Does anyone remember Loudermilk, those cute li'l guys from the Tri-Cities who moved to Seattle and immediately caught the attention of several major labels before signing to Rick Rubin's American Recordings? The band was loud and heavy, and featured a singer (Davey Ingersoll) with a bloodcurdling metal scream and a wee drummer (Isaac Carpenter) who pounded the shit out of the skins. Though many labels were interested, Loudermilk went with American because it was the first to court them, and, well, being from the Tri-Cities, cunning and sophistication were not-yet-acquired survival skills. Black Crowes/Cult producer George Drakoulias and a few other engineers helped Loudermilk record a disc rumored to have cost somewhere in the tony neighborhood of a million smackeroos, and then... nothing (aside from a tour with Mötley CrĂŒe, a pairing notable not only because it was a boon for an unknown band, but because of Loudermilk's singer's steadfast observance of the Jewish Sabbath--meaning no Saturday-night performances). The band moved back to Kennewick, Pasco, or whatever godforsaken triumvirate of Podunks actually constitute Washington's Tri-Cities, and it seemed that the young four-piece would assume its place in obscurity. HOWEVER! The saga continues. Last week, a representative from DreamWorks informed It's My Party that Loudermilk now has a home at the same label that boasts Elliott Smith, Jimmy Eat World, Ours, and Rufus Wainwright, among many other successful bands. I just wonder what it cost 'em....
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Speaking of big bucks, local producer Phil Ek must be sitting on a fat pile of green, given the crazy amount of bands he's worked with over the past several months. Currently Ek's handiwork can be heard on Les Savy Fav's super-popular album Go Forth, as well as Love As Laughter's latest, Sea to Shining Sea, and Built to Spill's Ancient Melodies of the Future. In addition, the producer recently helped Poseur out with their new demo, and also recorded Mike Johnson, 764-HERO, Yeek Yak Air Force, Automaton, plus some live Built to Spill shows, and the final Murder City Devils show. At press time Ek is in the studio with Pretty Girls Make Graves, recording an album that will be released on the Bay Area's Lookout records. A couple of weeks ago, Pretty Girls were wined and dined by Sub Pop at the Pink Door, and it's rumored the local label promised the sun and the moon to the band if they'd ink a deal. Still a budding band, Pretty Girls is having tons of fun considering their options right now, especially since the band includes a former member of Murder City Devils, who have had a long, intense association with Sub Pop. As for the label, it's also rumored that reps offered an on-the-spot contract to an up-and-coming New York band after their recent show at the Paradox, but as of today said band has not signed on the dotted line. Negotiations with Carissa's Wierd seem to have stalled, but that band's future would surely be brighter with non-local representation. Those who attended the Terror Sheets/Carissa's Wierd/Michael John Serpe show last week at the Sunset heard a small sample of the songs on the forthcoming CW album. Again produced by Death Cab's Chris Walla, the new disc alternately simmers and roils with hushed urgency and simple yet evocative imagery. The dedicated or merely curious can hear the new material when the band returns from its short tour with M. Gira's Angels of Light on Saturday, December 8 at the Graceland.
