The Rutabega and SAVAK Lps are out now! Preorders for Silkworm “Lifestyle” re-issue! Other things!
Not only have wonderful South Bend, Indiana duo The Rutabega joined the Comedy Minus One roster, but their new record, “Unreliable Narrator” (cmo036), is also out now on LP / CD and up on all trusty digital providers, such at the following:
iTunes : eMusic : Bandcamp : Amazon : Google Play
All physical advance orders included a digital collection of solo acoustic living room demos titled “Unreliable Sketches.” These recordings are finaly finished and if you haven’t yet received a secret download link, you will shortly. Thanks for your patience.
The album is housed in a tip-on Stoughton sleeve with gorgeous full-color Jay Ryan cover art. The first 250 copies are pressed on clear vinyl with streaks of black “smoke.” All but 18 copies of this color vinyl pressing have already been claimed, so act fast if you want to own one!
More on The Rutabega and “Unreliable Narrator”:
South Bend, Indiana‘s The Rutabega – singer-songwriter-guitarist Josh Hensley and drummer Garth Mason – make some of the fullest, brightest sounds ever generated by just two people, weaving punchy, short pop songs and sweeping, ten-minute epics together seamlessly. The first time I saw The Rutabega they were feeling every note of every song, and the crowd was right there with them — teary-eyed from the emotional weight of the material, yet smiling from the joy with which Hensley and Mason delivered it. This is music with serious healing qualities; fitting, then, that one of the highlights of that set — and the pair’s monumental 2013 full-band debut Brother the Lights Don’t Work & mdash; was a song call ed “The Shaman.”
Hensley started The Rutabega as a solo project almost 15 years ago, learning his way around a four-track while listening to a lot of Neutral Milk Hotel, Guided by Voices and Jeremy Enigk from Sunny Day Real Estate’s Return of the Frog Queen. He gained exposure from a split 12” EP with Owen, Mike Kinsella from American Football’s singer-songwriter project, on venerable Midwest emo clearinghouse Polyvinyl Records. But it wasn’t until Hensley hooked up with Mason in 2011 – a jack-of-all-trades who besides playing drums, plays auxiliary keys, records all the songs at home and runs live sound at the shows – that The Rutabega as we now know it came to be.
An eight-song cycle written for a wayward friend, Brother garnered comparisons to Built to Spill for its guitar heroics, Elliott Smith for its unfiltered emotion and Big Star for its pop sensibility. They have since sold out of three pressings of the self-released LP and toured to both the East and West Coasts, sharing bills with a range of household names from Low to Kurt Vile and Ben Folds.
The Rutabega’s Comedy Minus One debut Unreliable Narrator reprises the track-sequencing strategy that worked so well on Brother — short songs leading off both sides, longer ones ending them — and there are callbacks, lyrically and sonically. The ultra-catchy “Problem Solving Skills” finds Hensley continuing to ponder the changing nature of friendships over time; album centerpiece “Lip” showcases Mason’s thoughtful heavy hitting, a soaring major-key triumph in the vein of fan favorite “Turn on the Summer”; the string-laden “A Willow Strong,” on the album’s back end, has a similarly mournful feel as the last record’s “Through the Holes in the Floor.”
Yet one can hear The Rutabega’s increased confidence from having found its voice and audience with Brother in Unreliable Narrator’s more live-sounding execution, the natural by-product of having played countless shows in the years between the two records. From “Shiny Destination” (also the A-side of a seven-inch released in the spring of 2015) and “Settle Down,” the double-shot of power-pop perfection that opens the record, to “I’ve Been the Armour,” the sparse, melancholic slow burn that closes it — which, in its final minutes, turns on a dime to screaming catharsis, an unhinged side of Hensley we’d never heard before now — this is the sound of an alread y-great band, in their pri me, turning yet another corner. – CZ
“It is downright witchery that a two-piece band can create music with such epic grandeur.” – Clicky Clicky Music Blog
I like the excitement and energy of “Shiny Destination,” but the reflective tone on “Ladder” gets me every time. Both are winners for entirely different reasons, but it’s a great example of the diversity of The Rutabega’s sound. Whatever way this Indiana duo goes in the future, I can’t wait to hear it.” – Kurt Morris, Razorcake
“[The Rutabega]…feels timeless and fresh at the same time.” – Independent Clauses
“Singlehandedly states the case for sincerity in such a clear way the only reaction is to softly smile, bob your head a little bit and give in to the tidal wave of sad, simple, beauty that issues forth.” – Conan Neutron, Collapse Board
“The songs are heavy, not instrumentally, but with the weight of the experiences and raw feelings of their writer. The arrangements seem pretty sparse, yet I’m hearing an orchestra. Joshua Wayne Hensley’s voice backed by an emotion and sincerity so poignant, it translates louder and clearer than a marching band ever could crammed into my tiny bathroom.” – Mila Matveeva, UNRECORDED
“Hensley’s singing sounds favorably like Elliott Smith from the grave, and he doesn’t play trad folk, either; strumming an acoustic under his darkly angelic voice, he sometimes inserts distorted six-string squalls, fogging the background like black clouds and lightning lurk in the distance.” – Jack Rabid, Big Takeover
For TV / Film licensing, please contact Lyle Hysen at Bank Robber Music – [email protected]
For press / promotional copies, please contact Jon Solomon at Comedy Minus One – [email protected]
The debut SAVAK album “Best of Luck in Future Endeavors” (cmo035) is officially in stores on both LP and CD.
Digital files can be acquired via a wide variety of providers, including the following linked below.
iTunes : eMusic : Bandcamp : Amazon : Google Play
SAVAK (pronounced “sah-vawk”) was formed in 2015 by members of The Obits, Holy Fuck, Nation of Ulysses, and The Cops. Their influences range from ’60s Texas psychedelia to British pub rock to early-’80s American hardcore, with some Zamrock and Chicha thrown in for good measure. SAVAK connect the dots from The Adverts to Bubble Puppy to The 101ers to MDC, making stops at Chrissy Zebby Tembo and Los Mirlos along the route.
People have been saying exceptionally nice things about “BOLIFE.” Select quotes include:
“The work on Best of Luck ranges from jangly, pop-infused punk in a Rezillos strain to more aggressive pieces, but everything here reverberates with an abundance of kinetic energy. Savak is the band that plays the party after the after party as they can maintain energy for any audience at any time of night. This is just awesome.” – Jersey Beat
“Hooky and immediate. These songs have real staying power.” – Brooklyn Vegan
“he perfect distillation of their previous bands with skronking saxophones, sharp post-punk rhythms and reverb-rich 60’s psych-pop melodies all held together with a hardcore punk heart.” – Atlas & The Anchor
“A hook-ladened and punchy record that should appeal to more than (but inclusive to) just fans of the group’s other projects.” – Free Williamsburg
“There are parts where it sounds like Lee Ranaldo is fronting some poppier version of the Wipers. I assure you it’s high praise.” – David Park, WMXM
“By blending different waves of rock and roll, SAVAK has created an album that everyone can genuinely enjoy.” – Indie Band Guru
“Wonderful.” – The Observer
Photo: Jon von Pamer
SAVAK introduces themselves:
Dr. Action calls. He’s coming over in a heartbeat and wants to know if you have the sounds to wiggle his stethoscope.
You didn’t, but now you do.
Let’s call them SAVAK. That’s what they call themselves, and it would be rude to make up a different name for them. A six-piece rock unit elegant enough for entertaining, but sturdy enough for everyday use. From the hooky self-loathing of the Buzzcocks to early Funkadelic brain lint to the lithe guitar interplay of the Ventures and/or Television, these men stir up songs you can dance to. And think about. Or just think about dancing to.
And don’t worry, SAVAK brings years of experience to the job. Collectively about 150 years, to be somewhat more specific. Michael “Jaws” Jaworski and Sohrab Habibion sing and play guitar – at the same time! Sohrab learned that particular parlor trick in The Obits and Edsel. Jaws cut his teeth in Seattle with The Cops and Virgin Islands. Holding the bass guitar, but never slapping or popping it, is fellow Obit Greg Simpson. Keyboardist James Canty’s secret? He knows which keys control which notes. When it’s his turn to play, he simply presses them and – boop! He’s done this before with Ted Leo & The Pharmacists and Th e Make -Up. Okay, pop quiz: name another band with two drumm ers. The Doobie Brothers?! Ugh. Fine, we’ll give you Boredoms and the NEU! ’75 LP. Anyway, SAVAK toggles between a pair of ace rhythm men. Benjamin Van Dyke, known to many in South Brooklyn for his elementary school teaching skills and to ex-Long Island hardcore kids for keeping time in Silent Majority. And Matt Schulz, an enthusiastic snacker and the self-winding clock behind Canadian electronic maniacs Holy Fuck. But while one performs onstage with SAVAK, is the other at home, helplessly flailing his arms and legs to the unheard music? We’re not sure.
At this juncture, you may be wondering: Where can I get some? My local Ford dealer? The produce aisle of the Park Slope Food Coop? SAVAK’s debut LP, Best of Luck in Future Endeavors, is being released in unwholesome stereo by Comedy Minus One. Whether you’re making angry love to America or sticking up an Edible Arrangements with a banana, this is your new soundtrack.
Ça va? SAVAK!
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SAVAK are Sohrab Habibion, Michael Jaworski, Greg Simpson, James Canty, Matt Schulz and Benjamin Van Dyke with Johnny Sangster (percussion), Geoff Sanoff (guitar & keyboards), Josh Sinton (saxophone) and Greg Vegas (saxophone).
Their record was produced by Geoff Sanoff and SAVAK with album artwork and photography by Rick Froberg.
For TV / Film licensing, please contact Lyle Hysen at Bank Robber Music – [email protected]
For press / promotional copies, please contact Jon Solomon at Comedy Minus One – [email protected]
Touch & Go is re-issuing the Silkworm LP “Lifestyle” in September and we’ve got 40 copies on pink vinyl available for you to pre-order!
“It’ll Be Cool” SKWM vinyl re-stocks too!
Originally released in 2000 and out of print for over five years, “Lifestyle” is Silkworm’s seventh album (and third for Touch & Go). These songs show Silkworm presenting their clearest and most polished visions. To the beat of Michael Dalquist’s drums, Andy Cohen’s razor-wire guitar and Tim Midyett’s baritone guitar snake around one another like twin brothers with a common soul. And, when the last strains of “Lifestyle” fall away, there is hope – hope that reasonably well-adjusted adult guys can turn the boredom and disappointment of the everyday into glorious art-rock.
If you have not read Paul Duffus’ track-by-track essay series at PopMatters about “Lifestyle,” now is the perfect time to start.
“Silkworm hold an accomplished spot between the likes of CCR and the Minutemen. Not as famous as the former, and not as wild as the latter, but as fresh and timeless as both.” – AllMusic
“Euphoric, downtrodden, abusive, and rocking, will do more to your head than a full night of drinking.” – mauricerickard.com
Please note that records are not expected for two months, so all items in your order will not ship until this title arrives.
Upcoming The Rutabega shows:
Friday, July 15
Evelyn’s
Racine, WI
with Heavy Hand, Midwest Death Rattle
Saturday, July 16th
Flint’s Inn
Kenosha, WI
with WORK, Heat Death
Saturday, July 16th (later that night)
The Public House
Milwaukee, WI
with Ravi/Lola, Blizzard Babies, Korean Jeans, Heavy Hand
Saturday, August 13
McCormick’s Coney Island
South Bend, IN
with Bailey Williams & The Cherannes, Jesse W. Johnson
Friday, August 26
Cactus Club (Triple Eye Fest!)
Milwaukee, WI
Upcoming SAVAK shows:
Sunday, July 31
Threes Brewing
Brooklyn, NY
with Josh Stinton & Friends
Thursday, August 25
Saint Vitus
Brooklyn, NY
with Milemarker, Puff Pieces
Upcoming Mint Mile shows:
Friday, July 22
Subterranean
Chicago, IL
with The Mountain Goats
Saturday, August 27
Schuba’s
Chicago, IL
with DTCV, Well Yells
For full details on the above shows, click here.
Comedy Minus One has a Facebook page, a brand new Instagram page and a Twitter handle for those of you who dig such things. More frequent bursts of news can be found there or on the Comedy Minus One blog.
Stores and distributors are welcome to contact us about stocking these titles. Comedy Minus One is distributed directly in North America through Carrot Top, Matador Direct and Revolver. European customers can contact Day After for our wares.
Canadian, UK and Australian distribution sought.
Thank you.
Jon Solomon
Comedy Minus One
comedyminusone.com