Ruth Buzzy According to Jim
Ruth Buzzy? Where to begin. . . How 'bout the beginning? Instantly unstoppable, Matt Molenaar and Phil Schuldt, who once comprised the whoop-holler rhythm section of Bloomington, Illinois's Honest Engine, split off to form their very own two-piece band circa 1995. Matt on drums, Phil switching to double duty guitar-through-bass amp, they were of one mind whipping Phil's salient lyrics and nimble fingers into corn-fuelled sing-alongs, punk-rocking hoedowns from Iowa to Indiana. They self released their frosh/soph effort "Oh Yeah, That's Right!" in '98. That was the year Phil and Matt caught Chicago guitar whiz Paul Kamp of Busker Soundcheck looking for an outlet to express his inner bass player. Pupæting in a variety of basements, living rooms and practice places they metamorphosized into the mostly-all-new Ruth Buzzy, Mach II. With the 2003 release of "Mission Statement" on Chicago's Veronica Records, the chugging locomotive was now textured with PK's McCartney-like melody on the low end and new-found harmonies up top. Rock? Yes. Roll? Like I said. Things looked bleakish early 2005 and Paul's bass cooled after a freak fingertip smashing-off accident at work. Fortunately, young Jim Kamp was up for playing U2 covers at the practice room during his brother's convalescence. Creation continued unabated in a new, sloppier, louder vein. The band now has four voices and plays songs distinctly different from the Buzzy cannon - and from one song to the next - written and led by every member. This new Buzzy, with Jim's contributions on guitar number 2 and Bonovox are captured on the soon-to-be-released "Operation: Myndkryme III - The Revenge of Dr. X" on Rykodisc. Where to next? The stars, my friend. The stars.
Amen.
JK