Sound of Urchin

Sound of Urchin
Background information
Origin Brooklyn, New York &
New Hope, Pennsylvania
Genres Alternative rock
Experimental rock
Heavy metal
Outsider Arena-rock
Years active 1998–present
Labels RCA, Hybrid,
Steven Records
Associated acts Ween, Moistboyz,
Project/Object
Website soundofurchin.com
Members Tomato (Chris Harfenist)
Reverend B-ILL (Bill Fowler)
Conor Kinsman
Karina Rykman
Josh Musto

Sound of Urchin is a musically diverse "outsider arena-rock" band from Brooklyn, New York and New Hope, Pennsylvania. SOU is known for their eclectic songs, for energetic, spontaneous live shows, and for their heavy touring schedule.[1]

Band History

Sound of Urchin's debut E.P. was released on lead-singer/drummer Tomato’s own independent label, Steven Records.[2][3]

After further developing their style and sound, they signed to a major label and began working with Dean Ween of Ween. From 2000 to 2002, the band released an album and two E.P.’s on RCA Records.[4] In 2002, the band made a video for their song "Scary Skull Eyes". It was directed by Lorin Finkelstein and featured on MTV2’s 120 Minutes.[5]

In 2005 Sound of Urchin's album The Diamond was released on Hybrid Recordings. The independent label is led by former A&M Records label head Al Cafaro and legendary concert promoter John Scher.[6] SOU performed their best-known song from 2005, "There Are People In The Clouds", before nationwide audiences on CBS' The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,[7]

Touring History and Affiliations

Sound of Urchin are Zelig-esque chameleons of rock, as their diverse style has gained them entrance into likewise diverse rock circles. For example, over the years SOU has toured with bands like Tenacious D, Ween, Dio/Deep Purple/Scorpions, Cracker, Mike Watt, Slightly Stoopid, Fishbone, The North Mississippi Allstars, The Urge, SR-71, Trik Turner, Bargain Music, The Ziggens, as well as sharing stages with Public Enemy, Twisted Sister, Slash's Snakepit, Dick Dale, Butthole Surfers, Everclear, Project/Object, Vernon Reid, Lit, 2 Skinnee J's, Cobra Verde, and Local H.

Urchin is also known for its affiliation with the band Ween; Dean Ween has been a mentor to the band and produced their first major label release The Orange E.P.,[8] Tomato and B-ILL play in Dean Ween and Guy Heller’s Moistboyz (featured on the "Live Jihad" DVD release[9]) and have played with Ween and Dean Ween's Tenderloin. B-ILL also played guitar on Ween’s “The Mollusk” album, and Tomato plays drums with Ween's bassist Dave Dreiwitz, as a duo called Crescent Moon.

Sound of Urchin are also known for their affiliation with Tenacious D; Urchin was the opening act on their 2001 tour, and Tomato played drums with them for their 2002 Comedy Central Crank Yankers recording of “Friendship”.

Members

Current members

Side members

Live members

Past members

Discography

Early pre-official SOU 4-track albums (1994-1998) (currently out of print)

Year Title Label
1994Four Fours From A Calendar FanSteven Records (originally released on Mighty Monster as cassette only)
1995Springtime Makes Me FeelSteven Records
1996Approval – Cob 9Steven Records
1997Earth BlanketSteven Records
1998Willow For Gasoline AlleySteven Records

Official SOU Studio albums (1998–present)

Year Title Label
1998All That And A Brandy AlexanderSteven Records
2000The Orange E.P.RCA Records
2001The Jack And Diane E.P.RCA Records
2002You Are The BestRCA Records
2002Blame Canada – Live In TorontoRCA Records promo only
2005The DiamondHybrid Recordings
2008Rejoiceto be released
2014Black CastleBaby Gas Mask Records

References

  1. "Sound of Urchin at CBGB, SPIN, Newswire". 8 June 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  2. "Pointless Questions: The Sound of Urchin". April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  3. "NIPP: Sound of Urchin". April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  4. allmusic.com
  5. altmusictv.com
  6. allmusic.com
  7. imdb.com
  8. allmusic.com
  9. nytimes.com
  10. Czerwinski, Christian (November 11, 2008). "Music: Sound of Urchin – High-energy attitude keeps rock band tuned into its fans". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  11. Brodeuer, Melissa (March 24, 2009). "Sound of Urchin". Glide magazine.
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