickstarter included a video[15] which contained audio demos of the songs that would be recorded for said album.

The campaign was a success getting a total of $43,782 from 486 backers.

Then, a month later he would go on to transfer the campaign to Indiegogo. The success continued and the campaign managed to get to a total of $44,606 from 498 backers.

On December 4, 2023, Walter announced on Instagram that Abandoned Pools' fifth studio album would be released January 16, 2024.[16] The release of the album, The Haunted House, was pushed back from that date and ultimately released on January 25, 2024 for Kickstarter and Indiegogo supporters. On February 1, Walter announced that the first single from the album, "Aliens", would be released on March 1, with the album itself released on March 29 for the general public.[17]

Sixth Abandoned Pools album (2024-present)

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On August 2, 2024, Walter announced through social media that a new Kickstarter campaign would begin on August 6 to fund the recording for Abandoned Pools' sixth studio album.[18]

Discography

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Eels

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Album information
Beautiful Freak

Abandoned Pools

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Full-length

Album information
Humanistic
Armed to the Teeth
  • Released: September 27, 2005 (US)
  • Label: Universal Records
  • Singles: "Armed to the Teeth"
Sublime Currency
  • Released: August 28, 2012 (US)
  • Label: Tooth & Nail Records
  • Singles: "In Silence", "Marigolds", "Sublime Currency"
Somnambulist
  • Released: July 9, 2013 (US)
  • Label: Hype Music
  • Singles: "Red Flag"
The Haunted House
  • Released: March 29, 2024 (US)
  • Label: Boba Fettish Music/Little Gabriel Publishing
  • Singles: "Aliens"

EPs

Album information
The Reverb EP
  • Released: June 7, 2005 (US)
  • Label: Universal Records

Glacier Hiking

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Album information
The Color by Number EP

Oliver the Penguin

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Album information
Button Pusher
  • Released: August 5, 2009[20] (US)
  • Label: I Miss You Records

Solo

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Album information
Supraliminal
  • Released: July 29, 2020
  • Label: Position Music

Music videos

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Abandoned Pools

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Year Song Director
2001 "Mercy Kiss" Frank Sacramento
2002 "The Remedy" The Brothers Strause
"Monster"[21] Corey Campodonico
2005 "Armed to the Teeth" Deana Concilio-Lenz[22]
2012 "Sublime Currency" Frank Sacramento

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Are you going on tour for your new album? Would you consider doing any Canadian dates? Perhaps n Ottawa in particular?". Abandoned Pools Tumblr. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  2. ^ Casey (January 30, 2012). "Tooth & Nail | News | Welcome Abandoned Pools to the Tooth & Nail Family!". Toothandnail.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  3. ^ "Hi, I'm a big fan of your music. Congrats on signing to "Tooth & Nail records"! I saw you live & met you, at the Viper Rooms on August the 5th-2011. I was the musician dude from the UK ha ha! (We had a photo taken). I would like to ask; How many tracks are on the upcoming album "Sublime Currency" ? & do you play the track, "Armed to The Teeth" in your live shows?". Abandoned Pools Tumblr. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  4. ^ "ABANDONED POOLS Announce Release of "Sublime Currency" on 8/28/12 + cd release show at THE ROXY in LA on Sept 15 | ellenwood". Ellenwood-ep.com. August 28, 2012. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  5. ^ "Alternative Press | Features | Song Premiere: Abandoned Pools, "Sublime Currency"". Altpress.com. July 26, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  6. ^ @AbandonedPools (August 14, 2012). "New @AbandonedPools single available today:" (Tweet). Retrieved October 25, 2012 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ "DOWNLOAD: Abandoned Pools – Unrehearsed". Rcrd Lbl. August 15, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  8. ^ Gianna Stefanelli (August 22, 2012). "Track Premiere: Listen To A New Song From Abandoned Pools". Cmj.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  9. ^ "Abandoned Pools – Sublime Currency". YouTube.com. September 7, 2012. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  10. ^ @AbandonedPools (June 6, 2013). "The new Abandoned Pools album "Somnambulist" will be released on July 2nd" (Tweet). Retrieved June 7, 2013 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ @AbandonedPools (June 25, 2013). "Due to a technical problem, the release of the new album 'Somnambulist' will be delayed one week. It will now be out July 9th" (Tweet). Retrieved July 8, 2013 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ @AbandonedPools (November 26, 2013). "Abandoned Pools recording of "The First Noel" now available via iTunes and Amazon. Merry Christmas" (Tweet). Retrieved December 1, 2013 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ @TommyWalter (July 29, 2020). "New album of instrumental music, SUPRALIMINAL, out today via @PositionMusic. Artwork by @meatoes. #music #filmscore…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ^ Ausiello, Michael (February 10, 2021). "Clone High Reboot Snags 2-Season Order at HBO Max". TVLine. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  15. ^ Abandoned Pools Kickstarter 2021, archived from the original on December 12, 2021, retrieved June 9, 2021
  16. ^ "Instagram".
  17. ^ "Instagram".
  18. ^ "Instagram".
  19. ^ "Glacier Hiking - The Color By Number EP - Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  20. ^ "Oliver The Penguin - Button Pusher - Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  21. ^ "Monster | Abandoned Pools | Music Video | MTV". www.mtv.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  22. ^ ""Armed to the Teeth" by Abandoned Pools | Music Video | VH1.com". Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
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