Rust Belt Music
Encyclopedia
Rust Belt Music is a San Francisco-based band
that formed in 2001. The band has toured the United States
and received numerous positive reviews in the alternative press (in both North
and South America
). The original members were John Lindenbaum (vocals
, guitar
), Chris Cortelyou (drums
), Laurin Askew (bass
) and Micah Weinberg (keyboards
). Askew and Weinberg were eventually replaced with Jason Michael (bass
) and Andre Perry (keyboards
).
Reviewers initially described RBM as a "pop
-based alt-country hybrid" and compared the band to an amalgamation of Neil Young
, Wilco
, and Radiohead
. However, the revolving membership led to a more "synthy
" sound, eventually evolving into the band's current iteration in the noisepop genre. Throughout all its incarnations, critics have consistently praised the band's heartfelt yet plainspoken lyrics, noting that the "songs concern themselves with the quiet desperation of the ordinary person," and calling songwriter Lindenbaum "the Sherwood Anderson
of contemporary music."
In addition, Lindenbaum regularly performs solo acoustic sets, and Lindenbaum and Perry also perform together in The Lonelyhearts
.
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
that formed in 2001. The band has toured the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and received numerous positive reviews in the alternative press (in both North
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
). The original members were John Lindenbaum (vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Chris Cortelyou (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
), Laurin Askew (bass
Bass (instrument)
Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
) and Micah Weinberg (keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
). Askew and Weinberg were eventually replaced with Jason Michael (bass
Bass (instrument)
Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
) and Andre Perry (keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
).
Reviewers initially described RBM as a "pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
-based alt-country hybrid" and compared the band to an amalgamation of Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
, Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
, and Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
. However, the revolving membership led to a more "synthy
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
" sound, eventually evolving into the band's current iteration in the noisepop genre. Throughout all its incarnations, critics have consistently praised the band's heartfelt yet plainspoken lyrics, noting that the "songs concern themselves with the quiet desperation of the ordinary person," and calling songwriter Lindenbaum "the Sherwood Anderson
Sherwood Anderson
Sherwood Anderson was an American novelist and short story writer. His most enduring work is the short story sequence Winesburg, Ohio. Writers he has influenced include Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, John Steinbeck, J. D. Salinger, and Amos Oz.-Early life:Anderson was born in Clyde, Ohio,...
of contemporary music."
In addition, Lindenbaum regularly performs solo acoustic sets, and Lindenbaum and Perry also perform together in The Lonelyhearts
The Lonelyhearts
The Lonelyhearts is a San Francisco-based band featuring John Lindenbaum and Andre Perry . The group has toured the United States and is frequently reviewed in the alternative press...
.
Discography
- Glory in Excelsior (2001)
- The Third Unplanned Child (2002)
- Deborah (2002)
- Dodge (2003)
- Builder (2004)
- The Christmas Day EP (2005) (John Lindenbaum solo EP)
- The Company Town (2006)
- The Easter Sunday EP (2007)