Soledad Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Soledad Brothers were an American garage rock
trio from Maumee, Ohio
. Taking strong influence from blues rock, the band consisted of Ben Swank on drums, Johnny Walker on guitar and vocals, and Oliver Henry (formerly of The Greenhornes
and who was recruited just before the release of their second album) on sax and guitar. The band produced four albums: Soledad Brothers (2000), Steal Your Soul and Dare Your Spirit to Move (2002), Voice of Treason (2003), and The Hardest Walk (2006).
who were members of the Black Panther Party
—George Jackson
, Fleeta Drumgo, and John Clutchette—incarcerated at Soledad Prison, the Soledad Brothers formed in 1998 in their hometown of Maumee, Ohio
(near Toledo
).
The band's foundations began with Johnny Walker (Johnny Wirick) joining the punk blues
band Henry And June, in which Benjamin "Swank" Smith was already performing as drummer. Henry and June existed from 1994 until 1996. Wirick continued playing with drummer Doug Walker in the two-piece blues outfit 'Johnny Walker'. The Soledad Brothers began in early 1998 after guitarist/vocalist Johnny Wirick (a.k.a. Johnny Walker) asked drummer Ben Smith (a.k.a. Ben Swank) if he wanted to play a show. When traveling north to Detroit for a few gigs, the duo was approached by Italy Records
owner Dave Buick. The label recorded the band, releasing the single "Sugar and Spice", which attracted Estrus Records
. This led to the release of "The Gospel According to John" single along with a number of others, the success of which prompted Estrus Records to put out the band's first full-length album.
The self-titled album was engineered by Jack White
of The White Stripes
, who also produced their second single. Meg White
performs some percussion on this album. While both the Soledad Brothers and the White Stripes were Detroit bands heavily influenced by blues, the relationship between the two was also personal. Ben was Jack's roommate for some period of time, and Johnny played slide guitar on two songs from The White Stripes' debut album
, as well as teaching Jack how to play slide. Oliver Henry and Meg White had a long-term relationship while the Soledad Brothers were still together.
The band followed up with the 2002 album, Steal Your Soul and Dare Your Spirit to Move. The blues influence is still very prevalent, but also saw the introduction of the heavier '60s and '70s Brit-rock influence.
The Soledads' third release came in 2003, Voice of Treason, on Loog Records in the UK. It saw the band expand their sound with some jazz influence, and some strange atmospheric sounds. The bulk of the album still retained their distinctive blues-rock style.
Their fourth album The Hardest Walk, released in 2006 on Alive Records
in the US and Loog in the UK, transcends the rampant garage blues that had so characterized the band's previous work by taking in a diverse range of influences, from Dr John and Albert Ayler
to Syd Barrett
and early Neil Young
, with some Brit pop melodies and soul
grooves added.
It was announced within weeks of the album's release, however, that the band was breaking up. Upcoming shows were cancelled and the band's final gigs were at the Magic Stick in Detroit and the Southgate House (The birthplace of the Tommy Gun
) in Newport, Kentucky
.
This marks the first release of Little Room Record Co.
The tracks on the single are "Quixotic Dream" and a White Stripes cover, "Sugar Never Tasted So Good". The single became available Feb.12, 2008. There were 500 7"s pressed on black vinyl. A full length LP was released by the Little Room Record Co. on May 19, 2009.
Henry Oliver reclaimed his real name Brian Olive and released a solo CD for Alive
in 2009 called Brian Olive.
Compilations
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...
trio from Maumee, Ohio
Maumee, Ohio
Maumee is a city in Lucas County, Ohio, United States. It is a suburb of Toledo along the Maumee River. The population was 14,286 at the 2010 census. Maumee was also declared an All-America City by the National Civic League in June 2006.-Geography:...
. Taking strong influence from blues rock, the band consisted of Ben Swank on drums, Johnny Walker on guitar and vocals, and Oliver Henry (formerly of The Greenhornes
The Greenhornes
The Greenhornes are an American garage rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in 1996 by vocalist/guitarist Craig Fox, bass guitarist Jack Lawrence and drummer Patrick Keeler. They released their debut album Gun For You in 1999, followed by a self-titled album in 2001. A third studio album, Dual...
and who was recruited just before the release of their second album) on sax and guitar. The band produced four albums: Soledad Brothers (2000), Steal Your Soul and Dare Your Spirit to Move (2002), Voice of Treason (2003), and The Hardest Walk (2006).
Band history
Taking their name from a trio of convicted felonsSoledad Brothers
The Soledad Brothers were an American garage rock trio from Maumee, Ohio. Taking strong influence from blues rock, the band consisted of Ben Swank on drums, Johnny Walker on guitar and vocals, and Oliver Henry on sax and guitar...
who were members of the Black Panther Party
Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party wasan African-American revolutionary leftist organization. It was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982....
—George Jackson
George Jackson (Black Panther)
George Lester Jackson was an American convict who became a left-wing activist, Marxist, author, a member of the Black Panther Party, and co-founder of the Black Guerrilla Family prison gang...
, Fleeta Drumgo, and John Clutchette—incarcerated at Soledad Prison, the Soledad Brothers formed in 1998 in their hometown of Maumee, Ohio
Maumee, Ohio
Maumee is a city in Lucas County, Ohio, United States. It is a suburb of Toledo along the Maumee River. The population was 14,286 at the 2010 census. Maumee was also declared an All-America City by the National Civic League in June 2006.-Geography:...
(near Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
).
The band's foundations began with Johnny Walker (Johnny Wirick) joining the punk blues
Punk blues
Punk blues denotes a fusion genre of punk rock and blues. Punk blues musicians and bands usually incorporate elements of related styles, such as protopunk and blues rock. Its origins lie strongly within the garage rock sound of the 1960s and 1970s.Punk blues can be said to favor the common...
band Henry And June, in which Benjamin "Swank" Smith was already performing as drummer. Henry and June existed from 1994 until 1996. Wirick continued playing with drummer Doug Walker in the two-piece blues outfit 'Johnny Walker'. The Soledad Brothers began in early 1998 after guitarist/vocalist Johnny Wirick (a.k.a. Johnny Walker) asked drummer Ben Smith (a.k.a. Ben Swank) if he wanted to play a show. When traveling north to Detroit for a few gigs, the duo was approached by Italy Records
Italy Records
Italy Records is an independent record label founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1997, by self-confessed "record geek" Dave Buick....
owner Dave Buick. The label recorded the band, releasing the single "Sugar and Spice", which attracted Estrus Records
Estrus Records
Estrus Records is an independent record label from Bellingham, Washington that makes surf, garage and trash rock music.They have released such bands as Soledad Brothers, The Drags, The Mummies, Impala, Man or Astro-man?, the Makers, Gas Huffer, The Mooney Suzuki, DMBQ, The Cherry Valence, Midnight...
. This led to the release of "The Gospel According to John" single along with a number of others, the success of which prompted Estrus Records to put out the band's first full-length album.
The self-titled album was engineered by Jack White
Jack White (musician)
Jack White , often credited as Jack White III, is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and occasional actor...
of The White Stripes
The White Stripes
The White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
, who also produced their second single. Meg White
Meg White
Megan Martha "Meg" White is an American drummer best known for her work in the Detroit rock duo The White Stripes.-Early life:...
performs some percussion on this album. While both the Soledad Brothers and the White Stripes were Detroit bands heavily influenced by blues, the relationship between the two was also personal. Ben was Jack's roommate for some period of time, and Johnny played slide guitar on two songs from The White Stripes' debut album
The White Stripes (album)
The White Stripes is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band The White Stripes, released on June 15, 1999. The album was produced by Jim Diamond and vocalist/guitarist Jack White, recorded in January 1999 at Ghetto Recorders and Third Man Studios in Detroit...
, as well as teaching Jack how to play slide. Oliver Henry and Meg White had a long-term relationship while the Soledad Brothers were still together.
The band followed up with the 2002 album, Steal Your Soul and Dare Your Spirit to Move. The blues influence is still very prevalent, but also saw the introduction of the heavier '60s and '70s Brit-rock influence.
The Soledads' third release came in 2003, Voice of Treason, on Loog Records in the UK. It saw the band expand their sound with some jazz influence, and some strange atmospheric sounds. The bulk of the album still retained their distinctive blues-rock style.
Their fourth album The Hardest Walk, released in 2006 on Alive Records
Alive Records
Alive Naturalsound Records – also known simply as Alive Records – started in 1994 in Los Angeles, California, by Patrick Boissel, is an independent record label specializing in garage rock, punk blues, garage punk, psychedelic rock, power pop and blues-rock music. It grew out of Boissel's...
in the US and Loog in the UK, transcends the rampant garage blues that had so characterized the band's previous work by taking in a diverse range of influences, from Dr John and Albert Ayler
Albert Ayler
Albert Ayler was an American avant-garde jazz saxophonist, singer and composer.Ayler was among the most primal of the free jazz musicians of the 1960s; critic John Litweiler wrote that "never before or since has there been such naked aggression in jazz" He possessed a deep blistering tone—achieved...
to Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
and early 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...
, with some Brit pop melodies and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
grooves added.
It was announced within weeks of the album's release, however, that the band was breaking up. Upcoming shows were cancelled and the band's final gigs were at the Magic Stick in Detroit and the Southgate House (The birthplace of the Tommy Gun
Tommy Gun
Tommy Gun may refer to:*Thompson submachine gun or Tommy gun, a submachine gun*"Tommy Gun" , a song by The Clash...
) in Newport, Kentucky
Newport, Kentucky
Newport is a city in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers. The population was 15,273 at the 2010 census. Historically, it was one of four county seats of Campbell County. Newport is part of the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio Metro Area which...
.
Post break-up: Cut In The Hill Gang
- Walker is now playing in a band called Cut In The Hill Gang, based in Covington, KentuckyCovington, Kentucky-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile . There were 20,448 housing units at an average density of 1,556.5 per square mile...
. The band recently released their debut, a vinyl single on Little Room Record Co.
This marks the first release of Little Room Record Co.
The tracks on the single are "Quixotic Dream" and a White Stripes cover, "Sugar Never Tasted So Good". The single became available Feb.12, 2008. There were 500 7"s pressed on black vinyl. A full length LP was released by the Little Room Record Co. on May 19, 2009.
Henry Oliver reclaimed his real name Brian Olive and released a solo CD for Alive
Bomp! Records
Bomp! Records is an Los Angeles-based indie label formed in 1974 by fanzine publisher and music historian Greg Shaw.-History:The label has featured punk, pop, powerpop, garage rock, new wave, old school rock, neo-psychedelia among other genres, and its roster has included artists such as The Modern...
in 2009 called Brian Olive.
Singles
- Sugar & Spice/Johnny's Death Letter 7" (Italy Records, 1998)
- Jack White appearing on "Johnny's Death Letter".
- The Gospel According To John/Mysterious Ways 7" (EstrusEstrus RecordsEstrus Records is an independent record label from Bellingham, Washington that makes surf, garage and trash rock music.They have released such bands as Soledad Brothers, The Drags, The Mummies, Impala, Man or Astro-man?, the Makers, Gas Huffer, The Mooney Suzuki, DMBQ, The Cherry Valence, Midnight...
, 1999)- mixed by Jack White
- first pressing: red vinyl
- second pressing: black vinyl (limited pressing of 1000)
- Good Feeling/Magazine 7" (Polydor Limited, 2006)
- cd-maxi includes video + tracks Magazine and Circle Girl
Albums
- Master Supertone CS (self-released/no label, 1998), 20 copies
-
- Sugar And Spice (same version as Italy 7", different mix)
- Rocket 88 (featuring Jack White on piano)
- Johnny's Death Letter (same version as Italy 7", different mix)
- Bootleg
- Long Legged Baby
- Skidmore, TexasSkidmore, TexasSkidmore is a census-designated place in Bee County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,013 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Skidmore is located at ....
- Gimme Back My Wig
- St. Ides of March
- Little Red Rooster
- Soledad Brothers LP/CD (Estrus, 2000), 300 copies on Red vinyl
- Gospel According to John
- What Hath God Wraught
- The Weight Of The World
- Front St. Front
- Lovin' Machine
- Cadillac Hips
- Shinning Path
- Rock Me Slow
- Handle Song
- St. Ides Of March
- Sugar & Spice
- I-75 Boogie
- Do The Heartstopper
- Gimmie Back My Wig
- Mysterious Ways
- Steal Your Soul And Dare Your Spirit To Move LP/CD (Estrus, 2002), 400 copies on Blue vinyl
- Prince Among Thieves
- Prodigal Stones Blues
- This Guitar Says I'm Sorry
- Break 'em On Down
- Good Friday The 13th: Part I
- Nation's Bell
- Hammer Me Down
- Michigan line
- Good Friday The 13th: Part II
- .32 Blues
- Ray of Love
- Skidmore Blues
- Miracle Birth
- There's No Sunshine When She's Gone (Bill Withers)
- Good Friday The 13th: Part III
- The Illucider (Alt. version, Japanese release only 2004)
- Live LP/CD (Sweet Nothing, 2003)
- Live LP/CD (Dim Mak, 2003)
- Live CD (Smash Music, 2004), recorded Live At The Gold Dollar June 2000, Dim Mak version, 300 on White vinyl
- Stand Up
- Break Em On Down
- Johnny's Death Letter
- Goin' Back To Memphis
- Teenage Heart Attack
- Up Jumped The Devil
- Gospel According To John
- Voice Of Treason LP/CD (Polydor, 2003)
- Cage That Tiger
- The Elucidator
- Lowdown Streamline
- Sons Of Dogs
- Lay Down This World
- Only Flower In My Bed
- Boogie With Viner
- Sights Unseen
- On Time
- I'm So Glad
- Ain't It Funny
- Handle Song
- Lorali
- The Hardest Walk LP/CD (Alive Records, 2006), 1000 copies on Purple vinyl
- Truth Or Consequences
- Downtown Paranoia Blues
- Crying Out Loud (Tears Of Joy)
- Crooked Crown
- Sweet And Easy
- Dark Horses
- White Jazz
- Good Feeling
- Let Me Down
- Mean Old Toledo
- Loup Garou
- True To Zouzou
- Dirty Beef in C(only on cd)
Compilations
- Purr Like A Kitten LP (Style Over Substance Records, 1997)
-
- Hell Or High Water (early version of 'Gimme Back My Wig')
- Lipstick
-
- band info: 1.'Johnny Walker' featuring Johnny Wirick + Doug Walker. 2.'Cumsisters' featuring Ben 'Swank' Smith on drums. Album also featured tracks from Jessica BailiffJessica BailiffJessica Bailiff is an American singer-songwriter from Toledo, Ohio. Her music is largely classified as slowcore, although it contains elements of post-rock and shoegaze. Bailiff was discovered by Low's Alan Sparhawk, who recommended her earlier demos to Kranky Records, the label on which Bailiff...
and Static RitualsStatic RitualsThe Static Rituals were a Toledo, Ohio-based band formed in 1996. Starting out in high school, they were quite prolific, but slowed down in later years. The band had well over 40 members in their constantly changing line-up, a la The Fall including Dan Greunke of Glide, Ben Swank of Soledad...
, among others.
- band info: 1.'Johnny Walker' featuring Johnny Wirick + Doug Walker. 2.'Cumsisters' featuring Ben 'Swank' Smith on drums. Album also featured tracks from Jessica Bailiff
- Sympathetic Sounds Of Detroit LP/CD (Sympathy for the Record IndustrySympathy for the Record IndustrySympathy for the Record Industry is a mainly independent garage rock and punk label formed in 1988 by record industry anti-mogul Long Gone John...
, 2001), produced and recorded by Jack White, mixed by Jack White and Jim Diamond
-
- Shaky Puddin' (featuring Jack White on backing vocals)
- X-Mas Surprise Package Volume 4 7" (Flying Bomb Records, 2001), clear yellow or black vinyl
- Hang My Star
- The Estrus Double Dynomite Sampler Volume 3 CD (Estrus, 2002)
- Break 'Em Down
- Teenage Heartattack
- X-Mas Surprise Package (The Collector's Edition) CD (Flying Bomb Records, 2002)
- Hang My Star
- FabricLive.07 mixed by John Peel (Fabric 2002)
- Break 'Em On Down
- Dim Mak 2003 Sampler CD (Dim Mak, 2003)
- Goin' Back To Memphis
- New Blood - The New Rock N Roll Vol 3 CD (Artrocker, 2003)
- Prodigal Stones Blues
- Root Damage 2xLP/2xCD (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 2003)
- Shakey Puddin'
- Smash Music Sampler CD (Smash Music, 2004)
- Stand Up
- Break 'Em Down
- Detroit Breakdown - The Rocked Out Motor City Music Sampler CD (PBS 106.7FM, 2004)
- Johnny's Death Letter
- Superfuzz CD (Lowfly Records, 2005), featuring Dooley Wilson
- Still A Fool (Recorded live at Le Cat, Bordeaux, France 3/2004)
- This Is Punk Rock Blues - Vol #1 CD (Punk Rock Blues, 2005)
- Handle Song
- He Put the Bomp in the Bomp (Bomp records, 2007)
- Walkin' the Dog
Music Videos
- Handle Song, directed by James R. Petix (2004)
- Good Feeling, directed by James R. Petix (2006)
Appearances
- They appear in Detroit Rock Movie.
- They appear in the documentary It Came From Detroit, directed by James R. Petix
- A cover of the song Goin' Back to Memphis can be found on The White Stripes 2004 released live DVD Under Blackpool LightsUnder Blackpool LightsUnder Blackpool Lights is the first official DVD released by The White Stripes. It has since been out of print and hailed as a must for White Stripes fans....
. Which was also covered by The White Stripes on The Conan O'Brien show
Further reading
- "You want to relish that bad feeling", The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, March 3, 2006.
External links
- Band profile at Alive Records
- Soledad Brothers at MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Review of the Steal Your Soul... album from the Soul of Rock n' Roll