Red House Painters

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Red House Painters
Red House Painters 1993 promo photo.jpg
Red House Painters in 1993. From left to right: Gorden Mack, Jerry Vessel, Mark Kozelek, Anthony Koutsos
Background information
Origin San Francisco, California, United States
Genres
Years active1988–2001
Labels
Past members
  • Mark Kozelek
  • Anthony Koutsos
  • Jerry Vessel
  • Gorden Mack
  • Phil Carney

Red House Painters were an American rock band formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1988, before relocating to San Francisco, California. [1] They were one of the most prominent acts associated with the slowcore/sadcore subgenre. The band was formed by primary songwriter Mark Kozelek (vocals, guitar) and drummer Anthony Koutsos. Together, the pair moved to San Francisco, California, where they were joined by bassist Jerry Vessel. Guitarists Gorden Mack and Phil Carney both performed with the band during separate six-year tenures.

Contents

In 2001, Red House Painters quietly dissolved, with Koutsos, Vessel, and Carney continuing to record and perform with Kozelek under his new guise Sun Kil Moon until 2010. [2]

History

While in Atlanta, Georgia, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. Following the breakup of his former band, God Forbid, Kozelek and Koutsos decided to form a new band, called Red House Painters, in 1988. Despite some live and studio efforts, the pair found trouble getting signed in Atlanta. They then moved to San Francisco, California, in 1989, adding guitarist Gorden Mack and bassist Jerry Vessel to complete the line-up for Red House Painters. After forming, the group played the San Francisco scene extensively, and recorded demos from 1989 to 1992. The band were signed to 4AD in 1992, on the strength of a demo tape passed to 4AD boss Ivo Watts-Russell by American Music Club frontman Mark Eitzel. [3]

Journalist Martin Aston passed on a tape that Mark Eitzel had given to him. Never before or since had I received a demo that was 90 minutes long! In fact, it was quite some time before I actually listened to the whole thing all the way through. Every morning and evening, driving to and from work, I would start at the beginning, "24" (I know, I know, what more do you need to hear, right? What a song.), but only get about half way through that and whatever the second song on the tape was before arriving home/at 4AD. When I finally did listen to the full 90 minutes I called young Mark K. and left him a message. I learned later he was sitting in the bath listening to me talk. It was a perfect time for me to hear that brilliant band.

— Ivo Watts-Russell [3]

Between September 1992 and March 1995, the band released three LPs, one double LP, and one EP. Their first 4AD release was an album made up of demos entitled Down Colorful Hill . In 1993, the group came out with two self-titled records (now commonly referred to as Rollercoaster and Bridge because of their cover artwork). [4]

In early 1994, they released an EP entitled Shock Me , featuring two cover versions of an Ace Frehley-written KISS song. The introspective Ocean Beach followed in spring 1995. Founding guitarist Gorden Mack left shortly after the album's release, and he was replaced shortly thereafter by Phil Carney.

While Kozelek was beginning work on a solo project, he parted ways with 4AD after a tumultuous relationship, so Songs for a Blue Guitar was eventually released on Island Records subsidiary Supreme Recordings/Polygram in summer 1996. The album featured lengthy guitar jams and cover songs, and was the band's biggest seller in the U.S. [5] By early 1998, their sixth album was completed. However, the band was beginning to dissolve, and major label mergers during the late 1990s would leave the record in limbo; it was not until 2001 that Old Ramon was issued on the Sub Pop label.

Dissolution and post-breakup

Prior to the release of Old Ramon, Kozelek released a solo seven-song EP entitled Rock 'n' Roll Singer in 2000. The record consisted of three original acoustic compositions with minor full-band arrangements and four covers (three from Bon Scott-era AC/DC, and John Denver's "Around and Around") that further revealed Kozelek's fascination with 1970s classic rock. Six months later, Kozelek released his first solo album, What's Next to the Moon , which was made up entirely of acoustic covers of even more Bon Scott-era AC/DC songs, including re-recorded versions of the tracks that had appeared on the previous EP. The record was uncharacteristic of Kozelek (though he was prone to covering songs by his favorite artists) in that it is one of the shortest full-length albums of his to date, clocking in at just over thirty minutes. Both the EP and album were released by Badman Recordings.

4AD would release the best-of package, Retrospective , in July 1999. Kozelek subsequently contributed to the AIDS benefit album The Shanti Project Collection, and organized and appeared on Take Me Home: A Tribute to John Denver, a John Denver tribute album (along with like-minded artists like Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Low, and The Innocence Mission). He also dabbled in acting, playing small parts in the Cameron Crowe films Almost Famous and Vanilla Sky , as well as appearing more prominently as a rock musician alongside Jason Schwartzman in the 2005 Steve Martin vehicle Shopgirl . [6]

Phil Carney occasionally accompanies Kozelek on tour dates, playing second guitar. Drummer Anthony Koutsos is also a real estate agent in San Francisco. [7]

Sun Kil Moon

In 2003, Kozelek and Koutsos, along with Geoff Stanfield and Tim Mooney, reformed as Sun Kil Moon, releasing the acclaimed album Ghosts of the Great Highway on Jetset Records. Following the release of Old Ramon, Kozelek discussed plans for a seventh Red House Painters record, expected to release in 2002. Despite this album never materializing, many of the songs present on Ghosts of the Great Highway originated as Red House Painters songs. Most notably “Duk Koo Kim”, which the band played frequently during their 2001 tour. In a 2005 interview with The A.V. Club , Kozelek confirmed that he considered Sun Kil Moon essentially a continuation of Red House Painters, but that he changed the band name to grab the interest of critics who had gotten bored with, or stopped paying attention to, his previous band. [8]

Musical style

The band's sound has been described as slowcore, [9] [10] indie rock, [11] [12] sadcore, [10] [13] folk rock [14] [15] and alternative rock. [16] [17]

Members

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles and EPs

Promo singles

Soundtracks and songs in films

Appearances on various artists compilations

Related Research Articles

Slowcore, also known as sadcore, is a subgenre of indie rock characterised by subdued tempos with typically minimalist instrumentation alongside solemn and melancholic lyrical performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sun Kil Moon</span> American folk rock act

Sun Kil Moon is an American folk rock act from San Francisco, California, founded in 2002. Initially a continuation of the defunct indie rock band Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon is now the primary recording moniker of vocalist and guitarist Mark Kozelek. The project is named after the Korean super flyweight boxer Sung-Kil Moon.

<i>Ghosts of the Great Highway</i> 2003 studio album by Sun Kil Moon

Ghosts of the Great Highway is the debut studio album by San Francisco quartet Sun Kil Moon, led by Red House Painters' founder Mark Kozelek, who composed all of the lyrics and music on this album. The other members are Anthony Koutsos, Geoff Stanfield, and Tim Mooney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Kozelek</span> Musical artist

Mark Edward Kozelek is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer and occasional actor. He is known as the vocalist and primary recording artist of the indie folk act Sun Kil Moon and founding member of the indie rock band Red House Painters, with whom he recorded six studio albums from 1988 until 2001.

<i>Down Colorful Hill</i> 1992 studio album by Red House Painters

Down Colorful Hill is the debut studio album by American slowcore band Red House Painters, released on September 14, 1992 by the record label 4AD.

<i>Red House Painters</i> (<i>Rollercoaster</i>) 1993 studio album by Red House Painters

Red House Painters is the second album by American band Red House Painters, released on May 24, 1993 by 4AD. The album is often referred to as Rollercoaster or Red House Painters I to distinguish it from the band's second eponymous album, often referred to as Bridge.

<i>Tiny Cities</i> 2005 studio album by Sun Kil Moon

Tiny Cities is the second studio album by American indie folk act Sun Kil Moon, released November 1, 2005 on Caldo Verde Records. The album features the same lineup as the band's debut, Ghosts of the Great Highway (2003). This album was chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005.

<i>Ocean Beach</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Red House Painters

Ocean Beach is the fourth studio album by Red House Painters, released in 1995 by 4AD. The album saw the group and Mark Kozelek move toward a more pastoral and folk-influenced arrangement style, in contrast to the lengthy, droning epics that featured on their early albums. Ocean Beach was also the last album to feature founding guitarist Gorden Mack, as well as being the band's last studio album released by 4AD. The album features an unlisted hidden track, referred to as "Brockwell Park " less than 20 seconds after "Drop" ends. The double 10" vinyl release of the album features the band's acoustic cover of Yes' 1971 hit "Long Distance Runaround." Kozelek would go on to record another version of the song for Red House Painters' next album, Songs for a Blue Guitar.

<i>Songs for a Blue Guitar</i> 1996 studio album by Red House Painters

Songs for a Blue Guitar is the fifth studio album by Red House Painters, released on July 22, 1996 in the UK, and a day later in the US. It is effectively a Mark Kozelek solo album, since no other members of the band are listed in the liner notes. The album introduced heavier, electric guitar driven rock to their sound in songs like "Make Like Paper", and Kozelek's cover of Paul McCartney & Wings' "Silly Love Songs".

<i>Old Ramon</i> 2001 studio album by Red House Painters

Old Ramon is the sixth and final studio album by American indie rock band Red House Painters, released on April 10, 2001 on Sub Pop. Originally completed in 1998, band leader Mark Kozelek had to wait until 2001 to release the album. The band had previously been signed to Island/Supreme Records, but a series of major label mergers in the late '90s left the band without a label. This meant the album had to be shelved until three years later, when Kozelek managed to buy back the album from Island Records and Sub Pop signed the group.

Caldo Verde Records is a San Francisco–based indie rock and folk record label founded by Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon frontman Mark Kozelek in 2005. The label primarily features releases by Kozelek and Sun Kil Moon, but has also released albums by Jesu, Corrina Repp, Retribution Gospel Choir, and Kath Bloom. Photographer Nyree Watts is the commissioned artist for Caldo Verde, as almost all of the releases on the label feature her photography.

<i>Retrospective</i> (Red House Painters album) 1999 compilation album by Red House Painters

Retrospective is a double-disc compilation of Red House Painters' songs from the band's 4AD era. The compilation was released in July 1999. Disc one is a collection of definitive Red House Painters tracks culled from their debut album Down Colorful Hill through 1995's Ocean Beach, as picked by 4AD label owner Ivo Watts-Russell. Disc two, subtitled Demos, Outtakes, Live (1989-1995), is a collection of unreleased demos and live recordings from their 4AD years. The essay inside the booklet was written by Rob O'Connor in April 1999. A working title for this collection was Red Perspective.

<i>April</i> (Sun Kil Moon album) 2008 studio album by Sun Kil Moon

April is the third studio album by American folk rock band Sun Kil Moon, released in the US on April 1, 2008 through Caldo Verde Records, and on April 18, 2008 in Japan via P-Vine Records. The album was recorded at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco and Well Recording in Seattle during a seven-month stretch from spring to late summer in 2007. The album was produced and written by Mark Kozelek. Will Oldham, Ben Gibbard and Eric Pollard lend their backing vocals throughout the album. The album also comes with a bonus disc of four alternate recordings.

<i>Shock Me</i> (EP) 1994 EP by Red House Painters

Shock Me is an EP by American slowcore band Red House Painters. It was released in the UK only in 1994 on CD and 12" vinyl by record label 4AD.

<i>The Finally LP</i> 2008 compilation album by Mark Kozelek

The Finally LP is a compilation album by Mark Kozelek. The CD was released on December 9, 2008 via Caldo Verde Records. From the press release:

Over the years, Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon and his earlier band, Red House Painters, has gained well deserved praise for his extraordinary songwriting. At the same time, he has developed a parallel reputation for his unique covers of other people's material. Many of these tracks were recorded for tribute albums that are now unavailable. Caldo Verde Records has now collected them in a cohesive, 10-song CD titled The Finally LP.

<i>Lost Verses Live</i> 2009 live album by Mark Kozelek

Lost Verses Live is the second of two live albums released in spring 2009 by Mark Kozelek. Lost Verses Live was released on May 12, 2009. A limited edition vinyl pressing includes the exclusive live bonus tracks "I Am a Rock," "Last Tide," and "Floating," and was released in October 2009. The album was recorded live throughout solo tour dates in 2007 and 2008 in intimate, seated settings such as The First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia, Williamsburg Music Hall in Brooklyn, The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco and the Aladdin Theatre in Portland. Mark was accompanied by guitarist Phil Carney across the set.

Tim Mooney was an American drummer, producer, and sound engineer. He drummed in the Sleepers, Toiling Midgets, Negative Trend, Sun Kil Moon and American Music Club.

<i>Benji</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Sun Kil Moon

Benji is the sixth studio album by American indie folk act Sun Kil Moon, released on 11 February 2014 on Caldo Verde Records. Self-produced by primary recording artist Mark Kozelek, the album takes its name from the 1974 film Benji, and was recorded between March and August 2013 at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco.

<i>Jesu/Sun Kil Moon</i> 2016 studio album by Jesu and Sun Kil Moon

Jesu / Sun Kil Moon is a collaborative studio album by American indie folk act Sun Kil Moon and British experimental act Jesu, released on January 21, 2016 on Caldo Verde Records and Rough Trade. The album also features guest musicians Will Oldham, members of Low, Rachel Goswell of Slowdive, and Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Jesu and Sun Kil Moon including drummer Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth played six shows in February and March 2016 to support the album.

<i>Yellow Kitchen</i> 2017 studio album by Mark Kozelek & Sean Yeaton

Yellow Kitchen is a collaboration album between American musician and singer Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon and Sean Yeaton, bassist of Parquet Courts, released on June 30, 2017 by Caldo Verde Records, though available for streaming shortly prior to that. Kozelek and Yeaton met at a Dutch festival in summer 2016, and recorded and self-produced Yellow Kitchen from December 2016 to May 2017 in the United States. Guest appearances on the album include Steve Shelley and Jim White on drums and Holly Throsby and Will Oldham on vocals.

References

  1. ↑ Potter, Jordan (March 29, 2024). "From Codeine to Low: five slowcore masterpieces". faroutmagazine.co.uk. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  2. ↑ O'Connor, Rob (April 2010). "An Interview with Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon". Caldo Verde Records. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "FTWW". Fedge.net. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 805–806. ISBN   1-84195-017-3.
  5. ↑ "Album By Album : Mark Kozelek" (PDF). Sunkilmoon.com. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Mark Kozelek". IMDb. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Anthony Koutsos". Anthony Koutsos. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  8. ↑ Hawthorne, Marc (May 10, 2006). "Mark Kozelek". The A.V. Club . Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  9. ↑ Adams, Gregory (February 27, 2015). "Red House Painters' Box Set Albums to Be Reissued Separately". Exclaim! . Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Hawthorne, Marc (September 25, 2007). "Red House Painters: Red House Painters". The A.V. Club . Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  11. ↑ BBC Radio 6 Music's Alternative Jukebox: 500 Extraordinary Tracks That Tell the Story of Alternative Music. Hachette UK. 2014. p. 178. ISBN   978-1844038145.
  12. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Mark Kozelek Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic . Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Sadcore". AllMusic . Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ Mulvey, John (September 12, 2005). "Red House Painters : Old Ramon". NME . Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  15. ↑ McKeating, Scott (July 27, 2011). "A Quietus Guide To The Work Of Mark Kozelek". The Quietus . Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  16. ↑ Battersby, Matilda (June 5, 2015). "Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon calls female journalist 'a b***h' in front of 1,900 people". The Independent . Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Mark Kozelek announces new Sun Kil Moon album entitled Benji to be released early 2014". Fact . September 25, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  18. ↑ "'Local Anesthetic' KFOG Studios, San Francisco, December 3rd 1995. (Live)". Spotify . Retrieved March 9, 2020.
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