"Crank up the volume and feast your ears on a musical smorgasbord that definitely requires a full concert hall. The native Sacramento band MC Rut combines the talents of singer and guitarist Zack Lopez with drummer and backup vocalist Sean Stockham. Lopez’s angsty lyrics explode on a canvas of poignant guitar riffs, for a full sound that is raw and edgy. MC Rut doesn’t tiptoe into their songs—they give it all they’ve got, musically and lyrically.” - SUBMERGE feature (Nov 2008 issue)
"...it's mindblowing to witness the sheer depth and complexity of the sound these two guys are capable of unleashing on their own...once the novelty subsides, you're left with incendiary post-rock with visible traces of '90s alternative..." - ALTERNATIVE PRESS feature (January 2008)
“It seems like every cool band in California comes from a hardcore punk-rock lineage, instilled with a vehement intensity and DIY ideals. None display this more than Sacremento two-piece Middle Class Rut, an all-encompassing death charge of propulsive, echoing rhythms and menacing euphoric clatter. With the influence of Jane's Addiction evident, MC Rut fire-bomb the audience with a riff-churning, four-armed flailing assault on the solar plexus...With a new album to push, this bass-free-yet-loud-as-bombs roundhouse kick of a performance illustrates their bipolar melodic noise spectacularly.” - THIS IS NOTTINGHAM (UK) show review (June 12, 2009)
"Listening to Middle Class Rut (or M.C. Rut for short) is an ear opening experience. The ears are open however for the blood to escape, this is music decibel counters were invented for, music that neighbouring towns complain about not next door neighbours. Comprising just two members, Zack Lopez- vocals/ guitar, Sean Stockham- Drums/ vocals, the unholy roar they unleash is influenced by noise forefathers such as Refused and Fugazi with added melodic nods to Janes Addiction and Rage Against The Machine. Despite hailing from California the sunshine has clearly been locked out of which ever garage M.C. Rut practise and write in. ‘Busy Bein’ Born’ is a looming apocalyptic stomp that lurches and sprints into action in equal measure. The split vocals could shred a larynx from 50 paces and the riffs pummel fast and hard underneath." - IT'S GETTING BORING BY THE SEA (UK) live review (Nov 2008)
Sounds Like
M-C RUT
Middle Class Rut is a two-piece from Sacramento, CA whose intense garage-inflected wall of sound immediately brings to mind Jane’s Addiction, My Bloody Valentine, Rage Against The Machine and The Black Keys.
Although only in their mid-20s, Middle Class Rut—Zack Lopez (guitar/vox) and Sean Stockham (drums/vox)—are veteran musicians who were core members of Leisure, a much buzzed-about LA-based band that was signed to DreamWorks back in 2000--when Sean and Zack were only in their early teens. Following the dissolution of that band in 2003 and taking a hiatus from performing, Zack and Sean realized that they were meant to write music and perform together as a two-piece. After sequestering themselves in their studio back in Sacramento for several months, Middle Class Rut was officially born in December 2006.
The band played its first major national tour last fall with Receiving End Of Sirens and Envy On The Coast, and, from the very first show decimated expectations of what a two-piece should be capable of. ALTERNATIVE PRESS wrote up the band’s compellingly intense performances, saying “…it’s mind-blowing to witness the sheer depth and complexity of the sound these two guys are capable of unleashing on their own…but once the novelty subsides, you’re left with incendiary post-rock with visible traces of ‘90s alternative.” The SACRAMENTO BEE, in a major feature this past spring, declared that “Middle Class Rut gives an intense spin to the adage that “less is more”.”
Unsigned for the moment, Middle Class Rut recently released a self-titled 8-song EP through all major online retailers, and is set to tour the US with Burning Brides throughout July
The remainder of the year will see Middle Class Rut steadily touring before returning to the studio to record their first full-length, slated for release in the first half of 2009.
Hey Zack thanks for letting me get that pic the other night and I will definitely be there on the 30th! Now where did you say I could get a fake ID for my daughter? lol JK
i still feel shitty for missing your shows in germany. i was even in cologne in february when you played there, but had to work that night. i just hope you were able find some new fans here and, thus, might be able to come back soon. take care, heiner
Thanks for the add & awesome show on Friday. And thanks for giving us all our Bell Biv Devoe fix! We bought your cds after the show. Great stuff :) Can't wait until the 30th!
I've seen you in Nürnberg and now I am terribly in love with you. Well, not you in person, but you as in your band. So come to Berlin, that I can bring all my friends to your fab show!!! (Did I mention that I love you?)
