Colonel Rhodes
Champaign-Urbana’s Colonel Rhodes formed Fall 2003 when guitarist/vocalist Seth Hubbard and violinist/vocalist Louise Wasilowski began collaborating and playing occasional shows in the CU area. Keyboardist Megan Doyle oftentimes joined them.Months later and with a handful of songs under their belt, the trio added a rhythm section – drummer Matthew Campbell and bassist Shane Cochran. The band began calling themselves Colonel Rhodes and soon landed a handful of shows including dates with Juliana Hatfield (Zoe Records), The Beauty Shop (UK’s Shoeshine Records), and Volcano, I’m Still Excited!! (Polyvinyl Records). The original lineup performed throughout the spring and summer of 2004 and played their final show on August 10th in Bloomington, IL. Parting amicably, Louise and Megan left the band for other adventures shortly thereafter.With the addition of vocalist Elizabeth Holt and guitarist Robert Hirschfeld only a few weeks later, Colonel Rhodes again underwent an evolution of sound that was more fundamental than the inclusion of the rhythm section. Holt brought along with her a classically trained voice that dramatically complimented Hubbard’s vocals and the band’s music while Hirschfeld brought a unique playing style and an assortment of vintage guitars and equipment that diversified and expanded upon what – up until then – had been sound of Colonel Rhodes.The retooled band played their first gig on September 19th at Champaign’s acclaimed club The Highdive alongside Chin Up Chin Up (Flameshovel), The Sunshine Fix (spinART), Saturday Looks Good To Me (Polyvinyl Records), and Murder By Death (Eyeball). The show opened a variety of doors and friendships, which eventually led to shows with Lucero (Tiger Style), Shearwater (Misra), Catfish Haven (Thrill Jockey), and others. Colonel Rhodes had officially arrived and they were ready to enter the studio.In October 2004, Colonel Rhodes began recording their debut EP with engineer Adam Schmitt (Hum, Velvet Crush, The Beauty Shop, The Blackouts). Recorded over a weekend in two 13-hour sessions, This Is Public seamlessly captured the early songwriting of Colonel Rhodes, coalescing beautifully with the drenched out delay and reverb Hirschfeld had brought to the band.
Meanwhile, Hubbard had struck up a correspondence with Chris Hansen at Save the Plastic Records who then put him in touch with Nathan Reusch of The Record Machine. Hansen passed along demos to Reusch, and soon after got together with Colonel Rhodes to help release their debut EP.
Exciting times are ahead for Colonel Rhodes. The band is continuously reinventing their sound. Plans for tours of the Midwest are in the works, in addition to a steady
output of shows in the Champaign-Urbana area.
Albums:
This Is Public
Purchase:(CD at Merchline) (Itunes)
Tracklisting:
1. Setting Sun
2. Normal Boy
3. In The Movies
4. Confess
5. St. Paul
Artists: State Bird / Max Justus /Perhapsy / Interstates / The Winston Jazz Routine / Every Gentle Air / Cheyenne / The James Dean Trio / Colonel Rhodes
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