The Rugburns
| The Rugburns | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Diego, California |
| Genres | Alternative rock, cowpunk |
| Years active | 1992–Present |
| Labels |
Priority Records Mercury Records Bizarre/Planet Records |
| Associated acts | Jewel, Steve Poltz |
| Members |
Steve Poltz • Vocals Guitar Robert Driscoll • Guitar Stinky • Drums John Castro • Bass |
The Rugburns are an American rock band from San Diego, California.
The Rugburns group formed and began playing in the local San Diego, CA area as a duo. In the beginning, Steve Poltz and Robert Driscoll were acoustic duo playing in various coffeehouses and bars including the Blarney Stone Pub, Innerchange Coffee House, Megalopolis, and Java Joe's. They would sometimes be joined by Gerald "Child" McMullin making them a temporary acoustic power trio. The group released several self-produced cassette tapes in this band formation and were becoming a huge local draw and favorite in San Diego.
After the group signed a contract with Bizarre/Planet Records in 1993 (a label associated with Herb Cohen, who had earlier managed Linda Ronstadt, Tom Waits and Frank Zappa). The duo wanted to add a rhythm section for a full, "radio friendly" sound. It was then, the duo permanently changed to a foursome with bassist singer/songwriter Gregory Page and drummer "Stinky". The quartet released their debut album Morning Wood which was produced by Buddy Blue (of The Beat Farmers), in early 1994.
With funny, witty and sometimes bizarre lyrics, the band began to experience their first taste of national exposure; playing a sold out show at world-famous Cleveland Agora Theater and Ballroom.
The songs "Hitchhiker Joe" and "Me and Eddie Vedder" would go on to be the most recognizable tracks on the album. The song "Hitchhiker Joe" (written by Steve Poltz and Steve Foth of the San Diego Band C.L.A.) received a large amount of national airplay and held the No. 1 slot on the nightly "Top 10" for several weeks on San Diego station 91X in early 1994.
The video for "Hitchhiker Joe" was filmed at a local San Diego high school, and was directed by Michael Addis, who went on to direct several feature films. Poltz's girlfriend at the time was singer-songwriter Jewel, and she also appeared in the video.
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