Ultraman (band)
Encyclopedia
Ultraman a punk rock
band from St. Louis, Missouri
, formed in 1986 with members Tim Jamison (vocals), Rob Wagoner (guitar), John Corcoran (bass), Bob Zuellig (guitar), and Mike Doskocil (drums). The band first released its own 7" EP's (alternately called "the Mr. Yuk 7" and "self-titled") in 1988 after selling demo tapes for over a year.
Their second 7" EP, called "Destroys All Monsters...Kills All Families" was recorded in May 1988, but not released until September of that year. This EP featured the same lineup, except Mark Deniszuk replaced Mike Doskocil on drums.
During this time, Ultraman played countless shows in St. Louis at notable venues such as Mississippi Nights
(the first show played here was with Suicidal Tendencies
. They would follow up this show by playing with bands as diverse as the Exploited
and Dead Milkmen
.) http://bestof.riverfronttimes.com/2007-01-24/music/r-i-p-mississippi-nights/2 Ultraman also frequently played the surrounding Midwestern region, with many shows in Lawrence, Kansas
at the famed Outhouse
.
Ultraman expanded their Midwestern focus and decided to promote the singles with an east coast tour in July 1988. On this tour, Ultraman played dates in Leonardtown, Maryland
with McRad (Chuck Treece
’s band while he was also in Underdog), Boston
, and NYC at the Pyramid Club
.
After this tour, singer Tim Jamison sent a copy of the band's single and band t-shirts to Jack at Caroline Records
, in the hope of getting the band signed. Jack didn't think they were a fit with the label, but passed along their singles to Nicky Garrett .
At the time, Garrett ran the Caroline warehouse and was just starting New Red Archives
. He had already signed east coast bands Crucial Youth, Kraut
and UK Subs
and was looking for a Midwestern band who had both name recognition and had toured.
In late 1988, Garrett offered to sign Ultraman to his NRA label and asked the band to record their first album. At this time, Bob Zeulig was replaced by Mike Story . http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2004-05-19/music/all-in-the-family/
According to singer Tim Jamison, Ultraman's first album, "Freezing Inside" would be recorded in New York in a studio at famed ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi
, using the same microphone that was used to record Trix cereal commercials. The album was produced by Tom Lyle of Government Issue
in 1989.
To promote the album, Ultraman toured the west coast with another St. Louis band, Whoppers Taste Good then the east coast and Canada with UK Subs.
In 1990, the band learned they would be touring Europe with Samiam
http://www.creative-talent.net/index.php?id=66&no_cache=1&tx_alartistdatabase_pi1%5BshowUid%5D=67 and went into the studio to record a new album in preparation for the tour. During this time, Mike Story was briefly replaced by Pat Hercules for some live shows, but he was eventually replaced by Matt Smith to record the next album and subsequent European tour.http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2004-05-19/music/all-in-the-family/
The second album was called "Non Existence" and was produced by Nicky Garrett and recorded in San Francisco. During the recording, Ultraman played 924 Gilman Street
. After several more U.S. shows, the band headed off to Europe to play Germany
, Austria
, Yugoslavia
, Italy
, Switzerland
, Holland, France
, and England
with punk band Samiam. Ultraman decided to call this tour "European In Your Pants."
The band returned to the U.S. to play live shows throughout the country. In February 1991, Rick Ulrich from Whoppers Taste Good replaced Matt Smith. http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2004-05-19/music/all-in-the-family/ Ultraman was set to go back to Europe for another tour. John John replaced John Corcoran on bass for this leg.http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2004-05-19/music/all-in-the-family/
Ultraman toured solo for the 1991 tour, playing shows in Holland, Belgium, Germany and Austria. They returned to America once again, but this time broke up.http://www.razorcake.org/site/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=233 They played a final, sold-out show at legendary Mississippi Nights on December 30, 1991.http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/822/162/
While formally broken up, Ultraman still played dozens of reunion shows throughout the Midwest. In 1999, the band officially re-formed, with the lineup of Tim Jamison on vocals, John John on bass, Tim O'Saben on guitar, Bob Fancher on guitar and Jason Simpson on drums. http://www.riverfronttimes.com/1999-02-24/music/listening-post/
This incarnation of Ultraman continued to play shows in St. Louis while writing new songs. The band has always been one of St. Louis's most requested opening acts for touring punk and hardcore punk
bands that came to play in the region.
By 2001, Rob Wagoner returned to the band, replacing Tim O'Saben. http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2004-05-19/music/all-in-the-family/ This lineup would record the album "The Constant Weight of Zero," which was released in 2004.http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/822/162/
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band from St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, formed in 1986 with members Tim Jamison (vocals), Rob Wagoner (guitar), John Corcoran (bass), Bob Zuellig (guitar), and Mike Doskocil (drums). The band first released its own 7" EP's (alternately called "the Mr. Yuk 7" and "self-titled") in 1988 after selling demo tapes for over a year.
Their second 7" EP, called "Destroys All Monsters...Kills All Families" was recorded in May 1988, but not released until September of that year. This EP featured the same lineup, except Mark Deniszuk replaced Mike Doskocil on drums.
During this time, Ultraman played countless shows in St. Louis at notable venues such as Mississippi Nights
Mississippi Nights
Mississippi Nights was a music club in St. Louis, Missouri that achieved national recognition for the number of big-name acts and performers it hosted....
(the first show played here was with Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1981 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band is sometimes credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash"...
. They would follow up this show by playing with bands as diverse as the Exploited
The Exploited
The Exploited are a Scottish punk band from the second wave of UK punk, formed in 1979. Originally a street punk band, they transformed into a faster hardcore punk band with a heavy political influence. From about 1987 on they changed into a crossover thrash band...
and Dead Milkmen
Dead Milkmen
The Dead Milkmen is an American satirical punk rock band formed in 1983 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Rodney Linderman , guitarist and vocalist Joe Genaro , bassist Dave Schulthise and drummer Dean Sabatino .Beginning within the local underground...
.) http://bestof.riverfronttimes.com/2007-01-24/music/r-i-p-mississippi-nights/2 Ultraman also frequently played the surrounding Midwestern region, with many shows in Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
at the famed Outhouse
Outhouse
An outhouse is a small structure separate from a main building which often contained a simple toilet and may possibly also be used for housing animals and storage.- Terminology :...
.
Ultraman expanded their Midwestern focus and decided to promote the singles with an east coast tour in July 1988. On this tour, Ultraman played dates in Leonardtown, Maryland
Leonardtown, Maryland
Leonardtown is a town in and the county seat of St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,896 at the 2000 census. Leonardtown is perhaps most famous for the national oyster-shucking championship that occurs annually at the St...
with McRad (Chuck Treece
Chuck Treece
Chuck "Chuck" Treece is a session musician and professional skateboarder from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His credits include starting the 1980s skate punk band McRad, remixing songs for Amy Grant and Sting, playing the bass line on "The River of Dreams" by Billy Joel, filling in on drums at a...
’s band while he was also in Underdog), Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, and NYC at the Pyramid Club
Pyramid Club
__notoc__The Pyramid Club is a nightclub in the East Village of Manhattan, New York City. After opening in 1979, the Pyramid helped define the East Village drag and gay scenes of the 1980s...
.
After this tour, singer Tim Jamison sent a copy of the band's single and band t-shirts to Jack at Caroline Records
Caroline Records
Caroline Records started out as a subsidiary of Richard Branson's Virgin Records label during the early to mid 1970s. The label originally specialized in putting out budget price LPs by mainly progressive rock and jazz artists generally not considered to have a great deal of 'mainstream' or...
, in the hope of getting the band signed. Jack didn't think they were a fit with the label, but passed along their singles to Nicky Garrett .
At the time, Garrett ran the Caroline warehouse and was just starting New Red Archives
New Red Archives
New Red Archives is an independent record label based in San Francisco, mainly home to punk rock bands. Started in 1987, the label began by releasing punk and hardcore records on coloured vinyl...
. He had already signed east coast bands Crucial Youth, Kraut
Kraut
Kraut is a German word recorded in English from 1918 onwards as a derogatory term for a German, particularly a German soldier during World War I and World War II. Its earlier meaning in English was as a synonym for sauerkraut, a traditional German and central European food.- Etymological...
and UK Subs
UK Subs
The U.K. Subs are an English punk rock band, among the earliest in the first wave of British punk. Formed in 1976, the mainstay of the band has been vocalist Charlie Harper, originally a singer in Britain's R&B scene. They were also one of the first street punk bands.-Career:The U.K...
and was looking for a Midwestern band who had both name recognition and had toured.
In late 1988, Garrett offered to sign Ultraman to his NRA label and asked the band to record their first album. At this time, Bob Zeulig was replaced by Mike Story . http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2004-05-19/music/all-in-the-family/
According to singer Tim Jamison, Ultraman's first album, "Freezing Inside" would be recorded in New York in a studio at famed ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi
Saatchi & Saatchi
Saatchi & Saatchi is a global advertising agency network with 140 offices in 80 countries and over 6,500 staff. It was founded in London in 1970 but now headquartered in New York. The parent company of the agency group was known as Saatchi & Saatchi PLC from 1976 to 1994, was listed on the London...
, using the same microphone that was used to record Trix cereal commercials. The album was produced by Tom Lyle of Government Issue
Government Issue
Government Issue was an American hardcore punk band from Washington, D.C. active from 1980 to 1989. The band experienced many changes in membership during its nine-year existence, with singer John Stabb as the only consistent member in an ever-fluctuating lineup that at various times included...
in 1989.
To promote the album, Ultraman toured the west coast with another St. Louis band, Whoppers Taste Good then the east coast and Canada with UK Subs.
In 1990, the band learned they would be touring Europe with Samiam
Samiam
-Biography:Samiam was formed in late 1988 after the breakup of the Gilman club mainstay Isocracy. Their first show was in January 1989 with Christ on Parade. They released records through New Red Archives and Hopeless Records in the US and Burning Heart Records in Europe. In the mid-'90s, the band...
http://www.creative-talent.net/index.php?id=66&no_cache=1&tx_alartistdatabase_pi1%5BshowUid%5D=67 and went into the studio to record a new album in preparation for the tour. During this time, Mike Story was briefly replaced by Pat Hercules for some live shows, but he was eventually replaced by Matt Smith to record the next album and subsequent European tour.http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2004-05-19/music/all-in-the-family/
The second album was called "Non Existence" and was produced by Nicky Garrett and recorded in San Francisco. During the recording, Ultraman played 924 Gilman Street
924 Gilman Street
924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, not for profit, collectively organized music club usually referred to by its fans simply as "The Gilman." It is located in the West Berkeley area of Berkeley, California about a mile and a half west of the North Berkeley BART station and a quarter-mile west of San...
. After several more U.S. shows, the band headed off to Europe to play Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Holland, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with punk band Samiam. Ultraman decided to call this tour "European In Your Pants."
The band returned to the U.S. to play live shows throughout the country. In February 1991, Rick Ulrich from Whoppers Taste Good replaced Matt Smith. http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2004-05-19/music/all-in-the-family/ Ultraman was set to go back to Europe for another tour. John John replaced John Corcoran on bass for this leg.http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2004-05-19/music/all-in-the-family/
Ultraman toured solo for the 1991 tour, playing shows in Holland, Belgium, Germany and Austria. They returned to America once again, but this time broke up.http://www.razorcake.org/site/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=233 They played a final, sold-out show at legendary Mississippi Nights on December 30, 1991.http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/822/162/
While formally broken up, Ultraman still played dozens of reunion shows throughout the Midwest. In 1999, the band officially re-formed, with the lineup of Tim Jamison on vocals, John John on bass, Tim O'Saben on guitar, Bob Fancher on guitar and Jason Simpson on drums. http://www.riverfronttimes.com/1999-02-24/music/listening-post/
This incarnation of Ultraman continued to play shows in St. Louis while writing new songs. The band has always been one of St. Louis's most requested opening acts for touring punk and hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
bands that came to play in the region.
By 2001, Rob Wagoner returned to the band, replacing Tim O'Saben. http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2004-05-19/music/all-in-the-family/ This lineup would record the album "The Constant Weight of Zero," which was released in 2004.http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/822/162/