History The Bottle Rockets

1 history

1.1 1990s
1.2 2000–2005
1.3 2006–2007
1.4 2008: 15th anniversary year
1.5 2009

history
the 1990s

for of nineties, missouri s bottle rockets torchbearers smart southern-style rock.—mark kemp, rolling stone

the bottle rockets released self-titled first album in 1993. brooklyn side followed on east side digital, in 1994, resounding critical acclaim. in 1995, bottle rockets signed atlantic records, re-released brooklyn side. single radar gun hit on rock radio—reaching no. 27 on billboard s rock chart—and band toured extensively support album. band appeared on television show late night conan o brien performing 1 of original songs being featured in comedic skit. relationship atlantic records turned out difficult. of original staff promoted brooklyn side had been laid off or fired atlantic. release of bottle rockets next record, 24 hours day, delayed until late 1997. band parted ways atlantic in 1998.

the bottle rockets featured in pbs documentary mississippi river of song: grassroots of american music. in series, narrated ani difranco, brian henneman says , band “reporters heartland” writing stories friends. music combines singer-songwriter poignancy authenticity, commentary , wit. bottle rockets performed live @ smithsonian institution in washington, dc @ premiere film, , appear on smithsonian folkways recordings soundtrack.

bottle rockets signed doolittle records, later became new west records. doolittle released ep of outtakes 24 hours day called leftovers in 1998. time, tom ray replaced on bass robert kearns. bottle rockets fourth full length record, brand new year, released on doolittle in 1999. power hooks , muscular guitar fights make skynyrd proud , 70s power rock dirty edge—sort of zz top meets lynyrd skynyrd meets bad company calling card of brand new year.

2000–2005

the band again had problems record label, , did not record else until songs of sahm, collection of songs doug sahm, came out on chicago label bloodshot records in 2002. shortly after finishing record, parr left band. bottle rockets toured three-piece while, , recorded fifth full-length record blue sky (which released in 2003 on sanctuary label), before adding multi-instrumentalist john horton band.

kearns amicably split band in spring of 2005. after brief search bottle rockets named keith voegele new bassist. voegele saint louis , has played in bands including phonocaptors.

after bottle rockets promising eponymous debut, having radio hit ( radar gun ) on second album, extensive touring, , resounding critical acclaim, band endured decade of subsequent hard luck (including having career held hostage staggering series of record companies d had contracts folded and/or floundered, ups strike holding distribution of 1 of new records, band personnel changes, , family emergencies during prominent tours). concurrent band s business difficulties, grunge , alternative rock meteorically came prominence , dominated popular culture, becoming corporate mainstream rather alternative. result, music industry abandoned traditional rock artists building legacy of work, in favor of marketing trendy carbon-copy quick-commercial-turnaround acts. path henneman , bottle rockets had been on seemed disappear.

despite struggles, in 2005 bottle rockets stabilized upheavals nature , trailblazing edge intact. founders brian henneman , mark ortmann got band on course, along newest additions john horton , keith voegele, current line-up of band members. band re-hired manager days, bob andrews.

2006–2007

the bottle rockets first live album live in heilbronn germany released in february 2006. double-disc set recorded on july 17, 2005 @ burgerhaus, heilbronn-bockingen, germany band s current roster. released in europe on cd , vinyl blue rose records.

bloodshot records released band s next album, zoysia, recorded in ardent studios in memphis producer jeff powell, in june 2006. zoysia (zoy-zhuh), metaphor tolerance , centered values , common ground, hardy grass, plentiful in festus/crystal city , saint louis, missouri, these hardworking musicians grew up. after years of misleading portrayals of band s music hillbilly , band s catalog proves otherwise themes of maturity, generosity of spirit, neighborliness, insightful self-reflection, personal roots , modern society, individualism, pride of place, slow-mending hearts, , post-9/11 reality through filter of couple’s romance. after more share of hard knocks, bottle rockets continued trailblazing edge intact zoysia:

it mistake claim missouri s answer neil young s crazy horse has gone soft first release in more 3 years shows greater range , reflection typical rock-solid quartet. opening better broken , brooding happy anniversary , , acoustic wistful come evoke aftermath of romantic upheaval.... middle man band s signature tune defining sensibility middle american in more geography. sage wisdom of frontman brian henneman s blind , twang of feeling down show band s countrier side while quit has groove of retro soul. yet guitar finale of seven-minute album-closing title song [ zoysia ] finds bottle rockets explosive ever. —don mcleese

zoysia received rave reviews worldwide including spot on novelist/audiophile stephen king s best records of 2006 list in entertainment weekly magazine.

2008: 15th anniversary year

the bottle rockets @ city winery (new york city) january 2016

the band celebrated 15th anniversary throughout 2008. instead of extensive touring in previous years, band played 15 shows in select cities during entire year.

the bottle rockets reputation underdog spokesmen translated collaboration fans in 2008. fans of bottle rockets had voice in band’s 15th anniversary tour, having been invited design set lists 2008 tour bottle rockets’ catalog plus 1 cover song suggestion. band hand-picked fan’s set list each of special anniversary shows , entered set list winners in year-long contest win 1 of 2 grand prizes, $1500.00 custom golden rocket guitar creston electric instruments or “bottle rockets life” prize package.

the results of first such collaboration detailed roy kasten , barry gilbert in reviews of performance, in riverfront times , saint louis post-dispatch, respectively.

while other artists have covered bottle rockets’ songs, including john hiatt, (hiatt recorded “welfare music” don imus’ ranch record), peter blackstock of no depression implores:

“...somebody, record [the bottle rockets’ song] “kerosene” on next album. big band, little band, country band, rock band,...punk band,...somebody smart , give song respect, , legs, deserves.

in july 2008, bottle rockets reunited producer eric ambel (brooklyn side, 24 hours day, leftovers, brand new year) @ cowboy technical services recording studio in williamsburg, brooklyn, new york latest album, lean forward (bloodshot).

2009

on may 2, bottle rockets played special concert @ high dive in champaign, il filmed upcoming live concert documentary dvd release. set list included hard times, done all, shame on me, give me room, way used , long way then-forthcoming lean forward album.

lean forward released bloodshot records. album charted on billboard heatseekers albums chart @ no. 23.