Bob Mould
Encyclopedia
Robert Arthur "Bob" Mould (born October 16, 1960) is an American
musician
, principally known for his work as guitarist
, vocalist and songwriter
for alternative rock
bands Hüsker Dü
in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s.
, Mould lived in several places, including the Minneapolis-St. Paul area where he then attended Macalester College
. There, he formed Hüsker Dü
in the late 1970s, with drummer/singer Grant Hart
and bass guitarist Greg Norton
.
group with a series of recordings on the independent label SST Records
. One of the first 1980s underground
bands to sign a contract with a major record label (Warner Bros. Records
), Hüsker Dü found only moderate commercial success, but were later often cited as one of the key influences on 1990s alternative rock
.
In the late 1980s, Hüsker Dü broke up acrimoniously amid members' drug abuse
and personal problems. Mould and Grant Hart, the band's other songwriter and vocalist, still take occasional jabs at each other in the press, though the two revisited their Hüsker Dü back catalog together at a 2004 benefit concert
for an ailing friend, the late Karl Mueller
of Soul Asylum
.
, quit drinking and drugs, and wrote the songs that would make up his first solo album. Signing to the newly-formed Virgin Records America label, 1989's Workbook eschewed Mould's trademark wall-of-noise guitar for a stripped-down, atmospheric sound featuring acoustic guitars and cello
s. 1990's jagged Black Sheets of Rain
put Mould in more familiar territory, recalling Hüsker Dü's loudest, angriest moments.
In 1993, he contributed the track "Can't Fight It" to the AIDS-Benefit Album No Alternative
produced by the Red Hot Organization
.
In 1994, he recorded "The Turning Of The Tide" for Beat The Retreat, a tribute album to the English
guitarist
and songwriter
Richard Thompson.
Mould also started a record label, Singles Only Label, which released singles from up and coming bands such as Grant Lee Buffalo
and R. Stevie Moore
.
Mould returned to solo recording, releasing a self-titled album
in 1996 (which is often referred to as Hubcap because of the cover photo) and 1998's The Last Dog and Pony Show
.
During a stint living in New York City
in the late-1990s, Mould's tastes took a detour into dance music
and electronica
. Those influences were clear on his 2002 release Modulate, which featured a strong electronica influence to mixed critical reviews. To pursue this sound, Mould also began recording under the pseudonym
LoudBomb (an anagram
of his name). He has released one CD so far under this name.
Mould took a brief break from the music world to get involved with another passion of his, professional wrestling
, when he joined WCW
as a scriptwriter in 1999 for a brief period. Creative differences with some of the other writers led to Mould leaving the company and returning to music. The liner notes
for Modulate thank some of the wrestlers he associated with, most notably Kevin Nash
and Kevin Sullivan
.
In addition to his solo work, Mould is also a live DJ in collaboration with Washington DC-area dance music artist Richard Morel
, under the collective banner Blowoff (frequently staged at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC). A recording under that banner was released in September 2006. Mould has been asked to do remixes for a variety of dance and alternative rock artists. A recent remix of the Interpol
song "Length of Love" has led to more critical acclaim for the veteran artist.
For much of the 1990s, Mould toured playing solo acoustic renditions of his catalog (occasionally switching to electric guitar midway through his set). In 2005 his solo album Body of Song
was cross-announced with his first band tour since 1998. Brendan Canty
, best known as the drummer for Fugazi, and Mould's Blowoff collaborator, Morel, played drums and keyboards, respectively, for the 2005 tour.
District Line
, was released February 5, 2008. Little over a year later on April 7, 2009, Mould released his next album entitled Life and Times
.
Mould wrote a memoir with Michael Azerrad
, the author of Our Band Could Be Your Life
and Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana
. The book, See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody, was released in June 2011.
Mould performs on the Foo Fighters
2011 album Wasting Light
, contributing guitar and vocals to the track "Dear Rosemary." He has made sporadic appearances with the band during their Wasting Light tour to perform the song on stage.
On November 21, 2011, musicians such as Dave Grohl
, Britt Daniel
of Spoon
, Craig Finn
and Tad Kubler
of The Hold Steady
, Randy Randall
and Dean Allen Spunt
of No Age
, Margaret Cho
, Jason Narducy of Telekinesis, Jon Wurster
of Superchunk
, and Ryan Adams
came together at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
and played songs from Bob Mould's career. During the concert, Bob discussed a new solo album involving Jason Narducy and Jon Wurster due in 2012 and an extremely limited tour of Sugar's debut album Copper Blue
.
was previously something of an open secret, Mould was outed in the early 1990s; he is now openly gay.
In April 2004, Mould was a co-organizer of the WEDRock benefit concert for Freedom To Marry. "WedRock" was a play on the word "wedlock". The event raised and estimated $30,000(US). Bob Mould also contributed the song "See A little Light" to the 2006 album
Wed-Rock: A Benefit for Freedom To Marry, an album to support in the legalization
of same-sex marriage
.
. They Might Be Giants
perform the current version. On December 19, 1996, Mould made a cameo appearance on The Daily Show Holiday Spectacular in an homage duet of "The Little Drummer Boy" with Mould playing the part of David Bowie
to Craig Kilborn
's "Bing Crosby
".
The song "See a Little Light" has been used more than once in various television applications: It was used in the closing scene of the original un-aired test pilot episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, it became one of the principal theme songs for the HBO series The Mind of the Married Man
and was also used in a television commercial for TIAA-CREF
(August 2007). Mould also composed the theme for the TLC
program, In a Fix
.
Mould also played lead guitar in the house band for the film of John Cameron Mitchell
's Hedwig and the Angry Inch
. Mould also participated in a Hedwig tribute album, Wig in a Box, on which he covered the song "Nailed."
In 2000, Mould sang "He Didn't" (written by Stephin Merritt
) on The 6ths
' album Hyacinths and Thistles.
On September 29, 2005, Mould's song "Circles" was included on The OC.
Mould appeared on an episode of Independent Film Channel
's The Henry Rollins Show
on June 15, 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, principally known for his work as guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, vocalist and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
for alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
bands Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s.
Early life
Born in Malone, New YorkMalone (town), New York
Malone is a town in Franklin County, New York, United States. The population was 14,545 at the 2010 census.The Town of Malone contains a village called Malone, which is the county seat. The town is an interior town, centrally located in the county....
, Mould lived in several places, including the Minneapolis-St. Paul area where he then attended Macalester College
Macalester College
Macalester College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was founded in 1874 as a Presbyterian-affiliated but nonsectarian college. Its first class entered September 15, 1885. The college is located on a campus in a historic residential neighborhood...
. There, he formed Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
in the late 1970s, with drummer/singer Grant Hart
Grant Hart
Grant Hart is an American musician, best known as the drummer and co-songwriter for the influential alternative rock and hardcore punk band Hüsker Dü. After the band's breakup in 1987, Hart formed the alternative rock trio Nova Mob, where he moved to vocals and guitar...
and bass guitarist Greg Norton
Greg Norton
Greg Norton is an American musician, formerly of the band Hüsker Dü....
.
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü first gained notice as a punk rockPunk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
group with a series of recordings on the independent label SST Records
SST Records
SST Records is an American independent record label formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California by musician Greg Ginn. The company was initially called Solid State Transmitters through which Ginn sold electronics equipment...
. One of the first 1980s underground
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
bands to sign a contract with a major record label (Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
), Hüsker Dü found only moderate commercial success, but were later often cited as one of the key influences on 1990s alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
.
In the late 1980s, Hüsker Dü broke up acrimoniously amid members' drug abuse
Drug abuse
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...
and personal problems. Mould and Grant Hart, the band's other songwriter and vocalist, still take occasional jabs at each other in the press, though the two revisited their Hüsker Dü back catalog together at a 2004 benefit concert
Benefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
for an ailing friend, the late Karl Mueller
Karl Mueller
Karl Mueller was an American rock musician. He was the bass player and a founding member of the Minneapolis Alternative Rock band, Soul Asylum....
of Soul Asylum
Soul Asylum
Soul Asylum is an American alternative rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983.The band originally formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Dan Murphy, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller and Pat Morley. The latter was replaced by Grant Young in...
.
Solo works
After Hüsker Dü broke up in 1988, Mould sequestered himself in a remote farmhouse in Pine City, MinnesotaPine City, Minnesota
Pine City is a city in Pine County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,123 at the 2010 census. Pine City is the county seat of, and the largest city in, Pine County...
, quit drinking and drugs, and wrote the songs that would make up his first solo album. Signing to the newly-formed Virgin Records America label, 1989's Workbook eschewed Mould's trademark wall-of-noise guitar for a stripped-down, atmospheric sound featuring acoustic guitars and cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
s. 1990's jagged Black Sheets of Rain
Black Sheets of Rain
Black Sheets of Rain is the title of Bob Mould's second solo album after leaving Hüsker Dü. It featured the Modern Rock Top 10 hit "It's Too Late." The album returned to electric guitars, and features heavier arrangements than his largely acoustic solo debut, Workbook...
put Mould in more familiar territory, recalling Hüsker Dü's loudest, angriest moments.
In 1993, he contributed the track "Can't Fight It" to the AIDS-Benefit Album No Alternative
No Alternative
-Home video track listing:# Matthew Sweet "Superdeformed"#*directed by Kevin Kerslake# Neneh Cherry "Athens, Georgia 1993"#*directed by Jim McKay & Michael Stipe# Urge Overkill "Take a Walk"#*directed by Matt Mahurin...
produced by the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
.
In 1994, he recorded "The Turning Of The Tide" for Beat The Retreat, a tribute album to the English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
Richard Thompson.
Mould also started a record label, Singles Only Label, which released singles from up and coming bands such as Grant Lee Buffalo
Grant Lee Buffalo
Grant Lee Buffalo is a rock band based in Los Angeles, California, consisting of Grant-Lee Phillips , Paul Kimble and Joey Peters . All three were previously members of another Los Angeles band, Shiva Burlesque.-Career:...
and R. Stevie Moore
R. Stevie Moore
Robert Steven Moore is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. In addition to having numerous albums released on labels around the world, the prolific Moore has self-released over 400 cassette and CD-R albums since 1968, as well as dozens of home videos, mostly through the R. Stevie Moore...
.
Sugar years and afterwards
Mould then formed the group Sugar, a college/alternative radio favorite in the mid-1990s. Along with extensive touring, Sugar released two albums, an EP and a B-sides collection before breaking up.Mould returned to solo recording, releasing a self-titled album
Bob Mould (album)
Bob Mould was the third solo album by former Hüsker Dü and Sugar vocalist Bob Mould. It was recorded between September & October 1995, mixed and mastered November 1995, and released in April 1996...
in 1996 (which is often referred to as Hubcap because of the cover photo) and 1998's The Last Dog and Pony Show
The Last Dog and Pony Show
The Last Dog and Pony Show was the fourth solo album by former Hüsker Dü and Sugar vocalist Bob Mould. He wrote all 12 tracks on the album. The title refers to the fact that Mould planned to cease touring with a full electric band after supporting the album...
.
During a stint living in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in the late-1990s, Mould's tastes took a detour into dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
and electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
. Those influences were clear on his 2002 release Modulate, which featured a strong electronica influence to mixed critical reviews. To pursue this sound, Mould also began recording under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
LoudBomb (an anagram
Anagram
An anagram is a type of word play, the result of rearranging the letters of a word or phrase to produce a new word or phrase, using all the original letters exactly once; e.g., orchestra = carthorse, A decimal point = I'm a dot in place, Tom Marvolo Riddle = I am Lord Voldemort. Someone who...
of his name). He has released one CD so far under this name.
Mould took a brief break from the music world to get involved with another passion of his, professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, when he joined WCW
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
as a scriptwriter in 1999 for a brief period. Creative differences with some of the other writers led to Mould leaving the company and returning to music. The liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
for Modulate thank some of the wrestlers he associated with, most notably Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash
Kevin Scott Nash is an American professional wrestler and actor. As of 2011, Nash is signed to a five year contract with WWE under their WWE Legends program and appears as part of their Raw brand roster...
and Kevin Sullivan
Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)
Kevin Francis Sullivan is an American professional wrestler and booker, perhaps best known for his role in WCW as "The Taskmaster" and his leading of the "Dungeon of Doom".-Early career:...
.
In addition to his solo work, Mould is also a live DJ in collaboration with Washington DC-area dance music artist Richard Morel
Richard Morel
Richard Morel is an American singer-songwriter, DJ, remixer and record producer from the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. He has worked extensively with Washington D.C.-based duo Deep Dish, co-writing, co-producing, performing and singing on many of their tracks, most notably on their albums Junk...
, under the collective banner Blowoff (frequently staged at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC). A recording under that banner was released in September 2006. Mould has been asked to do remixes for a variety of dance and alternative rock artists. A recent remix of the Interpol
Interpol (band)
Interpol is an American indie rock and post-punk revival band from New York City. Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks , Daniel Kessler , Carlos Dengler and Greg Drudy . Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino...
song "Length of Love" has led to more critical acclaim for the veteran artist.
Body of Song
Body of Song is the sixth solo album from punk/indie/alternative rock veteran Bob Mould . It is his first studio album under his own name since 2002's controversial Modulate.-Album history:...
was cross-announced with his first band tour since 1998. Brendan Canty
Brendan Canty
Brendan Canty is an American musician, composer, producer and film maker, best known as the drummer for the band Fugazi....
, best known as the drummer for Fugazi, and Mould's Blowoff collaborator, Morel, played drums and keyboards, respectively, for the 2005 tour.
District Line
District Line (album)
District Line is the seventh solo album from former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman Bob Mould.Returning from his previous solo album, Body of Song, are drummer Brendan Canty, of Fugazi fame, and cellist Amy Domingues. Mould handled all of the other instruments himself.The closer, "Walls in Time," is...
, was released February 5, 2008. Little over a year later on April 7, 2009, Mould released his next album entitled Life and Times
Life and Times (Bob Mould album)
Life And Times is the ninth solo album from former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman Bob Mould.-Reception:Initial critical response to Life And Times was positive...
.
Mould wrote a memoir with Michael Azerrad
Michael Azerrad
Michael Azerrad is an American author, journalist and musician. He grew up in the New York City area and received his BA degree from Columbia College in 1983...
, the author of Our Band Could Be Your Life
Our Band Could Be Your Life
Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991 is a book by Michael Azerrad. It chronicles the careers of several underground rock bands who, while finding little or no mainstream success, were hugely influential in establishing American alternative and indie...
and Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana
Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana
Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana is a 1993 book by Michael Azerrad, covering the career of Nirvana from its inception. For the book, Azerrad met with the members of the band and conducted extensive interviews about the band and its members' histories.The book was completed in June 1993, and...
. The book, See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody, was released in June 2011.
Mould performs on the Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
2011 album Wasting Light
Wasting Light
Wasting Light is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Foo Fighters, released April 12, 2011, on RCA Records. It was produced by Butch Vig and described by the band's lead vocalist and guitarist Dave Grohl as their "heaviest album yet." The title is taken from the lyrics of the...
, contributing guitar and vocals to the track "Dear Rosemary." He has made sporadic appearances with the band during their Wasting Light tour to perform the song on stage.
On November 21, 2011, musicians such as Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
, Britt Daniel
Britt Daniel
John Britt Daniel is the co-founder, lead singer and guitarist of the Austin, Texas, rock band Spoon.-Biography:Britt Daniel was born in Galveston, Texas, and grew up in Temple, Texas, in a household of five children...
of Spoon
Spoon
A spoon is a utensil consisting of a small shallow bowl, oval or round, at the end of a handle. A type of cutlery , especially as part of a place setting, it is used primarily for serving. Spoons are also used in food preparation to measure, mix, stir and toss ingredients...
, Craig Finn
Craig Finn
Craig Finn is an American singer and guitarist. He is best known as the front man for bands Lifter Puller and The Hold Steady. He currently lives in New York City...
and Tad Kubler
Tad Kubler
Tad Kubler is an American guitarist, known for his work with Lifter Puller, Song of Zarathustra, and, most-notably, The Hold Steady. He grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.-Education:...
of The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2004. The band consists of Craig Finn , Tad Kubler , Galen Polivka , Bobby Drake , and Steve Selvidge...
, Randy Randall
Randy Randall
Randy Randall is a guitarist in the band No Age. He was formerly in the band called Wives in which he played guitar and sang with No Age band member Dean Allen Spunt on bass and Jeremy Villalobos on drums. Randy Randall is vegan....
and Dean Allen Spunt
Dean Allen Spunt
Dean Allen Spunt is the drummer and vocalist in the California noise pop band No Age. He was formerly in the band called Wives, in which he played Bass primarily and sang with No Age band member Randy Randall on guitar and Jeremy Villalobos on drums. Spunt is vegan, as is Randall. -References:...
of No Age
No Age
No Age is a two-person American indie rock group consisting of guitarist Randy Randall and drummer/vocalist Dean Allen Spunt. The band is based in Los Angeles and is currently signed to Sub Pop records...
, Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, and recording artist. Cho is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race and sexuality. She has also directed and appeared in music...
, Jason Narducy of Telekinesis, Jon Wurster
Jon Wurster
Jon Wurster is an American musician and humorist best known as the drummer for indie rockers Superchunk and recently for The Mountain Goats, as well for his comedic work with radio host Tom Scharpling on the The Best Show on WFMU....
of Superchunk
Superchunk
Superchunk is an American indie rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, consisting of singer/guitarist Mac McCaughan, guitarist Jim Wilbur, bassist Laura Ballance, and drummer Jon Wurster. Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill music scene of the 1990s...
, and Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
came together at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The Walt Disney Concert Hall at 111 South Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, California is the fourth hall of the Los Angeles Music Center. Bounded by Hope Street, Grand Avenue, 1st and 2nd Streets, it seats 2,265 people and serves as the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the...
and played songs from Bob Mould's career. During the concert, Bob discussed a new solo album involving Jason Narducy and Jon Wurster due in 2012 and an extremely limited tour of Sugar's debut album Copper Blue
Copper Blue
Copper Blue was the debut album of the US alternative rock band Sugar. It was voted 1992 Album of the Year by the NME. All of the songs were written by guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould, who also co-produced with Lou Giordano. The song "The Slim" is about losing someone to AIDS...
.
Personal life
Though his homosexualityHomosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
was previously something of an open secret, Mould was outed in the early 1990s; he is now openly gay.
In April 2004, Mould was a co-organizer of the WEDRock benefit concert for Freedom To Marry. "WedRock" was a play on the word "wedlock". The event raised and estimated $30,000(US). Bob Mould also contributed the song "See A little Light" to the 2006 album
Wed-Rock: A Benefit for Freedom To Marry, an album to support in the legalization
of same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
.
Pop culture
Mould's song "Dog on Fire" is the theme song for The Daily ShowThe Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
. They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
perform the current version. On December 19, 1996, Mould made a cameo appearance on The Daily Show Holiday Spectacular in an homage duet of "The Little Drummer Boy" with Mould playing the part of David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
to Craig Kilborn
Craig Kilborn
Craig Kilborn is an American actor and talk show host. He was the original host of The Daily Show, a former anchor on ESPN's SportsCenter, and Tom Snyder's successor on CBS' The Late Late Show. On June 28, 2010, he launched The Kilborn File after a six-year absence from television...
's "Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
".
The song "See a Little Light" has been used more than once in various television applications: It was used in the closing scene of the original un-aired test pilot episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, it became one of the principal theme songs for the HBO series The Mind of the Married Man
The Mind of the Married Man
The Mind of the Married Man is a television series that ran on the HBO network for two seasons consisting of twenty episodes between September 2001 and November 2002. The story attempts to focus on the challenges of modern-day married life from a male perspective.The show drew mixed reviews from...
and was also used in a television commercial for TIAA-CREF
TIAA-CREF
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association – College Retirement Equities Fund is a Fortune 100 financial services organization that is the leading retirement provider for people who work in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields...
(August 2007). Mould also composed the theme for the TLC
TLC (TV channel)
TLC is an American cable TV specialty channel which initially focused on educational content. Since 1991 TLC has been owned by Discovery Communications, the same company that operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks...
program, In a Fix
In a Fix
In a Fix was an American television series involving a team of construction workers and a designer who would "rescue" homeowners from stalled "do-it-yourself" renovation projects. Original episodes of In a Fix, which was produced by NorthSouth Productions, aired on TLC in 2004 and 2005...
.
Mould also played lead guitar in the house band for the film of John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell is an American writer, actor, and director. He is best known for his motion pictures Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus and Rabbit Hole.- Early life:...
's Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (film)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a 2001 American musical comedy-drama film based on the stage musical of the same title about a fictional rock band fronted by an East German transgender singer. The film was adapted and directed by John Cameron Mitchell, who also portrayed the title role...
. Mould also participated in a Hedwig tribute album, Wig in a Box, on which he covered the song "Nailed."
In 2000, Mould sang "He Didn't" (written by Stephin Merritt
Stephin Merritt
Stephin Merritt is an American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles , best known as the principal singer and songwriter in the band The Magnetic Fields...
) on The 6ths
The 6ths
The 6ths is a band created by Stephin Merritt, also the prime mover behind The Magnetic Fields, The Gothic Archies and Future Bible Heroes.One story has it that the band was conceived when Merritt, observing that there was no tribute album dedicated to him, decided to make one himself...
' album Hyacinths and Thistles.
On September 29, 2005, Mould's song "Circles" was included on The OC.
Mould appeared on an episode of Independent Film Channel
Independent Film Channel
The Independent Film Channel is an American cable TV network that airs independent film and related programming. IFC programming includes commercially interrupted feature-length films, original documentaries, shorts, animated series, original series, acquired series, and content exclusively for...
's The Henry Rollins Show
The Henry Rollins Show
The Henry Rollins Show was a weekly talk show hosted by Henry Rollins on the Independent Film Channel . The show featured Rollins' monologues, interviews with celebrities and uncensored musical performances. The show was canceled after the wrap of its second season.-Sections:Each episode features...
on June 15, 2007.
Studio albums
- Workbook (1989)
- Black Sheets of RainBlack Sheets of RainBlack Sheets of Rain is the title of Bob Mould's second solo album after leaving Hüsker Dü. It featured the Modern Rock Top 10 hit "It's Too Late." The album returned to electric guitars, and features heavier arrangements than his largely acoustic solo debut, Workbook...
(1990) - Bob MouldBob Mould (album)Bob Mould was the third solo album by former Hüsker Dü and Sugar vocalist Bob Mould. It was recorded between September & October 1995, mixed and mastered November 1995, and released in April 1996...
(1996) - The Last Dog and Pony ShowThe Last Dog and Pony ShowThe Last Dog and Pony Show was the fourth solo album by former Hüsker Dü and Sugar vocalist Bob Mould. He wrote all 12 tracks on the album. The title refers to the fact that Mould planned to cease touring with a full electric band after supporting the album...
(1998) - Modulate (2002)
- Long Playing Grooves (2002) (Granary Music)
- Body of SongBody of SongBody of Song is the sixth solo album from punk/indie/alternative rock veteran Bob Mould . It is his first studio album under his own name since 2002's controversial Modulate.-Album history:...
(2005) - District Line (2008)
- Life And TimesLife and Times (Bob Mould album)Life And Times is the ninth solo album from former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman Bob Mould.-Reception:Initial critical response to Life And Times was positive...
(2009)
Compilations
- Poison Years (1994)
- No AlternativeNo Alternative-Home video track listing:# Matthew Sweet "Superdeformed"#*directed by Kevin Kerslake# Neneh Cherry "Athens, Georgia 1993"#*directed by Jim McKay & Michael Stipe# Urge Overkill "Take a Walk"#*directed by Matt Mahurin...
(1994) - Wig in a BoxWig in a BoxWig In A Box: Songs from & Inspired by Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a charity tribute album featuring versions of songs from the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch...
(2003) - Wed-Rock: A Benefit for Freedom To Marry (2006)
Singles and extended plays
- See a Little Light (1989)
- Wishing Well + Four Live Tracks (1989)
- Egøverride (1995)
Live albums
- Live Dog `98 (2002)
- Live At ATP 2008 (2009) - Released under the name "Bob Mould Band"
Bands produced
- Man Sized ActionMan Sized ActionMan sized action was a post punk group from Minneapolis. They released two records in '83 and '84. The first one was produced by Bob Mould. Both albums, as well as two compilations on which the band appeared were released by Reflex Records. The band consisted of Pat Woods - Vocals, Tippy -...
, Claustrophobia - Soul AsylumSoul AsylumSoul Asylum is an American alternative rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983.The band originally formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Dan Murphy, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller and Pat Morley. The latter was replaced by Grant Young in...
, Made to Be BrokenMade to Be BrokenMade to Be Broken is the second full-length album from Soul Asylum. It is also the first of three albums of Soul Asylum to be released in 1986.... - Articles of FaithArticles of Faith (Band)Articles of Faith were a Chicago-based hardcore punk band notable for songwriting in a class above most of their contemporaries . The band's later work, the posthumous In This Life LP in particular, either founds or foreshadows the emo sound...
, Give Thanks and In This Life - MagnapopMagnapopMagnapop is an alternative rock band based in Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1989, the band has consistently included songwriting duo Linda Hopper as vocalist and Ruthie Morris on guitar. Magnapop first achieved recognition in the Benelux countries of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg through...
, Hot BoxingHot BoxingHot Boxing is the second studio album by Magnapop, released in 1994. "Lay It Down" and "Slowly, Slowly" were released as singles. Music videos were created for "Lay It Down", "Slowly, Slowly", and "Texas"... - VerbowVerbowVerbow was an American alternative rock band formed in Chicago and active between the mid-1990s and early 2000s. The band's sound was distinguished by emotionally-direct songwriting and their unconventional use of cello.-Early period: Jason & Alison:...
, Chronicles - The Zulus, Down on the Floor
- Friction Wheel, Something Tells Me/Won't Fall Down — SOL
- Impaler, If We Had Brains... We'd Be Dangerous
- LowLow (band)Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
, Tonight the Monkeys Die Remixes EP - Half a Chicken, Food for Thought
External links
- Interview with The Onion A.V. Club
- Official Bob Mould Granary Music artist page
- Boblog (Bob Mould's personal weblog)
- Blowoff nightclub events
- PopMatters interview (7/2005)
- Metro Weekly interview series
- Bob Mould on MySpace
- Wishing Well: A Small Web Site About the Music of Bob Mould
- Bob Mould on 3RRR MP3 extract of interview
- Bob Mould on Colbernista MP3 extract of interview
- Bob Mould in conversation with Michael Azzerad
- Bob Mould Soundcheck (3:16) published on the Tellus Audio Cassette MagazineTellus Audio Cassette MagazineLaunched from the Lower East Side, Manhattan, in 1983 as a subscription only bimonthly publication, the Tellus cassette series took full advantage of the popular cassette medium to promote cutting-edge downtown music, documenting the New York scene and advancing experimental composers of the time...
@ UbuwebUbuWebUbuWeb is a large web-based educational resource for avant-garde material available on the internet, founded in 1996 by poet Kenneth Goldsmith. It offers visual, concrete and sound poetry, expanding to include film and sound art mp3 archives.-Philosophy:... - Bob Mould - Life and Times - Album Review at Citizen Dick