Twisted Brown Trucker

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Twisted Brown Trucker
Kidrock-in-concert.JPG
Twisted Brown Trucker performing in 2006
Background information
Also known asThe Twisted Brown Trucker Band [1]
Origin Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Years active1994 (1994)–2010 (2010); 2012–present
LabelsTop Dog [2]
Members See Members

Twisted Brown Trucker is the backing band for American musician Kid Rock. Formed in 1994, the band has contributed to nine of his twelve studio albums, as well as Uncle Kracker's Double Wide album.

Contents

History

Formation and establishment (1994–1996)

By 1994, Kid Rock's live performances had mostly been backed by DJs Blackman and Uncle Kracker, but Kid Rock soon began to utilize more and more live instrumentation into his performances, and formed the rock band Twisted Brown Trucker. [3] [4]

Through extensive promoting, including distributing tapes on consignment to local stores and giving away free samplers of his music, the band developed a following among an audience which DJ Uncle Kracker described as "white kids who dropped acid and liked listening to gangsta rap"; this following included local rapper Joe C., who had been attending the band's concerts as a fan, but upon meeting Kid Rock, was invited to perform on stage as Kid Rock's hype man. [4] Joe C, who stood 3 feet and 9 inches, became noted for his "dynamic, popular, dirty-mouthed presence"; in a radio interview, Ted Nugent publicly condemned Kid Rock for letting Joe C perform at his concerts, as Nugent believed that Joe C was a 6-year-old child, when in fact Joe C was an adult whose growth had been stunted by celiac disease. [4]

Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp and local breakthrough (1996)

The band's stage presence became honed with the addition of a light show, pyrotechnics, dancers and a light-up backdrop bearing the name "Kid Rock", and 1996 saw the release of his most rock-oriented album to date, Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp , which Twisted Brown Trucker performed on. According to Kid Rock, who distributed the album himself, Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp sold 14,000 copies. [5]

A display of pyrotechnics during one of Twisted Brown Trucker's performances. Their stage presence helped increase the band's local following in Detroit in the mid-1990s. Kid Rock (3421137233).jpg
A display of pyrotechnics during one of Twisted Brown Trucker's performances. Their stage presence helped increase the band's local following in Detroit in the mid-1990s.

The year also saw the stabilization of Twisted Brown Trucker with its final lineup, consisting of Detroit musicians Kenny Olson and Jason Krause on guitars, keyboardist Jimmie "Bones" Trombly, drummer Stefanie Eulinberg, DJ/turntablist Uncle Kracker, and backing vocalists Misty Love and Shirley Hayden. [3] [4]

Kid Rock developed his stage persona, performing dressed in 1970s pimp clothing with a real, possibly loaded, gun down the front of his pants. [4]

Signing with Atlantic Records, Devil Without a Cause, national success and Joe C.'s death (1997–1998)

Kid Rock's attorney, Tommy Valentino, increased his stature by helping him get articles written about Kid Rock and Twisted Brown Trucker in major publications, including the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal magazine, but though his management tried to interest local record labels in his music, they told his management team that they were not interested in signing a white rapper, to which Valentino told them, "He's not a white rapper. He's a rock star and everything in between." [4]

In 1997, Jason Flom, head of Lava Records, attended one of the band's performances, and met with Kid Rock, who later gave him a demo containing the songs "Somebody's Gotta Feel This" and "I Got One for Ya", which led to Kid Rock signing with Atlantic Records. [4] [6] As part of his recording deal, Kid Rock received $150,000 from the label. [5]

By this time, Kid Rock had fully developed his stage persona and musical style and wanted to make a "redneck, shit-kicking rock 'n' roll rap" album, resulting in his fourth studio album, Devil Without a Cause , recorded with the band at the White Room in Detroit and mixed at the Mix Room in Los Angeles; Uncle Kracker helped Kid Rock write some of the songs, and Eminem performed a guest verse on the song "Fuck Off". [4]

Through extensive promoting, including appearances on MTV (including a performance alongside Aerosmith and Run-DMC) and performing at Woodstock 1999, Devil Without a Cause sold 14 million copies, the album's success spurred by Kid Rock's breakthrough hit single "Bawitdaba". [7] [5] [4]

By April 1999, the album was certified gold, and the following month it was certified platinum, a certification the album received 12 times. [8]

On November 16, 2000, Joe C. died due to complications from celiac disease. [7] [4] He had been diagnosed with the illness for his entire life.

Continued success and shift away from hip hop (2000–2008)

In 2000, Twisted Brown Trucker served as the backing band for Uncle Kracker's debut solo album Double Wide . On September 8, 2001, Twisted Brown Trucker guitarist Kenny Olson performed alongside Jimi Hendrix's post-1969 rhythm section, the Band of Gypsys, in a tribute to Hendrix. [9] In November, Twisted Brown Trucker performed on Kid Rock's fifth studio album, Cocky . The album became a hit, spurred by the crossover success of the single "Picture", a country ballad featuring Sheryl Crow which introduced Kid Rock to a wider audience and was ultimately the most successful single on the album. [7] [10]

In support of the album, Kid Rock and Twisted Brown Trucker performed on the American Bad Ass Tour in 2001, supported by country singer David Allan Coe as an opening act. [11] The same year, Twisted Brown Trucker began displaying the Confederate flag during their live performances; [12] in a 2002 interview with the Detroit Free Press, Kid Rock defended the band's use of the flag, saying that it was a symbol of Southern rock and rebellion. [13] During this period, Uncle Kracker began his solo career, leaving Twisted Brown Trucker. [3]

2003 saw the release of Kid Rock's self-titled sixth album with Twisted Brown Trucker backing him, which shifted his music further away from hip hop; [7] the lead single was a cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love". [3]

In 2004, the band performed at the Super Bowl, in a controversial appearance that spurred criticism from Veterans of Foreign Wars and Senator Zell Miller for Kid Rock wearing the American flag with one slit in the middle, as a poncho; Kid Rock was accused of "desecrating" the flag. [7] [14] [15] Also that year, the band's guitarist, Kenny Olson, performed on the Jimi Hendrix tribute album Power of Soul . [16]

In 2006, Twisted Brown Trucker stopped displaying the Confederate flag at his concerts. [13] The following year, Kid Rock released his seventh studio album, Rock N Roll Jesus , which was his first release to chart at #1 on the Billboard 200 , selling 172,000 copies in its first week [17] and going on to sell over 5 million copies. [7] The album's third single, "All Summer Long", became a global hit, utilizing a mash up of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London". [18]

In 2008, Kid Rock and Twisted Brown Trucker recorded and made a music video for the song "Warrior" for a National Guard advertising campaign. [19] [20]

Kid Rock chose not to record with Twisted Brown Trucker on his 2010 album Born Free , which was recorded with session musicians. [7]

Reunion, Rebel Soul, First Kiss and Sweet Southern Sugar (2012 onward)

After a hiatus, Twisted Brown Trucker resumed playing with Kid Rock, starting with 2012's Rebel Soul ; Kid Rock said that he wanted the album to feel like a greatest hits album, but with new songs. [21] [7]

In 2013, Twisted Brown Trucker performed on the "Best Night Ever" tour, where Kid Rock motioned to charge no more than $20 for his tickets. [3] The following year, the band moved to Warner Bros. Records, releasing Kid Rock's only album on the label, First Kiss , which he self-produced. [3] Subsequently, after leaving Warner Bros., Kid Rock signed with the country label Broken Bow Records. [3]

In July 2017, keyboardist Jimmy Bones released his first solo album, Snakebit And Wandering. [22] In November, Twisted Brown Trucker performed on Kid Rock's eleventh studio album, Sweet Southern Sugar .

Musical style

Guitarist Jason Krause has said of Twisted Brown Trucker, "we are a country, rock, hip-hop, blues, jazz, metal band". [23] Krause has also described Twisted Brown Trucker's music as "Run-DMC and Lynyrd Skynyrd in a blender." [24] According to Eulinberg, she was hired "because I'm a chick drummer that can rock"; Kid Rock allegedly told her she got the job because she "doesn't play drums like a girl". [25] Her drumming style ranges from wild hard rock and heavy metal drumming to gentler country drumming. [1]

Kid Rock's influences include Bob Seger [4] and the Beastie Boys. [7] Keyboardist Jimmie Bones says his playing style was influenced by blues, R&B, garage and punk music. [22] Drummer Stefanie Eulinberg has cited, as an influence on her playing style, Tony Thompson, Chester Thompson, Neil Peart, Dennis Chambers, and Terry Bozzio. [1]

Band lineup

Current members

Kid Rock performing in 2007 Kid Rock, December 2007.jpg
Kid Rock performing in 2007

Former members

Discography

Related Research Articles

<i>Early Mornin Stoned Pimp</i> 1996 studio album by Kid Rock

Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp is the third studio album by American rapper Kid Rock and the first to feature his backing band Twisted Brown Trucker. Released on January 9, 1996, by Top Dog Records, the album saw Kid Rock showcasing a more eclectic sound than his previous albums, encompassing funk, hip hop, soul and rock. It was considered the most rock-oriented album he had made at the time and the first to explore his Southern rock influences.

<i>Devil Without a Cause</i> 1998 studio album by Kid Rock

Devil Without a Cause is the fourth studio album by American musician Kid Rock. Released on August 18, 1998, the album saw Kid Rock continuing to develop his sound, and marked the finalization of his stage persona as a 'redneck pimp'. Additionally, the song "Cowboy" is seen as being instrumental in the development of the fusion genre country rap.

<i>Cocky</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Kid Rock

Cocky is the fifth studio album by American musician Kid Rock. Released in 2001, it is his third release for Atlantic Records.

<i>Kid Rock</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Kid Rock

Kid Rock is the sixth studio album by American musician Kid Rock, his fourth Atlantic Records album. It was released in 2003 and is his final release on Lava Records. It was critically acclaimed by Rolling Stone, which named it one of the 50 Greatest Albums of 2003. "Black Bob" and "Jackson, Mississippi" were recorded for his 1996 album Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp in 1995, but were left off the album. "Feel Like Makin' Love", "Cold and Empty", "Intro", "Hillbilly Stomp" and "Run Off to LA" were recorded for the demo sessions for 2001's Cocky, but did not make the cut as well. "Feel Like Makin' Love" originally had Sheryl Crow on the song. Country singer Kenny Chesney co-wrote "Cold and Empty".

<i>Double Wide</i> (album) 2000 studio album by Uncle Kracker

Double Wide is the debut studio album by American recording artist Uncle Kracker. It was released on May 30, 2000, via Lava/Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place on the back of a tour bus parked in various motels and arena parking lots across the country. Production was mostly handled by Kid Rock with Michael Bradford. The music of the album is noted for its eclectic style, categorized by AllMusic as country, rock rap and rockabilly. Additionally, the album also incorporates elements of hip hop, rock and roll, blues rock and pop.

<i>Live Trucker</i> 2006 live album by Kid Rock & The Twisted Brown Trucker Band

Live Trucker is a live album by Kid Rock and the Twisted Brown Trucker band. It was released on February 28, 2006, via Top Dog/Atlantic Records. Most of the songs were recorded from August 26 through August 28, 2004 at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan, except "Devil Without a Cause" and "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp", which featured Joe C. and Uncle Kracker and were recorded on September 1, 2000 at Pine Knob Music Theatre, "Cowboy Intro", "Cowboy" and Gretchen Wilson-assisted "Picture", which were recorded at Cobo Arena in Detroit on March 27, 2004, and "Outstanding", which was recorded at soundcheck in St. Louis.

<i>The History of Rock</i> 2000 compilation album by Kid Rock

The History of Rock is a compilation album by American rapper Kid Rock. Released in 2000, the album consists of re-recorded versions of songs from the album The Polyfuze Method, remixed versions of songs from the album Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp, demos and unreleased songs, including the single "American Bad Ass".

<i>Seventy Two and Sunny</i> 2004 studio album by Uncle Kracker

Seventy Two and Sunny is Uncle Kracker's third studio album, released on Lava Records on June 29, 2004. It is Uncle Kracker's first album not to receive a parental advisory sticker and to feature no rap songs. It is also his last to be released on Lava Records.

<i>The Almeria Club Recordings</i> 2002 studio album by Hank Williams, Jr

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowboy (Kid Rock song)</span> 1999 single by Kid Rock

"Cowboy" is a song by Kid Rock from his album Devil Without a Cause. The song, noted for its country rap style, reflects a cross-section of Kid Rock's country, Southern rock and hip hop influences, having been described by the artist as a cross between Run DMC and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uncle Kracker</span> American musician (born 1974)

Matthew Shafer, also known by his stage name Uncle Kracker, is an American singer, rapper and musician. He was previously a turntablist for Kid Rock's backing group Twisted Brown Trucker and since 1999 has recorded as a solo artist. His singles "Follow Me" and "Drift Away" were top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Masterpieces</i> (HammerFall album) 2008 compilation album by HammerFall

Masterpieces is the third compilation album by Swedish power metal band HammerFall. It consists of cover versions recorded by the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Bradford</span> African American musician

Michael Bradford is an American musician. A native of Detroit, Michigan he is known mainly as a bass guitarist but also plays guitar and keyboards, and has done extensive work in music production and engineering. Among others, Bradford has worked with Madonna, Youngstown, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker and in music for films. He is currently the guitarist for The Felons Club and can be heard on their debut album Welcome to the Club.

<i>Happy Hour</i> (Uncle Kracker album) 2009 studio album by Uncle Kracker

Happy Hour is the fourth studio album by American musician Uncle Kracker. It was released on September 15, 2009 via Top Dog/Atlantic Records. Production was handled by Rob Cavallo, except for "Good to Be Me", which was produced by Kid Rock, and "Hot Mess", which was produced by S*A*M and Sluggo.

<i>Heartbroken & Homicidal</i> 2010 studio album by Twiztid

Heartbroken & Homicidal is the eighth studio album by American hip hop duo Twiztid. Released on September 21, 2010, the album features guest drums and vocals by Stefanie Eulinberg, drummer for Kid Rock's backing band Twisted Brown Trucker. The album focuses on the connection between love and loss, and the darkside of an individual's hurt feelings. It debuted number 29 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 3 on the Top Independent Albums and Top Rap Albums charts.

<i>Rebel Soul</i> (Kid Rock album) 2012 studio album by Kid Rock

Rebel Soul is the ninth studio album by American musician Kid Rock and his final release with Atlantic Records. The album was released on November 19, 2012, and was self-produced by Kid Rock. It is his first since 2007's Rock N Roll Jesus to feature his backing band Twisted Brown Trucker after being absent on 2010's Born Free. The song "Redneck Paradise" was written by The Young Brothers in 2007 and was sent to Kid Rock's representatives in the hopes that he would use it.

<i>Sweet Southern Sugar</i> 2017 studio album by Kid Rock

Sweet Southern Sugar is the eleventh studio album by American recording artist Kid Rock. It was released on November 3, 2017, by Broken Bow Records, Top Dog Records and BMG Rights Management. The album spawned four singles: "Po-Dunk", "Greatest Show on Earth", "Tennessee Mountain Top", and "American Rock 'n Roll", along with their music videos. Its lead single, "Po-Dunk", peaked at number 27 on the Hot Country Songs. "Greatest Show on Earth" peaked at number 16 on the Mainstream Rock chart and it was used as the main theme for WWE pay-per-view Survivor Series (2017). "Tennessee Mountain Top" peaked at number 36 on the Hot Country Songs. Sweet Southern Sugar is Kid Rock's first album since his self-titled 2003 album not to feature a title track, though the album's name comes from a lyric in "Tennessee Mountain Top". The album also features a cover of the Four Tops song "I Can't Help Myself ", titled "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch". The album's sixth track "Back to the Otherside" and tenth and final track "Grandpa's Jam" feature a return to the rapping vocals of Rock's earlier work.

The Devil Without a Cause Tour was a concert tour by American rapper and singer Kid Rock. After more than 10 years of being in the music industry his album Devil Without a Cause gave him his breakthrough, He also performed at Woodstock '99 as part of the tour.

The History of Rock Tour was a concert tour by American rapper and singer Kid Rock in support of his compilation album The History of Rock. This was also the last tour to include Joe C. before his death in November 2000.

The Bad Reputation Tour was a concert tour by American rapper and singer Kid Rock in support of his twelfth studio album, Bad Reputation (2022). It began on April 6, 2022, in Evansville, Indiana and concluded on July 29, 2023, in Youngstown.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Stefanie Eulinberg: Messing With The Kid". drummagazine.com. May 26, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  2. ↑ "KID ROCK PLANS REST, STUDIO TIME AFTER TOUR". MTV .
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Huey, Jeff. "Kid Rock – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 McCollum, Brian. "Kid Rock before the fame: The definitive Detroit oral history". Detroit Free Press.
  5. 1 2 3 "Kid Rock - C&I Magazine". July 1, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Interview Andy Karp Vice President of A&R at Lava/Atlantic in New York". AtlanticRecordsContact.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Kid Rock". Biography.com. December 5, 2019.
  8. ↑ "RIAA Certifications for albums by Kid Rock: Gold and Platinum". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Members Of Kid Rock, Los Lobos To Play All-Star Hendrix Tribute". MTV News.
  10. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (January 30, 2003). "Kid Rock's Dead-In-The-Water Cocky Comes Back To Life". MTV. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  11. ↑ Strauss, Neil (September 4, 2000). "Songwriter's Racist Songs From 1980's Haunt Him". The New York Times. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Kid Rock and the Confederate flag: a history". Detroit Metro Times.
  13. 1 2 McCollum, Brian. "Kid Rock: Confederate flag was dropped years before protest". Detroit Free Press.
  14. ↑ "Artsandentartainment: VFW slams Kid Rock for flag poncho". Sptimes.com. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Senator Blasts KID ROCK For Wearing Flag". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. February 13, 2004.
  16. ↑ "Kenny Olson & the Power of Soul: Anything is Possible with New Jimi Hendrix Tribute | Music | Northern Express". www.northernexpress.com.
  17. ↑ Cohen, Jonathon (October 17, 2007). "Kid Rock Rolls to No. 1 Album Chart Debut". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  18. ↑ "Kid Rock to ride wave of success into Detroit shows". kidrock.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Kid Rock, National Guard and Dale Earnhardt Jr team up for new commercial". May 30, 2008. Archived from the original on June 2, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  20. ↑ Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke. "Kid Rock, Earnhardt featured in Army Guard advertising campaign". Archived from the original on June 11, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Kid Rock, 'Rebel Soul': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. November 20, 2012.
  22. 1 2 Graff, Gary. "Kid Rock keyboardist Jimmie Bones wanders into his own album, finally". The Oakland Press.
  23. ↑ "Interview: Kid Rock Guitarists Marlon Young and Jason Krause Talk Gibsons". March 25, 2015. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015.
  24. ↑ "KAOS2000 Magazine interview with Jason Krause of Kid Rock & Twisted Brown Trucker". August 21, 2008. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008.
  25. ↑ "The wild woman behind Kid Rock". www.semissourian.com. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  26. 1 2 3 Kid Rock (November 1997). Underrated & Unsung (VHS). Detroit, Michigan: Top Dog Records. Event occurs at 48:28. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
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