The Rugburns
Encyclopedia
The Rugburns was an American
musical group originally formed by Steve Poltz
, "Dr." Robert Driscoll, and Gerald "Child" McMullin.
, the group formed in the mid-1980s and began playing in the San Diego, CA
area. In the late 1980s and early 1990s Poltz and Driscoll played as an acoustic duo in various coffeehouses and bars including the Blarney Stone Pub, Innerchange Coffee House, and Java Joe's. Poltz wrote most of the songs, with Driscoll and McMullin contributing several songs along the way. The group released several self-produced cassette tapes and was a local favorite in San Diego.
After augmenting the lineup with bassist Gregory Page
and drummer Jeff Aafedt, the group signed a contract with Bizarre/Planet Records in 1993 (a label associated with Herb Cohen
, who had earlier managed Tom Waits and Frank Zappa). Poltz and Driscoll remained as the original core of the band. The group released their label debut with Morning Wood, which was produced by Buddy Blue (formerly of The Beat Farmers), in early 1994. With comical, sometimes bizarre lyrics, the band experienced their first taste of national exposure. The music and lyrics were compared to bands such as The Beat Farmers and Ween
. The songs "Hitchhiker Joe" and "Me and Eddie Vedder" would go on to be the most recognizable tracks on the album. "Hitchhiker Joe" received a large amount of airplay on San Diego station 91X in early 1994, holding the No. 1 slot on the nightly "Top 10" for several weeks. The video for "Hitchhiker Joe" was filmed at a local San Diego high school, and was directed by Michael Addis
, who went on to direct several feature films. Jewel also appeared in the video. "Me and Eddie Vedder" was a raucous meditation on the glorious possibilities of overdosing in a hotel room alongside Eddie Vedder
. The experience concludes with 8-track
players blaring the Houses of the Holy
album as Vedder and Poltz are laid to rest.
In early 1995, the band released an EP called "Mommy I'm Sorry," which included the song "Dick's Automotive," which was a favorite at The Rugburns' shows. The song later influenced the "Weird Al" Yankovic
song "Albuquerque
."
In 1995, the band signed a deal with Priority Records. and released one more full-length album in late 1995, Taking the World By Donkey," which again featured a generous helping of acoustic guitars spiked with ridiculous lyrics. Some of the humor of the first record was replaced with darker themes. "The Ballad of Tommy and Marla" tells the sad tale of a couple that becomes hooked on crystal meth
and eventually have their entire lives destroyed by their drug abuse.
After a few years of touring the United States, Driscoll left the band and went back to teaching, his first profession. The band achieved a small level of national fame when some of the fans of Jewel Kilcher
began to follow the group. Steve Poltz dated Jewel for some time, co-wrote perhaps her biggest hit, "You Were Meant for Me" (and appeared in the video for that song as her love interest) and he was known to occasionally play with her live. On Jewel's Spirit World Tour in 2000, Poltz served as the opening act, playing solo, as well as playing acoustic guitar as part of Jewel's backing band.
Through the late 1990s, the lineup of the Rugburns changed several times, always with Steve Poltz as the lead singer/song writer. Eventually the band faded away in favor of Poltz's solo career; Poltz released "One Left Shoe" on Mercury Records in 1997, and other solo albums. He still tours constantly and has released a number of critically acclaimed solo albums. Bassist John Castro now lives in New York City and performs and records with Pretendo
and Morricone Youth
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musical group originally formed by Steve Poltz
Steve Poltz
Steve Poltz is a Canadian-born American singer-songwriter and guitarist based in San Diego, California. He is a founding member of the indie-rock band The Rugburns and is best known for co-writing the #2 Jewel song "You Were Meant for Me"...
, "Dr." Robert Driscoll, and Gerald "Child" McMullin.
History
Starting as classmates at the University of San DiegoUniversity of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs...
, the group formed in the mid-1980s and began playing in the San Diego, CA
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
area. In the late 1980s and early 1990s Poltz and Driscoll played as an acoustic duo in various coffeehouses and bars including the Blarney Stone Pub, Innerchange Coffee House, and Java Joe's. Poltz wrote most of the songs, with Driscoll and McMullin contributing several songs along the way. The group released several self-produced cassette tapes and was a local favorite in San Diego.
After augmenting the lineup with bassist Gregory Page
Gregory Page (bassist)
Gregory Page is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was born in London, England on Easter Sunday in 1963. His Armenian and Irish parents met while they were on tour with their bands en route to the Middle East. According to an interview with KGTV reporter Phil Konstantin,...
and drummer Jeff Aafedt, the group signed a contract with Bizarre/Planet Records in 1993 (a label associated with Herb Cohen
Herb Cohen
Herbert "Herb" Cohen was an American personal manager, record company executive, and music publisher, best known as the manager of Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, and many other Los Angeles-based musicians in the 1960s and 1970s.-Life and career:Cohen was born in New York...
, who had earlier managed Tom Waits and Frank Zappa). Poltz and Driscoll remained as the original core of the band. The group released their label debut with Morning Wood, which was produced by Buddy Blue (formerly of The Beat Farmers), in early 1994. With comical, sometimes bizarre lyrics, the band experienced their first taste of national exposure. The music and lyrics were compared to bands such as The Beat Farmers and Ween
Ween
Ween is an American alternative rock group. They formed in 1984 in New Hope, Pennsylvania when central members Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo met in an eighth grade typing class. Ween has a large cult underground fanbase despite being generally unknown in American pop music...
. The songs "Hitchhiker Joe" and "Me and Eddie Vedder" would go on to be the most recognizable tracks on the album. "Hitchhiker Joe" received a large amount of airplay on San Diego station 91X in early 1994, holding the No. 1 slot on the nightly "Top 10" for several weeks. The video for "Hitchhiker Joe" was filmed at a local San Diego high school, and was directed by Michael Addis
Michael Addis
Michael Addis is a television and film director specializing in single camera comedy and reality.Addis' debut feature, Poor White Trash was an underground hit in 2000 that ended up making three times its budget...
, who went on to direct several feature films. Jewel also appeared in the video. "Me and Eddie Vedder" was a raucous meditation on the glorious possibilities of overdosing in a hotel room alongside Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for being the lead singer and one of three guitarists of the alternative rock band Pearl Jam. He is widely considered a cultural icon of alternative rock.He is also involved in soundtrack work and contributes to albums...
. The experience concludes with 8-track
8-track cartridge
Stereo 8, commonly known as the eight-track cartridge, eight-track tape, or simply eight-track, is a magnetic tape sound recording technology. It was popular in the United States from the mid-1960s through the late 1970s, but was relatively unknown in many European countries...
players blaring the Houses of the Holy
Houses of the Holy
Houses of the Holy is the fifth studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released by Atlantic Records on 28 March 1973. The album title is a dedication by the band to their fans who appeared at venues they dubbed "Houses of the Holy". It was the second Led Zeppelin album to not...
album as Vedder and Poltz are laid to rest.
In early 1995, the band released an EP called "Mommy I'm Sorry," which included the song "Dick's Automotive," which was a favorite at The Rugburns' shows. The song later influenced the "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
song "Albuquerque
Albuquerque (song)
"Albuquerque" is the last song of "Weird Al" Yankovic's Running with Scissors album. At 11 minutes and 22 seconds, it is the longest song Yankovic has ever released on any of his official studio albums....
."
In 1995, the band signed a deal with Priority Records. and released one more full-length album in late 1995, Taking the World By Donkey," which again featured a generous helping of acoustic guitars spiked with ridiculous lyrics. Some of the humor of the first record was replaced with darker themes. "The Ballad of Tommy and Marla" tells the sad tale of a couple that becomes hooked on crystal meth
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
and eventually have their entire lives destroyed by their drug abuse.
After a few years of touring the United States, Driscoll left the band and went back to teaching, his first profession. The band achieved a small level of national fame when some of the fans of Jewel Kilcher
Jewel (singer)
Jewel Kilcher , professionally known as Jewel, is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, actress and poet...
began to follow the group. Steve Poltz dated Jewel for some time, co-wrote perhaps her biggest hit, "You Were Meant for Me" (and appeared in the video for that song as her love interest) and he was known to occasionally play with her live. On Jewel's Spirit World Tour in 2000, Poltz served as the opening act, playing solo, as well as playing acoustic guitar as part of Jewel's backing band.
Through the late 1990s, the lineup of the Rugburns changed several times, always with Steve Poltz as the lead singer/song writer. Eventually the band faded away in favor of Poltz's solo career; Poltz released "One Left Shoe" on Mercury Records in 1997, and other solo albums. He still tours constantly and has released a number of critically acclaimed solo albums. Bassist John Castro now lives in New York City and performs and records with Pretendo
Pretendo
Pretendo is a New York City-based indie rock trio formed in 2004 of ex-/present members of Enon, Skeleton Key, Creedle, The Rugburns, Mono Puff, Morricone Youth, Little Jack Melody and The DaoSon For. Guitarist/vocalist Devon E. Levins and bassist/vocalist John Castro were childhood friends...
and Morricone Youth
Morricone youth
Morricone Youth is a New York City band formed in 1999 dedicated to performing film and television soundtrack and library music. The band is composed of members of present or past members of Creedle, The Rugburns, , Misty Roses, Palomar, Pretendo, and...
.
Members
- Steve PoltzSteve PoltzSteve Poltz is a Canadian-born American singer-songwriter and guitarist based in San Diego, California. He is a founding member of the indie-rock band The Rugburns and is best known for co-writing the #2 Jewel song "You Were Meant for Me"...
- Vocals & Guitar - Robert Driscoll - Guitar
- Gregory PageGregory Page (bassist)Gregory Page is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was born in London, England on Easter Sunday in 1963. His Armenian and Irish parents met while they were on tour with their bands en route to the Middle East. According to an interview with KGTV reporter Phil Konstantin,...
- Bass - John Castro - Bass
- Jeff Aafedt - Drums
Discography
- 1994: Morning Wood (Manifesto Records)
- 1995: Mommy I'm Sorry (EP, Manifesto Records)
- 1995: Taking the World By Donkey (Priority Records)
External links
- Steve Poltz official web site
- Gregory Page official web site
- The Rugburns collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive