Mr Russia
Encyclopedia
Mr Russia is a garage rock
band from Chicago, Illinois on Lens Records
. The band is made up of Ivan (Vocals/Bass), R.L (Bass/Vocals), Lindi (Synthesizer), and Rob (Drums). Excluding guitar from the bands instrumentation, Mr Russia has a unique sound notably drawing inspiration from Bob Haggart
's Big Noise From Winnetka
. Mr Russia has been compared to modern guitar free band Death from Above 1979
, as well as hard-to-pinpoint sources such as XTC
and Magazine
.
Mr Russia have shared the stage with The Reverend Horton Heat
, Girl in a Coma
, Von Iva
, Thrones
, Two Ton Boa, 31 Knots, Earl Greyhound
, The Prairie Cartel
and Chewing Pics (featuring Naima Mora
). They have also toured on their own gaining a respectful following.
• Jersey Beat article on Mr Russia
• Chicagoist article on Mr Russia
• The Northwestern pictures and blurb from Mr Russia instore
• New City interview
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
band from Chicago, Illinois on Lens Records
Lens Records
Lens Records is a Chicago based record label founded by Robert Hyman to support and distribute the works of artists who preferred to work with a smaller, artist driven label...
. The band is made up of Ivan (Vocals/Bass), R.L (Bass/Vocals), Lindi (Synthesizer), and Rob (Drums). Excluding guitar from the bands instrumentation, Mr Russia has a unique sound notably drawing inspiration from Bob Haggart
Bob Haggart
Robert Sherwood Haggart was a dixieland jazz double bass player, composer and arranger...
's Big Noise From Winnetka
Big Noise From Winnetka
Big Noise from Winnetka is a jazz composition co-written by composer and bass player Bob Haggart. It was first recorded in 1938 and featured Haggart and drummer Ray Bauduc, both members of a sub-group of the Bob Crosby Orchestra called The Bobcats....
. Mr Russia has been compared to modern guitar free band Death from Above 1979
Death from Above 1979
Death from Above 1979 are a Toronto-based Canadian dance-punk/noise rock duo. Their album, You're a Woman, I'm a Machine, was released in late 2004. The band broke up in 2006, but announced a reunion in 2011.-History:...
, as well as hard-to-pinpoint sources such as XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
and Magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
.
Mr Russia have shared the stage with The Reverend Horton Heat
The Reverend Horton Heat
The Reverend Horton Heat is the stage name of American musician Jim Heath as well as the name of his Dallas, Texas-based psychobilly trio. Heath is a singer, songwriter and guitarist....
, Girl in a Coma
Girl in a Coma
Girl In a Coma is a rock band from San Antonio, Texas on Joan Jett's Blackheart Records' label. The band is made up of Mexican-American sisters Nina and Phanie Diaz and long-time friend, Jenn Alva . The name is a reference to The Smiths' song Girlfriend in a Coma...
, Von Iva
Von Iva
Von Iva is an all-girl electro soul-punk group out of San Francisco. Formerly a quartet, they are now a trio.-Members:*Jillian Iva - vocals*Bex - keyboards*Lay Lay - drums-EPs:...
, Thrones
Thrones (band)
Thrones is the solo project of bassist Joe Preston.-Biography:Thrones began in 1994 with an untitled cassette on the Punk in My Vitamins? label. He soon released the "Reddleman" single. In 1996, Thrones signed to Communion Records to issue the full-length album Alraune...
, Two Ton Boa, 31 Knots, Earl Greyhound
Earl Greyhound
Earl Greyhound is an American rock trio from Brooklyn consisting of Matt Whyte , Kamara Thomas and Ricc Sheridan . Sheridan replaced original drummer Christopher Bear just after the band recorded its first full-length album. They were previously signed to Some Records but have since started their...
, The Prairie Cartel
The Prairie Cartel
The Prairie Cartel is an American Rock Music band from Chicago, Illinois whose music and name is featured in a radio station in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars and a song in Grand Theft Auto IV The band consists of former members of Fig Dish and Caviar as well as Scott Lucas of Local H...
and Chewing Pics (featuring Naima Mora
Naima Mora
Naima Mora is an American fashion model and the winner of Cycle 4 of America's Next Top Model.-Early life:Naima Mora was born on March 1, 1984 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of African American, talented jazz vocalist and entrepreneur Theresa Mora & Mexican jazz percussionist Francisco Mora...
). They have also toured on their own gaining a respectful following.
Albums
- Teething (Lens RecordsLens RecordsLens Records is a Chicago based record label founded by Robert Hyman to support and distribute the works of artists who preferred to work with a smaller, artist driven label...
) (2009) - Training for the Gameshow Host (Lens RecordsLens RecordsLens Records is a Chicago based record label founded by Robert Hyman to support and distribute the works of artists who preferred to work with a smaller, artist driven label...
) (2009)
Compilations
- "Boys Keep SwingingBoys Keep Swinging"Boys Keep Swinging" is a song by English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was released as a single from the album Lodger on 27 April 1979.-Recording and release:...
" - .2 Contamination: A Tribute to David Bowie (FTC Records) (2007) - "Wild World" - Eye For an Eye: A Tribute to Nick Cave (FTC Records) (2008)
- "The National AnthemThe National Anthem"The National Anthem" is the third track from the rock band Radiohead's 2000 album Kid A. The song is moored to a repetitive bassline, has a processed electronic production, and develops in a direction influenced by jazz...
" - Every Machine Makes A Mistake : A Tribute To Radiohead (FTC Records) (2009)
Videography
- "Skipping Hearts" directed by Bill Holland
- "The New Standard" performed on Chic-a-go-goChic-a-Go-GoChic-a-Go-Go is a Public-access television cable TV children's dance show that airs on Chicago Access Network Television . The show bills itself as "Chicago's Dance Show for Kids of All Ages".-Show description:...
- "The National AnthemThe National Anthem"The National Anthem" is the third track from the rock band Radiohead's 2000 album Kid A. The song is moored to a repetitive bassline, has a processed electronic production, and develops in a direction influenced by jazz...
" directed by Scott Fedor - "Wild World" utilizing footage from Carnival of SoulsCarnival of SoulsCarnival of Souls is a 1962 independent horror film starring Candace Hilligoss. Produced and directed by Herk Harvey for an estimated $33,000, the film did not gain widespread attention when originally released, as a B film; today, however, it is a cult classic...
directed by Scott Fedor
See also
• Metro Spirit article on Mr Russia• Jersey Beat article on Mr Russia
• Chicagoist article on Mr Russia
• The Northwestern pictures and blurb from Mr Russia instore
• New City interview
External links
- www.mrrussia.net - Official Website
- www.myspace.com/mrrussia - Official MySpace Page
- http://www.youtube.com/user/MRRUSSIAVIDEO - Official YouTube channel