Brian Cremins: guitar, vocals; Pearl Ratunil: drums, vocals, violin; Bob Kessler: harmonica, clarinet, loops & effects
Influences
Gibson SG, Yamaha drums, Hohner Marine Band Harmonicas, Boss Loop Station, Boss Blues Driver, Fender Champ, Peavey Classic 30...the cats: Ben, Rosie, and Emmylou; the greyhound: Joe; the bunny: Jackson!
Sounds Like
"The Illinois Entertainer" said that, although we don't sound remotely punk, you can hear traces of The Velvet Underground and Jonathan Richman in our "smart, funny" songs.
Short Punks in Love is a folk-rock power trio from Chicago, Illinois. The band formed in 2006 with Brian Cremins on guitar and vocals and Pearl Ratunil on drums. In 2008, harmonica whiz Bob Kessler joined the group, bringing with him his clarinet, bass harmonica, and Loop Station. In June 2009 they completed recording their third CD at Tricycle Sound and at Litterbox Studios in Chicago.
Brian started playing guitar at 16 after listening to the Velvet Underground, The Replacements, and Jimi Hendrix. He performed in several shoegazer bands in college and formed postpunk trio The Confessors with friends Andy and Tris in Connecticut in 1995. They recorded three EPs and gigged around the Northeast at clubs including TT the Bear's in Boston and CBGBs in New York City.
Pearl became a violin-playing Suzuki kid while growing up in upstate New York and later studied bluegrass fiddle at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Recalling her affection for Larry Mullen, Jr., she took up the drums in 2005 and played her first gig as a drummer with Brian at The Red Line Tap in Chicago in 2006. In addition to adding violin, percussion, and backing vocals to SPiL, she began playing guitar in 2008 and has been writing new songs for the band.
Bob Kessler discovered the harmonica as a teenager, first copying solos by Bob Dylan and Neil Young. In 2003 he joined Chicago blues, folk, and parlor jazz band Bakelite 78, which went on to play numerous clubs and festivals in Chicago and recorded two CDs before disbanding in 2008. In 2009, Bob began private studies with jazz harmonica master Howard Levy, played with The Panda Feathers, a band created for the stage production "Bad Guys in Suits" at the Apollo Studio Theater in Chicago, and joined Short Punks in Love with Pearl and Brian.
SPiL will be embarking on the Midwest Spread the Love Tour 2009 this summer!
SPiL photograph courtesy of Paul Natkin www.natkin.net
"PolyRhythmic Without a Trace" will be at The Spot, 4437 N Broadway, on Tuesdays during January and February while Trace is closed for renovations. This coming Tuesday, January 20th, Emily Rose will be our feature. You don't want to miss this funny and sexy lady poet. Open mic sign-up starts at 10 pm. 21 and over please. We'd love to see our friends, old and new and the ones we haven't met yet, at our new temporary home, upstairs in the "green room. " PolyRhythmic endures and lives on! Vive la Revolution!
Hey Punks!! Wassup? Back to school again? I've recently been thinking ( surprised? ) too bad they do'nt let coach Johnson use the "oak Paddle" and Mr. Nass the math teacher is forbidden to whip little pieces of chalk and dusty erasers at the heads of students who are chewing gum. See ya.
Hey Brian! How's it goeth? Drop me a line and let's catch up! Better yet let's get together sometime soon. By the way, I ran into my old bud Chuck from Factor-4 last night. They're playing Mutiny I believe this Saturday. I should be there if you guys wanna meet up. Ciao! :)
I just had to comment .. your sound on these tracks is awesome.. and the writing is terrific... I totally mean it..!! Did you go to a studio or get new gear or somthin..?. I hope you're both feelin good..!!
Hey Punks..!! Had a good time at the mix despite the fact that it sucked for me.. : {) and it was good to meet you both.. how do such mellow folks rock so hard.. ? ! ? ... and also... any idea what kind of bottles were hurled at the Ramones..? I'd like to start collecting them... and as far as the pepper grinder... this probably makes you qualified , Brian , to be Pearls pepper boy..! any how..anyhow.. uhhh... hello.
Hey Bri! Awesome set on Saturday! I had a blast! As I was just saying to Kev I ended up having a little too much fun, but what the hell. I don't go out that much these days unless we're playing a show. Speaking of which, if you're free on Saturday come on out to Red Line Tap.
Hey Brian, hope you're doing great! I hate to be a stalker on all fronts but if you could let me know about that letter I'd really appreciate it :) Talk soon!