BoDeans
Encyclopedia
The BoDeans are a rock
band formed in Waukesha, Wisconsin
in 1983 by Kurt Neumann
(vocals & electric guitar) and Sam Llanas
(vocals & acoustic guitar). In 1985, after adding a drummer and a bassist, the band signed a contract with Slash Records
and recorded their first album. Early on, the BoDeans' sound was largely influenced by roots rock
and heartland rock
, but they soon moved more into the genre of alternative rock
. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the band had several singles in the top 40 "mainstream rock" charts. In the mid-1990s, the band had two top 10 songs in the "Adult contemporary" charts. The band is best known for their 1993 song "Closer to Free
" which was featured as the theme song of the TV series Party of Five
. As of 2011, Kurt Neumann is the only remaining original member after Sam Llanas left the band.
and Sam Llanas
met at Waukesha South High School
in 1977. After discovering that they both had similar music interests, the duo began writing songs together. In 1979, Llanas entered college, but soon left after Neumann urged him to pursue music with him. At the time, Neumann did not sing much and considered himself to primarily be a drummer, while Llanas had little experience as a guitar player. However, the two decided to get serious about music and both began to sing and play guitar. In 1983, they began playing around Milwaukee's East Side music scene under the name Da BoDeans. Though there are several stories of how their name came into existence, Sam has often explained that he created the name by combining Bo Diddley
and James Dean
for a familial name, similar to The Smiths
and The Connells
. Early on, Neumann and Llanas were often credited as Beau and Sammy BoDean.
In 1984, drummer Guy Hoffman
joined the band. After the trio became popular around Milwaukee, they decided to add bassist Bob Griffin, whom Neumann and Llanas had met while roadies for his band The Agents in high school. In 1985, the quartet signed a contract with Slash/Warner Records
and shortened their name to simply BoDeans. Under the guidance of producer T-Bone Burnett
, they entered Hollywood's Sunset Sound Factory in October to record their first album. The critically acclaimed debut Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams
was released in 1986. Later that year, drummer Guy Hoffman left the band. Since his departure, the band has not retained a permanent drummer for more than a few years at a time.
reader poll voted them Best New American Band. That year, the band traveled to California to work with an unnamed producer, but the sessions were halted after disagreement broke out between both parties over direction and sound. They went back to Wisconsin and accepted an offer from Talking Heads
member Jerry Harrison
to produce their second album and were given more freedom to experiment. Outside Looking In
was released in October 1987 and featured a more modern 80's-rock sound unlike its roots-influenced predecessor. However, the band was reportedly dissatisfied with the album in retrospect, stating that it did not capture the true essence of the band. The album's lead single, "Only Love", made #16 on the US Mainstream Rock charts. In support of the album, the band toured extensively with U2
on The Joshua Tree Tour, increasing their fanbase. Drummer Bo Conlon and keyboardist Susan Julian toured with the band throughout the rest of 1987. That year, they also contributed to Robbie Robertson
's debut solo album
alongside U2 and Peter Gabriel
.
In 1988, the band began recording with Jim Scott
, whom they had been introduced to by Robbie Robertson. Unlike their two previous albums, the tracking was mostly done live in their warehouse rental space. At least 22 songs were recorded during these sessions, but only 15 made it past the mastering stage and onto the record. In 1989, their third album, titled "Home
", was released. It was more reminiscent of their rootsy debut, but showed a diverse range of influences including motown, U2-inspired arena rock, and heartland rock. This album was also the first with keyboard player Michael Ramos. Drummer Kenny Aronoff
(best known for his work with John Mellencamp
) also played on the album.
In 1991, in search of a different take on their music, the band began recording with David Z.
(producer and sideman of Prince
) at Paisley Park Studios, and released their 4th studio album Black and White
that year. The album's electronic-influenced sound was a sharp departure from most of their previous efforts, with more emphasis on synthesizers, drum machines, and processed guitar tones. The album also explored darker and grander lyrical themes. Though not a single, the album's first track "Good Things" achieved some success and became one of their best-known songs. The rebellious and political "Black, White, and Blood Red" was the only single released from the album, though it did not perform well in comparison to their previous songs that made the charts.
" in 1993, the band reunited with T-Bone Burnett and took a more homemade approach with Kurt and Sam playing many of the instruments themselves. Unlike their previous album, "Go Slow Down" was more acoustic and forayed into 90's alternative rock. The first song from the album, "Closer to Free
", brought them to a much larger audience after it was selected as the theme song to the TV series Party of Five
. The band would return in 1999 to perform a cover of The Beatles
's "I've Just Seen a Face
" as the theme song for the show's short-lived spinoff Time of Your Life
. Due to the newfound exposure, "Closer to Free" became the group's biggest pop hit, peaking at #16 on the U.S. Hot 100, three years after its release. "Closer to Free" was also the opening song used in the movie Heavyweights
.
, a 2 CD live set, was released. The album included live tracks recorded between 1989 and 1995, some of which were acoustic. In 1996, the band released "Blend
", produced by Greg Goldman. Two of the tracks were mixed by Bob Clearmountain
, and Danny Federici
(best known for his work with Bruce Springsteen
) contributed accordion to the album. This album expanded upon Go Slow Down's alternative rock guitar-driven sound, though it has sometimes been regarded by fans as one of their weaker albums. The single "Hurt By Love" achieved minor chart success while the song "Hey Pretty Girl" was used in an episode of Dawson's Creek
. The band took some time off in the late 1990s so Neumann and Llanas could record solo albums. Sammy created the band Absinthe and their album A Good Day to Die. Kurt released his solo album called Shy Dog on which he plays all the instruments. Neumann said that they decided to stick with the BoDeans because they "realized that the sound we made together was bigger than the sound we made apart." In 2001, the 17-song compilation The Best Of BoDeans - Slash and Burn was released on London/Slash/Rhino. In 2003, they also released The Leftovers, a collection of previously unreleased songs that never made it to studio albums.
, released on Rounder/Zoe
. Being their first album in 8 years, it was well received by fans. A live album recorded during the Resolution tour was released in 2005, entitled Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst. The group released the DVD for Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst at the end of 2005. In January 2006, Bob Griffin left the band for personal reasons. During this time, the band was involved in a lawsuit for nearly 5 years against their former manager Mark McCraw over copyright and contract disputes. The case was settled in 2005.
The BoDeans released an album, entitled "Still
", on March 4, 2008. Produced again by T-Bone Burnett, the album moved away from the modern rock sound of their previous albums and was more reminiscent of their heartland-esque sound of the late 80's. "Everyday" was the first single to radio from "Still". It was stated that the first 15,000 copies of "Still" had some errors in the lyrics booklet. The record company recently re-released the album with the corrections in the booklet. Recently, a live, acoustic CD became available on The BoDeans Official Website. It was recorded in Schaumburg and Arlington Heights, Illinois, the 16, 17, and 18 of November 2006. It features only Sammy, Kurt, and Bukka, and has 13 rare live, acoustic songs.
, was released on April 6, 2010. Similar to their 1993 release, the duo produced and played all instruments on the album themselves in Kurt's home studio. Though critics lauded the album for its homemade approach, reviews were mixed due to the overall melancholy theme with at least one review citing possible commercial anxiety. Their song "Headed for the End of the World" was used in the antiwar documentary film "Countdown to Zero
".
The band released their 10th studio album, titled "Indigo Dreams", on July 26, 2011. The album was originally scheduled to be released on June 28, but was pushed back. The first single, "Blowing My Mind", was released to radio stations and posted online.
On August 13, 2011, Sam Llanas failed to arrive at a BoDeans concert in Winter Park, CO. On August 18th, Llanas officially left the band due to "differences of opinion" that had been "going on for years", according to Neumann. His departure was also related to his rekindled solo career, with a new solo album titled 4 A.M. having been announced one day after Indigo Dreams was released. The band stated that they will continue on without him with the addition of new member Jake Owen. They are currently working on a new studio album which will be released in 2012.
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
band formed in Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
in 1983 by Kurt Neumann
Kurt Neumann (musician)
Kurt Neumann is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the roots-rock band BoDeans. Although primarily a guitar player, Neumann has also been known to play drums , bass, keyboards, and mandolin.-History:...
(vocals & electric guitar) and Sam Llanas
Sam Llanas
Sam Llanas is a singer, acoustic guitarist, and songwriter in several rock and roots rock bands active from the 1980s to the 2000s, including the BoDeans and Absinthe...
(vocals & acoustic guitar). In 1985, after adding a drummer and a bassist, the band signed a contract with Slash Records
Slash Records
Slash Records is a record label in Los Angeles, originally specializing in local and punk rock bands.The label was formed in 1978 by Bob Biggs as an outgrowth of the Los Angeles-based fanzine, Slash. Biggs, a painter, initiated the label with a seven-inch single from The Germs in 1978. A full album...
and recorded their first album. Early on, the BoDeans' sound was largely influenced by roots rock
Roots rock
Roots rock is a term now used to describe rock music that looks back to rock's origins in folk, blues and country music. It is particularly associated with the creation of hybrid sub-genres from the later 1960s including country rock and Southern rock, which have been seen as responses to the...
and heartland rock
Heartland rock
Heartland rock is a genre of rock music that developed in the 1970s and reached its commercial peak in the 1980s, when it became one of the best-selling genres in the United States. It was characterized by a straightforward musical style, a concern with the average, blue collar American life, and a...
, but they soon moved more into the genre of alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the band had several singles in the top 40 "mainstream rock" charts. In the mid-1990s, the band had two top 10 songs in the "Adult contemporary" charts. The band is best known for their 1993 song "Closer to Free
Closer to Free
"Closer to Free" is a 1993 song by the band BoDeans featured on their fifth studio album, Go Slow Down. It is the band's biggest hit, having peaked at #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart after its re-release as a single in 1996, having drawn an audience among adult contemporary fans...
" which was featured as the theme song of the TV series Party of Five
Party of Five
Party of Five is an American teen drama television series that aired on Fox for six seasons, from September 12, 1994, until May 3, 2000.Critically acclaimed, the show suffered from low ratings and after its first season was slated for cancellation...
. As of 2011, Kurt Neumann is the only remaining original member after Sam Llanas left the band.
Early years
Kurt NeumannKurt Neumann (musician)
Kurt Neumann is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the roots-rock band BoDeans. Although primarily a guitar player, Neumann has also been known to play drums , bass, keyboards, and mandolin.-History:...
and Sam Llanas
Sam Llanas
Sam Llanas is a singer, acoustic guitarist, and songwriter in several rock and roots rock bands active from the 1980s to the 2000s, including the BoDeans and Absinthe...
met at Waukesha South High School
Waukesha South High School
Waukesha South High School is a high school located in Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States. It was opened in 1957 as a southern campus to Waukesha High School, then in downtown Waukesha, which is now Central Campus Middle School.- Academics :...
in 1977. After discovering that they both had similar music interests, the duo began writing songs together. In 1979, Llanas entered college, but soon left after Neumann urged him to pursue music with him. At the time, Neumann did not sing much and considered himself to primarily be a drummer, while Llanas had little experience as a guitar player. However, the two decided to get serious about music and both began to sing and play guitar. In 1983, they began playing around Milwaukee's East Side music scene under the name Da BoDeans. Though there are several stories of how their name came into existence, Sam has often explained that he created the name by combining Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley
Ellas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
and James Dean
James Dean
James Byron Dean was an American film actor. He is a cultural icon, best embodied in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause , in which he starred as troubled Los Angeles teenager Jim Stark...
for a familial name, similar to The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
and The Connells
The Connells
The Connells are an American band from Raleigh, North Carolina. They play a guitar-oriented, melodic, power pop style of rock music with introspective lyrics that reflect the American South. Though mostly dormant, the band continues to play to this day...
. Early on, Neumann and Llanas were often credited as Beau and Sammy BoDean.
In 1984, drummer Guy Hoffman
Guy Hoffman
Guy Hoffman is a drummer and vocalist, formerly of such bands as Oil Tasters, BoDeans, Violent Femmes and Absinthe. He is a composer for such films as Field Day and a founding member of Radio Romeo.-Life:...
joined the band. After the trio became popular around Milwaukee, they decided to add bassist Bob Griffin, whom Neumann and Llanas had met while roadies for his band The Agents in high school. In 1985, the quartet signed a contract with Slash/Warner Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
and shortened their name to simply BoDeans. Under the guidance of producer T-Bone Burnett
T-Bone Burnett
Joseph Henry Burnett , widely known as T-Bone Burnett, is an American musician, songwriter, and soundtrack and record producer.He was a guitarist in Bob Dylan's band on the Rolling Thunder Revue...
, they entered Hollywood's Sunset Sound Factory in October to record their first album. The critically acclaimed debut Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams
Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams
Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams is a music album of BoDeans songs released in May 1986 on Slash/Warner Bros. The album was produced by T-Bone Burnett...
was released in 1986. Later that year, drummer Guy Hoffman left the band. Since his departure, the band has not retained a permanent drummer for more than a few years at a time.
Rise in popularity
In January 1987, a Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
reader poll voted them Best New American Band. That year, the band traveled to California to work with an unnamed producer, but the sessions were halted after disagreement broke out between both parties over direction and sound. They went back to Wisconsin and accepted an offer from Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
member Jerry Harrison
Jerry Harrison
Jerry Harrison is an American songwriter, musician and producer...
to produce their second album and were given more freedom to experiment. Outside Looking In
Outside Looking In (album)
Outside Looking In is the BoDeans second studio album, and was released in 1987. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of The Talking Heads.-Track listing:# Dreams# Pick Up The Pieces# Take It Tomorrow# Say About Love# Don't Be Lonely# Runaway Love...
was released in October 1987 and featured a more modern 80's-rock sound unlike its roots-influenced predecessor. However, the band was reportedly dissatisfied with the album in retrospect, stating that it did not capture the true essence of the band. The album's lead single, "Only Love", made #16 on the US Mainstream Rock charts. In support of the album, the band toured extensively with U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
on The Joshua Tree Tour, increasing their fanbase. Drummer Bo Conlon and keyboardist Susan Julian toured with the band throughout the rest of 1987. That year, they also contributed to Robbie Robertson
Robbie Robertson
Robbie Robertson, OC; is a Canadian singer-songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known for his membership as the guitarist and primary songwriter within The Band. He was ranked 59th in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
's debut solo album
Robbie Robertson (album)
Robbie Robertson is the self-titled solo debut by Robbie Robertson, released in 1987. The album won the Juno Award for "Album of the Year", and producers Lanois and Robertson won the "Producer of the Year" Juno award, both in 1989 as there were no Juno Awards held in 1988.The album is notable for...
alongside U2 and Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
.
In 1988, the band began recording with Jim Scott
Jim Scott (producer)
Jim Scott is an American music producer and engineer, best known for his large body of work as an engineer, and his work as a producer with American rock band Wilco. Scott has worked as engineer with a range of other rock music artists, including Dixie Chicks, Tom Petty, Sting, The Rolling Stones,...
, whom they had been introduced to by Robbie Robertson. Unlike their two previous albums, the tracking was mostly done live in their warehouse rental space. At least 22 songs were recorded during these sessions, but only 15 made it past the mastering stage and onto the record. In 1989, their third album, titled "Home
Home (BoDeans album)
Home is the BoDeans' third studio album, and was released in 1989.-Track listing:# "When The Love Is Goob "# "Beautiful Rain"# "Fire In The Hole"# "Good Work"# "No One"# "You Don't Get Much"# "Hand In Hand"# "Worlds Away"...
", was released. It was more reminiscent of their rootsy debut, but showed a diverse range of influences including motown, U2-inspired arena rock, and heartland rock. This album was also the first with keyboard player Michael Ramos. Drummer Kenny Aronoff
Kenny Aronoff
Kenny Aronoff is an American drummer. He has played drums for many musicians, including John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Belinda Carlisle, Elton John, John Fogerty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, The BoDeans, Gregg Alexander, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tony Iommi, Jon Bon Jovi, Vasco Rossi, Cinderella and...
(best known for his work with John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds...
) also played on the album.
In 1991, in search of a different take on their music, the band began recording with David Z.
David Z.
David Z is a music producer, engineer, mixer, and writer from Minneapolis, Minnesota who currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He is most well known for his long-standing work with Prince, but has also contributed to award winning albums by Etta James, Billy Idol, BoDeans, Buddy Guy, Neneh...
(producer and sideman of Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
) at Paisley Park Studios, and released their 4th studio album Black and White
Black and White (BoDeans album)
Black and White is the BoDeans' fourth studio album, and was released in 1991. It was produced by David Z., best known for his work with Prince.-Track listing:# "Good Things"# "True Devotion"# "Black, White and Blood Red"# "Paradise"# "Any Given Day"...
that year. The album's electronic-influenced sound was a sharp departure from most of their previous efforts, with more emphasis on synthesizers, drum machines, and processed guitar tones. The album also explored darker and grander lyrical themes. Though not a single, the album's first track "Good Things" achieved some success and became one of their best-known songs. The rebellious and political "Black, White, and Blood Red" was the only single released from the album, though it did not perform well in comparison to their previous songs that made the charts.
"Closer to Free"
After Black & White, the band decided to shift their focus to making the album that pleased them instead of searching for a hit. For their 5th album "Go Slow DownGo Slow Down
Go Slow Down is the BoDeans fifth studio album, and was released in 1993.-Track listing:# "Closer to Free"# "Save A Little"# "In Trow / Texas Ride Song"# "Go Slow Down"# "Idaho"# "Freedom"# "The Other Side"# "Stay On"# "Feed The Fire"...
" in 1993, the band reunited with T-Bone Burnett and took a more homemade approach with Kurt and Sam playing many of the instruments themselves. Unlike their previous album, "Go Slow Down" was more acoustic and forayed into 90's alternative rock. The first song from the album, "Closer to Free
Closer to Free
"Closer to Free" is a 1993 song by the band BoDeans featured on their fifth studio album, Go Slow Down. It is the band's biggest hit, having peaked at #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart after its re-release as a single in 1996, having drawn an audience among adult contemporary fans...
", brought them to a much larger audience after it was selected as the theme song to the TV series Party of Five
Party of Five
Party of Five is an American teen drama television series that aired on Fox for six seasons, from September 12, 1994, until May 3, 2000.Critically acclaimed, the show suffered from low ratings and after its first season was slated for cancellation...
. The band would return in 1999 to perform a cover of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
's "I've Just Seen a Face
I've Just Seen a Face
"I've Just Seen a Face" is a song by The Beatles. It appears on their 1965 United Kingdom album Help!, although in the United States it and "It's Only Love" first appeared on the Capitol version of the Rubber Soul album.-Composition:...
" as the theme song for the show's short-lived spinoff Time of Your Life
Time of Your Life (TV series)
Time of Your Life is an American drama series starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. The series is a spin-off of Party of Five, and features the character Sarah Reeves Merrin whom Hewitt portrayed on Party of Five.-Plot:...
. Due to the newfound exposure, "Closer to Free" became the group's biggest pop hit, peaking at #16 on the U.S. Hot 100, three years after its release. "Closer to Free" was also the opening song used in the movie Heavyweights
Heavyweights
Heavyweights is a 1995 comedy-drama film, directed by Steven Brill and co-written by Brill with Judd Apatow. Heavyweights is about a fat camp for kids that is taken over by a fitness guru named Tony Perkis .-Plot:...
.
Hiatus and solo efforts
In 1995, Joe Dirt CarJoe Dirt Car
Joe Dirt Car is a live two CD album released in 1995 by the BoDeans. It was recorded in various places throughout Illinois and Wisconsin between 1989 and 1994, among other places.-Disc 1:# "Idaho"# "Say About Love"# "Fadeaway"# "Paradise"...
, a 2 CD live set, was released. The album included live tracks recorded between 1989 and 1995, some of which were acoustic. In 1996, the band released "Blend
Blend (BoDeans album)
Blend is the BoDeans sixth studio album, and was released in 1996.-Track listing:# "The Understanding"# "Heart of a Miracle"# "Count On Me"# "Can't Stop Thinking"# "Hurt My Love"# "Hey Pretty Girl"# "All I Ever Wanted"# "Do What You Want"...
", produced by Greg Goldman. Two of the tracks were mixed by Bob Clearmountain
Bob Clearmountain
Bob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He has worked with many prominent names in music including Bruce Springsteen , The Rolling Stones , Bryan Adams , Robbie Williams Bob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He...
, and Danny Federici
Danny Federici
Daniel Paul "Danny" Federici was an American musician, best known as the longtime organ, glockenspiel, and accordion player for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.- Career :...
(best known for his work with Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
) contributed accordion to the album. This album expanded upon Go Slow Down's alternative rock guitar-driven sound, though it has sometimes been regarded by fans as one of their weaker albums. The single "Hurt By Love" achieved minor chart success while the song "Hey Pretty Girl" was used in an episode of Dawson's Creek
Dawson's Creek
Dawson's Creek is an American teen drama television series which debuted on January 20, 1998, on The WB Television Network and was produced by Sony Pictures Television. The show is set in the fictional seaside town of Capeside, Massachusetts, and in Boston, Massachusetts, during the later seasons...
. The band took some time off in the late 1990s so Neumann and Llanas could record solo albums. Sammy created the band Absinthe and their album A Good Day to Die. Kurt released his solo album called Shy Dog on which he plays all the instruments. Neumann said that they decided to stick with the BoDeans because they "realized that the sound we made together was bigger than the sound we made apart." In 2001, the 17-song compilation The Best Of BoDeans - Slash and Burn was released on London/Slash/Rhino. In 2003, they also released The Leftovers, a collection of previously unreleased songs that never made it to studio albums.
Return
In 2004, the band returned with their long-awaited 7th album ResolutionResolution (BoDeans album)
Resolution is the BoDeans' 7'th full length studio album. It was released on June 22, 2004 and was the first album of new material from the band in 8 years.-Track listing:# "If It Makes You"# "Marianne"# " Live"# "Wild World"...
, released on Rounder/Zoe
Rounder Records
Rounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
. Being their first album in 8 years, it was well received by fans. A live album recorded during the Resolution tour was released in 2005, entitled Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst. The group released the DVD for Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst at the end of 2005. In January 2006, Bob Griffin left the band for personal reasons. During this time, the band was involved in a lawsuit for nearly 5 years against their former manager Mark McCraw over copyright and contract disputes. The case was settled in 2005.
The BoDeans released an album, entitled "Still
Still (BoDeans album)
Still is the BoDeans' 8th full length studio album. It was released on March 4, 2008.-Tracklisting:# "Pretty Ghost"# "Round Here Somewhere"# "Willin'"# "Lucille"# "The First Time"# "Everyday"# "Waste a Lifetime"# "Breathe"# "Wonder Wonder"...
", on March 4, 2008. Produced again by T-Bone Burnett, the album moved away from the modern rock sound of their previous albums and was more reminiscent of their heartland-esque sound of the late 80's. "Everyday" was the first single to radio from "Still". It was stated that the first 15,000 copies of "Still" had some errors in the lyrics booklet. The record company recently re-released the album with the corrections in the booklet. Recently, a live, acoustic CD became available on The BoDeans Official Website. It was recorded in Schaumburg and Arlington Heights, Illinois, the 16, 17, and 18 of November 2006. It features only Sammy, Kurt, and Bukka, and has 13 rare live, acoustic songs.
Recent work
The BoDeans' 9th studio album, Mr. Sad ClownMr. Sad Clown
Mr. Sad Clown is a music album by the BoDeans which was released April 6, 2010 on 429 Records.- Track listing :# "Stay"# "Shine"# "If..."# "Say Goodbye"# "Don't Fall Down"# "Cheesecake Pan"# "Easy Love"# "Today"...
, was released on April 6, 2010. Similar to their 1993 release, the duo produced and played all instruments on the album themselves in Kurt's home studio. Though critics lauded the album for its homemade approach, reviews were mixed due to the overall melancholy theme with at least one review citing possible commercial anxiety. Their song "Headed for the End of the World" was used in the antiwar documentary film "Countdown to Zero
Countdown to Zero
Countdown to Zero is a documentary film released in 2010 which argues that the likelihood of the use of nuclear weapons has increased since the end of the Cold War due to terrorism, nuclear proliferation, theft of nuclear materials and weapons, and other factors.The documentary film was set for a...
".
The band released their 10th studio album, titled "Indigo Dreams", on July 26, 2011. The album was originally scheduled to be released on June 28, but was pushed back. The first single, "Blowing My Mind", was released to radio stations and posted online.
On August 13, 2011, Sam Llanas failed to arrive at a BoDeans concert in Winter Park, CO. On August 18th, Llanas officially left the band due to "differences of opinion" that had been "going on for years", according to Neumann. His departure was also related to his rekindled solo career, with a new solo album titled 4 A.M. having been announced one day after Indigo Dreams was released. The band stated that they will continue on without him with the addition of new member Jake Owen. They are currently working on a new studio album which will be released in 2012.
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Billboard Top 200 |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams is a music album of BoDeans songs released in May 1986 on Slash/Warner Bros. The album was produced by T-Bone Burnett... |
#115 |
| 1987 | Outside Looking In Outside Looking In (album) Outside Looking In is the BoDeans second studio album, and was released in 1987. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of The Talking Heads.-Track listing:# Dreams# Pick Up The Pieces# Take It Tomorrow# Say About Love# Don't Be Lonely# Runaway Love... |
#86 |
| 1989 | Home Home (BoDeans album) Home is the BoDeans' third studio album, and was released in 1989.-Track listing:# "When The Love Is Goob "# "Beautiful Rain"# "Fire In The Hole"# "Good Work"# "No One"# "You Don't Get Much"# "Hand In Hand"# "Worlds Away"... |
#94 |
| 1991 | Black and White Black and White (BoDeans album) Black and White is the BoDeans' fourth studio album, and was released in 1991. It was produced by David Z., best known for his work with Prince.-Track listing:# "Good Things"# "True Devotion"# "Black, White and Blood Red"# "Paradise"# "Any Given Day"... |
#105 |
| 1993 | Go Slow Down Go Slow Down Go Slow Down is the BoDeans fifth studio album, and was released in 1993.-Track listing:# "Closer to Free"# "Save A Little"# "In Trow / Texas Ride Song"# "Go Slow Down"# "Idaho"# "Freedom"# "The Other Side"# "Stay On"# "Feed The Fire"... |
#127 |
| 1996 | Blend Blend (BoDeans album) Blend is the BoDeans sixth studio album, and was released in 1996.-Track listing:# "The Understanding"# "Heart of a Miracle"# "Count On Me"# "Can't Stop Thinking"# "Hurt My Love"# "Hey Pretty Girl"# "All I Ever Wanted"# "Do What You Want"... |
#132 |
| 2004 | Resolution Resolution (BoDeans album) Resolution is the BoDeans' 7'th full length studio album. It was released on June 22, 2004 and was the first album of new material from the band in 8 years.-Track listing:# "If It Makes You"# "Marianne"# " Live"# "Wild World"... |
#194 |
| 2008 | Still Still (BoDeans album) Still is the BoDeans' 8th full length studio album. It was released on March 4, 2008.-Tracklisting:# "Pretty Ghost"# "Round Here Somewhere"# "Willin'"# "Lucille"# "The First Time"# "Everyday"# "Waste a Lifetime"# "Breathe"# "Wonder Wonder"... |
#194 |
| 2010 | Mr. Sad Clown Mr. Sad Clown Mr. Sad Clown is a music album by the BoDeans which was released April 6, 2010 on 429 Records.- Track listing :# "Stay"# "Shine"# "If..."# "Say Goodbye"# "Don't Fall Down"# "Cheesecake Pan"# "Easy Love"# "Today"... |
#172 |
| 2011 | Indigo Dreams Indigo Dreams Indigo Dreams is the BoDeans' 10th studio album which was released on July 26, 2011 on 429 Records.-Track listing:#"Blowing My Mind"#"Paved in Gold"#"Right Now"#"How Can We"#"Way Down"#"Sad Eyes"#"Wrap Me"#"Me Again"#"Don’t Wanna Go Home"... |
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Live albums/compilations
| Year | Album | Billboard Top 200 |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Joe Dirt Car Joe Dirt Car Joe Dirt Car is a live two CD album released in 1995 by the BoDeans. It was recorded in various places throughout Illinois and Wisconsin between 1989 and 1994, among other places.-Disc 1:# "Idaho"# "Say About Love"# "Fadeaway"# "Paradise"... |
#161 |
| 2001 | Slash and Burn | - |
| 2003 | The Leftovers | - |
| 2005 | Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst | - |
Music videos
- She's a Runaway (1986)
- Fadeaway (1986)
- Only Love (1987)
- Dreams (1988)
- Good Work (1989)
- You Don't Get Much (1989)
- Good Things (1991)
- Black White & Blood Red (1991)
- Closer to Free (1993)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | US Adult Top 40 | US Top 40 Mainstream | |||
| 1987 | "Only Love" | - | - | 16 | - | - | Outside Looking In |
| 1988 | "Dreams" | - | - | 32 | - | - | |
| 1989 | "You Don't Get Much" | - | 15 | 20 | - | - | Home |
| 1991 | "Black, White, and Blood Red" | - | - | 34 | - | - | Black and White |
| 1993 | "Feed the Fire" | - | - | 34 | - | - | Go Slow Down |
| "Closer to Free Closer to Free "Closer to Free" is a 1993 song by the band BoDeans featured on their fifth studio album, Go Slow Down. It is the band's biggest hit, having peaked at #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart after its re-release as a single in 1996, having drawn an audience among adult contemporary fans... " |
16 | - | - | 3 | 6 | ||
| 1996 | "Hurt By Love" | - | - | - | 33 | 39 | Blend |
Solo albums
- A Good Day To Die (1998) (Absinthe/Sam Llanas solo project)
- Shy Dog (1999) (Kurt Neumann solo project)
- 4 A.M. (2011) (Sam Llanas solo project)
Personnel
| Year | Vocals / Electric guitar |
Vocals / Guitar |
Drums | Bass | Keyboards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983-1984 | Kurt Neumann Kurt Neumann (musician) Kurt Neumann is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the roots-rock band BoDeans. Although primarily a guitar player, Neumann has also been known to play drums , bass, keyboards, and mandolin.-History:... |
Sam Llanas Sam Llanas Sam Llanas is a singer, acoustic guitarist, and songwriter in several rock and roots rock bands active from the 1980s to the 2000s, including the BoDeans and Absinthe... |
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| 1984-1985 | Guy Hoffman Guy Hoffman Guy Hoffman is a drummer and vocalist, formerly of such bands as Oil Tasters, BoDeans, Violent Femmes and Absinthe. He is a composer for such films as Field Day and a founding member of Radio Romeo.-Life:... |
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| 1985-1987 | Bob Griffin | ||||
| 1987-1988 | Bo Conlon | Susan Julian | |||
| 1988-1989 | Rafael Gayol Rafael Gayol Rafael Bernardo Gayol is a drummer, percussionist, songwriter, singer and actor.Born in Mexico City and raised in Los Angeles, California, he has worked as a drummer/percussionist/vocalist recording and touring with such diverse artists as Leonard Cohen, Doll Congress, BoDeans, Sun 60, Charlie... |
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| 1989-1993 | Michael Ramos | ||||
| 1993-1999 | Nick Kitsos | ||||
| 1999-2001 | Kevin Leahy Kevin Leahy (musician) Kevin Leahy is a drummer/percussionist who has recorded and performed with Shawn Mullins, Billy Pilgrim, BoDeans, Jennifer Nettles, Ellis Paul and other American folk rock artists. He studied classical percussion at the Manhattan School of Music and Indiana University, where he was a student of... |
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| 2001-2004 | Bukka Allen | ||||
| 2004-2006 | Noah Levy Kenny Aronoff Kenny Aronoff Kenny Aronoff is an American drummer. He has played drums for many musicians, including John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Belinda Carlisle, Elton John, John Fogerty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, The BoDeans, Gregg Alexander, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tony Iommi, Jon Bon Jovi, Vasco Rossi, Cinderella and... |
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| 2006-2009 | Eric Holden | ||||
| 2009-2011 | Noah Levy | Ryan Bowman | |||
| 2011–present | Jake Owen | David Sierra | Michael Ramos |