Cows (band)

Cows
From left to right: Kevin Rutmanis, Norm Rogers, Thor Eisentrager and Shannon Selberg.
Background information
Origin	Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Genres	Noise rock, post-hardcore, punk blues
Years active	1987–1998
Labels	Treehouse Records Amphetamine Reptile Records
Associated acts	Heroine Sheiks
Members
Shannon Selberg Kevin Rutmanis Thor Eisentrager Freddy Votel
Past members
Norm Rogers Tony Oliveri Sandris Rutmanis David van der Steen

The band's star painted on the side of the First Avenue in Minneapolis

Cows are a post-hardcore/punk blues band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1998. They were known for a unique mixture of punk rock and blues played with large amounts of noise and surreal humour; their music is often considered noise rock.^[1] Their CD releases are often difficult to find, as most of them are out of print, with the exception of Whorn and Orphan's Tragedy. Some of their albums, such as their debut album, Taint Pluribus Taint Unum, were never released in CD format.

They have a star on what is probably the most famous venue in the area, First Avenue. After disbanding, Shannon Selberg went on to front the band Heroine Sheiks.

Origin

The band was formed in 1986 by Kevin Rutmanis on bass, Thor Eisentrager on guitar, then front man Norm Rogers and on drums Kevin's younger brother Sandris Rutmanis. Sandris left the band in January 1989.

Live performances

The band are notorious for their raucous live performances. Acts the band have performed onstage include kicking people in the front row, spitting on the stage, throwing the microphone stand into the crowd, throwing food at the crowd, drawing on themselves, among others. Lead singer Shannon Selberg's trademark is that he has a tattoo illustrating the game Hangman on his body that reads "F_CK" and another tattoo of an anchor with the word "DAD" on top of it. One reviewer wrote about the band's shows, "I have no doubt that the Cows know how to play their instruments. What I don't understand is why they refuse to tune them."^[2]

Cultural depictions

Cows were featured on several posters created by Derek Hess to advertise the band's performances. One of posters features The Reverend Horton Heat, with Cows as a supporting act.

Band members

• Shannon Selberg – Vocals, Horns (1987–1998)
• Kevin Rutmanis – Bass (1987–1998)
• Thor Eisentrager – Guitar (1987–1998)
• Freddy Votel – Drums (1995–1998)

Former members

• Sandris Rutmanis – Drums (1987–1988)
• Norm Rogers – Drums (1990–1995)
• Tony Oliveri – Drums (1988–1990)
• David van der Steen – Fifth Udder (1987–1992)

Discography

Studio albums

• Taint Pluribus Taint Unum – Treehouse Records, 1987
• Daddy Has a Tail – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1989
• Effete and Impudent Snobs – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1990
• Peacetika – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1991
• Cunning Stunts – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1992
• Sexy Pee Story – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1993
• Orphan's Tragedy – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1994
• Whorn – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1996
• Sorry in Pig Minor – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1998

Singles and EPs

• Chow 7" – Treehouse Records, 1988
• Slap Back 7" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1990
• Plowed EP – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1992
• Woman Inside 7" – Insipid Records, 1992
• Cow Island 7" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1994
• The Missing Letter Is You EP – Thick Records, 1998

Compilations

• Old Gold 1989-1991 – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1995
• Orpheus’ Travesty – KMFMT Records, 1998 (A retrospective album put together by Kevin Rutmanis and Freddy Votel and sold before their final concert)

References

1. ^ "Cows: Biography" Cows' Biography as written by Allmusic. cited August, 2009
2. ^ "Cows: Mark's Record Reviews" Mark Prindle Review Site. cited August, 2009

External links

• The Unofficial COWS Home Page