Reigning Sound
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| The Reigning Sound | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
| Genre(s) | Garage punk, rock & roll |
| Years active | 2001 — Present |
| Label(s) | In the Red records Norton Records Sympathy for the Record Industry |
| Associated acts | Compulsive Gamblers Oblivians Greg Oblivian & The Tip Tops |
The Reigning Sound is a garage punk band originally based out of Memphis, Tennessee, now located in Asheville, North Carolina. The band's current lineup includes former Oblivians and Compulsive Gamblers frontman Greg Cartwright on lead vocals and guitar, David Wayne Gay on bass, Lance Wille on drums, and Dave Amels on organ.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Reigning Sound was formed in 2001 by Memphis garage punk legend Greg Cartwright (vocals/guitar), who is also known for his previous bands Compulsive Gamblers and the Oblivians. Originally the band featured Cartwright, Jeremy Scott (bass), Greg Roberson (drums) and Alex Greene (keyboards and guitar.) However, after Cartwright re-located his family to Asheville, North Carolina in 2004, bassist David Wayne Gay, drummer Lance Wille and keyboardist Dave Amels joined Cartwright to complete the current line-up.
The Reigning Sound’s debut was "Two Sides to Every Man," a three-song 7", released in May of 2001. One month later came their first full-length album "Break Up, Break Down" (Sympathy for the Record Industry.) With its country-folk melodies, the first album was to be an early blueprint of where Cartwright’s songwriting was headed.
"Time Bomb High School", (In the Red) was released in August 2002, and is known for its polished sound, pop hooks and near-perfect balance of classic R&B and rock & roll. Aside from the many standout originals on the album, cover songs like “Stormy Weather” and “Brown Paper Sack” prove Cartwright has mastered the art of revamping old songs and making them seem like his own.
Reigning Sound’s third album “Too Much Guitar,” (In the Red) was released in May 2004 with recording help from fellow Memphians Jay Reatard and Alicja Trout from the Lost Sounds; it is by far The Reigning Sound’s loudest and noisiest album to date. Songs laced with psych-pop, garage, soul, country and (of course) too-much guitar almost seem to bury Cartwright’s vocals at times in the loud fuzzy mix. The obnoxiously loud “We Repel” opens the record and from the first chord it is apparent that this album is not a sequel to any of their earlier records. An opening slot on a huge American tour with the Swedish garage band The Hives helped to promote the album shortly after its release.
“The Reigning Sound: Live at Maxwell’s” (Telstar/Spoonful) was released in July of 2005, and was an interesting show to say the least. By the end of the gig Cartwright (with no back-up set) breaks all but three guitar strings and still finishes the show for his usual rowdy crowd. This live album has a unique rough around the edges feel, not to mention it’s also the only place to find the stand out track “I Need You Now,” a soulful Sam Cooke cover that allows Cartwright to pay homage to one of his favorite singers.
In September 2005 The Reigning Sound released a rarities comp “Home for Orphans” (Sympathy for the Record Industry.) The album features slower, moodier alternate versions of tunes from “Too Much Guitar” along with some other unreleased tracks.
Late in January of 2006, Memphis based Goner Records released “The Reigning Sound: Live at Goner Records,” a daytime in-store performance. This live set was recorded in June of 2005 and with its crystal clear sound gives listeners an accurate account of what Reigning Sound is all about. The album also hosts great cover songs like “Black Sheep” by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, “Tennessee” by Carl Perkins and “Do Something” by The Swingin' Yo-Yo's.
After spending a portion of 2005 recording an album for George Soule with legends Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, the band once again began recording with yet another legend, Mary Weiss, of the 60s band The Shangri-Las, widely know for their hit “Leader of the Pack.” Reigning Sound was the backing band on the first new Mary Weiss album in over three decades. Cartwright also co-produced the album with Billy Miller and wrote nine of the 14 songs featured on the record. Norton Records released “Dangerous Game” in March 2007, receiving rave reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone Magazine as well as performing with Weiss on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
The Reigning Sound is releasing a new full length album on In the Red Records, due sometime in 2008.
[edit] Reigning Sound Discography
[edit] Singles
- Here Without You 7" (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 2001, SFTRI 656)
- If Christmas Won't Bring You Home 7"(Norton Records, 2004, 45-121)
- I'll Cry 7" (Slovenly Recordings, 2005, 702-50)
- Don't Come Back 7" (Norton Records 2007)- Mary Weiss ft. Reigning Sound
[edit] Albums
- Break Up, Break Down LP/CD (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 2001, SFTRI 654)
- Time Bomb High School - Vinyl LP (In The Red, 2002, ITR 084) - sleeve is different from CD
- Time Bomb High School CD (In The Red, 2002, ITR 084)
- Too Much Guitar LP/CD (In The Red, 2004, ITR 107)
- Home For Orphans LP/CD (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 2005, SFTRI 736)
- Live At Maxwell's LP (Spoonful Records, 2005, LP-SR-005)
- Live At Maxwell's CD (Telstar Records, 2005, TR 049)
- LIVE AT GONER RECORDS CD (limited of 200)
- LIVE AT GONER RECORDS LP (21Gone)
- Dangerous Game LP & CD (Norton Records 2007)- Mary Weiss ft. Reigning Sound
[edit] 7" Vinyl Splits
- The Hentchmen / Reigning Sound "Rolling Stones Sereies" 45rpm(Norton Records, 2003, 9642)
[edit] Compilations
- Root Damage 2xLP/2xCD (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 2003, SFTRI 713)
track: As Long As You Come Home
- Revolver Sampler Winter 2003 CD (Revolver, 2003, cat.no.?)
track: Straight Shooter
- Broad Daylight Soundtrack CD (Guerrilla Monster Films, 2003, #12300)
track: Medication
- Superfuzz CD (Lowfly Records, 2005, LF 061)
track: I'll Cry
- Static Disaster The U.K.: In The Red Records Sampler CD (In The Red, 2005, ITR 1313)
track: Drowning
[edit] References
source for discography: http://www.grunnenrocks.nl/bands/r/reigningsound.htm
