The Bottle Rockets

The Bottle Rockets
The Bottle Rockets performing at The Hideout in Chicago on November 21, 2015.
Background information
Origin	Festus, Missouri, United States
Genres	Alternative country, roots rock, outlaw country, cowpunk, Heartland rock, Southern rock
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Bloodshot, Blue Rose, ESD, TAG, Atlantic Records
Website	www.bottlerocketsmusic.com
Members	Brian Henneman Mark Ortmann John Horton Keith Voegele
Past members	Robert Kearns Tom Parr Tom V. Ray

The Bottle Rockets are an American band formed in 1992, currently based in St. Louis, Missouri. The founding members are Brian Henneman (guitar, vocals), Mark Ortmann (drums), Tom Parr (1992–2002, guitar, vocals) and Tom Ray (1992–1997, bass guitar). Current members are Henneman, Ortmann, John Horton (joined 2003, guitar) and Keith Voegele (joined 2005, bass, vocals). Most members of the group have contributed compositions to their catalog of original songs, as have Robert Parr (Tom's brother) and schoolteacher Scott Taylor (who writes lyrics for some of Henneman's tunes).

As noted in the New York Times by William Hogeland, the Bottle Rockets' songwriting has been likened to Woody Guthrie's folk style in spirit, smarts, and satire. The band's lyrics encapsulate the common experiences of the everyman, and are set to rousing and searing rock 'n' roll.

Considered to be the leaders of the '90s alt-country/roots rock revival along with peers Uncle Tupelo, the Bottle Rockets are contemporary storytellers from Middle America. Their songs with strong social commentary reflect their influences of Woody Guthrie, Neil Young and The Replacements.

For much of the Nineties, Missouri's Bottle Rockets were the torchbearers for smart Southern-style rock.—Mark Kemp, Rolling Stone

The Bottle Rockets released their self-titled first album in 1993.The Brooklyn Side followed on East Side Digital, in 1994, to resounding critical acclaim. In 1995, the Bottle Rockets then signed with Atlantic Records, which re-released The Brooklyn Side. The single "Radar Gun" was a hit on rock radio—reaching No. 27 on Billboard's rock chart—and the band toured extensively to support the album. The band appeared on the television show Late Night with Conan O'Brien performing one of their original songs as well as being featured in a comedic skit. The relationship with Atlantic Records turned out to be difficult. Most of the original staff who promoted The Brooklyn Side had been laid off or fired from Atlantic. The release of the Bottle Rockets' next record, 24 Hours A Day, was delayed until late 1997. The band parted ways with Atlantic in 1998.