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Red House Painters

From Alfawiki
Red House Painters
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
PredecessorGod Forbid (Mark Kozelek's former band)
Founded1988 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States
FounderMark Kozelek, Anthony Koutsos
Defunct2001
FateDisbanded
SuccessorSun Kil Moon
Headquarters
San Francisco
,
United States
Area served
United States
Key people
Mark Kozelek, Anthony Koutsos, Jerry Vessel, Gorden Mack, Phil Carney
ProductsStudio albums, EPs, compilation albums
Number of employees
5 (members)

Red House Painters was a rock ensemble originating from Atlanta, Georgia in 1988, founded by vocalist and guitarist Mark Kozelek alongside drummer Anthony Koutsos. The group moved to San Francisco, California in 1989, where they expanded their lineup by adding bassist Jerry Vessel and guitarist Gorden Mack; Phil Carney later succeeded Mack. Over their career, they produced six studio albums and an EP before disbanding in 2001, earning recognition as trailblazers within the slowcore genre.

History

Mark Kozelek, originally from Ohio, teamed up with Anthony Koutsos to establish Red House Painters in 1988 following the breakup of Kozelek’s former band, God Forbid. Encountering difficulties securing record deals in Atlanta, the duo relocated to San Francisco in 1989 and completed their roster with Mack and Vessel. Throughout 1989 to 1992, they cultivated a regional fan base and recorded various demos. Their demo tape reached 4AD’s head, Ivo Watts-Russell, through American Music Club’s lead singer Mark Eitzel, resulting in a contract with the label in 1992.

From 1992 until 1995, Red House Painters issued three full-length albums, one double album, and an EP under 4AD. Their inaugural release on the label was Down Colorful Hill, a compilation of demo recordings. In 1993, they released two eponymous albums—commonly referred to as Rollercoaster and Bridge. The 1994 EP Shock Me featured covers including a Kiss track originally by Ace Frehley. Their reflective album Ocean Beach followed in 1995. Subsequent to this release, original guitarist Gorden Mack left the band and was replaced by Phil Carney.

Amid growing tensions with 4AD, Kozelek embarked on solo projects that culminated in the 1996 release of Songs for a Blue Guitar via Island Records’ subsidiary Supreme Recordings/Polygram. This album showcased extended guitar improvisations and cover songs, becoming their highest-selling record in the United States. By early 1998, the band had completed their sixth album; however, its release was postponed due to label consolidations and internal conflicts. Eventually, Old Ramon was issued through Sub Pop in 2001.

Dissolution and post-breakup

Prior to the launch of Old Ramon, Kozelek unveiled a solo seven-track EP entitled Rock 'n' Roll Singer (2000), which contained three original acoustic compositions accompanied by subtle band arrangements alongside four cover songs, including selections from Bon Scott-era AC/DC and John Denver's "Around and Around." Half a year later came his debut solo album, What's Next to the Moon, consisting exclusively of acoustic renditions of Bon Scott-era AC/DC tracks; this included re-recorded material from the earlier EP. This notably concise album has a duration slightly exceeding thirty minutes. Both records were released through Badman Recordings.

In July 1999, 4AD compiled and issued Retrospective, a greatest hits collection. Kozelek also contributed to the AIDS charity compilation The Shanti Project Collection and curated the tribute album Take Me Home: A Tribute to John Denver, which featured performances by artists such as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Low, and the Innocence Mission. Additionally, he pursued acting roles in Cameron Crowe’s films Almost Famous and Vanilla Sky, as well as appearing as a musician in Steve Martin’s 2005 movie Shopgirl.

Phil Carney occasionally joined Kozelek on tour serving as rhythm guitarist. Meanwhile, drummer Anthony Koutsos transitioned into a career as a real estate agent based in San Francisco.

Sun Kil Moon

In 2003, Kozelek and Koutsos joined forces once more with Geoff Stanfield and Tim Mooney to establish Sun Kil Moon, debuting with the well-received album Ghosts of the Great Highway under Jetset Records. Following Old Ramon, Kozelek had intended to produce a seventh Red House Painters album in 2002, which ultimately did not come to fruition; numerous songs featured on Ghosts of the Great Highway, such as "Duk Koo Kim," trace back to that period. In a 2005 conversation with The A.V. Club, Kozelek explained that Sun Kil Moon serves as an extension of Red House Painters, but adopting a new name aimed to revitalize critical attention.

Musical style

The group’s music incorporates elements of slowcore, indie rock, sadcore, folk rock, and alternative rock, merging somber tunes with deeply reflective lyrics.

Members

Former members
  • Mark Kozelek – vocals, guitar, piano (1988–2001)
  • Anthony Koutsos – drums (1988–2001)
  • Jerry Vessel – bass guitar (1989–2001)
  • Gorden Mack – guitar (1989–1995)
  • Phil Carney – guitar (1995–2001)

Studio albums

Compilation albums

  • Retrospective (July 19, 1999)
  • Red House Painters (6LP vinyl box set compiling the 4AD releases and the Shock Me EP; released exclusively for Record Store Day) (April 18, 2015)

EPs

  • Shock Me (February 28, 1994)
  • ’Local Anesthetic’ KFOG Studios, San Francisco, December 3, 1995. (Live) (February 14, 2020)

Promotional singles

  • "Mistress" (May 1993)
  • "I Am a Rock"/"New Jersey" (October 1993)
  • "Summer Dress" (April 1995)
  • "All Mixed Up" (July 1996)
  • "Make Like Paper" (February 1997)

Soundtracks and film appearances

Various artists compilations

  • Included on Milkshake – A CD to Benefit the Harvey Milk Institute, timmi-kat ReCoRDS (1998)
  • Featured on Shanti Project Collection, Badman/Symbiotic Records (1999)
  • Appeared on Take Me Home: A Tribute to John Denver, Badman Records (2000)

External links

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