Sound of Urchin

Sound of Urchin
Background information
Origin	Brooklyn, New York & New Hope, Pennsylvania
Genres	Alternative rock Experimental rock Heavy metal Outsider Arena-rock
Years active	1998–present
Labels	RCA, Hybrid, Steven Records
Associated acts	Ween, Moistboyz, Project/Object
Website	soundofurchin.com
Members	Tomato (Chris Harfenist) Reverend B-ILL (Bill Fowler) Conor Kinsman Karina Rykman Josh Musto

Sound of Urchin is a musically diverse "outsider arena-rock" band from Brooklyn, New York and New Hope, Pennsylvania. SOU is known for their eclectic songs, for energetic, spontaneous live shows, and for their heavy touring schedule.^[1]

Band History

Sound of Urchin's debut E.P. was released on lead-singer/drummer Tomato’s own independent label, Steven Records.^[2][3]

After further developing their style and sound, they signed to a major label and began working with Dean Ween of Ween. From 2000 to 2002, the band released an album and two E.P.’s on RCA Records.^[4] In 2002, the band made a video for their song "Scary Skull Eyes". It was directed by Lorin Finkelstein and featured on MTV2’s 120 Minutes.^[5]

In 2005 Sound of Urchin's album The Diamond was released on Hybrid Recordings. The independent label is led by former A&M Records label head Al Cafaro and legendary concert promoter John Scher.^[6] SOU performed their best-known song from 2005, "There Are People In The Clouds", before nationwide audiences on CBS' The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,^[7]

Touring History and Affiliations

Sound of Urchin are Zelig-esque chameleons of rock, as their diverse style has gained them entrance into likewise diverse rock circles. For example, over the years SOU has toured with bands like Tenacious D, Ween, Dio/Deep Purple/Scorpions, Cracker, Mike Watt, Slightly Stoopid, Fishbone, The North Mississippi Allstars, The Urge, SR-71, Trik Turner, Bargain Music, The Ziggens, as well as sharing stages with Public Enemy, Twisted Sister, Slash's Snakepit, Dick Dale, Butthole Surfers, Everclear, Project/Object, Vernon Reid, Lit, 2 Skinnee J's, Cobra Verde, and Local H.

Urchin is also known for its affiliation with the band Ween; Dean Ween has been a mentor to the band and produced their first major label release The Orange E.P.,^[8] Tomato and B-ILL play in Dean Ween and Guy Heller’s Moistboyz (featured on the "Live Jihad" DVD release^[9]) and have played with Ween and Dean Ween's Tenderloin. B-ILL also played guitar on Ween’s “The Mollusk” album, and Tomato plays drums with Ween's bassist Dave Dreiwitz, as a duo called Crescent Moon.

Sound of Urchin are also known for their affiliation with Tenacious D; Urchin was the opening act on their 2001 tour, and Tomato played drums with them for their 2002 Comedy Central Crank Yankers recording of “Friendship”.

Members

Current members

• Tomato (Chris Harfenist) – drums, lead vocal
• Reverend B-ILL (Bill Fowler) – lead guitar, main backup vocal

Side members

• Black Sebabbitt (Jack Krause) – co-writer, character vocals
• Mr. Richard Rickles (Wayne Price) – tambourine, dancer
• Jah Rob (Rob Marcario) - artwork

Live members

• Jordan Shapiro - keyboard
• Chris Shepherd - lead guitar
• Conor Kinsman – bass
• Karina Rykman – guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals
• Josh Musto – guitar, vocals
• Matt Holloman - lead guitar
• Brian Ellingham - bass

Past members

• Doo Doo Brown (Chris Huetz) – bass, backup vocal
• Hollywood Scotty Choc (Scott Heydt) – lead guitar, backup vocal
• Barbie Smooth (Mike Huetz) – producer, guitar
• Seahag (Robbie Mangano) - lead guitar, bass, backup vocal
• Michael Davidson – bass^[10][11]

Discography

Early pre-official SOU 4-track albums (1994-1998) (currently out of print)

Official SOU Studio albums (1998–present)

References