Mr. Blotto
Mr. Blotto was formed in 1991 as an off-night musical
vehicle for its members, who were then playing in different projects.
After a brief run as an opening act, the word about Mr. Blotto
began to spread. The members
left their other bands and found themselves in the enviable position of
playing the music that they most enjoyed to packed houses. In response to
repeated fan requests for tapes of shows and the surprise popularity of a
series of bootlegs, Mr. Blotto released its debut CD, Parking
Karma in August of 1992.
Parking Karma draws upon Mr. Blotto’s Blues and Country influences. It was popular to a degree that even shocked the band. Clubs began filling to capacity earlier in the night, and more owners and promoters called for bookings. The band began to play more and bigger venues. A fifth member was added to play keyboards, specifically the Hammond B-3 Organ.
This busy playing schedule and added sonic dimension led to the release in July of 1994 of the second CD, Bad Hair Day. Propelled by constant jukebox and radio play the CD propelled the band to new heights. The band could now headline large clubs and theaters on consecutive nights. Moreover, they could do it without repeating a song. This led to legendary weekend-long engagements. It also introduced the band to “tapers”.
Early on, Mr.Blotto began archiving their performances by taping each show from their soundboard. Tapers heard these tapes, and began to copy them and make their own recordings of the group for themselves. Before long, Mr. Blotto bootlegs were crossing the nation.
In July of 1998 came the release of the third CD, Ancient Face. This album continued the musical development of the band. Its 13 songs retain the original Blues and Folk influences and take the instrumental solos even further.
Response was wildly positive. Fans were pleased by the song selection and impressed by the performances. With over 20,000 CDs sold, the biggest unsigned band in America continued on its musical journey.
1999 brought the first major lineup change to the band. Mark Hague stepped in to play his provocative Lead Guitar. With this alteration, a number of changes began to take place.
The most immediate change was that the Band began to spend more time on the Road. Mr. Blotto tore through the South and began to hit Colorado on a regular basis, building up a loyal fan base in each area. The band spent more time playing Colleges as well, cultivating the next generation of the Faithful.
More significant, however, was the experimental nature that Hague inspired. While the Band retained its tightness, predictability went out the window. Longtime fans were impressed, and newbies flocked. Requests for a Live release swelled.
The Band responded by instituting the "Bootleg" and "Just Did It" Series of Cds. The "Bootleg Series" is a (roughly annual) collection of interesting versions of songs unique in some way. This might be anything from an exceptional solo passage to the addition of a horn section or guest musician. The "Just Did It" series deals with recent shows released in their entirety.
October of 2001 brought the release of Cabbages
and Kings, the first Studio CD with the new lineup.
Paul Emmett wrote that...
"...'Cabbages' itself is a delectable collection of the band's latest song writing efforts that ranges from the funktafied, groovin" shuffle of "Keepin it Up", to the rollicking-fun country twang of "Nebraska". Throw in the stretched out jams of songs like "1977", and the Monday morning anthem "Workin for the Man", and you have yourself an album that can stand up to, if not blow away, most efforts put out by similar bands on a national level."
from "Rock Show Review: Mr. Blotto @ the Vic Theatre" www.publicitywhore.com
Clocking in at a hearty 73:57, it is full of the music that Blotto fans have come to crave. Its release was heralded on WXRT's Local Anesthetic with host Richard Milne remarking that it was the Band's best release yet and that anyone who had not yet seen the Band needed to make a point to do so.
Contact : Paul Bolger 773 334 2922
Click here to see Mr. Blotto's performance of "Sail Away Virginia" as it appeared HoundDog #9 .
Click here to see Mr. Blotto's performance of "1977" as it appeared HoundDog #9 .
Click here to see "Fans" interview segment with Mr. Blotto as it appeared on HoundDog #9.
Click here to see Mr. Blotto's performance of "Working For the Man" as it appeared HoundDog #9 .
Click here to see "Cover Bands" interview segment with Mr. Blotto as it appeared on HoundDog #9.
Click here to see Mr. Blotto's performance of "Nebraska From Here" as it appeared HoundDog #9 .
Click here to see "Longevity" interview segment with Mr. Blotto as it appeared on HoundDog #9.