Scruffy The Cat
Scruffy The Cat | |
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Origin | Boston |
Genres | Roots rock, pop, cowpunk |
Years active | 1983–1990, 2011 |
Labels | Relativity Records |
Past members |
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Website | scruffythecat |
Scruffy The Cat was a roots rock/pop/cowpunk band from Boston,[1] active from 1983[2] to 1990. They also played a few reunion shows in 2011, prior to the death of lead singer and guitarist Charlie Chesterman in 2013.
At times credited as a forefather of the
Early years and output
Lead singer Charlie Chesterman and bassist MacPaul Stanfield played together in The Law, one of Iowa’s first punk bands,
The band was signed to Relativity Records in 1986 and released its first two EPs, High Octane Revival (1986) and Boom Boom Boom Bingo (1987). High Octane Revival was voted the #4 EP of 1986 in the Village Voice's "Pazz & Jop" Critics list.[9] In 1987, Scruffy The Cat released its debut album, Tiny Days, with the singles "Never Never/Time Never Forgets" and "Mybabyshesallright". Tiny Days was in the top 5 of college national radio charts[10][11] and ranked #4 in the Village Voice year end critics poll of 1987. Videos for the two singles received rotation on MTV's 120 Minutes and the album Tiny Days was one of the top 10 college albums in Rolling Stone upon its release.[12] In 1988, the band released its second album, Moons Of Jupiter, which was followed by the single "Love Song #9" in 1989. Moons Of Jupiter was recorded in Memphis with famed producer Jim Dickinson at the legendary Ardent Studios.[6] Chris Heim of the Chicago Tribune wrote that Moons of Jupiter is a "more relaxed and polished effort that wraps the group's typically catchy pop hooks in the fuzzy warmth of sweet Memphis soul."[6] Moons of Jupiter spent eight weeks on the Billboard 200 album list, peaking at number 177.[13] The first single from the LP, also titled Moons of Jupiter, peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.[13]
Touring life, breakup & reunions
Following a couple of initial shows in 1983, Scruffy The Cat toured almost non-stop between 1984 and 1990, playing mostly in and around the Boston area in 1984 and 1985 but then extending their reach regionally and then nationally. They had several national tours and shared the bill with such acts as The Replacements, Yo La Tengo, and Los Lobos.[5] The band played its final shows in 1990 before disbanding. In 2011, Scruffy The Cat played three reunion shows in the Boston area, with the initial show being arranged as a benefit concert for the cancer-stricken Chesterman.[14] Chesterman died in November 2013.[15]
Time Never Forgets: The revival of Scruffy The Cat
On August 19, 2014,
On Saturday, July 25, 2015, Scruffy the Cat played the last ever set at
Discography
- High Octane Revival (1986)
- Tiny Days (1987)
- Boom Boom Boom Bingo (1987)
- Moons of Jupiter (1988)
Compilations
- Time Never Forgets: The Anthology (86-88) (Sony 2014)
- The Good Goodbye: Unreleased Recordings 1984-1990 (Omnivore 2014)
References
- Boston Phoenix
- Boston Phoenix
- ^ Perry, Jonathan (10 June 2011). Charlie’s angels: An all-star benefit celebrates the music of the former Scruffy the Cat frontman, Boston Herald
- ^ Horowitz, Hal (18 Aug 2014). Scruffy The Cat: Time Never Forgets – The Anthology, American Songwriter
- ^ a b Perry, Jonathan (5 November 2013). King Size Talent: Charlie Chesterman, Scruffy Sweetheart of the Radio, RPM, Life In Analog
- ^ a b c Heim, Chris (28 November 1988). Cool Cats: Boston Band Takes Soul Lessons In Memphis, Chicago Tribune
- ^ Popson, Tom (1 April 1988). Purring Right Along With Scruffy The Cat, Chicago Tribune
- ^ Moore, Rogert (31 March 1988). Scruffy the Cat, Chicago Reader
- ^ The 1986 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll, RobertChristgau.com, Retrieved 29 August 2014
- Philadelphia Inquirer
- ^ DeCurtis, Anthony (26 June 1987). Travis Goes More Traditional / `Tiny Days` Is Energetic, Fun, Sun Sentinel
- ^ McCabe, Alec D.B. (9 July 1987). Scruffy the Cat band is purring right along, The Day (New London)
- ^ a b Scruffy the Cat - Chart History, billboard.com, Retrieved 29 August 2014)
- ^ (16 August 2011). Scruffy the Cat reunites after 20 years, will play two Boston concerts in October, Slicing Up Eyeballs
- Boston Globe
- ^ Omnivore Recordings - The Good Goodbye, omnivorecordings.com, Retrieved 29 August 2014