| Instrumentation
Rob Carpenter lead vocals, acoustic guitar
John Ruby vocals, acoustic guitar
Micah Gerdis electric guitar
Brian Meurer bass
David Sparks drums
Biography
HIGHLIGHTS:
Blender Magazine: Editor's Pick
Billboard Magazine: "Charming... Unpretentious."
Best of 2005: LEO Weekly
First Round Grammy Nominations in three categories
Invited to perform live on XM Cafe (Channel 45)
Featured track on Paste Magazine Sampler (Dec/ Jan)
Featured in "Paste Recommends" listening stations in retail outlets across the country (Dec/ Jan)
Over 550,000 legally purchased downloads at mp3.com
Since forming at Western Kentucky University in 1998, The Muckrakers have been drawing mobs of sweating, dancing, request-shouting fans. Something about the music connected, as they racked up over 550,000 downloads on mp3.com and moved over 20,000 pieces of their first two independently-produced albums.
By 2000, The Muckrakers were playing to sold-out crowds throughout the Louisville area, opening for the likes of Vertical Horizon and the Violent Femmes, and being named "Band You'd Most Want to Hook Up With" by a local paper. The Mayor of Louisville officially proclaimed July 8 to be Muckrakers Day. Seriously. He did.
In 2004, the band signed to Toucan Cove Entertainment/ Label X, and began recording with venerable producer Todd Smith (Days of the New, Smash Mouth, Digby). And on September 13, 2005, the highly-anticipated debut album from The Muckrakers was released nationally, delivering on the promise of the great American pop-rock band.
FRONT OF THE PARADE offers a collection of immediately memorable songs based on unabashedly melodic vocals, tight, soulful harmonies and clean ensemble playing.
The Muckrakers draw from the accessible melodics of Matchbox 20, Crowded House and Barenaked Ladies (from whom they also draw their sardonic lyrical humor and unusual stage antics). From the can't-get-it-out-of-your-head chorus of "When the Morning Comes" to the slightly mournful "Warning Sign," each of the twelve tracks explores and expresses a particular human experience.
The group recorded in Louisville and Nashville, bringing in members of the Louisville Symphony Orchestra as well as label-mates, hip hop group Code Red. Though they enjoyed their time in the studio, The Muckrakers' favorite place to be is on stage. And now, new album in hand, the band is ready to bring their particular brand of Muck to the rest of the world.
Website
http://www.themuckrakers.com
Discography
2006 Live @ Paste Magazine
2006 Live @ XM Cafe
2005 FRONT OF THE PARADE (Toucan Cove/ Label X)
2005 Keep Your Distance: Original Soundtrack
2001 LOSING SLEEP (Independent)
1998 FORGOT TO BREATHE (Independent) |
