Ruth Buzzy

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

Posted by Jim Kamp at 5:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jim Kamp is hooked on the whole rockstar thing thanks to years of playing to small crowds of his friends in bars. His artistic expression largely consists of self-effacing, high-pitched rhymes yelled out to the accompaniment of 120 bpm power chords. He joins Ruth Buzzy on Bonovox and Lead GTRs with the sincere hope that they will take him straight to the top. Previously of dick justice, Team Player and Snaklab, to name but a few. Go Bears.

Jim Kamp plays guitar in Ruth Buzzy.

Posted by Jim Kamp at 5:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I like Ruth Buzzy. I like the guys in Ruth Buzzy. Even my little brother Jim. And my adopted little brother Matthew. Phil is the head singer, but we are really stealing his thunder, now that we are all being head singers.

I'm not a bass player, but Buzzy needs a bass player. Same as in '98, more so now. So I play bass. I try to be like a Bill Wyman, or John Deacon, or that dude who was in Ben Folds Five. Paul McCartney, John Paul Jones, those guys are bass players.

We're not particularly cool or stylish (except for maybe Jim) but as a band we may be kind of geek cool. The reward, for me, is probably when we hit on a bridge or modified third verse in practice. You get to stay up late when you're in a band. That helps explain why you keep at it.

I think I would like Ruth Buzzy if I wasn't in Ruth Buzzy. I'd probably never have heard of us, but I think I'd like us. It'd fit in good on shuffle with Built To Spill, Guided By Voices, Flaming Lips, and Uncle Tupelo. For me, anyway.

Paul Kamp plays bass in Ruth Buzzy.

Posted by Paul Kamp at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I make things. I've always made things. It started with scrap wood sculptures, home-made model rockets, Commodore 64 graphics and bad heavy metal t-shirts. Somehow, it lead to guitar and to basement recordings. Then I joined a band and met Matt. We played for a while, dropped a member and became another band. We dropped yet another member and became a two-piece band and moved to Chicago. Somewhere along the line, we acquired two members of the Kamp family. Together we continue to make stuff because it's still fun. And it all started with scrap wood. And Matt Molenaar.

Phil Schuldt plays guitar in Ruth Buzzy.

Posted by Phil Schuldt at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Playing in a band is a multi-faceted endeavor. It provides me with a venue to share ideas musical and otherwise. It allows me to be a part of group that is producing something instead of consuming something. In this band I am pushed and encouraged to grow beyond my current capabilties. I am accepted for my songs that I contribute. I am graciously and patiently accepted when the songs or musical ideas I contribute stink! I am given a place to be myself. This band has value to me beyond the music or our external acceptance by others. The relationships the band provides me with are very important and the music we create gives us a focus that we keep coming back to. Our musical ideas are abundant, appealing, fertile and stimulating.
Being in this band gets me out of the house, it shows my sons and others that being artistically creative has value and can be done at all life stages. This band provides one more important area in my life that takes the focus off of just myself and I am happier because of it. And when all is said and done, the band also gives me an opportunity to drink beer.

Matt Molenaar plays drums in Ruth Buzzy.

Posted by Matt Molenaar at 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)