THE NEW GOSPEL FOR THE WAYWARD
ayward For The W The New
Gospel
With new EP BELLIGERENT and Limited Edition Vinyl only Double EP THE GOSPEL FOR THE WAYWARD
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SATURDAY, APRIL 2 KNUD’S GARAGE MUNKEGADE 5, 6000 KOLDING, DENMARK SUNDAY, APRIL 3 SALON SALON VESTERGADE 50, 8000 ÅRHUS C, DENMARK SATURDAY, APRIL 9 NØRREBRO BRYGHUS RYESGADE 3 2200 KØBENHAVN N, DENMARK THURSDAY, MAY 12 MOJO BLUSE BAR LØNGANGSTRÆDE 21, 1468 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK THURSDAY, MAY 19 THE HOPE & ANCHOR 207 UPPER STREET, ISLINGTON, LONDON, N1 1RL, LONDON ENGLAND SUNDAY, MAY 22 THE WHEELBARROW 55 CAMDEN HIGH STREET, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, NW1 7JH FRIDAY 24 JUNE COWBOY CLUB BASSY 10119 BERLIN, SCHÖNHAUSER ALLEE 176A, GERMANY SATURDAY 25 JUNE JÄGER KLAUSE GRÜNBERGER STR. 1, 10243 BERLIN, GERMANY SUNDAY 26 JUNE BERGMANNSTRASSE FEST BERGMANNSTRASSE, 10961 BERLIN-KREUZBERG, GERMANY THURSDAY, JULY 7 MOJO BLUSE BAR LØNGANGSTRÆDE 21, 1468 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 VIERTELFEST SCHILDSTRASSE 28, 28203 BREMEN, GERMANY 3
For The Wayward
The New Gospel
The new five song EP From
REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL C o . is entitled
BELLIGERENT
D e f ini t ion bel·lig·er·ent - Pronunciation: \-rənt\ Function: adjective Etymology: modification of Latin belligerant-, belligerans, present participle of belligerare to wage war, from belliger waging war, from bellum + gerere to wage Date: 1577 1 : waging war; specifically : belonging to or recognized as a state at war and protected by and subject to the laws of war 2 : inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness — belligerent noun — bel·lig·er·ent·ly adverb synonyms belligerent, bellicose, pugnacious, quarrelsome, contentious mean having an aggressive or fighting attitude. belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities <belligerent nations>. bellicose suggests a disposition to fight <a drunk in a bellicose mood>. pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat <a pugnacious gangster>. quarrelsome stresses an illnatured readiness to fight without good cause <the heat made us all quarrelsome>. contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling <wearied by his contentious disposition>. 4
S on g s Belligerent / Knowone / Modern Man / Your Savior / Lay With Me D escri p t ion The last Record from this band was described as such; “Their EP SOAP BOX is their calling card and like the Sunday soapbox orators of Hyde Park London, who have assembled at Speaker’s Corner since 1872 to discuss religion, politics, and other topics so to this record express’s theirs concerns and is a flamboyant release of their frustrations …” From that record was born a new style of music; primitive and grounded, folk-tales connect seemingly disparate genres into a single curbstone philosophy, “SOAPBOX MUSIC”. Converging African polyrhythms with punk-rock dissonance and combining swing, rock-steady and rhythm & blues. This new EP is an illustration of how in order to move forward, sometimes we must reach further back. And an example how progress and the development of an idea can lead to a more primal outcome. The band has become distinctly more masculine in tone. Gone are the female backing vocals and the melancholic voice of the violin. This recording is now paired down to five men and their instruments. The songs, which have been chosen to record, were written as a series. All with the exception of Lay With Me, which was written earlier and served as the lyrical catalyst to this concept album. The Album, to be recorded and engineered by Boi Holm & HH Praestbro, deals with the war that rages on inside us every day. The central character fights for a balance between narcissism and humility. Establishing a clear line between pleasure and selfdestruction. Belligerent is a clear homage to the swing era and it’s predecessors. With out mimicry, it draws on that jubilant energy and widens the genre by suggesting elements elements of a darker nature. It’s like Count Basie and Bessie Smith in a knife fight. 5
MATTHAIS KLEIN DRUMS
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JUSTIN MOSES GUNN GUITAR
MARTIN OLLIVIERRE BASS
... a cross between the delicate blues legend Robert Johnson and a pub roaring Tom Waits, ... a vibrant elixir of roots in blues, jazz, swing and the negro spiritual. - Jacob Bro Exerted & translated from POLITIKEN, ibyen section Friday June 12, 2009
CLAUDIUS THE BOWERY BAROMETER 7
F rom
the brothel to the pulpit
The true origins of REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL Co. are shrouded in hearsay and conjecture. It is however a story to be told and as the name suggests, it is anything but simple … Suffice to say that the man who calls himself the “Bowery Barometer” is form New York via Freetown, Sierra Leone. Born into the church but raised in the streets, he is at ease with both prostitutes and clergy alike, and he never misses an opportunity to mention how fond he is of both. It is a classic conflict that plays it’s self out on the stage. And like any good story, there are heroes and villains. But his characters aren’t so neat. Like the name REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL Co. these stories are filled with paradoxes. Recognizing the futility in assigning blame to the frustrations and problems of the world. Rather they play the role of the court jester or the fool, using sarcasm and wit to uncover what we all know to be true. Offering up some comfort in this world of the sacred and the profane. Primitive & grounded, folk-tales connect seemingly disparate genres into a single curbstone philosophy “SOAP BOX MUSIC”. Converging African polyrhythms with punk-rock dissonance. Combining swing, rock-steady and rhythm & blues… Sarcastic and sentimental; Agitated and serene... RSSOCo. is a throwback to the Negro spirituals and the American folk tradition. They too are a salute to advertising and commercialismraised together, like traveling horse and buggy teams, peddling miracle medications and their sundries to a stripped and intimate pulse. Come see the medicine show and drink of the balm that is known to cure disease, smooth facial wrinkles, remove stains in clothing and prolong life.
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T he
history of rssoco .
REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL Co. produces a balm that is years in the making. In 1992 Claudius was living in New York, he pulled together his resources to buy an 8 track Reel to Reel and started GALAGO Records. His first recording was made in an apartment on the NYC’s Lower East Side, with the help of guitarist Hue Morgan of FUN LUVIN’ CRIMINALS. The drums were set in the living room the guitars in the kitchen and the vocals in the toilet. Even today he has maintained this garage approach opting for unconventional recording methods and often using homemade instruments. His philosophy is “ good sound don’t know where it came from…” Always the salesman he has spent much of his life traveling and playing his music in Africa, Europe and the United States. Playing venues such as the Knitting Factory and the legendary CBGB’S. Headline gigs for The New Music Seminar, the College Music Journal and GIANT STEP (a New York phenomenon that has since gone global, representing acts such as Gill Scott Heron & Amy Winehouse.) The label disbanded in 1995 and it was at this time he was introduced to Justin Moses Gunn. They forged the friendship and writing collaboration that would see them through the next 14 years. In 2005 they began work on what would eventually lead to their current project. Justin was flown in from Denmark where he had been living for the past five years. While visiting, Justin suggested Claudius come to Copenhagen to see what was happening there. Claudius was so inspired by the storied history of the music scene (especially those of the Jazz legends) he decided to take up the challenge of staging his new project in an environment with which he had no past. “SHINE” was born in 2007. Initially the sparse arrangements and acoustic instrumentation was a direct reaction to the din of grunge dominance of the 90’s. Both Claudius and Justin have deep respect for roots music, firmly believing in the power of its simplicity. REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL Co. is homage to forefathers of American Music.
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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS March 2nd 2007 first official Show; A private showcase sold out 2007 Playing at the African Cultural festival “COULER CAFE” sharing the stage with Moussa Diallo Quartet Recording the “SOAPBOX Ep” at GRANNY STUDIO with Thomas Brekling, Peter Forsberg and Steve Falconer. 2008 Featuring role in the independent film “En Sang For København” Photo shoot with Editorial & Fashion photographer Jens Astrup 2008 beging work on Autobiographical Independent film “BODEGA” Looking at the history of nightlife and transcultural migration of artist from New York to Copenhagen. Photo Shoot with fashion photographer Mikkel Bache The development of the BODEGA TOUR Live RADIO Broadcast Christianshavns Kanal (98.9 FM / 98.8 Hybrid) Featured on the front cover of POLITIKEN SPECIAL JAZZ EDITION, JAZZFEST 2008. 2009 RSSOCo. Plays Copenhagen JazzHouse Review for JazzHouse By Jacob Bro in POLITIKEN Launch of SNAKE OIL TV an internet based program featuring trailers from the up coming film “BODEGA” . Showcasing at Copenhagen Jazz Festival The production of “YOUR SAVIOR” video with Director Anders Graver Spotlight on BBC 6 “The Huey Show” winner of the Sonny Radio Academy Awards 2010 Opening night and Primer Private Screening of: ’The Devilles’ at Empire Bio for the Copenhagen DOX International Film Festival. Produced by: “COPENHAGEN BURLESQUE in collaboration with CPH:DOXand SF FILM PRODUCTION
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The shooting of “FAREWELL ALL GOOD PEOPLE” the third video from a series of small films by Anders Graver. March 13th 2010 “THE DIVINE SERVICE OF REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL Co. & Premier of the MARKET PLACE” A sold out performance at Copenhagen JAZZHOUSE The HOPELESS SINNERS TOUR through Germany and Denmark documented and filmed by Anders Graver. Interview for Denmarks radio P1 with Claus Vittus April 2010 Interview with Nanna Mogensen for KBH magazine Recording of the second EP “Belligerent” recorded and engineered by Boi Holm & HH Praestbro The production of REVEREND SHINE’S SNAKE OIL a new bath oil to protect it’s users from envy & the kibosh Interview and Band recording session with Third Ear a digital magazine presenting documentary’s, stories, music, art, artist portraits, short films and more. Touring with the FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS The Sick of Heart Tour to Berlin 7 day 9 shows Headlining and opening for REVEREND PAYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND The Filming of “the gospel for the wayward” the accompanying visual narrative to the song Lay With Me. Directed by Meeto Worre Kronborg Grevsen. Collaborating with photographer and visual artist Kajsa Gullberg for the design and publicity campaign of their EP “Belligerent” The release of the vinyl double EP “The Gospel for the Wayward”
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T he S oap B ox E p “Profound. Made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Scarily good. This is the kind of music that affects people forever. Really compelling and mysterious/dark lyrics, sparsely accompanied with “bones” of instrumentation. Eerie backing vocals. Haunting ...” Pauline Trouble
T he O riginal C ompany Their EP SOAP BOX is their calling card and like the Sunday soapbox orators of Hyde Park London, who have assembled at Speaker’s Corner since 1872 to discuss religion, politics, and other topics so to this record express theirs concerns and is a flamboyant release of their frustrations … They have been described as an “Urban Music box” and they are what’s happening now! Richard Alexander 12
A review of the Soap Box EP from Blackgirl on Mars “ The Soap Box Ep is a ticket to a traveling show that conjures the old-school style of ancient Speak Easies and the traveling circus of life. The title song, Soap Box is a writhing tale of spirituality gone awry and reminds us that God lives in the space between you and me…with harrowing violins and doomsday drumbeats, we are called upon to listen to the message of The Reverend Shine: Gather ‘round my Soap Box… Heretic mixes seductive gypsy-like guitar and wails the collective doubts and personal failures behind humankind – We will never learn, when will we see? Like Baldwin wrestling with Old School notions of storefront churches and our general shortcomings, Heretic reminds us of the sanctity of personal struggle. But what is it more that is being preached from this Soap Box? The personal reckoning of an individual not only exiled in Another Country, but that of human beings, exiled in this state of life. Intuition leads me back to your arms…what is it to belong? Turning Snake Oil into healing balm captures the magic of experiencing what is deemed useless to something indispensible: I miss Summer, Winter’s far too profound… Birthday Suit is the lament of a man attempting, with a backdrop of haunting, pleading harmonica rhythms, to understand the existential existence of us all – I must try again, to undress in the light – with all its connotations coupled with the backdrop of accompanying songs is a fitting hat tip to the father of existentialism himself, borne out of the very land he too had once tread: Kierkegaard. Hanging his soul bare, the Reverend invites you to gather ‘round his Soap Box, and the message is all too fitting for our times: that we are, in the end, responsible for our own actions and that what we choose to do with this freedom is, ultimately, up to us.” 13
A documenttry about musicians in Copenhagen
RSSOCO celebrating Chr istmas in Studenterhuset
ReveRend
SnAKe OIL CO. 9/10 10/10 2008 2:30 Am
[kulturnatten] Two extraordinary nights of music, with New York’s hottest export. Come be part of the filming & taping of what promises to be “...Legend”.
Andy’s Bar Live at
Gothersgade 33b Copenhagen K
shiNeoNLiNe.dk · mYspaCe.Com/shiNeThearTisT
The filming of the RSSOCO documentry
Shine takes over the legendary jazz theater Chr istiania
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Introducing
Premiere på filmen og livesoundtracket “The Market Place” Copenhagen JazzHouse lørdag d. 13. marts kl. 21. Tid og sted standser op og forsvinder, når
til tider djævelsk æggende.
stemning på en afrikansk markedsplads.
bandet REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL
Claudius Pratt og hans musikalske åndsfælle
Her falbydes alle jordens gaver, fattigdom og
Co. indtager scenen. En flok omrejsende
Justin Moses Gunn emigrerede fra deres føde-
rigdom eksisterer side om side, og fordærv så-
musikmedicinmænd, der blander swing med
by New York til København, hvor de nu lever
vel som skønhed er sat til skue. ”The Market
amerikanske folkefortællinger, mikser med
i selvvalgt kunstnerisk eksil og siden 2007
Place” er en visuel fortælling om livet i Sierra
rock-steady og svedig megafonprædiken,
har rusket op i de københavnske spillesteder
Leone og skildrer den fascination, der griber
lader det boble og syde af blues tilsat en skvis
med bandet RSSOCo. og dets hæsblæsende
en udefrakommende ved mødet med skønhe-
punkrock, og koger det hele ind til en helende
symbiose mellem rock’n’roll og spiritualitet.
den i en fremmed kultur. Filmen beskrives af
eliksir - Snake Oil. Vidundermidlet, der kan
Ud over de to newyorkere består bandet af en
instruktøren som en filmisk røverhistorie, en
kurere enhver sygdom, udglatte rynker, fjerne
sønderjyde, en fynbo og en østtysker, der til-
fortælling om livet eller blot som et kunst-
pletter på skjorten og forlænge livet!
sammen har tråde ud i store dele af verden, og
værk.
Gå ikke glip af den begivenhedsrige aften på
specielt tilknytningen til Afrika er en iørefal-
”The Market Place” akkompagneres af et
Copenhagen JazzHouse, der, ud over ”The
dende del af deres mangfoldige univers.
soundtrack fremført live af bandet The Horsemen. The Horsemen beskriver sig selv som en
Medicine Show” med REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL Co. og special guests som den
“The Market Place”
flok anonyme budbringere, hvis identitet ikke
gambianske koraspiller Basiru Suso, byder
Sierra Leone i Vestafrika åbner for sin skøn-
skal stå i vejen for det budskab de bringer, og
på filmpremiere og live uropførelse af det
hed og mystik i første afdeling af aftenens
derfor ikke kan afsløres her.
til filmen hørende soundtrack af bandet The
program, hvor der er verdenspremiere på
Horsemen.
filmen ”The Market Place” af den amerikan-
Da REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL Co.
ske instruktør Gamiel Abesodu. Da Abesodu
sidst gav koncert for et propfyldt JazzHouse,
I “The Medicine Show” står Reverend Shine
besøgte sine forældres hjemland Sierra
stod mange københavnere forgæves i kø på en
alias eksilnewyorkeren Claudius Pratt i spid-
Leone for første gang, blev han overvældet
regnvåd Niels Hemmingsens Gade. Nu får de
sen for en sarkastisk og sentimental forkyn-
af landets atmosfære, og i filmen deler han
atter chancen for at se lyset og modtage Re-
delse af musikalsk frelse - til tider englesmuk,
ud af den visuelle overflod og intenst levende
verend Shines livgivende bluessakramenter.
The Hopeless Sinners Tour in Ger many
Koncert med REVEREND SHINE SNAKE OIL Co.
The premiere of “The Market Place” in Jazz House 2010
No. 001
WHEREVER YOU MIGHT BE, 2010
The start of The Hopeless Sinners Tour 2009
Jazzfestival 2009 Zum Biergarten The New Gospel ForWayward Souls & Hopeless Sinners
Vol. III
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Read the articles at www.shineonline.dk
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Read the articles at www.shineonline.dk
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C on tac t Claudius Pratt claudius@shineonline.dk +45 4085 9786 Vesterbrogade 71, 4 1620 Copenhagen Denmark