Red House Painters
Encyclopedia
Red House Painters were an alternative rock
group
formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California
by singer-songwriter
Mark Kozelek
.
, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California
, adding guitarist Gorden Mack and bassist Jerry Vessel to complete the line-up for Red House Painters. After forming, the group played the San Francisco scene extensively, and recorded demos from 1989 to 1992,. The band were signed to 4AD
in 1992, on the strength of a demo tape passed to 4AD boss Ivo Watts-Russell
by American Music Club
frontman Mark Eitzel
.
Between September 1992 and March 1995, the band released three LPs, one double LP, and one EP. Their first 4AD release was an album made up of demos entitled Down Colorful Hill
. In 1993, the group came out with two self-titled records (now commonly referred to as Rollercoaster
and Bridge
because of their cover artwork).
In early 1994, they released an EP entitled Shock Me
, featuring two cover versions of an Ace Frehley
-written KISS
song. The introspective Ocean Beach
followed in spring 1995. Founding guitarist Gorden Mack left shortly after the album's release, and he was replaced shortly thereafter by Phil Carney.
While Kozelek was beginning work on a solo project, he parted ways with 4AD after a tumultuous relationship, so Songs for a Blue Guitar
was eventually released on Island Records
subsidiary Supreme Recordings/Polygram in summer 1996. The album featured lengthy guitar jams and cover songs, and was the band's biggest seller in the U.S. By early 1998, their sixth album was completed. However, the band was beginning to dissolve, and major label mergers during the late 1990s would leave the record in limbo; it was not until 2001 that Old Ramon
was issued on the Sub Pop
label.
in 2000. The record consisted of three original acoustic compositions with minor full-band arrangements and four covers (three from Bon Scott
-era AC/DC
, and John Denver
's "Around and Around") that further revealed Kozelek's fascination with 1970s classic rock. Six months later, Kozelek released his first solo album, What's Next to the Moon
, which was made up entirely of acoustic covers of even more Bon Scott-era AC/DC songs, including re-recorded versions of the tracks that had appeared on the previous EP. The record was uncharacteristic of Kozelek (though he was prone to covering songs by his favorite artists) in that it is one of the shortest full-length albums of his to date, clocking in at just over thirty minutes. Both the EP and album were released by Badman Recordings.
4AD would release the best-of package, Retrospective
, in July 1999. Kozelek subsequently contributed to the AIDS
benefit album The Shanti Project Collection, and organized and appeared on Take Me Home: A Tribute to John Denver, a John Denver tribute album (along with like-minded artists like Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Low
, and The Innocence Mission
). He also dabbled in acting, playing small parts in the Cameron Crowe
films Almost Famous
and Vanilla Sky
, as well as appearing more prominently as a rock musician alongside Jason Schwartzman
in the 2005 Steve Martin
vehicle Shopgirl
.
Phil Carney occasionally accompanies Kozelek on tour dates, playing second guitar. Drummer Anthony Koutsos is also a real estate
agent in San Francisco.
, releasing the acclaimed album Ghosts of the Great Highway
on Jetset Records
. In a 2005 interview with The Onion
s AV Club, Kozelek confirmed that he considered Sun Kil Moon essentially a continuation of Red House Painters, but that he changed the band name to grab the interest of critics who had got bored with, or stopped paying attention to, his previous band. The move was successful, as Ghosts of the Great Highway would be his best-selling album yet.
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...
group
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
formed in 1989 in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
by singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Mark Kozelek
Mark Kozelek
Mark Kozelek is an American singer/songwriter Producer and frontman of Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters.-History:...
.
History
While in Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, Ohio-born Kozelek became friends with Anthony Koutsos, a drummer. He then moved to San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, adding guitarist Gorden Mack and bassist Jerry Vessel to complete the line-up for Red House Painters. After forming, the group played the San Francisco scene extensively, and recorded demos from 1989 to 1992,. The band were signed to 4AD
4AD
4AD is a British independent record label that was started in 1979 by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, funded by Beggars Banquet Records, and is still active today...
in 1992, on the strength of a demo tape passed to 4AD boss Ivo Watts-Russell
Ivo Watts-Russell
Ivo Watts-Russell was joint-founder with Peter Kent of the English indie record label 4AD. He has also produced several records, himself preferring to use the term "musical director" to explain his role in the creation....
by American Music Club
American Music Club
American Music Club is a San Francisco-based alternative rock band led by singer-songwriter Mark Eitzel.-History:Although born in California, Eitzel spent his formative years in Okinawa, Taiwan, Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1981...
frontman Mark Eitzel
Mark Eitzel
Mark Eitzel is a musician, best known as a songwriter and lead singer of the San Francisco band American Music Club.-History:Eitzel spent his formative years in a military family living in Okinawa, Taiwan, Ohio and the United Kingdom. He moved to America in 1979.He started making music while he was...
.
Between September 1992 and March 1995, the band released three LPs, one double LP, and one EP. Their first 4AD release was an album made up of demos entitled Down Colorful Hill
Down Colorful Hill
Down Colorful Hill is the debut Red House Painters album, released in 1992 by the 4AD label.As was done with the debuts of previous 4AD artists like Pixies, Lush, and His Name Is Alive, the album is made up of demos that were slightly remixed for general release. Although uncredited, the remixing...
. In 1993, the group came out with two self-titled records (now commonly referred to as Rollercoaster
Red House Painters (Rollercoaster)
Red House Painters is the second album by the group Red House Painters, released in spring 1993 by 4AD. 8 remaining songs from the same recording sessions made up the band's second self-titled album, Bridge...
and Bridge
Red House Painters (Bridge)
-Release history:-"I Am a Rock"/"New Jersey" single:Although no commercial singles were ever released from the album, a promotional-only CD single was issued for "I Am a Rock" in October 1993...
because of their cover artwork).
In early 1994, they released an EP entitled Shock Me
Shock Me EP
Shock Me is an EP by the band Red House Painters. It was released in the UK only on February 28, 1994 on CD and 12" vinyl. The EP features two versions of the song "Shock Me," a Kiss cover. The EP went out of print shortly after its initial release...
, featuring two cover versions of an Ace Frehley
Ace Frehley
Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
-written KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
song. The introspective Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach (album)
-Double 10" vinyl release:-Release history:-Notes:* Additional musicians: Dan Barbee and Carrie Bradley.* Recorded and mixed at Coast Recorders, San Francisco....
followed in spring 1995. Founding guitarist Gorden Mack left shortly after the album's release, and he was replaced shortly thereafter by Phil Carney.
While Kozelek was beginning work on a solo project, he parted ways with 4AD after a tumultuous relationship, so Songs for a Blue Guitar
Songs for a Blue Guitar
-Release history:-Credits:* Performed and produced by Mark Kozelek.* Recorded at:** Record Two Studios, Mendocino County, Comptche, California.** Hyde Street Studios, San Francisco.** Polk Street Recording, San Francisco....
was eventually released on Island Records
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...
subsidiary Supreme Recordings/Polygram in summer 1996. The album featured lengthy guitar jams and cover songs, and was the band's biggest seller in the U.S. By early 1998, their sixth album was completed. However, the band was beginning to dissolve, and major label mergers during the late 1990s would leave the record in limbo; it was not until 2001 that Old Ramon
Old Ramon
Old Ramon is the final album released by folk rock band Red House Painters. Originally completed in 1998, Mark Kozelek had to wait until 2001 to release the album. The band had previously been signed to Island/Supreme Records, but a series of major label mergers in the late '90s left the band...
was issued on the 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...
label.
Dissolution and post-breakup
Prior to the release of Old Ramon, Kozelek released a solo seven-song EP entitled Rock 'n' Roll SingerRock 'n' Roll Singer
Rock 'n' Roll Singer is the debut solo EP from Mark Kozelek. The EP was released on June 13, 2000, and was released while Kozelek's final album with his previous band Red House Painters was in limbo with record label mergers...
in 2000. The record consisted of three original acoustic compositions with minor full-band arrangements and four covers (three from Bon Scott
Bon Scott
Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott was a Scottish-born Australian rock musician, best known for being the lead singer and lyricist of Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980...
-era AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
, and John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
's "Around and Around") that further revealed Kozelek's fascination with 1970s classic rock. Six months later, Kozelek released his first solo album, What's Next to the Moon
What's Next to the Moon (album)
What's Next to the Moon is a solo album by Mark Kozelek, released on January 10, 2001. The album is composed entirely of drastically rearranged acoustic covers of Bon Scott-era AC/DC songs...
, which was made up entirely of acoustic covers of even more Bon Scott-era AC/DC songs, including re-recorded versions of the tracks that had appeared on the previous EP. The record was uncharacteristic of Kozelek (though he was prone to covering songs by his favorite artists) in that it is one of the shortest full-length albums of his to date, clocking in at just over thirty minutes. Both the EP and album were released by Badman Recordings.
4AD would release the best-of package, Retrospective
Retrospective (Red House Painters album)
Retrospective is a 2-disc compilation of Red House Painters' songs from the band's 4AD era. The compilation was released in July 1999. Disc one is a collection of definitive Red House Painters tracks culled from their debut album Down Colorful Hill through 1995's Ocean Beach, as picked by 4AD label...
, in July 1999. Kozelek subsequently contributed to the AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
benefit album The Shanti Project Collection, and organized and appeared on Take Me Home: A Tribute to John Denver, a John Denver tribute album (along with like-minded artists like Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Low
Low (band)
Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
, and The Innocence Mission
The Innocence Mission
The Innocence Mission is an American alternative rock band centered on husband-and-wife singer-songwriters Karen and Don Peris. The original group, including Mike Bitts and Steve Brown , was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early 1980s when the members met during a Catholic school...
). He also dabbled in acting, playing small parts in the Cameron Crowe
Cameron Crowe
Cameron Bruce Crowe is an American screenwriter and film director. Before moving into the film industry, Crowe was a contributing editor at Rolling Stone magazine, for which he still frequently writes....
films Almost Famous
Almost Famous
Almost Famous is a 2000 musical comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe and telling the fictional story of a teenage journalist writing for Rolling Stone magazine while covering the fictitious rock band Stillwater , and his efforts to get his first cover story published...
and Vanilla Sky
Vanilla Sky
Vanilla Sky is a 2001 American psychological thriller film directed, co-produced and co-written by Cameron Crowe. The film is an English-language remake of the 1997 Spanish movie Abre los ojos , the screenplay for which was written by Alejandro Amenábar and Mateo Gil...
, as well as appearing more prominently as a rock musician alongside Jason Schwartzman
Jason Schwartzman
Jason Francesco Schwartzman is an American actor and musician. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the Hollywood films Rushmore, Spun, I Heart Huckabees, Shopgirl, Marie Antoinette, The Darjeeling Limited, Funny People, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World...
in the 2005 Steve Martin
Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
vehicle Shopgirl
Shopgirl
Shopgirl is a 2005 American romantic drama film directed by Anand Tucker. The screenplay by Steve Martin is based on his 2000 novella of the same name.-Plot:...
.
Phil Carney occasionally accompanies Kozelek on tour dates, playing second guitar. Drummer Anthony Koutsos is also a real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
agent in San Francisco.
Sun Kil Moon
In 2003, Kozelek and Koutsos, along with Geoff Stanfield and Tim Mooney, reformed as Sun Kil MoonSun Kil Moon
Sun Kil Moon is a music project of singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek, best known for his previous band Red House Painters. Sun Kil Moon sees Kozelek undertake the writing, composing, singing, and guitar playing, accompanied by Tim Mooney and Anthony Koutsos on drums, and Geoff Stanfield on bass...
, releasing the acclaimed album Ghosts of the Great Highway
Ghosts of the Great Highway
Ghosts of the Great Highway is the 2003 debut album by San Francisco quartet Sun Kil Moon, led by Red House Painters' founder Mark Kozelek, who composed all of the lyrics and music on this album...
on Jetset Records
Jetset Records
Jetset Records was a New York-based indie rock record label. The label has released a variety of independent bands, including Firewater, Sun Kil Moon and Mogwai.-Roster:*16 Horsepower*Arab Strap*Black Box Recorder*Dean and Britta*Congo Norvell...
. In a 2005 interview with The Onion
The Onion
The Onion is an American news satire organization. It is an entertainment newspaper and a website featuring satirical articles reporting on international, national, and local news, in addition to a non-satirical entertainment section known as The A.V. Club...
s AV Club, Kozelek confirmed that he considered Sun Kil Moon essentially a continuation of Red House Painters, but that he changed the band name to grab the interest of critics who had got bored with, or stopped paying attention to, his previous band. The move was successful, as Ghosts of the Great Highway would be his best-selling album yet.
Albums
- Down Colorful HillDown Colorful HillDown Colorful Hill is the debut Red House Painters album, released in 1992 by the 4AD label.As was done with the debuts of previous 4AD artists like Pixies, Lush, and His Name Is Alive, the album is made up of demos that were slightly remixed for general release. Although uncredited, the remixing...
(September 14, 1992) - Red House PaintersRed House Painters (Rollercoaster)Red House Painters is the second album by the group Red House Painters, released in spring 1993 by 4AD. 8 remaining songs from the same recording sessions made up the band's second self-titled album, Bridge...
aka Rollercoaster (May 24, 1993) - Red House PaintersRed House Painters (Bridge)-Release history:-"I Am a Rock"/"New Jersey" single:Although no commercial singles were ever released from the album, a promotional-only CD single was issued for "I Am a Rock" in October 1993...
aka Bridge (October 18, 1993) - Ocean BeachOcean Beach (album)-Double 10" vinyl release:-Release history:-Notes:* Additional musicians: Dan Barbee and Carrie Bradley.* Recorded and mixed at Coast Recorders, San Francisco....
(March 27, 1995) - Songs for a Blue GuitarSongs for a Blue Guitar-Release history:-Credits:* Performed and produced by Mark Kozelek.* Recorded at:** Record Two Studios, Mendocino County, Comptche, California.** Hyde Street Studios, San Francisco.** Polk Street Recording, San Francisco....
(July 23, 1996) - Old RamonOld RamonOld Ramon is the final album released by folk rock band Red House Painters. Originally completed in 1998, Mark Kozelek had to wait until 2001 to release the album. The band had previously been signed to Island/Supreme Records, but a series of major label mergers in the late '90s left the band...
(April 10, 2001)
Compilation albums
- RetrospectiveRetrospective (Red House Painters album)Retrospective is a 2-disc compilation of Red House Painters' songs from the band's 4AD era. The compilation was released in July 1999. Disc one is a collection of definitive Red House Painters tracks culled from their debut album Down Colorful Hill through 1995's Ocean Beach, as picked by 4AD label...
(July 19, 1999)
Promo singles
- "Mistress" (May 1993)
- "I Am a Rock"/"New Jersey" (October 1993)
- "Summer Dress" (April 1995)
- "All Mixed Up" (July 1996)
- "Make Like Paper" (February 1997)
Soundtracks and songs in films
- "Have You Forgotten" (in Vanilla SkyVanilla SkyVanilla Sky is a 2001 American psychological thriller film directed, co-produced and co-written by Cameron Crowe. The film is an English-language remake of the 1997 Spanish movie Abre los ojos , the screenplay for which was written by Alejandro Amenábar and Mateo Gil...
) - "Japanese to English" (in AmateurAmateur (film)Amateur is a 1994 film written and directed by Hal Hartley starring Isabelle Huppert, Martin Donovan and Elina Löwensohn.-Title:The title is also an acronym, encompassing elements of the film* Accountancy* Murder* Amnesia* Torture* Ecstasy...
) - "All Mixed Up" (in Excess BaggageExcess BaggageExcess Baggage is a 1997 crime-comedy film written by Max D. Adams, Dick Clement, and Ian La Frenais, and directed by Marco Brambilla about a neglected young woman who stages her own kidnapping to get her father's attention, only to be literally kidnapped by a car thief...
) - "Song for a Blue Guitar" (in The Girl Next Door)
- "Around and Around" (in Tarnation)
- "Katy Song" (in Totally fucked upTotally Fucked UpTotally Fucked Up is a 1993 American drama film written and directed by Gregg Araki...
)
Appearances on various artists compilations
- Milkshake - A CD to Benefit the Harvey Milk Institute on timmi-kat ReCoRDSTimmi-kat ReCoRDSTimmi-kat ReCoRDS is a micro-label based in Denair, California. It is owned by David Cole and Moon Trent. In 1998 they released "Milkshake - A CD to Benefit the Harvey Milk Institute". Featuring 15 unreleased tracks from fifteen bands, this indie label took a year to produce enough copies of this...
(1998) - Shanti Project Collection on Badman/Symbiotic Records (1999)
- Take Me Home: A Tribute to John DenverJohn DenverHenry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
on Badman Records (2000)