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Hieronymus Firebrain |
Recorded in the Mudhive in Questa, NM, “There” is the band alive and compelling. Contains all the weirdness and psychedelia you expect from the live shows of a band named Hieronymus, with none of the nasty side effects like hangovers and smoke inhalation (at least not necessarily). Includes guest appearances by children.
Backing vox assistance on "It’s Fine" by Dave, Anne,
and Cella Costanza, and Chris.
"YooDooRight" written by the CAN, (© Spoon Music), "It’s
Fine" written by Cora/Frith (©RecRec Music).
all others written by Hieronymus Firebrain (© Bumps of Goose)
Recorded in Questa, New Mexico at the MudHive, Sept. 1992, engineered by Dave
Costanza and JES whenever Cella needed attention. Mixed by JES and ORD at Homework
Audio in SF.
Mastered at Rocket Labs by Ken Lee.
Amazing cover art by Richard Gann.
Design (and Magnetic Logo design) by Julia Hamblin Design hamblin@aol.com
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Hieronymus Firebrain
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Recorded at Polymorph Studios, this CD “elephant-walks all over the stylistic savannah”, showing what a few guys can do when locked in a room with lots of instruments and microphones for a few months. An indelible blot on the face of music for generations to come. An excellent antidote for the hip-alternative music being force-fed to you now.
all songs by Hieronymus Firebrain (©1994 Bumps of Goose)
Recorded and mixed at Polymorph Studios, Oakland, CA, at various times throughout
1992 and 1993, Mark Stickman, Dan Rathbun and Lawrence Mannion engineering...
except:
* Recorded in New Mexico at the MudHive, October, 1992, engineered by Dave Costanza.
Mixed by JES and ORD at Homework Audio, SF,... and:
# Recorded and mixed at Homework Audio, lyrics for "Ancient Language" by JES and Debra Solomon, "Heaven" given much help by Anatol Sucher,
courtesy of Twelve Tablets.
Astounding cover art by Richard Gann once again.
Design (and Magnetic Logo design) by Julia Hamblin Design
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Mr Krummenacher’s 5th Business |
The Prince of Lies was Victor Krummenacher’s first solo oriented work, done with Fifth Business, his band from 1993-1994. Fifth Business featured Jonathan Segel (aka Dr. Firebrain), and Yuma Joe Byrnes, later of Tarnation. The surf rock versus southwest sounds of this single are some of the few remaining documents of what this unique and short lived band were capable of. Basically a hit piece on a lover, names are named and stories are told and we’ll leave it at that. Kind of like having dinner with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
Recorded at Lowdown Studios
April 24 & May 20, 1994
Produced by Victor Krummenacher
Engineered and Mixed by Greg Freeman
Songs Written By Victor Krummenacher
Thanks: Adam Cohen, Greg Freeman, Ben James and Sam Sarno.
Management: Marcy Straw for Creative Musical Alternatives.
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Dr. Geronimo Firebrain’s Plane Crash Tape, Vol. 1
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Outtakes and oddities. Out of Print.
recorded at Homework Audio in San Francisco, CA. for the most
part, with a couple of the weirder things recorded at Private Studios in Wyandotte,
MI.
all songs by JES except "When I Get To The Border" by Richard Thompson,
"Black Velvet Postcard" by Caitlin Von Schmidt and "Basically
Friendly But Highly Suspicious" from a tape supplied by Trisha Smith for
a Mixed Company Dance piece of the same title.
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DENT
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industrial new-age techno pop country reggae
“If ‘eclectic’ to you is when Green Day change their guitar tone or McDonald’s puts two burgers in one bun, then steer clear of this album. If however you take your pepperoni pizza with extra cream and can stomach the idea of an album with something other than one song reworked ten times, then you should buy Stimmung now.” (so says some English writer type, and he ought to know…)
all songs by DENT (©1995 Bumps of Goose)
all images by EDW
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Victor Krummenacher’s Great Laugh
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Roundly praised by the American gay press, thoroughly ignored by mainstream rock journalists and more popular than Nick Cave in Valencia, Spain, these are the sounds of co-dependent, alcoholic city living run amok in the outback. Featuring ex-members of American Music Club, Poi Dog Pondering, and King Missile. Experience the music of San Francisco’s notorious A Great Laugh, and see what irony is all about.
Krummenacher’s first full length solo CD, featuring various recordings done both solo and with his next band, the notorious A Great Laugh, this album represents a real transformation of Victor’s abilities as a songwriter. The recordings represent the transition of a longtime band member going solo as well as undergoing more than a few personal trials and tribulations, which is to say it was written during a "dark phase."
Produced by Bruce Kaphan, Victor Krummenacher, & Chris
Xefos.
Mixed by Bruce Kaphan.
Engineers: Oliver DiCicco, Greg Freeman, Christian Jones, Bruce Kaphan, David
Ogilvy, Mark Stichman, Wally Sound.
Recorded at : Lowdown, Hyde Street, Mobius, Music Annex, Polymorph, The Wally
Sound & private residences. 1994-1995.
Thanks: Fifth Business, Mark Eitzel and AMC, Marcy Straw and Michelle Kaphan.
Cover Photos: Edie Winograde
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Jack & Jill
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After Hieronymus Firebrain, Jonathan Segel (aka Dr. Firebrain) stripped down and got himself what the call in the business a "chick bass player." Not just any chick, mind you... Jane Thompson (aka Jill) was a psychology grad student with a black belt in an obscure martial art. She kept the boys in line and away from complex time changes and obsequious lyrics. This back to basics approach yielded "Chill and Shrill", a little reconstructed deconstructionist post-post-modern neo-retro driving-yet-melodic alternative power pop of a record. Spells blast-off for Mr. and Mrs. Front Porch America... you watch out there... stop playing volleyball on the freeway...
A little reconstructed deconstructionist post-post-modern neo-retro driving-yet-melodic alternative power pop. Spells blast-off for Mr. and Mrs. Front Porch America.
featuring Dr. Geronimo Firebrain as Jack
and Jane Err as Jill
with Russ Blackmar as the pail of water
all songs by Jack and Jill (©1995 Bumps of Goose)
Cover art and design by none other than the Mistress of Illusion herself
*The song "Pushing the Norton" was recorded also by 5th Business for
the Ace Cafe Benefit for Adam Fisher compilation CD on Heyday Records.
"Chill and Shrill" produced by Tim Falconer for Soixante-Neuf. One
cool dude and a KOOK! to boot.
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Jack & Jill “Fancy Birdhouse”
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Jack & Jill "I’m an Idiot" Quicktime Video
More tunes from Magnetic’s pre-eminent rock trio, ambassadors of that popular rock music that the kids are so fond of these days. Actually recorded in a studio this time, (well, mostly...) this set of 14 tunes ranges from lush to raw, songs written by the band plus their unique takes on a few cover tunes including songs by the Beatles, Leonard Dillon and Europe!
Lead vocals by both Jonathan and Jane, and Russ even lends his voice to utter the word “rock”. Includes an 11 minute dub remix of “One Step Forward” and cameo voices of famous actresses.
all songs by Jack and Jill (©1997 Bumps of Goose) except
"One Step Forward" by Leonard Dillon, "And Your Bird Can Sing" by Lennon/McCartney or whatever, and "Rock the Night" by Joey Tempest!
Cover art and design by none other than the Mistress of Illusion herself
"Fancy Birdhouse" produced by JES and Rob Beaton, recorded and mixed
at Secret Studios by Rob Beaton with overdubs done at the Magnetic Motorworks,
behind the house next to the garage.
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Victor Krummenacher
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Victor Krummenacher "Tear Stained Road" Quicktime Video
Revolving around the title track, Saint John’s Mercy features a series of songs written following the demise of Krummenacher’s touring band, A Great Laugh. That band was waylaid in 1996 following a disastrous tour during which drummer John Nelson was struck and seriously injured by a car in St. Louis, Mo. He was taken to Saint John’s Mercy Medical. These dramatic events led Victor to take some time off from playing live to focus on writing. The results are a series of songs reflective of Krummenacher’s diverse influences. From the opening salvo of the garage-rock-meets-Richard Thompson "Tear Stained Road" to the psychedelic country strains of "Questa Sunset" to the neo-Creedence overtones of "Long Way Home," Krummenacher achieves the envious balance of paying homage to influences without losing his own focus as a songwriter. Intimate, passionate and literate, Victor unleashes a trained poetic eye upon the world, keeping the focus on the song, and providing a smooth, complex enjoyable listen. Not particularly alternative, not country, not roots rock, not punk, Krummenacher’s music inhabits the space most writers hope to achieve: it’s own."
Produced by Chris Xefos, Engineered by Greg Freeman
Recorded at Lowdown in SF, Magnetic Motorworks in SF, Bruce’s House in Fremont,
and Mobius in SF, april ’97-Jaunary ’98
all songs © Victor Krummenacher/ Bumps of Goose 1998
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Alison Faith Levy
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Alison’s “The Fog Show” is a beautiful and lyrical album from this Loud Family keyboardist. Her second solo cd, produced by the prodigious Chris Xefos, features Alison on piano and vocals plus one special guest musician on each song.
all songs © 1998 Strange Little Girl Music /ascap
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DENT
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DENT is a codeword for cd’s of improvisational or experimental recordings by Magnetic and other artists performing under pseudonym who aren’t planning on clueing you in on very much else other than this simple fact. As per usual, buy at your own risk, but we think these are some of the coolest recordings we have to offer. If you’re a daring listener, we doubt you’ll be disappointed.
Dent’s “Verstärker” is everything it can be and more.
unbeknownst vocals by Mott’s Killer, the archvillain West
as well as Marilyn, Marcel and James
assembled at the magnetic satellite in geosynchronous orbit above hollywood
by jes
art and design by Iodine Ragweed
all songs written by human civilization’s dreams and aspirations, stolen and
copyrighted 1998 bumps of goose
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Greg Lisher
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"For Yourself" Quicktime Video
Former Camper Van Beethoven and Monks of Doom guitarist Greg Lisher has (finally) decided to release a collection of songs that he has been working on over the past decade in Santa Cruz. "Handed Down the Wire" features Greg’s own beautiful and idiosyncratic guitar playing in his own songwriting accompanied by many former Camper and Monks bandmates, including Chris Pedersen on drums, Victor Krummenacher on Bass, David Immergluck on pedal steel and Jonathan Segel and Don Lax on violin. A fine record of pop songs comparable to XTC, Syd Barrett and even Camper’s own "Our Beloved revolutionary Sweetheart" album.
all songs written by Mr. Greg Lisher
©2000 Bumps of Goose
Tracks 1-5 were produced by Michael Haumesser, Greg Lisher and Chris Pedersen,
recorded and mixed at Not Noise Studios, Santa Cruz, CA 1995-1997
Tracks 6-9 produced by Chris Pedersen with Edwin DeShazo and Greg Lisher, recorded
and mixed at Pyramind Studios, San Francisco, CA 1991
mastered by Noel Gott
album design by Mott Jordan, photography by Kevin Bransfield
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Jonathan Segel
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"One Here and One Gone" Quicktime Video
The three year interim since former Camper Van Beethoven multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Segel’s last CD release (Jack & Jill’s "Fancy Birdhouse") found him either touring the globe playing with Capitol Records recording artists Sparklehorse or working on film sound effects at Dane Davis’ studio in Los Angeles, Danetracks. Both of these experiences are acoustically evident in Jonathan’s new CD, "Scissors and Paper." Definitely a darker and more reflective record, "Scissors and Paper" started its life in San Francisco with former Jack & Jill bandmates Russ Blackmar and Jane Thompson, but finished in Los Angeles between tours over the next two years as a solo project. Soulful and melodic guitar and violin work, mixtures of drums and machines, sound effects and guest vocals from Jane Thompson, the Loud Family’s Alison Faith Levy, and the Moth Wranglers’ Chris Xefos and ld beghtol all grace this recording.
Most basic tracks recorded in 1997 at Black Eyed Pig Studios in San Francisco, Rick Wilson engineering. Everything else recorded at the Magnetic Motorworks in San Francisco or in the Magnetic Satellite in geosynchronous orbit above Hollywood, 1997-1999. Mixed at Tiny Telephone and the Department of Ways and Means in San Francisco, 1999, Greg Freeman engineering, and at the Magnetic Satellite. Mastered by Bob Stone at Bob Stone Mastering in the Valley, January 2000. Cover design by Edie Winograde at Magnetic East, NYC.
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Alison Faith Levy
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Former Loud Family keyboardist Alison Faith Levy’s THIRD solo cd, produced again by the prodigious Chris Xefos, mixed by Bruce Kaphan, features Alison on keyboards and vocals.
all songs © 2000 Strange Little Girl Music /ascap
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Victor Krummenacher
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"Feelings that I can’t explain"
On his heartfelt new album Bittersweet, Victor Krummenacher tells it like it is, like it should be and like it never was. In his third (and so far best) solo album, co-founder of Camper Van Beethoven and Monks of Doom, Victor Krummenacher, takes the stage with his best friends around him and his heart on his sleeve. This labor of loves lost and found finds Krummenacher in fine mettle, with eleven tales of affairs of the heart that range from country-inflected ballads so sweet they’ll linger on your tongue like grandma’s cherry cobbler, to intense folk-rock and pop tunes that frame Krummenacher’s strong songwriting and authoritative singing with an engaging sound that is rich and polished but never precious.
Ably assisting him in creating this fine-tuned sound is Chris Xefos, co-producer and ex-King Missile bassist who manned the control booth during the year-long recording sessions that became Bittersweet. Xefos adds his own passionate voice, lyrical bass and fine guitar and keyboard work to Krummenacherís superb acoustic, electric, baritone and bass guitar stylings expanding the texture and varying the tone with a sympathetic touch borne of their years on the road and in the studio. Folks who like their music a little on the edgy side will find Xefos’ production a thing of subtlety and finesse, cleverly mixing sitars, Optigans and other oddments in and around the obligatory guitar picking and such. Fans of Graham Parsons, Sparklehorse and Richard Thompson and Buckner alike will treasure the mix of tradition and experimentation that defines Bittersweet.
The guest list on Bittersweet reads like a who’s-who of the West Coast’s most interesting musicians: Dave Alvin (The Blasters, X, The Knitters), plays lead guitar on the chiming title track, and Carrie Akre (Goodness/The Rockfords) contributes her powerpop vocals; Carla Bozulich (Geraldine Fibbers/Scarnella) shares a gorgeous, tender waltz duet with Krummenacher on "Maybe A True Love;" Alison Faith Levy (Loud Family), lends her excellent piano and strong vocals to several tracks, most notably "Blind" and the atmospheric pyrotechnics of "Rocket Fuel." Bruce Kaphan (American Music Club) contributes top-notch pedal steel throughout, and also mixed the album. Doug Hilsinger (Waycross, Bomb) lends a hand with guitar and pedal steel, Dave Immerglück (Counting Crows) plays electric sitar, and Steve Perrone (Planet Seven) plays a fine 12-string guitar. LD Beghtol (Flare/The Magnetic Fields) sings back up. And rounding out the hoe-down is long-time collaborator, Jonathan Segel, also an alumni of Camper Van Beethoven, who turns up the heat with his fiddle and harmonium.
Bittersweet is for Troy Gaspard
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Robi Del Mar |
Coming from Granfaloon Bus, Steve Daubenspeck forms the band Robi Del Mar, named after his father’s drag queen act-name. A strong showing of songs featuring Danny Heifitz on drums, Victor on bass and other Magnetic superstars…
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moth wranglers
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moth wranglers is a band that expands from the duo of former King Missile bassist Chris Xefos and the Magnetic Fields’ ld beghtol. This is their first release, a charming set of not-love songs.
tracking: magnetic motorworks (sf), mother west studio (nyc),
jonathan’s living room (la), ken’s studio (seattle), polar west
(nyc), 8/98 - 05/99
mixed by moth wranglers at mother west.
technical assistance/engineering: charles newman, stephin merritt & jonathan
segel
mastered by bruce kaphan
for miss kathy o’hara
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Magnet |
Mark Goodman’s Magnet is an evolving band of players ranging from Moe Tucker to your next door neighbor.
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Camper Van Chadbourne
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Finally, a decently recorded Eugene Chadbourne disk… well, anyway, it’s the acoustic trio of Chad, Victor and Jonathan recorded at the Magnetic Motorworks, then sonically abetted by various field recordings from all over the world. Simultaneously inside and out there.
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Victor Krummenacher
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Victor Krummenacher
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Limited Edition Hand printed artwork/numbered 500 copies
Outtakes and demos from “Nocturne”
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Jonathan Segel
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Jonathan returns with a new CD full of pop oddities, kinda like Eno’s pop records of the mid-70s but a whole lot more now. All sorts of upbeat and downbeat tunes. Smells like summer hits.
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Jonathan Segel
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An all-Electronic music CD, this 80-minute collection combines music composed for dance companies, theatre presentations and just plain-old weirdness. Lots of samples and synthesis, field recordings and feeling.
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