Origin and early history

The Ottomen started in 1995 when Jim and Dave began recording demos in the dorms of the Kansas City Art Institute

Kansas City Art Institute

The Kansas City Art Institute is a private, independent, four-year college of fine arts and design founded in 1885 in Kansas City, Missouri....

. They added drummer George Garcia in 1996. With a complete band, they began playing shows in and around the school and Kansas City, and quickly became rivals of the Emo scene and The Get Up Kids

The Get Up Kids

The Get Up Kids are an American alternative rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. Formed in 1995, the band was a major player in the mid-90's emo scene, otherwise known as the "second wave" of emo music...

. Within a couple years they had recorded three full albums and over 40 original songs. After graduating the ottomen moved to Saint Louis and added local jazz and rock bass genius Justin DiCenzo on the bass or guitar...depending on what was needed for the particular show. Because George stayed behind to finish his degree, John Halloran was added on drums. Jim moved to New York in 2000, so Dave and Justin recorded their new album without him. Then Dave and Justin added Mario Viele from Pubes and Sex Robots to the lead guitars. Various additional musicians have cycled through The Ottomen, including Duane Bridges from Shedshot and Vegabasin, Alison Derrick from UT austin orchestras, and Mark youngbauer. In 2006 the original Ottomen lineup of Dave, George and Jim appeared at CakeShop in Manhattan's lower east side for a reunion, and to celebrate the release of Jim’s new band Paper Fleet’s debut 7 inch record. In 2010 The Ottomen appeared live on St Louis television station KPLR Channel 11.

Ottomen Records

Jim Campbell and David Stevenson started Ottomen Records (AKA Ottomen Empire Records/formerly Dancer Dave Records) in 2000. In addition to releasing the Ottomen albums, Ottomen records has also released the albums by Paper Fleet and Misung and the Keyboards.

Random Facts

Mostly due to the prolific nature of David Stevenson, The Ottomen have written over 150 songs.
At a show at Kansas City’s Grand_Emporium, a 4th member, a cardboard cutout of Rolado Ozuna playing banjo, was added.

Side Projects

Misung Stevenson started Misung and the Keyboards, a solo project in 2000, and the Rough_Snailfish in 2002. Jim Campbell plays guitar and sings in Paper Fleet

Paper fleet

-Origin and early history:Paper Fleet formed in 2003 with former Ottomen member Angry Jim Campbell and Josh Inman . In 2005, bassist John TerLouw completed the original line-up...

Studio albums

• Adventures at the Store (Dancer Dave Records, 1997)
• The Ottomen (Tennis Shoes of Love) (Dancer Dave Records, 1998)
• Robin the Indian Single (Dancer Dave Records, 1998)
• Adventures at the Shore (Dancer Dave Records, 1999)
• Misung and the Keyboards, Dahm Yoh (Dancer Dave Records, 2000)
• Foxx and Cotton Candy (Sour Bunny Records, 2003)
• Everyone Agrees (Ottomen Records, 2004)
• Back to the Past" (Ottomen Records, 2006)
• The Ottomen: Attak! (Ottomen Records, 2008)
• Raw and Wrigglin' NYC May 3, 2008 (Ottomen Records, 2008)
• Horses Dont Have Lungs (Ottomen Records, 2010)

External links

• http://www.ottomen.com. The official band website.
• http://www.meathaus.com Comic book anthology publisher.