Stephen Smith, who plays guitar and sings, played in Boston's Salem 66. He was also in Green Magnet School and God's Eye, making records on the Sub Pop and Rough Trade labels. /// Drummer David Shollenbarger was the long-time touring drummer for seminal west coast punk rockers, Agent Orange. He also played in Blood on the Saddle, one of the originators of L.A. "cowpunk." /// David Knupp, on guitar and keyboards, played in Joe Buck, one of the earlier and best-regarded bands out of San Francisco's alt-country scene.
Influences
The past 40 years of rock. More recently: Centro-matic, Pete Yorn, Matthew Sweet, Neil Young, Wrens, Elliott Smith, Jayhawks, Eleventh Dream Day, Dream Syndicate, etc.
Knowing we haven’t posted new music in awhile, and given our slow pace, I thought I’d put up an old demo for listen and download. A dusty spare we had lying around called "Straight Lines." Let us know what you think.
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Thanks to Adam for wearing our t-shirt on a couple recent Mythbusters episodes! Glad to see some folks have noticed.
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Quite a few recent reviews - Pop Culture Press was generous enough to call the record "stellar." Spain’s powerpopaction makes us a top 40 record of the year. Absolutepowerpop puts us in the top 100. And we didn’t even know we were power pop. In the Netherlands, altcountry.nl gives us three and a half horses! We didn’t know we were alt-country, either. Big Takeover says Stay My Satellite is a "really strong record!" And just the other day, Dagger also had a few nice things to say.
You can also buy the CD from us direct for $10, with shipping (U.S. Only), through paypal!
The Morning Line "pops and shines like a mournful, West Coast Luna, fronted by a ragged, smoky Elvis Costello type." --East Bay Express
They "capture the raspy mournful vibe of Elliott Smith combined with a three-chord jangly pop. . . . This hook-filled album nicely mixes up rockers and introspective tunes." --Miles of Music
"This almost-supergroup doesn’t sound too much like any of the member’s previous bands. The Morning Line moves away from all of that into spacious and melodic alt-country moodiness. The vocals sometimes traffic in a Dharma Bums smoothness, and some songs hold up a soft sad hand towards early American Music Club. But these boys rock a little harder, with great guitar work and steady drums that catch on a few nice stop start rhythms. I want to hear more." --Big Takeover
"Staten Island. . . sounds like it would have been one of the best songs on an album like, say, REM’s ’Fables Of The Reconstruction’ or The Windbreakers ’Run.’ VERY highly recommended." --Bruce Brodeen, Not Lame
Christmas time is for the faithful, and I don't mean those who belive in a god of some sort. Please accept my sincere Christmas card, even though I am a blast from the past. It is of the true Christ spirit. And by Christ, I mean a fictional earth-bound angle...I mean angel. Mozel Tov!
Life is good at Ashmont, except around this time of year, when they put a hat on me and think it’s funny. I suppose it’s a small price to pay for food in my belly and a roof over my head. My resolution for 2007 has to do with the restoration of my dignity. Anyway, best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.
Ahhh....thank you for spreading a little holiday disgust. Tis the season for contrition! I must immediately go redeem myself by finding those missing reindeer. Blitzen is probably self-flagellating himself somewhere.
It is not wasted on me. Right on time brother Smith. I was just thinking about you today. Perfect Pop Song. Glad to know yee still.
jeffrey dean foster
just listened to staten island. really good stuff. we should meet up soon. i'll try to make your show saturday (god, i sound like a douche, but i mean it).
It was cool to meet you guys last night at The Ivy Room, even though the "Hello Kitty" Stratocaster stirred feelings of rage within us. The three songs posted here are great, hope to hear more music from you soon. Please keep in touch.
thanks for the add. i am always looking to connect with ye old Homestead alumni. i also seem to remember that my PT brother Jon Coats sat in and did a few shows with Green Magnet School while he was living in Boston. any friends o'Jon are friend o'mine.
Stephen!
I hate this MySpcae crap, but it is a good way to keep up with people.
Keep us posted on future shows, we still haven't seen you live yet (versus the dead you we runt into occasionally.
Hope things are well with you,
lbj & brody
Hi Stephen,
It was my pleasure to see you at G Street last Friday : )
I wish to listen to your band....next time?
Well, I look forward it soon! Thanks for being our frined!!
nice to see you. can't wait to get you the album, which we finally finished. i'll dig into yoiur site and send you embarassing/unwanted feedback soon. hey, i'm gonna have a recpord party on sat 11/5. i'll conform soon.
hey Stephen! Great to see you pop up here in myspace land---maybe we'll see each other in "non-virtual" space soon. Any Matthew Sweet-inspired tunes (what ever happened to Matthew anyway?)....Continuous Peasant sho nuff is honored to be your first comment! (take care, Chris)
