THE GENTLEMAN CALLERS: A Tangled Mess LP (TIRC-007)

The Gentleman Callers formed in April of 1999, played two shows on July 1 and 2, 1999, then got in a fight and broke up. Three years later, they reappeared with an organ player and 2nd guitarist (same guy), played a bunch of shows, self-recorded and self-released a single, toured a little bit, recorded a full-length CD released by Wee Rock Records of Springfield, MO, then broke up before playing any out-of-town shows in support of that album. In 2005 they got a new keyboard player, played more shows around the Midwest, recorded the basic tracks for a second album, then broke up before finishing or releasing that album.

This album is the result of those sessions. A Tangled Mess (there was a different working title but this seems more appropriate in retrospect) blends Beatlesesque pop, raucous R&B, and trashy garage punk in a way that is uniquely the Gentleman Callers. Sometimes serious, sometimes stupid, always entertaining, the new album features twelve songs written by four 20-somethings in the 21st century. Yes, it is influenced by music of the past 50 years; but it is not retro, a throwback, or a “period piece.” It’s just good. Good music is not specific to a particular era or genre.

Lineup for this recording:

Kevin James Schneider – vocals, bass, harmonica, guitar, baritone guitar
Mike Virag – guitars
Matt Picker – drums
Seth Porter – organ, piano, electric piano, vocals, acoustic guitar

Recorded October in 2006 and 2007 at Firebrand Recording in St. Louis, Missouri. Engineered by Brian Scheffer. Cover photo by Sharon Brogan, used under Creative Commons license. Designed by Jeff Kopp and Matt Mauger.

DOWNLOAD A Tangled Mess:

The band wanted to make this a completely FREE digital download. This album never existed in a pressed (vinyl or CD) format, but we wanted to at least make the digital downloads available to anyone who wanted them. Thanks!

Track List

1. You Don’t Know What I’ve Been Through MP3 AAC
2. Beggars Can’t Be Choosers MP3 AAC
3. Empty Streets MP3 AAC
4. Don’t, Don’t, Don’t MP3 AAC
5. Recipe for Disaster MP3 AAC
6. Gotta Get Back Home MP3 AAC
7. Kerrie MP3 AAC
8. Sipping Tea MP3 AAC
9. A Tangled Mess MP3 AAC
10. Open All Nite MP3 AAC
11. Twins From Tennessee MP3 AAC
12. One Too Many Two Times (Time to Say Goodbye) MP3 AAC

Just click which complete package you would like below, or download individual songs (above). The MP3s are ripped at 192 kbps stereo, and the Mac iTunes (Apple Lossless) files are AAC (M4A) files ripped at 256 kbps (very close to CD quality).

The Gentleman Callers’ debut album, Don’t Say What it Is, is available from Wee Rock Records. After the breakup of the band, Kevin, Seth and Matt went on to form a local indie rock/mod/pop band called The Blind Eyes.