Harkonen (band)

Lore & Background

Harkonen formed around 1997 as a five-piece playing noisy hardcore reminiscent of Deadguy and Kiss It Goodbye. Their early years were marked by instability, with frequent lineup changes. After recording a self-titled single in 1997, guitarist Chris Vancourt and vocalist Mike Jones departed, and Aaron Connell (formerly of Grip and Christ) joined on vocals. Shortly after the 'Hung to Dry' single, Connell and guitarist Niehl Brady left, reducing the band to a three-piece with Ben Verellen and Bill Quinby handling vocals. Quinby later left and was replaced by Casey Hardy, solidifying the lineup of Verellen, Hardy, and Matt Howard.

The band's sound gradually shifted toward noise rock, with points of reference including Scratch Acid and Nirvana. They landed on Hydra Head Records, releasing 'Grizz', 'Shake Harder Boy', and a split EP with These Arms Are Snakes titled 'Like a Virgin'. This allowed them to tour nationally with Isis and other Hydra Head acts. Inspiration waned during the recording of their final EP 'Dancing', and the band disbanded in 2005. Their last show was at the Seattle music festival Bumbershoot in 2005. Ben Verellen confirmed the band's name was taken from the fictitious House Harkonnen in Frank Herbert's Dune series.

Reader's Guide

Harkonen's significance lies in their evolution from a noisy hardcore act to a noise rock band, and their role within the Hydra Head Records roster during the early 2000s. Their music, particularly the albums 'Grizz' and 'Shake Harder Boy', helped bridge the gap between aggressive post-hardcore and more experimental noise rock. The band's frequent lineup changes and eventual three-piece configuration influenced their raw, stripped-down sound. Though they never achieved mainstream success, their national tours with Isis and other Hydra Head bands placed them in a network of influential underground acts. Their legacy is preserved through their discography, which includes several releases that came out around or after their breakup, and through the subsequent work of members like Ben Verellen, who later formed Helms Alee and Roy. Harkonen remains a footnote in the Pacific Northwest post-hardcore scene, remembered for their intensity and stylistic shift.

Did You Know?

• The band's name was taken from the fictitious House Harkonnen in Frank Herbert's Dune series.
• Their final show was at the Seattle music festival Bumbershoot in 2005.
• Ben Verellen played bass for Harkonen on the split EP 'Like a Virgin' and later joined These Arms Are Snakes as a bassist.
• The band's most enduring lineup was a three-piece consisting of Ben Verellen, Casey Hardy, and Matt Howard.