New American Shame
Encyclopedia
New American Shame is an American hard rock
band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1998. Their current lineup consists of Johnny Reidt (vocals), Jimmy Paulson (lead guitar), Marty Chandler (rhythm guitar), Kelly Wheeler (bass) and Geoff Reading
(drums, percussion). Previous members include Terry Bratsch (rhythm guitar) and Jack Stringham (drums, percussion).
To date, New American Shame have released one studio album – New American Shame (1999), which was later re-released when the band signed to Atlantic Records
.
, and vocalist Johnny Reidt (often credited as the one-named Johnny) formed New American Shame in Seattle, Washington, adding guitarist Terry Bratsch, bassist Kelly Wheeler and drummer Jack Stringham to complete the band's lineup. Drawing influences from the likes of Aerosmith
, Black Sabbath
and Jimi Hendrix
, the band built a fan base with "powerful live performances." They soon recorded material for their debut album, produced by Paulson, with Brett Eliason and former Seaweed
guitarist Clint Werner mixing
and engineering
the album respectively.
The resulting album, New American Shame, was released on March 9, 1999 through Will Records. Stringham soon left the band and was replaced by former Green Apple Quick Step
drummer Geoff Reading
with the band playing at SXSW '99
. They attracted major-label attention, including Island
, before signing with Atlantic Records
.
Atlantic re-released the band's debut album with minor track adjustments and additional drums by Reading. "Under it All" was chosen as the first single, which peaked at number 35 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. A tour of the US
, with The Cult, and Japan
followed. By 2001, the band walked away from their deal with Atlantic and disbanded soon afterwards.
.
Former members
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1998. Their current lineup consists of Johnny Reidt (vocals), Jimmy Paulson (lead guitar), Marty Chandler (rhythm guitar), Kelly Wheeler (bass) and Geoff Reading
Geoff Reading
Geoff Reading is an American musician. In his career, Reading has been a member of a number of groups, including Loaded , Green Apple Quick Step, New American Shame, The Disciples Geoff Reading (born February 23, 1968, in Rochester, New York) is an American musician. In his career, Reading has...
(drums, percussion). Previous members include Terry Bratsch (rhythm guitar) and Jack Stringham (drums, percussion).
To date, New American Shame have released one studio album – New American Shame (1999), which was later re-released when the band signed to Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
.
Formation, New American Shame and Breakup (1998–2001)
In 1998, guitarist Jimmy Paulson, formerly of The LemonsThe Lemons
The Lemons was an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1991. The first lineup of the group consisted of Jimmy Paulson , Greg Lovell , Brent Saunders and Jeff Ramirez...
, and vocalist Johnny Reidt (often credited as the one-named Johnny) formed New American Shame in Seattle, Washington, adding guitarist Terry Bratsch, bassist Kelly Wheeler and drummer Jack Stringham to complete the band's lineup. Drawing influences from the likes of Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
and Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, the band built a fan base with "powerful live performances." They soon recorded material for their debut album, produced by Paulson, with Brett Eliason and former Seaweed
Seaweed (band)
Seaweed is a band from Tacoma, Washington who were active throughout the 1990s. Their style of music is a combination of punk rock and grunge, mostly due to its 'dirty' sound.-History:...
guitarist Clint Werner mixing
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
and engineering
Audio engineering
An audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
the album respectively.
The resulting album, New American Shame, was released on March 9, 1999 through Will Records. Stringham soon left the band and was replaced by former Green Apple Quick Step
Green Apple Quick Step
Green Apple Quick Step, often abbreviated as GAQS, is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington. Their sound was described as hard-edged, post-grunge rock. The band began as Inspector Luv and the Ride Me Babys in Tacoma, Washington before becoming Green Apple Quick Step, in Seattle, by 1992...
drummer Geoff Reading
Geoff Reading
Geoff Reading is an American musician. In his career, Reading has been a member of a number of groups, including Loaded , Green Apple Quick Step, New American Shame, The Disciples Geoff Reading (born February 23, 1968, in Rochester, New York) is an American musician. In his career, Reading has...
with the band playing at SXSW '99
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
. They attracted major-label attention, including Island
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
, before signing with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
.
Atlantic re-released the band's debut album with minor track adjustments and additional drums by Reading. "Under it All" was chosen as the first single, which peaked at number 35 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. A tour of the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, with The Cult, and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
followed. By 2001, the band walked away from their deal with Atlantic and disbanded soon afterwards.
Reunion (2010–present)
In 2010, New American Shame reunited, with Bratsch replaced by Supersuckers guitarist Marty Chandler, playing their first show in over 9 years on November 7 at Hell's Kitchen in Tacoma, WashingtonTacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
.
Band members
- Johnny Reidt – vocals
- Jimmy Paulson – lead guitar
- Marty Chandler – rhythm guitar
- Kelly Wheeler – bass
- Geoff ReadingGeoff ReadingGeoff Reading is an American musician. In his career, Reading has been a member of a number of groups, including Loaded , Green Apple Quick Step, New American Shame, The Disciples Geoff Reading (born February 23, 1968, in Rochester, New York) is an American musician. In his career, Reading has...
– drums, percussion
Former members
- Terry Bratsch – rhythm guitar
- Jack Stringham – drums, percussion