Love Battery
Encyclopedia
Love Battery is an American grunge
band from Seattle, Washington
.
For the most part Love Battery was an unusual group in the early '90s Seattle music scene, blending intense swirling psychedelic guitar work, pulsating rhythms, driving beats and heartfelt vocals derived from '60s garage/psych, '70s punk rock, '80s post punk and '90s grunge.
leader Ron Nine (b. Ron Rudzitis), guitarist Kevin Whitworth (ex-Crisis Party), bassist Tommy "Bonehead" Simpson (also ex-Crisis Party) and Mudhoney drummer Dan Peters
. Their name came from a song of the same name by British punk
band the Buzzcocks
.
Before releasing their first single Peters left the group and was replaced by ex-Skin Yard
drummer Jason Finn
. With this lineup the band released their debut single Between The Eyes for seminal Seattle record label Sub Pop
. By 1990 Simpson had been replaced by ex-U-Men bassist Jim Tillman. With this lineup the band released their debut EP Between the Eyes in 1990, again on Sub Pop. This record was later expanded and released as their first full-length album in 1991. Following the Between The Eyes EP were the Foot singles and Out Of Focus EP.
In 1992 the band recorded and released Dayglo
. In the Sub Pop catalog, Dayglo was listed as "Blotter not included" a play on "Batteries not included" instead referring to LSD. Soon after, Tillman left to pursue other interests. He was replaced at first by original bassist Tommy Simpson, who in turn was replaced by ex-Green River
and Mother Love Bone
guitarist Bruce Fairweather
.
In 1993 the Far Gone album appeared, which to many was considered a disappointment following Dayglos critical success. Initially Far Gone was to be released by PolyGram Records but due to contractal problems with Sub Pop Records, Far Gone was dumped by the major label. Instead an inferior 'rough mix' of the album was released by Sub Pop, a problem which Love Battery planned to rectify by remixing and reissuing but never did.
Following the Far Gone fiasco, Love Battery signed with Atlas Records in 1994 releasing the Nehru Jacket EP late in the year. It contained 2 songs that also found their way onto 1995's Straight Freak Ticket album which was also released on Atlas in 1995. The label failed to promote the band and album properly however which resulted in poor sales. Shortly thereafter Finn left the group to join The Presidents of the United States of America
who quickly found success later in the year.
A prolonged period of uncertainty ensued following Finn's departure with an array of drummers brought in as his replacement including original drummer Dan Peters and ex-Posies
and Fastbacks
drummer Mike Musburger. The band practically disappeared until the release of their fifth album Confusion Au Go Go
in 1999. This time around drummers Peters, Musburger and Finn all contributed to the album although Peters took on a majority of the work.
Following the release of Confusion Au Go Go
Love Battery remained for the most part quiet. A few one off performances were made in 2002 featuring Tommy Simpson returning on bass and Finn and Peters on drums. After a prolonged period of inactivity the band played their first show in 4 years on June 23, 2006 at Neumo's in Seattle, WA. The current lineup consists of Nine, Whitworth, Simpson and Musburger.
In 1996 Love Battery was featured in the documentary Hype!
, chronicling the rise of the Seattle "grunge" music scene. A clip is shown of a live performance of "Between the Eyes."
A video for "Out Of Focus" appears on Sub Pop Video Network Program, Volume Two. They also made videos for "Fuzz Factory" and "Harold's Pink Room" from the Straight Freak Ticket album. The "Fuzz Factory" video was shot in Las Vegas
and featured the band driving around in a white Cadillac convertible, hinting at Hunter S. Thompson
's famous book, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
years before the film of the same name starring actor Johnny Depp
was released.
Love Battery leader Ron Nine also plays in new band Down With People who have been significantly more active than Love Battery as of late. As of 2010 Ron Nine, former members of Love Battery and Tad bassist Kurt Danielson play in a band called Vaporland.
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
band from Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
.
For the most part Love Battery was an unusual group in the early '90s Seattle music scene, blending intense swirling psychedelic guitar work, pulsating rhythms, driving beats and heartfelt vocals derived from '60s garage/psych, '70s punk rock, '80s post punk and '90s grunge.
History
Love Battery was formed in 1989 by former Room NineRoom Nine
Room Nine was a Seattle based rock band active from the early to late 1980s. Contrary to many of the bands in Seattle at the time, Room Nine had a much airier and psychedelic approach to their music...
leader Ron Nine (b. Ron Rudzitis), guitarist Kevin Whitworth (ex-Crisis Party), bassist Tommy "Bonehead" Simpson (also ex-Crisis Party) and Mudhoney drummer Dan Peters
Dan Peters
Daniel Joe Peters is the drummer for Mudhoney. He joined Bundle of Hiss when he was fifteen years old. He also played drums for Nirvana, appearing on one single, "Sliver". Peters' only live appearance with Nirvana was on September 22, 1990, in Seattle, Washington, at the Motor Sports International...
. Their name came from a song of the same name by British punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band the Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
.
Before releasing their first single Peters left the group and was replaced by ex-Skin Yard
Skin Yard
Skin Yard was an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, who were active from 1985 to 1992. The group never gained a mainstream audience, but were an influence on their contemporaries – most notably Soundgarden, Screaming Trees, The Melvins, and Green River – alongside whom they are considered...
drummer Jason Finn
Jason Finn (musician)
Jason Finn is a drummer and singer for The Presidents of the United States of America. He was previously the drummer of Love Battery until 1995 , when he joined Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer to form The Presidents of the United States of America...
. With this lineup the band released their debut single Between The Eyes for seminal Seattle record label Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
. By 1990 Simpson had been replaced by ex-U-Men bassist Jim Tillman. With this lineup the band released their debut EP Between the Eyes in 1990, again on Sub Pop. This record was later expanded and released as their first full-length album in 1991. Following the Between The Eyes EP were the Foot singles and Out Of Focus EP.
In 1992 the band recorded and released Dayglo
Dayglo (album)
Dayglo is the first full length album released by Love Battery. It was released in 1992 by Sub Pop.- Track listing :# "Out of Focus" – 5:23# "Foot" – 3:48# "Damaged" – 3:58# "See Your Mind" – 3:21# "Side " – 5:00...
. In the Sub Pop catalog, Dayglo was listed as "Blotter not included" a play on "Batteries not included" instead referring to LSD. Soon after, Tillman left to pursue other interests. He was replaced at first by original bassist Tommy Simpson, who in turn was replaced by ex-Green River
Green River (band)
Green River was an American rock band from Seattle, Washington that was active from 1984 to 1988. Although the band had little commercial impact outside of its native Seattle, Green River proved to have significant influence on the genre later known as grunge, both with its own music and with the...
and Mother Love Bone
Mother Love Bone
Mother Love Bone was an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1988. The band was active from 1988 to 1990. Frontman Andrew Wood's personality and compositions helped to catapult the group to the top of the burgeoning late 1980s/early 1990s Seattle music scene...
guitarist Bruce Fairweather
Bruce Fairweather
Bruce Fairweather is a guitarist/bassist based in Seattle. In 1985, he replaced Steve Turner in the grunge band Green River, which included Mark Arm , Alex Vincent as well as Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard, later of Pearl Jam....
.
In 1993 the Far Gone album appeared, which to many was considered a disappointment following Dayglos critical success. Initially Far Gone was to be released by PolyGram Records but due to contractal problems with Sub Pop Records, Far Gone was dumped by the major label. Instead an inferior 'rough mix' of the album was released by Sub Pop, a problem which Love Battery planned to rectify by remixing and reissuing but never did.
Following the Far Gone fiasco, Love Battery signed with Atlas Records in 1994 releasing the Nehru Jacket EP late in the year. It contained 2 songs that also found their way onto 1995's Straight Freak Ticket album which was also released on Atlas in 1995. The label failed to promote the band and album properly however which resulted in poor sales. Shortly thereafter Finn left the group to join The Presidents of the United States of America
The Presidents of the United States of America (band)
The Presidents of the United States of America, commonly referred to as Pot USA or "PUSA" or The Presidents, are a twice Grammy-nominated American alternative rock band. The band formed in Seattle, USA, in 1993. The three-piece group currently comprises vocalist and "basitarist" Chris Ballew,...
who quickly found success later in the year.
A prolonged period of uncertainty ensued following Finn's departure with an array of drummers brought in as his replacement including original drummer Dan Peters and ex-Posies
The Posies
The Posies are an alternative rock/power pop group. The band was formed in 1987 in Bellingham, Washington by primary songwriters Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow. They are best known for their radio hits "Golden Blunders" , as well as "Dream All Day", "Solar Sister" and "Flavor of the Month"...
and Fastbacks
Fastbacks
The Fastbacks were a Seattle punk rock band. Formed in 1979 by songwriter/guitarist Kurt Bloch , and friends Lulu Gargiulo and Kim Warnick , they disbanded in 2001...
drummer Mike Musburger. The band practically disappeared until the release of their fifth album Confusion Au Go Go
Confusion Au Go Go
Confusion Au Go Go is the last studio album released by Love Battery. It was released in 1999 by C/Z Records.- Track listing :# "Confusion Au Go Go" – 3:40# "One Small Step" – 3:55# "Snipe Hunt" – 3:18# "Corporate Memo" – 3:26# "Colorblind" – 3:12...
in 1999. This time around drummers Peters, Musburger and Finn all contributed to the album although Peters took on a majority of the work.
Following the release of Confusion Au Go Go
Confusion Au Go Go
Confusion Au Go Go is the last studio album released by Love Battery. It was released in 1999 by C/Z Records.- Track listing :# "Confusion Au Go Go" – 3:40# "One Small Step" – 3:55# "Snipe Hunt" – 3:18# "Corporate Memo" – 3:26# "Colorblind" – 3:12...
Love Battery remained for the most part quiet. A few one off performances were made in 2002 featuring Tommy Simpson returning on bass and Finn and Peters on drums. After a prolonged period of inactivity the band played their first show in 4 years on June 23, 2006 at Neumo's in Seattle, WA. The current lineup consists of Nine, Whitworth, Simpson and Musburger.
In 1996 Love Battery was featured in the documentary Hype!
Hype!
Hype! is a documentary directed by Doug Pray about the popularity of grunge rock in the early to mid-1990s United States. It incorporates interviews and rare concert footage to trace the steps of grunge, from its subversive inception in neighborhood basements, to its explosion as a pop culture...
, chronicling the rise of the Seattle "grunge" music scene. A clip is shown of a live performance of "Between the Eyes."
A video for "Out Of Focus" appears on Sub Pop Video Network Program, Volume Two. They also made videos for "Fuzz Factory" and "Harold's Pink Room" from the Straight Freak Ticket album. The "Fuzz Factory" video was shot in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
and featured the band driving around in a white Cadillac convertible, hinting at Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter Stockton Thompson was an American journalist and author who wrote The Rum Diary , Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 .He is credited as the creator of Gonzo journalism, a style of reporting where reporters involve themselves in the action to...
's famous book, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (novel)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream is an autobiographical novel by Hunter S. Thompson, illustrated by Ralph Steadman. The book is a roman à clef, rooted in autobiographical incidents. The story follows its protagonist, Raoul Duke, and his attorney, Dr...
years before the film of the same name starring actor Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
was released.
Love Battery leader Ron Nine also plays in new band Down With People who have been significantly more active than Love Battery as of late. As of 2010 Ron Nine, former members of Love Battery and Tad bassist Kurt Danielson play in a band called Vaporland.
Band members
| 1989 |
|
|---|---|
| 1989–1990 |
Jason Finn (musician) Jason Finn is a drummer and singer for The Presidents of the United States of America. He was previously the drummer of Love Battery until 1995 , when he joined Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer to form The Presidents of the United States of America... - drums |
| 1990–1992 |
Jason Finn (musician) Jason Finn is a drummer and singer for The Presidents of the United States of America. He was previously the drummer of Love Battery until 1995 , when he joined Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer to form The Presidents of the United States of America... - drums |
| 1992 |
Jason Finn (musician) Jason Finn is a drummer and singer for The Presidents of the United States of America. He was previously the drummer of Love Battery until 1995 , when he joined Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer to form The Presidents of the United States of America... - drums |
| 1992–1995 |
Bruce Fairweather Bruce Fairweather is a guitarist/bassist based in Seattle. In 1985, he replaced Steve Turner in the grunge band Green River, which included Mark Arm , Alex Vincent as well as Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard, later of Pearl Jam.... - bass Jason Finn (musician) Jason Finn is a drummer and singer for The Presidents of the United States of America. He was previously the drummer of Love Battery until 1995 , when he joined Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer to form The Presidents of the United States of America... - drums |
| 1995–1999 |
Bruce Fairweather Bruce Fairweather is a guitarist/bassist based in Seattle. In 1985, he replaced Steve Turner in the grunge band Green River, which included Mark Arm , Alex Vincent as well as Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard, later of Pearl Jam.... - bass Dan Peters Daniel Joe Peters is the drummer for Mudhoney. He joined Bundle of Hiss when he was fifteen years old. He also played drums for Nirvana, appearing on one single, "Sliver". Peters' only live appearance with Nirvana was on September 22, 1990, in Seattle, Washington, at the Motor Sports International... , Jason Finn Jason Finn (musician) Jason Finn is a drummer and singer for The Presidents of the United States of America. He was previously the drummer of Love Battery until 1995 , when he joined Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer to form The Presidents of the United States of America... , Mike Musburger - drums |
| 1999–2006 |
Dan Peters Daniel Joe Peters is the drummer for Mudhoney. He joined Bundle of Hiss when he was fifteen years old. He also played drums for Nirvana, appearing on one single, "Sliver". Peters' only live appearance with Nirvana was on September 22, 1990, in Seattle, Washington, at the Motor Sports International... , Jason Finn Jason Finn (musician) Jason Finn is a drummer and singer for The Presidents of the United States of America. He was previously the drummer of Love Battery until 1995 , when he joined Chris Ballew and Dave Dederer to form The Presidents of the United States of America... - drums |
| 2006–present |
|
Albums
- Between the EyesBetween the EyesBetween the Eyes is the debut album of Seattle-based rock band Love Battery.- Track listing :All songs written by Love Battery .#"Between the Eyes" - 4:28#"Easter" - 4:10#"Highway of Souls" - 5:25#"Orange" - 3:01...
(Sub Pop Records, 1991). - DaygloDayglo (album)Dayglo is the first full length album released by Love Battery. It was released in 1992 by Sub Pop.- Track listing :# "Out of Focus" – 5:23# "Foot" – 3:48# "Damaged" – 3:58# "See Your Mind" – 3:21# "Side " – 5:00...
(Sub Pop Records, 1992). - Far Gone (Sub Pop Records, 1993).
- Straight Freak TicketStraight Freak TicketStraight Freak Ticket is the third full length album released by Seattle band Love Battery. it was released in 1995 by Atlas Records.- Track listing :# Fuzz Factory# If I Wasn't Me# Harold's Pink Room# Brazil# Nehru Jacket# Perfect Light# Red Onion...
(Atlas Records, 1995). - Confusion Au Go GoConfusion Au Go GoConfusion Au Go Go is the last studio album released by Love Battery. It was released in 1999 by C/Z Records.- Track listing :# "Confusion Au Go Go" – 3:40# "One Small Step" – 3:55# "Snipe Hunt" – 3:18# "Corporate Memo" – 3:26# "Colorblind" – 3:12...
(C/Z RecordsC/Z RecordsC/Z Records is a Seattle-based record label that was established in early 1985 by Chris Hanzsek and Tina Casale with the release of the now-legendary, Deep Six LP, which collected the earliest recordings of the real pro-genitors of what later came to be known as grunge...
, 1999).
Singles/Eps
- "Between The Eyes" b/w "Easter" (Sub Pop Records, 1989).
- "Foot" b/w "Mr. Soul" (Sub Pop Records, 1991).
- Out Of Focus EP (Sub Pop Records, 1991).
- Nehru Jacket EP (Atlas Records, 1994).
- "Snipe Hunt" b/w "Punks Want Rights" (Let Down Records, 1996).
Compilation/Soundtrack contributions
- "Between The Eyes" on The Grunge Years (Sub Pop Records, 1991).
- "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" on Another Damned Seattle CompilationAnother Damned Seattle CompilationAnother Damned Seattle Compilation is a musical tribute to 1970s punk band The Damned, featuring tracks recorded in 1990 to 1991 by 18 Seattle area bands and released on Seattle's Dashboard Hula Girl Records.-History of the Compilation:...
(Dashboard Hula Girl RecordsDashboard Hula Girl RecordsDashboard Hulagirl Records is a Seattle-based independent American record label founded in 1989 by Trev Dellinger and Chris Swenson. The label released several LPs, EPs, and singles before folding in 1992...
, 1991). - "Ball And Chain" on Milk For Pussy (Mad Queen Records, 1994).
- "No Matter What You Do" on We're All Normal And We Want Our Freedom: A Tribute To Arthur Lee and Love (Alias Records, 1994).
- "White Bird" on Star Power! K-Tel Hits Of The '70s (Pravda Records, 1994).
- "Fuzz Factory" on Turn It Up & Pass It On, Volume 1 (1995).
- "Straight Freak Show" on huH Magazine CD6 (promo only) (RayGun Press, 1995).
- "Out Of Focus (Live)" on Bite Back: Live At The Crocodile Cafe (PopLlama RecordsPopLlama RecordsPopLlama Records is an independent record label founded by record producer Conrad Uno in Seattle, Washington, in 1984. After making several of his own demos in his basement studio, Uno would produce the Young Fresh Fellows' debut album The Fabulous Sounds of the Pacific Northwest at the bands request...
, 1996). - "Color Blind" on Home Alive: The Art of Self-Defense (Epic RecordsEpic RecordsEpic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, 1996). - "Commercial Suicide" on Teriyaki Asthma, Vols. 6-10 (C/Z RecordsC/Z RecordsC/Z Records is a Seattle-based record label that was established in early 1985 by Chris Hanzsek and Tina Casale with the release of the now-legendary, Deep Six LP, which collected the earliest recordings of the real pro-genitors of what later came to be known as grunge...
, 1999). - "Between The Eyes" on The Birth of Alternative Vol. 2The Birth of Alternative Vol. 2The Birth of Alternative Vol. 2 is a compilation album released in 1998, from Rhino's Flashback Records imprint.- Track listing :#"About a Girl" by Nirvana...
(Flashback Records, 2003). - "Half Past You" on Sleepless In Seattle: The Birth Of Grunge (LiveWire Recordings, 2006).
External links
- Official MySpace.com page
- Official website
- [ Love Battery at AllMusic.com]