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gRacKle News 2005

photos of us and our friends

  1. New record

    Buttercup has recorded songs for a new full length CD that will be released April 2006. These 13 songs were recorded over multiple sessions in different locations, all with Mark Rubinstein in the production seat. Like “Sick Yellow Flower” there is a wide range of moods represented, though you’ll find most of the songs are faster and louder than what we’ve previously put on tape. There are some great performances of some of our songs: “Unlevel”, “Hot Love” & “You and You Alone” have a special kind of sparkle. So now we are in the mixing phase, which means a good deal of work ahead. We plan on posting these songs on the telephone, one a week beginning in late January. Keep checking back here for more details as things develop.

    # Comment(s), 21 Dec 05

  2. Ram Ayala and Doug Morgan

    Ram Ayala, the proprietor of Tacoland, died on July 23, 2005. He was a great supporter of music in San Antonio, and his club was the best for live music in the city. He was a friend to the unfortunate, the kind, and the outcast. He built a practice space for Buttercup and our friends Los Mescaleros and Robot Boy. We spent many of our most creative hours there in that little well airconditioned practice room and had some of our finer moments on the stage on the other side of the garage. I relished those lazy evenings when we took breaks to share a beer and talk with Ram. His death tears a hole in the heart of San Antonio. He will be missed. Then to add to our loss, our dear friend Doug Morgan who also was shot that night with Ram, died after a protracted struggle in the hospital. He too, was a supporter of music and guru to many musicians in San Antonio.

    # Comment(s), 21 Aug 05

  3. The Buttercup Record — Sick Yellow Flower

    sick yellow flowerSick Yellow Flower, Buttercup’s first full length recording was released in March 2005. Jim Beal, Jr. says “Buttercup pulls together narrative tunes, quirkiness and invention, along with talented friends and collaborators for a 12-song set that sounds like, uh, Buttercup.” (San Antonio Express News Fri. March 4, 2005). Adam Schragin writes that “Sick Yellow Flower is experimental indie-pop, catchy but challenging and performed with a remarkable degree of musical skill.” (San Antonio Current March 3-9, 2005). Scott Faingold lists the record in his top 10 overlooked CDs of 2005 describing the songs as “offhand, busy, hesitant, catchy and jazzy all at once. Extremely cool” (Houston Press December 8, 2005).

    Producer Mark Rubinstein was able to capture Buttercup’s moodiness by alternating between two basic plans of attack: lush pop arrangements and stark, raw under-production. Because of this approach, many of the songs are heavily produced with string arrangements, horns and lots of piano, while other songs are virtually live takes with percussion and backup singing as the only overdubs.

    The album is available at Hogwild Records and Borders in San Antonio and Waterloo records in Austin. Or you can purchase a copy online at the Buttercup store. Follow this link for the lyrics to the record. Credits.

    # Comment(s), 23 Jun 05

  4. Grackle Continues

    As many of you already know, Buttercup’s signature performance, “Grackle Mundy”, is now occurring monthly. Although we may be moving about a bit this summer seeking cooler climes, the Wiggle Room remains our San Antonio home.

    # Comment(s), 22 Jun 05

  5. The Church of The Friendly Ghost

    It looks like things are changing for the Church of the Friendly Ghost. The church has greatly reduced its number of music shows, and so far it appears that Buttercup won’t be playing there again. We have had a wonderful time playing at COFG and we thank Aaron and Nathan for their hospitality. There is no way we could have had such intimate performances and made so many new friends at your run of the mill rock club or bar. The Church has an unique warmth that, well you just had to be there.

    # Comment(s), 20 Jun 05

  6. Buttercup @ SXSW

    Buttercup performed for SXSW on Wednesday, March 16th @ a club on 6th Street called the Co-op Bar. To be honest we were a bit nervous to play at such a big convention, but the anxiety melted away immediately as we surveyed the crowd to see so many friends packing the joint. We had a terrific time, and did what we do best, played some glockenspiel and some ukulele. Oh, and as many told us, we rocked, too.

    # Comment(s), 21 Mar 05

Thanks for checking in,
the Cup