Rake (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rake | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 1990-2001? |
| Genres | |
| Labels | VHF |
| Members | Vinnie Van Go-Gogh, Bill Kellum, Carl Moller (aka C-Man) |
Rake was an art rock/noise rock/free jazz musical ensemble that came to being in Northern Virginia in 1990 in the shadow of the Nation’s Capitol. Not to be confused with the post-punk and art damage bands associated with the Washington, DC underground music scene, Rake straddled the line dividing high art from low art and marched to their own beat along with fellow musical explorers Pelt and Wingtip Sloat throughout the 1990s. Band members Vinnie Van Go-Gogh (OASTEM! Jim), Bill Kellum, and C-Man (Carl Moller) released their first record in 1989, a 7” 45 rpm single called "Cow Song/My Fish Dies" and the barely-anticipated follow-up single, "Subterranean Marijuana Garden" in 1990. It’s punkesque leanings did not accurately foreshadow the rich spaced-out and experimental offerings to appear in the decade to follow.
For the ten years following their first release, Rake recorded tirelessly, releasing 45s, CDs, and cassettes in random bursts, often in collaboration with kindred spirits around the globe. Side projects abounded, with no musical boundary able to contain Rake's creative output.
Contents |
[edit] Trivia
The Rake - Velvet Monkeys connection. It was rumored that the band chose their name from the Velvet Monkeys album Rake that was released on Rough Trade Records in 1989, about a year before Rake's first 45. There was also a reference to Velvet Monkeys member Don Fleming on the first Rake 45. However, the band confirms that their name was chosen before becoming aware of the album Rake, although that particular album was in fact a favorite of the band.
[edit] Discography
- Cow Song b/w My Fish Died - 7" 1990 (L Records, 1990)
- Motorcycle Shoes/ Look at Rocks, My Miserable Existence/ The Center - 7" EP (VHF, 1991)
- The Day I Remembered Seeing Ice Cassette (Sweet Portable Junket, 1992)
- Subterranean Marijuana Garden/ USTV - 7" (VHF, 1992)
- Rake Is My Co-Pilot - CD (VHF, 1994)
- Squelch/ Phrase Text Slur - 7" (Fourth Dimension, 1995)
- The Art Ensemble Of Rake / The Tell-Tale Moog - Double CD (VHF, 1995)
- Intelligence Agent - CD (Squealer, 1996)
- Fighting 2 Quarters and A Nickle - CD (VHF, 1998)
- Resume The Cosmos - CD (Camera Obscura, 1998)
- Omniverse .:. Frequency - CDR (VHF, 2000)
[edit] Current Activities
- Bill Kellum continues to operate the successful independent label VHF and records under the name Doldrums from time to time.
- After performing and recording with From Quagmire from 2001-2004, OASTEM! Jim relocated to Philadelphia, PA in 2005 and is currently a member of the acid-folk ensemble Fern Knight. He is also is working on an LP with BK under the name Sunwards. www.oastem.com
- C-Man, after moving from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, relocated to TN and works as a video cameraman for a professional wrestling league.
[edit] External links
- rake.info Official Rake homepage
- www.oastem.com Explores the philosophy of OASTEM, a concept central to the overall Rake experience
- www.vhfrecords.com Record label owned by Bill Kellum, longtime member of Rake
