Dumptruck (band)

Last updated
Dumptruck
Origin Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres Indie rock, garage rock
Years active1983–1991, 1994–present
Labels Big Time Records, Rykodisc
MembersSeth Tiven
Alan Durham
Andrew Duplantis
Tommy Roalson
Past membersKirk Swan
Steve Michener
Shawn Devlin
Kevin Salem
Tom Shad
George Duron
Tim McMaster
Mark Patterson
Spike Priggen
Brian Dunton

Dumptruck is an American rock musical group formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1983 by composers, guitarists and singers Seth Tiven and Kirk Swan.

Contents

History

The principal songwriter and sole continuous member of Dumptruck is Seth Tiven. Born and raised in Connecticut, Tiven received his Bachelor of Arts in music in 1980 from Wesleyan University in Middletown. In 1981 he moved to Boston, where he performed in several local bands with Swan and drummer Mark Mulcahy.

In 1983, Swan and Tiven formed Dumptruck and began writing songs. The duo recorded six songs with Mulcahy at a local studio. "[They were] demos, really, more than anything else," Swan recalled on the liner notes to the 2004 reissue. [1] "Seth and I played bass on each other's songs... which is how we would tackle the songs live in this incarnation of the band." Pleased with the results, the duo recorded six additional songs with drummer James Clement and released D is for Dumptruck on Incas records in 1983.

The record was well-received "The dozen songs fall somewhere between Joy Division and the dB's", said The New Trouser Press Record Guide. [2] Robert Christgau awarded the record an "A−" in his Village Voice review. [3] The duo added Shawn Devlin on drums and Steve Michener on bass for live performances and signed with Big Time Records.

Their second album, Positively Dumptruck was recorded at Mitch Easter's Drive In studio in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with Don Dixon producing. [4] The record was played heavily on college radio and Dumptruck won the Best Independent Album Award at the Boston Music Awards. [5]

"By the end of 1986, a year and a half of pretty constant touring had taken its toll on the band," Tiven remembered. [6] "Steve Michener had quit the band shortly after Positively had been released ... When we returned home from a particularly grueling 3-month tour just before Christmas, Kirk [replacement bassist Michael 'Spike' Priggen] made a decision to leave the band."

When Tiven and Devlin were uncertain about continuing the band, the label urged them to move forward, offering them a chance to record their next album in Rockfield Studios in Wales with producer Hugh Jones. [6] Tiven and Devlin recruited Kevin Salem (guitar, backing vocals) and Tom Shad (bass) and began rehearsing Tiven's new songs.

Lawsuit

For The Country was released in September, 1987, to highly positive reviews. All Music Guide gave the album four and one-half stars, saying "these are [Tiven's] strongest and most well-crafted songs yet... without coming across as slick or overprocessed... Highly recommended."

During the tour to support the album, the band discovered that Big Time Records was in financial difficulties, when checks issued by the label bounced. [7] During a meeting with label owner Fred Bestall, the band learned that the label had failed to renew the band's contract prior to its expiration date. [8]

In early 1988, the band learned that Big Time was negotiating to sell Dumptruck's contract to Phonogram Records. [9] The band's lawyer sent Phonogram a copy of the expired contract with a letter instructing the label to negotiate directly with them.

When Big Time discovered that the band was attempting to negotiate directly with Phonogram, the label sued Dumptruck for breach of contract, requesting $5 million in damages, and threatening the other label with a $10 million lawsuit for tortuous interference. [10] Phonogram (and subsequently, other labels) declined to sign a contract with the band until the suit was resolved, leaving the band with no way to release new material.

After almost three years (and $40,000 in legal fees) Dumptruck received a default judgment against Big Time Records when the label's attorneys failed to appear in court for a hearing. [10] The band (which had filed a countersuit) was awarded $240,000 (very little of which it received from the now-bankrupt label) and the rights to its Big Time recordings. [11]

After one of the creditors of Big Time Records filed a lien for rights to Dumptruck's master recordings, the band broke up in 1991, and Tiven moved to Austin Texas. [12]

Later Recordings

After relocating, Tiven worked as a computer programmer. [11] Songs recorded by the band between 1988-91 were eventually released as Days of Fear in 1994, on Unclean Records. At this time, Tiven was approached by guitarist Alan Durham about reforming Dumptruck with Austin musicians. Tiven was open to the idea and soon they were joined by drummer George Duron and a cast of bass players. Tiven and Durham still make up the core of Dumptruck, playing in Austin TX and occasionally doing shows in the Northeast with original members. Since relocating to Austin, Dumptruck has issued records: Terminal (1998) and Lemmings Travel to the Sea (2001), both on Devil In The Woods Records, and most recent "Wrecked" (2018)Schoolkids Records [13]

Salem has released six solo recordings and worked as a guitarist, vocalist, producer or engineer with artists including Emmylou Harris, Yo La Tengo, Mercury Rev and Mooney Suzuki. [14]

In 1999, Swan released a solo album, entitled It's About Time. [15] In 2009, he released a second album, It's Only Me. [16]

In 2003, Rykodisc reissued the band's first three albums with additional tracks. [17] In 2006, the label released a compilation CD, "Haul of Fame." [18]

In 2007, Tiven released a solo recording, entitled "Solitude". [19] Dumptruck continues to perform occasional shows in the Austin area. [20]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wire (band)</span> English rock band

Wire are an English rock band, formed in London in October 1976 by Colin Newman, Graham Lewis, Bruce Gilbert (guitar), George Gill and Robert Grey. They were originally associated with the punk rock scene, appearing on The Roxy London WC2 album, and were instrumental to the development of post-punk, while their debut album Pink Flag was influential for hardcore punk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Impossibles (American band)</span>

The Impossibles are a rock music band from Austin, Texas, originally on the Fueled by Ramen label. They played ska punk prior to their first break-up in 1998, but transitioned to a more indie rock/alternative sound upon reuniting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swing Out Sister</span> English pop group

Swing Out Sister are a British pop group best known worldwide for the 1986 song "Breakout". Other hits include "You On My Mind", "Twilight World", "Waiting Game", and a remake of the Eugene Record soul composition "Am I the Same Girl?"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helium (band)</span> American alternative rock band

Helium was an American alternative rock band fronted by Mary Timony. The band formed during the summer of 1992. Between 1992 and 1997, they released two full-length albums, three EPs and several singles.

Don Dixon is an American record producer, songwriter, and musician. He is considered to be one of the key producers of what is called the jangle pop movement of the early 1980s, including working with R.E.M. and The Smithereens.

<i>The Whitey Album</i> 1988 studio album by Ciccone Youth

The Whitey Album is an album by Ciccone Youth, a side project of Sonic Youth members Steve Shelley, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore, featuring contributions from Minutemen/Firehose member Mike Watt and J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr.

Christopher Charles Stamey is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. After a brief time playing with Alex Chilton, as well as Mitch Easter under the name Sneakers, Stamey formed The dB's with Peter Holsapple.

<i>Like Swimming</i> 1997 studio album by Morphine

Like Swimming is the fourth studio album by the alternative rock band Morphine, released in March 1997 by DreamWorks/Rykodisc. It was Morphine's first album released as part of their multi-album deal with DreamWorks and the last album released within the lifetime of singer and bassist Mark Sandman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Tiven</span> American record producer

Jon Tiven is an American composer, guitarist, record producer, and music journalist. He has produced albums by Wilson Pickett, Frank Black and Don Covay as well as a series of tribute albums paying tribute to the songwriting of Don Covay, Arthur Alexander, Otis Blackwell, Curtis Mayfield, and Van Morrison. He was also the co-founder of the Memphis power pop band Prix, as well as the bands The Yankees and The Jon Tiven Group.

<i>Filth</i> (Swans album) 1983 studio album by Swans

Filth is the debut studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released in 1983 through Neutral Records, following the release of the band's self-titled debut EP in 1982. Though it did not receive much contemporary attention, Filth has since been recognized as ahead of its time and significant to heavy genres of music.

<i>Greed</i> (Swans album) 1986 album by Swans

Greed is the third studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released in 1986, through record label K.422. Greed marks the slow turning point for Swans away from the harsh, brutal noise rock of prior releases, and is also the first Swans album to contain contributions from Jarboe.

<i>The Great Annihilator</i> 1995 studio album by Swans

The Great Annihilator is the ninth studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released on January 23, 1995, through frontman Michael Gira's own record label, Young God. The album has been described by Gira as a companion album to his solo album Drainland (1995); the two were remastered and re-released together in April 2017.

<i>The Burning World</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Swans

The Burning World is the sixth studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released in 1989, through record label Uni Records, the band's only major-label release. Co-produced by Bill Laswell and band leader Michael Gira, the album features a major stylistic shift from their past releases, being very tuneful and accessible compared to the bleak, industrialized sound from their past records. It received a mixed reception and was a commercial disappointment; the band was dropped from the record label following its poor performance.

<i>Holy Money</i> 1986 album by Swans

Holy Money is the fourth studio album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was released in March 1986, through record label K.422. The album was recorded in the same sessions as "Time Is Money (Bastard)", "A Screw", and Greed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Country</span> Scottish rock band

Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife, in 1981.

The Carpettes are an English punk rock band from Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, England, formed in 1977, who released two albums on Beggars Banquet Records and recorded two Peel sessions. They split up in 1981, but reformed in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Strange Boys</span> American rock band

The Strange Boys were an American rock band based in Austin, Texas, composed of Ryan Sambol, Philip Sambol (bass), Greg Enlow (guitar), Mike La Franchi (drums), Jenna E. Thornhill DeWitt, and Tim Presley. Their music incorporates stylistic elements of garage rock, punk, R&B and country music.

<i>Temple of the Morning Star</i> 1997 studio album by Today Is the Day

Temple of the Morning Star is the fourth studio album by the American noisecore band Today Is the Day, released on September 23, 1997, by Relapse Records. Since its release in 1997, the album has garnered much praise from critics and is considered to be one of the band's best albums. The album was reissued twice, first in 2006 on CD formats, and again in 2017 to celebrate its 20th anniversary. In 2017, the album was included in Decibel magazine's "Hall of Fame" list.

<i>Quilt</i> (The Shams album) 1991 studio album by The Shams

Quilt is an album by the American indie rock band the Shams. Released in 1991, it was the band's only album.

References

  1. ↑ "Liner Notes from D is For Dumptruck". Archived from the original on 2012-06-30. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  2. ↑ TrouserPress.com :: Dumptruck
  3. ↑ Robert Christgau: CG: Dumptruck
  4. ↑ Positively Dumptruck [Bonus Tracks] - Dumptruck | AllMusic
  5. ↑ Retooled Dumptruck Hits The Road - Los Angeles Times
  6. 1 2 "Liner Notes from For the Country". Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  7. ↑ ""Even Piled With Problems, Dumptruck Plows Ahead" - Morning Call". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  8. ↑ "Liner Notes from "Days of Fear" CD". Archived from the original on 2012-06-30. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  9. ↑ "Dumptruck: The Long Ride" - Perfect Sound Forever
  10. 1 2 "Dumptruck Reissue Conjures up the Record Industry's Ugly Past" - Chicago Tribune
  11. 1 2 "After Lawsuit Woes, Dumptruck Rides Again" - Los Angeles Times
  12. ↑ Seth Tiven biography page [ permanent dead link ]
  13. ↑ "Dumptruck, And Tiven, Keep The Indie Spirit Alive" - Hartford Courant
  14. ↑ Discography page from Kevin Salem's web site
  15. ↑ AllMusicGuide page for It's About Time [ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ iTunes release page for It's Only Me
  17. ↑ ""Dumptruck Get Some Respect" - Boston Phoenix". Archived from the original on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  18. ↑ "Dumptruck: Haul of Fame" - PopMatters
  19. ↑ "Press Release for "Solitude" - Seth Tiven website". Archived from the original on 2012-09-30. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  20. ↑ Seth Tiven & Dumptruck :: Music - ReverbNation
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.