Pullman (band)
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Ken Brown, Curtis Harvey, Chris Brokaw, Doug McCombs |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Studio recordings (folk and acoustic rock music) |
Pullman is a Chicago-based American supergroup specializing in studio recordings, known for their folk and primarily acoustic rock sound. The ensemble was established in the late 1990s by Ken Brown, Curtis Harvey, Chris Brokaw, and Doug McCombs.
History
The inception of Pullman dates back to 1997, emerging from creative partnerships among musicians affiliated with prominent rock bands of the 1990s. The project was initially spearheaded by Ken Brown (formerly of Tortoise and Gastr Del Sol) alongside Curtis Harvey (of Rex and The Curtis Harvey Band) during sessions for Loftus and Rex. They were soon joined by Chris Brokaw, recognized for his roles in Codeine and Come, as well as Doug McCombs, bassist for Eleventh Dream Day. Pullman functions as an outlet for its members to explore acoustic compositions beyond their primary groups, with some tracks originating as early as 1993. Collaborative songwriting among the members also contributed to their repertoire.
For their sophomore album, Viewfinder, the group incorporated drummer Tim Barnes, noted for his collaborations with The Tower Recordings, Jim O’Rourke, Silver Jews, and Nagisa Ni Te. Both albums showcase inspirations drawn from esteemed acoustic guitarists such as Nick Drake, Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Ry Cooder, and Richard Thompson.
Due to the members' commitments and geographical dispersion across Chicago, New York City, and Boston, Pullman remained exclusively a studio project with only occasional promotional performances. This limited exposure led to their relatively low profile, with Hot Press describing them as "the little-known but excellent Pullman."
Influences
The band’s influences have been openly recognized by both Pullman and music critics alike. In a review of Turnstyles & Junkpiles for Spin, Tim Ross remarks on the group's "plaintive plucking," drawing parallels to the styles of John Fahey and Leo Kottke, where each note is allowed to "glisten in tranquil isolation."Franklin Bruno writing for CMJ New Music Monthly also identifies these inspirations but notes Pullman's unique style that eschews dense layering or sharp edges in favor of a predominantly restrained performance. According to the Chicago Reader, Pullman’s sound aligns closely with that of Town and Country or early Gastr del Sol, placing them firmly within Chicago’s post-rock milieu.
Critical reception
Reviews of Pullman's output have been varied. While the Chicago Tribune dismissed Turnstyles & Junkpiles as "a disappointing bore," The Wire lauded it as "their excellent debut." The New Musical Express highlighted the band's distinctive methodology, noting their avoidance of the usual reflective drift often found in minimalist recordings. Giant Robot praised Viewfinder as "a great album combining some of the best in music," emphasizing the distinguished backgrounds of its members. Likewise, Jean-Baptiste Dupin for Les Inrockuptibles portrayed Pullman as "a land of suburbs, a small garden on the outskirts humbly handset by eight green hands," alluding to the members’ pedigrees including Doug McCombs (Tortoise), Curtis Harvey (Rex), Chris Brokaw (Come), and Bundy K. Brown (ex-Tortoise).
Members
and collaborator
Albums
- Turnstyles & Junkpiles (Thrill Jockey, 1998)
- Viewfinder (Thrill Jockey, 2001)
Compilation Appearances
- "Karissa"* featured on CHICAGO 2018... It's Gonna Change (Clearspot, 2000)
- "Three In The Morning"* cover of Chicago Underground Quartet included in Plum (Thrill Jockey, 2007) Limited edition box set containing ten 7" double A-side singles
(* denotes tracks not found on any Pullman album)