When People Were Shorter and Lived Near the Water
When People Were Shorter and Lived Near the Water | |
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Origin | Shimmy Disc, Staple Gun, Trace Elements |
Past members | Kim Rancourt Joe Defilipps David Raymer Bob Meetsma Mitch Strassberg Ron Spitzer Dave Rick David Licht Chris Xefos |
When People Were Shorter and Lived Near the Water was an American
History
Basing their repertoire around deconstructive cover versions of other artists' songs,[5] the group was formed in 1986 by vocalists Kim Rancourt and Joe Defilipps (the latter of whom also played trombone), guitarists David Raymer and Bob Meetsma, bassist Mitch Strassberg and drummer Ron Spitzer (of Band of Susans). Released on the Trace Elements imprint, their 1987 debut EP included a Ray Davies cover and a recitation of the Gettysburg Address.
Their second EP, Uncle Ben (1988), featured the addition of bassist
In 1991, the band released Porgy, an album of material from Ira and George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Their third and final LP, Bill Kennedy's Showtime (1994), comprised songs by semi-obscure 1960s and 1970s Detroit rock and soul bands, as Rancourt had grown up in the area during that time.[1] Talk of an album of material popularized by Louis Armstrong arose as plans for the band's fourth LP, but the record never materialized, and the band became inactive.
Rancourt and Rick next co-founded Shapir-O'Rama, which played original music. They recorded several albums, including two with Jad Fair. Rancourt later formed JFK with Andrew W.K. and Don Fleming.[6][7][8] Defilipps played in After That It's All Gravy,[9] while Xefos, Rick, and Licht remained active with numerous other groups.
Members
- Kim Rancourt – vocals, flute, casio horn (1986–1996)
- Joe Defilipps – vocals, trombone (1986–1996)
- David Raymer – guitar, keyboard, vocals (1986–1996)
- Bob Meetsma – guitar, lap steel guitar, cornet, banjo, saxophone, vocals (1986–1996)
- Mitch Strassberg – bass (1986–1988)
- Ron Spitzer – drums (1986–1988)
- Dave Rick – bass, guitar, vocals (1988–1996)
- David Licht – drums (1988–1996)
- Chris Xefos – keyboards, tuba, accordion, vocals, etc. (1989–1996)
Discography
- Albums
- Bobby (1989)
- Porgy (1991)
- Bill Kennedy's Showtime (1993)
- Singles
- When People Were Shorter and Lived Near the Water (1987)
- Uncle Ben (1988)
- Tiny E.P. (1990)
- Compilation appearances
- Rutles Highway Revisited (1990) – "Let's Be Natural"
- Donovan: Island of Circles (1992) – "The Natural High is the Best High in the World (Riki Tiki Tavi)"
- Surprise Your Pig: A Tribute to R.E.M. (1993) – "I Believe"
References
- ^ a b c "When People Were Shorter and Lived Near the Water". Trouser Press.
- The Chicago Tribune. December 23, 2011.
- ^ "Reviews/Music; Pop Culture With a Strong Undercurrent of Psychedelia". New York Times. January 8, 1990. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
- ^ "Fresh, Hot and Headed for Fame, These Are Faces to Watch". New York Times. January 5, 1990. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
- ^ "Pop and Jazz in Review". New York Times. November 28, 1991. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
- ^ "Esopus Magazine Archive". Esopus Magazine. December 21, 2011.
- ^ "Don Fleming Gets Help on '4'..." The Cleveland Sound. December 21, 2011.
- ^ "Indie Legend Don Fleming Revives Velvet Monkeys Classic to Coincide with '4'". Beer Melodies. December 21, 2011.
- ^ "After That It's All Gravy". AllMusic. December 21, 2011.