Cows (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Defunct | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Cows was a noise rock group originating from Minneapolis, established in 1986 and active until 1998. Their sound fused elements of punk rock with surrealistic humor and intense noise, utilizing heavily distorted amplifiers alongside trumpet instrumentation to define their noise rock style. Throughout their career, they produced nine studio albums, predominantly released through the Minneapolis-based label Amphetamine Reptile Records. The band is commemorated with a star on the exterior mural of First Avenue.
History
The band came together in 1986, featuring Kevin Rutmanis on bass, Thor Eisentrager on guitar, lead vocalist Norm Rogers, and drummer Sandris Rutmanis. In January 1987, Rogers departed to join the Jayhawks as a drummer but returned to Cows in 1990 in that same role. February 1987 marked the arrival of Shannon Selberg as the new frontman, contributing vocals and bugle performances. Sandris Rutmanis exited the group in January 1998, resulting in the band's dissolution.
Following the breakup, Selberg went on to lead The Heroine Sheiks.
Live performances
Renowned for their wild stage presence, Cows were infamous for provocative antics during shows, including kicking audience members, spitting, hurling microphone stands and food into the crowd, and adorning themselves with various decorations. Frontman Shannon Selberg was distinguished by tattoos such as a "F_CK" Hangman game and an anchor inscribed with "DAD." Critics recognized their musical skills while emphasizing their deliberate use of untuned sounds.
Legacy
The band’s influence is immortalized by a star on the outer wall of the Minneapolis venue First Avenue, an honor reserved for artists who have either sold out performances or made significant cultural contributions to the club. This accolade is regarded as one of the highest public distinctions granted to musicians in Minneapolis, underscoring Cows’ lasting impact on the local music community.
Band members
- Shannon Selberg – vocals, bugle, trumpet, trombone (1987–1998)
- Kevin Rutmanis – bass (1987–1998)
- Thor Eisentrager – guitar (1987–1998)
- David van der Steen – fifth udder (1987–1992)
- Sandris Rutmanis – drums (1987–1988)
- Tony Oliveri – drums (1988–1990)
- Norm Rogers – drums (d. 2018) (1990–1995)
- Freddy Votel – drums (1995–1998)
Studio albums
- Taint Pluribus Taint Unum – Treehouse Records, 1987
- Daddy Has a Tail! – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1989
- Effete and Impudent Snobs – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1990
- Peacetika – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1991
- Cunning Stunts – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1992
- Sexy Pee Story – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1993
- Orphan's Tragedy – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1994
- Whorn – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1996
- Sorry in Pig Minor – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1998
Singles and EPs
- Chow 7" – Treehouse Records, 1988
- Slap Back 7" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1990
- Plowed EP – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1992
- Woman Inside 7" – Insipid Records, 1992
- Cow Island 7" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1994
- The Missing Letter Is You EP – Thick Records, 1998
- Sugar Daddy Live Split Series Vol. 2 – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 2012 (split release with the Melvins)
Compilations
- Old Gold 1989-1991 – Released by Amphetamine Reptile Records in 1995
- Orpheus’ Travesty – Issued through KMFMT Records in 1998 (a retrospective assembled by Kevin Rutmanis and Freddy Votel, made available prior to the final live show)
- Stunning Cunts – Published by Amphetamine Reptile Records in 2014 (features demo tracks from Cunning Stunts)
- Stunning Cunts Vol. 2 – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 2015 (additional demos originating from Cunning Stunts)