The Muckrakers (band)
Encyclopedia
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
from Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
that formed in 1997.
Early days
The band started as a duoDuet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
, with current lead singer/songwriter Rob Carpenter and singer/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...
John Ruby. The two met at Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
(both were history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
majors). Shortly after meeting the two began playing all over Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is the third-most populous city in the state of Kentucky after Louisville and Lexington, with a population of 58,067 as of the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated 2009...
, from dorm rooms to coffee houses. Eventually though, the two began playing at a Bowling Green restaurant, Happy Inn, and began drawing substantial crowds.
Formation
Then the two got Brian Meurer, bassistBassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
, and together they recorded their first album, "Forgot To Breathe" (1998). Dave Kidd, drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, joined the next year and the band began putting their music on MP3.com
MP3.com
MP3.com is a web site operated by CNET Networks providing information about digital music and artists, songs, services, community, and technologies. It is probably better known for its original incarnation, as a legal, free music-sharing service, popular with independent musicians for promoting...
, which led to increased popularity and sales. This in turn allowed them to put out their second release in 2001, titled "Losing Sleep".
Recent developments
The Muckrakers continued playing and in 2004 were signed to Toucan Cove Entertainment/Label X. So with their label, the help of producer Todd SmithTodd Smith
Todd Smith is LL Cool J's 11th studio album, released on April 11, 2006 by his label Def Jam Recordings. It includes collaborations with Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell, Juelz Santana, Teairra Mari, Ginuwine, Mary J...
, and their newly added electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
ist, Micah Gerdis, the Muckrakers released their first nationally released record, "Front of the Parade." In 2008, they released their follow-up album, The Concorde Fallacy.
On July 17, 2009, The Muckrakers played their final show at Headliner's Music Hall in Lousiville, KY. The 23-song setlist was recorded and later released for free at http://www.hatfieldmedia.com.
Members
- Rob Carpenter - Lead Vocals/Guitar
- Brian Meurer - Bass GuitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Dave Kidd - DrummerDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
- Micah Gerdis - Electric GuitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
Former
- John Ruby - Vocals/Guitar
Albums
- Forgot to Breath (1998)
- Losing Sleep (2001)
- Live @ Paste (2006)
- Live @ XM (2006)
- Front of the Parade (2006)
- The Concorde Fallacy (2008)