Sound of Urchin
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Sound of Urchin |
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Sound of Urchin ("SOU", "Urchin", "The Sound of MF Urchin") is a diverse "outsider arena-rock" band from Brooklyn NY and New Hope PA. SOU is known for their unique line-up of a drummer who sings ("Tomato"), two lead guitarists ("B-ILL" and "Seahag"), and a bassist ("Michael Davidson"), and for their energetic, spontaneous live shows and heavy touring schedules. SPIN writes “This quartet scours the mainstream and the underground to scoop up heaping helpings of diverse musical styles, and they've smashed together a vibrant rock sound that shrieks with electric energy”[1].
Sound of Urchin has released an album[2] and two E.P.’s on major label RCA Records; an album on Hybrid Recordings[3], the independent label run by former A&M Records label head Al Cafaro and legendary concert promoter John Scher; and their debut E.P. on lead-singer/drummer Tomato’s own independent Steven Records.
SOU is best known for the 2005 song “There Are People In The Clouds”, which they performed on the CBS Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson[4], as well as the breakthrough video for the song “Scary Skull Eyes”, which was aired on MTV2’s 120 Minutes [5].
Urchin's diverse style has also allowed SOU to be the Zelig-esque chameleons of rock, giving them entrance into diverse rock worlds, through touring with bands like Tenacious D, Ween, Dio/Deep Purple/The 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, The Butthole Surfers, Everclear, Project Object, Vernon Reid, Lit, 2 Skinnee J's, Cobra Verde, Local H, and The Butthole Surfers.
Urchin is also known for it’s 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.”[6], Tomato and B-ILL play in Dean Ween and Guy Heller’s Moistboyz (featured on the "Live Jihad" DVD release[7]) and have played with Ween and Dean Ween's Tenderloin, B-ILL played guitar on Ween’s “The Mollusk” album, and Tomato plays drums for Ween bassist Dave Dreiwitz' Crescent Moon. SOU is 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”. SOU's Seahag also plays in the Frank Zappa alumni fronted band Project Object.
Members
Current members
- Tomato (Chris Harfenist) – drums, lead vocal
- Reverend B-ILL (Bill Fowler) – lead guitar, main backup vocal
- Seahag (Robbie Mangano) – lead guitar, backup vocal
- Michael Davidson (Michael Davidson) – bass
Side members
- Black Sebabbitt (Jack Krause) – co-writer, character vocals
- Mr. Richard Rickles (Wayne Price) – tambourine, dancer
- Jah Rob (Rob Marcario) - artwork
Past members
- Doo Doo Brown (Chris Huetz) – bass, backup vocal
- Hollywood Scotty Choc (Scott Heydt) – lead guitar, backup vocal
- Barbie Smooth (Mike Huetz) – producer, guitar
Organization
- Booking – Troy Richardson for Tone Deaf Touring
- Legal – Eric Ervin, Peter Lewit
- Business Manager – Eric Weiss for E-Dub Mgt
Endorsements
- Tomato - Mapex Drums, Vic Firth Sticks, Sabian Cymbals, Epiphone Guitars
- B-ILL - Epiphone Guitars, DR Strings
- SEAHAG - Floyd Rose Guitars
- Michael Davidson - DR Strings
Discography
Early pre-official SOU 4-track albums (1994-1998) (currently out of print)
| Year | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Four Fours From A Calendar Fan | Steven Records (originally released on Mighty Monster as cassette only) |
| 1995 | Springtime Makes Me Feel | Steven Records |
| 1996 | Approval – Cob 9 | Steven Records |
| 1997 | Earth Blanket | Steven Records |
| 1998 | Willow For Gasoline Alley | Steven Records |
Official SOU Studio albums (1998–present)
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | All That And A Brandy Alexander | Steven Records |
| 2000 | The Orange E.P. | RCA Records |
| 2001 | The Jack And Diane E.P. | RCA Records |
| 2002 | You Are The Best | RCA Records |
| 2002 | Blame Canada – Live In Toronto | RCA Records promo only |
| 2005 | The Diamond | Hybrid Recordings |
| 2008 | Rejoice | to be released |
| 2008 | Black Castle | to be released |