Status: Single
City: Bilbao
Country: ES
Signup Date: 5/8/2006
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Sunday, June 07, 2009
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English version / Spanish version
HANKY PANKY & SUNTHUNDER RECORDS “RUINS” (a collection of rarities, b-sides & outtakes)
(HPR-013 // STR-006)
 Altough the name Kevin Junior may not yet be the household name it deserves to be, anyone seriously into the best American indie bands of the last ten years will surely get excited if you name them The Chamber Strings. As it is the band was formed in 1997 by Kevin (singer/songwriter/guitarist, a native of Akron, Ohio) in Chicago. But Kevin has quite a long career behind him, and “Ruins” traces an alternative story through its 19 rare or unissued tracks recorded by Kevin under different guises in the last 20 years: The Mystery Girls (1986-1992), The Rosehips (1992-1996) y The Chamber Strings (1997- present time) and on his own. Kevin has opened up his vaults to reevalute his long career, and the result is a collection that will serve both the long standing fans, who will find plenty to rejoice in, and the newcomers who will discover the amazing talent of one Kevin Junior. The amazing story of Kevin Junior & The Chamber Strings The Chamber Strings’ critically adored debut 'Gospel Morning' was released on the Washington DC label ISM in 1997 & re-released with bonus tracks in 1999 on the Bobsled label. Recorded in Chicago and London, it combined such diverse influences such as Ray Davies, Brian Wilson, Brill Building pop, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Alex Chilton, 60's soul, Pretenders, Dan Penn, Only Ones, The Raspberries and Jimmy Webb into an unclassifiable style, giving the band it's own original identity and proving Junior to be a top songwriter in his own right with classic songs that had a timeless grandeur to them. The group's stunning 2001 follow-up 'Month Of Sundays' was co-produced by Thom Monahan (Pernice Brothers/Lilys) and saw the band expand it's sound with full orchestral string & brass arrangements (including renowned Chicago jazz musicians Ken Vandermark & Jeb Bishop) and allowed the band to channel it's more complex ambitions & influences such as Laura Nyro, Curtis Mayfield, Phil Spector, Bacharach & David, Todd Rundgren, and Dusty Springfield into a masterwork that landed them the number 1 record of the year in numerous publications. The LP was also released to great success in Japan and Europe. The group toured the US and Europe several times, gaining a faithful following around the world and recieving an overwhelming amount of critical praise and honors such as landing on dozens of publications top 10 Lp's and Number 1 slots for 'Gospel Morning' and 'Month Of Sundays' (London's The Guardian had it in they're "Top 10 all-time neglected American classics"). The group also had the honor of performing on the well-respected NPR radio programs 'Sound Opinions' and Nic Harcourt's 'Morning Becomes Eclectic'. Touring like mad, they had also found themselves headlining and sharing stages with Guided By Voices, Travis, Wilco (bassist John Stirratt co-wrote "Make It Through The Summer" with Kevin Junior, for The String's 2nd Lp and Stirratt's project Autumn Defense), The White Stripes, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Moe Tucker, Alex Chilton, Dandy Warhols, The Posies, Pernice Brothers, Webb Brothers (who also covered and released Junior's song "Everyday Is Christmas"), Evan Dando, Warlocks, Death Cab For Cutie, Real Kids, Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople) and Super Furry Animals to name a few. Such well known names have come out to the band's shows like Nancy Sinatra, Ryan Adams, Hanson, Ron Sexsmith, members of Talking Heads, and Ben Stiller! After the success of 'Month Of Sundays', the band took an extended hiatus. Leader Kevin Junior found himself unable to carry on. A long battle with depression ensued due in part to a divorce from his wife of 15 years, homelessness, drug addiction, and other health-releated problems. His Brian Wilson-esqe disappearance led many to wonder if he had dropped off the face of the Earth and would he ever return? He has, indeed. From the fall of 2004 to mid-2005, Kevin toured extensively throughout Germany, Italy, Belgium, and England in a solo acoustic setting, while also serving time playing guitar for old-time partner Nikki Sudden on several European gigs. He also oversaw the release of 'Good Things', the final album from his late musical companian and friend, Epic Soundtracks. The record, is an Epic Sountracks/Kevin Junior collaberation and was recorded/produced in 1996 in London (Epic passed away in 1997) by Kevin Junior on his Tascam Porta3 4-track recorder. The album features only Epic Soundtracks (vocals/piano/some guitar) and Kevin Junior (guitar/backing vocals/percussion) and these tracks were only intended for demos at the time, yet it now stands as Epic's farewell, his last songs and recordings. Some critics believe it to be up there with his finest work. 2006 found Kevin Junior re-uniting with the classic 'Month Of Sundays' Chamber Strings lineup & returning to the stage and studio. On January 20th 2007, the band played they're first live show in 5 years to a sold-out Double Door in Chicago. The re-union has brought a renewed interest in this vastly underrated band, including a cover story in The Chicago Reader, features and reviews in The Chicago Tribune, Time-Out, San Francisco Guardian, SF Weekly, The Onion, Magnet Magazine, NPR's 'Shadow Classics' and Illinois Entertainer's top 25 local Lp's of the last 10 years, amongst others. A documentary film about the band is out now (www.gloriousnoise.com) and they were just featured on NPR's Sound Opinions (for the second time). Live shows are happening in the US again and a 3rd LP has already been written. In the meantime, Kevin has opened up his vaults to reevalute his long career, and the result is “Ruins”, a compilation that will serve both the long standing fans, who will find plenty to rejoice in, and the newcomers who will discover the amazing talent of one Kevin Junior.
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Puede que el nombre de Kevin Junior no llame la atención del atento seguidor de la escena independiente americana de la última década, pero a buen seguro que si se menciona el nombre de The Chamber Strings una amplia sonrisa de reconocimiento y admiración aparecerá en la cara de ese mismo aficionado. Kevin Junior (nacido en Akron, Ohio), su cantante, guitarrista y compositor, tiene sin embargo una amplísima trayectoria a sus espaldas. “Ruins” recoge una historia alternativa a través de 19 temas raros, versiones demo o inéditos tanto en solitario del propio Junior como de los distintos grupos que ha liderado: The Mystery Girls (1986-1992), The Rosehips (1992-1996) y The Chamber Strings (1997- hasta la actualidad). La sorprendente historia de Kevin Junior & The Chamber Strings El germen de los Chamber Strings lo encontramos poco tiempo después de que Kevin Junior conociese a Epic Soundtracks, y éste le pidiese que formase un grupo para acompañarle en la promoción europea de su segundo disco “Sleeping Star”. La relación profesional y de amistad que desde entonces les unirá marcará profundamente sus carreras. Concluida la gira europea, Kevin Junior reúne a varios músicos y junto al productor Ellis Clark y entre finales de 1996 y primeros de 1997 graba el primer disco de The Chamber Strings “Gospel Morning” editado a finales de 1997 por Idiot Savant Music Records y reeditado en 1999 (con temas añadidos) por el sello Bobsled. El disco recibió los más rendidos parabienes de toda la crítica especializada americana. Grabado a caballo entre Chicago y Londres, “Gospel Morning” recogía un amplio abanico de influencias tan diversas como Ray Davies, Brian Wilson, Brill Building pop, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Alex Chilton, 60's soul, Dan Penn, Only Ones, The Raspberries o Jimmy Webb, fundiéndolas en un inclasificable amalgama que confería personalidad e identidad propia a las canciones de Junior, demostrando su excelencia como compositor, a la vez que dotándolas de una atemporal grandiosidad. El grupo gira extensamente y comienza a labrarse una merecida reputación. El excelente “Month Of Sundays” (Bobsled, 2001) producido por Thom Monahan (Pernice Brothers/Lilys) fue la continuación, y nos presentaba al grupo ampliando sus referencias con un sonido en el que destacaban esmerados arreglos de cuerda y viento, que les permitía canalizar y desarrollar sus más complejas ambiciones e influencias: Laura Nyro, Curtis Mayfield, Phil Spector, Bacharach & David, Todd Rundgren, o Dusty Springfield. El disco es una incontestable obra maestra y así fue recibido por la crítica, que no escatimó elogios, siendo incluso elegido como disco del año por numerosas publicaciones. El LP fue editado también en Europa y Japón, y permitió al grupo girar sin parar por Estados Unidos compartiendo escenario con gente como Guided By Voices, Travis, Wilco (su bajista John Stirratt co-escribió "Make It Through The Summer" con Kevin Junior, para el disco y para el grupo del propio Stirratt, Autumn Defense), The White Stripes, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Moe Tucker, Alex Chilton, Dandy Warhols, The Posies, Pernice Brothers, Webb Brothers (que grabaron una versión de "Everyday Is Christmas"), Evan Dando, Warlocks, Death Cab For Cutie, Real Kids, Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople) o los Super Furry Animals. Y de entre sus fans podemos nombrar a Nancy Sinatra, Ryan Adams, Hanson, Ron Sexsmith, miembros de Talking Heads o el propio Ben Stiller! Después del éxito de “Month Of Sundays” Junior perdió el control de la situación y las cosas comenzaron a torcerse: la disolución del grupo, una larga batalla con la depresión (acentuada tras su divorcio), llegando a vivir como un “sin techo” en Los Angeles, donde su adicción a las drogas y problemas de salud casi acaban con su vida. Tras tocar fondo comienza un lento periodo de rehabilitación y recuperación. así entre finales de 2004 y mediados de 2005, Kevin gira en solitario por Europa a la vez que tocando la guitarra para su gran amigo Nikki Sudden. También supervisó el lanzamiento de “Good Things”, el álbum final de su amigo Epic Soundtracks. El disco es básicamente una colaboración entre Epic Sountracks y Kevin Junior y fue grabado en 1996 en Londres (Epic murió en 1997) por Kevin en su 4 pistas Tascam Porta 3. Aunque en el momento de su grabación las canciones no eran más que maquetas, se convirtieron en las últimas grabaciones de Epic, e incluso hay quien las considera como su mejor trabajo. Finalmente en 2006 Kevin Junior reúne a The Chamber Strings y el grupo vuelve al estudio y a los escenarios. El 20 de enero de 2007, agotan las entradas para su primer concierto en 5 años en el Double Door de Chicago. La reunión suscita un renovado interés en el grupo y aparecen artículos y reseñas en los más importantes periódicos y revistas americanos. Se suceden apariciones radiofónicas, más conciertos, e incluso se graba un documental sobre el grupo (disponible en www.gloriousnoise.com). Junior tiene ya compuesto el tercer disco de The Chamber Strings y a la espera de entrar a grabarlo, revisa sus bastos archivos y compila para Hanky Panky Records y Sunthunder Recrods “Ruins”, un lanzamiento en exclusiva mundial que confirma su enorme talento, y que sirve tanto de inexcusable adición para el fan de toda la vida como en excelente introducción para el recién llegado.
8:25 PM
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