Twisted Brown Trucker

Twisted Brown Trucker is the backing band for American singer-songwriter, rapper, and musician Kid Rock. Formed in 1994, the band has contributed to eight of his eleven studio albums.

Twisted Brown Trucker
Twisted Brown Trucker performing in 2016
Background information
Also known asThe Twisted Brown Trucker Band[1]
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Years active1994 (1994)–2010 (2010); 2012–present
Associated acts
Members
Past members

History

Formation and establishment (1994–1996)

By 1994, Kid Rock's live performances had mostly been backed by DJs Blackman and Uncle Kracker, but Kid Rock soon began to utilize more and more live instrumentation into his performances, and formed the rock band Twisted Brown Trucker.[2][3]

Through extensive promoting, including distributing tapes on consignment to local stores and giving away free samplers of his music, the band developed a following among an audience which DJ Uncle Kracker described as "white kids who dropped acid and liked listening to gangsta rap"; this following included local rapper Joe C., who had been attending the band's concerts as a fan, but upon meeting Kid Rock, was invited to perform on stage as Kid Rock's hype man.[3] Joe C, who stood 3 feet and 9 inches, became noted for his "dynamic, popular, dirty-mouthed presence"; in a radio interview, Ted Nugent publicly condemned Kid Rock for letting Joe C perform at his concerts, as Nugent believed that Joe C was a 6-year-old child, when in fact Joe C was an adult whose growth had been stunted by coeliac disease.[3]

Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp and local breakthrough (1996)

The band's stage presence became honed with the addition of a light show, pyrotechnics, dancers and a light-up backdrop bearing the name "Kid Rock", and 1996 saw the release of his most rock-oriented album to date, Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp, which Twisted Brown Trucker performed on. According to Kid Rock, who distributed the album himself, Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp sold 14,000 copies.[4]

A display of pyrotechnics during one of Twisted Brown Trucker's performances. Their stage presence helped increase the band's local following in Detroit in the mid-1990s.

The year also saw the stabilization of Twisted Brown Trucker with its final lineup, consisting of Detroit musicians Kenny Olson and Jason Krause on guitars, keyboardist Jimmie "Bones" Trombly, drummer Stefanie Eulinberg, DJ/turntablist Uncle Kracker, and backing vocalists Misty Love and Shirley Hayden.[2][3]

Kid Rock developed his stage persona, performing dressed in 1970s pimp clothing with a real, possibly loaded, gun down the front of his pants.[3]

Signing with Atlantic Records, Devil Without a Cause, national success and Joe C.'s death (1997–1998)

Kid Rock's attorney, Tommy Valentino, increased his stature by helping him get articles written about Kid Rock and Twisted Brown Trucker in major publications, including the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal magazine, but though his management tried to interest local record labels in his music, they told his management team that they were not interested in signing a white rapper, to which Valentino told them, "He's not a white rapper. He's a rock star and everything in between."[3]

In 1997, Jason Flom, head of Lava Records, attended one of the band's performances, and met with Kid Rock, who later gave him a demo containing the songs "Somebody's Gotta Feel This" and "I Got One for Ya", which led to Kid Rock signing with Atlantic Records.[3][5] As part of his recording deal, Kid Rock received $150,000 from the label.[4]

By this time, Kid Rock had fully developed his stage persona and musical style and wanted to make a "redneck, shit-kicking rock 'n' roll rap" album, resulting in his fourth studio album, Devil Without a Cause, recorded with the band at the White Room in Detroit and mixed at the Mix Room in Los Angeles; Uncle Kracker helped Kid Rock write some of the songs, and Eminem performed a guest verse on the song "Fuck Off".[3]

Through extensive promoting, including appearances on MTV (including a performance alongside Aerosmith and Run-DMC) and performing at Woodstock 1999, Devil Without a Cause sold 14 million copies, the album's success spurred by Kid Rock's breakthrough hit single "Bawitdaba".[6][4][3]

By April 1999, the album was certified gold, and the following month it was certified platinum, a certification the album received 12 times.[7]

On November 16, 2000, Joe C. died due to complications from celiac disease.[6][3] He had been diagnosed with the illness for his entire life.

Continued success and shift away from hip hop (2001–2008)

On September 8, 2001, Twisted Brown Trucker guitarist Kenny Olson performed alongside Jimi Hendrix's post-1969 rhythm section, the Band of Gypsys, in a tribute to Hendrix.[8] In November, Twisted Brown Trucker performed on Kid Rock's fifth studio album, Cocky. The album became a hit, spurred by the crossover success of the single "Picture", a country ballad featuring Sheryl Crow which introduced Kid Rock to a wider audience and was ultimately the most successful single on the album.[6][9]

In support of the album, Kid Rock and Twisted Brown Trucker performed on the American Bad Ass Tour in 2001, supported by country singer David Allan Coe as an opening act.[10] The same year, Twisted Brown Trucker began displaying the Confederate flag during their live performances;[11] in a 2002 interview with the Detroit Free Press, Kid Rock defended the band's use of the flag, saying that it was a symbol of Southern rock and rebellion.[12] During this period, Uncle Kracker began his solo career, leaving Twisted Brown Trucker.[2]

2003 saw the release of Kid Rock's self-titled sixth album with Twisted Brown Trucker backing him, which shifted his music further away from hip hop;[6] the lead single was a cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love".[2]

In 2004, the band performed at the Super Bowl, in a controversial appearance that spurred criticism from Veterans of Foreign Wars and Senator Zell Miller for Kid Rock wearing the American flag with one slit in the middle, as a poncho; Kid Rock was accused of "desecrating" the flag.[6][13][14] Also that year, the band's guitarist, Kenny Olson, performed on the Jimi Hendrix tribute album Power of Soul.[15]

In 2006, Twisted Brown Trucker stopped displaying the Confederate flag at his concerts.[12] The following year, Kid Rock released his seventh studio album, Rock N Roll Jesus, which was his first release to chart at #1 on the Billboard 200, selling 172,000 copies in its first week[16] and going on to sell over 5 million copies.[6] The album's third single, "All Summer Long", became a global hit, utilizing a mash up of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London".[17]

In 2008, Kid Rock and Twisted Brown Trucker recorded and made a music video for the song "Warrior" for a National Guard advertising campaign.[18][19]

Kid Rock chose not to record with Twisted Brown Trucker on his 2010 album Born Free, which was recorded with session musicians.[6]

Reunion, Rebel Soul, First Kiss and Sweet Southern Sugar (2012 onward)

After a hiatus, Twisted Brown Trucker resumed playing with Kid Rock, starting with 2012's Rebel Soul; Kid Rock said that he wanted the album to feel like a greatest hits album, but with new songs.[20][6]

In 2013, Twisted Brown Trucker performed on the "Best Night Ever" tour, where Kid Rock motioned to charge no more than $20 for his tickets.[2] The following year, the band moved to Warner Bros. Records, releasing Kid Rock's only album on the label, First Kiss, which he self-produced.[2] Subsequently, after leaving Warner Bros., Kid Rock signed with the country label Broken Bow Records.[2]

In July 2017, keyboardist Jimmy Bones released his first solo album, Snakebit And Wandering.[21] In November, Twisted Brown Trucker performed on Kid Rock's eleventh studio album, Sweet Southern Sugar.

Music

Style

Twisted Brown Trucker's music is noted for its eclectic sound, which draws from genres such as hip hop,[22][23] heavy metal,[22][23] Southern rock,[24] country,[3][24][25] blues,[26] funk,[22] and soul.[22]

Guitarist Jason Krause has said of Twisted Brown Trucker, "we are a country, rock, hip-hop, blues, jazz, metal band".[27] Krause has also described Twisted Brown Trucker's music as "Run-DMC and Lynyrd Skynyrd in a blender."[28] Keyboardist Jimmie Bones says his playing style was influenced by blues, R&B, garage and punk music.[21]

Influences

Kid Rock's influences include Bob Seger[3] and the Beastie Boys.[6]

Drummer Stefanie Eulinberg has cited, as an influence on her playing style, Tony Thompson, Chester Thompson, Neil Peart, Dennis Chambers, and Terry Bozzio.[1] According to Eulinberg, she was hired "because I'm a chick drummer that can rock"; Kid Rock allegedly told her she got the job because she "doesn't play drums like a girl".[29] Her drumming style ranges from wild hard rock and heavy metal drumming to gentler country drumming.[1]

Band lineup

Current members
Kid Rock performing in 2007
  • Kid Rock – vocals
  • Jason Krause – guitar
  • Jimmie Bones – keyboards
  • Laura Creamer – vocals
  • Misty Love – vocals
  • Stefanie Eulinberg – drums, vocals
  • Dave McMurray – saxophone
  • Larry Fratangelo – percussion
  • Marlon Young – guitar
  • Aaron Juleson – bass
  • Paradime – DJ
  • Shannon Curfman – backing vocals

Former members

Discography
Further information: Kid Rock discography

References
  1. "Stefanie Eulinberg: Messing With The Kid". drummagazine.com. May 26, 2015. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  2. Huey, Jeff. "Kid Rock – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  3. McCollum, Brian. "Kid Rock before the fame: The definitive Detroit oral history". Detroit Free Press.
  4. "Kid Rock - C&I Magazine". July 1, 2015.
  5. "Interview Andy Karp Vice President of A&R at Lava/Atlantic in New York". AtlanticRecordsContact.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  6. "Kid Rock". Biography.com.
  7. "RIAA Certifications for albums by Kid Rock: Gold and Platinum". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  8. "Members Of Kid Rock, Los Lobos To Play All-Star Hendrix Tribute". MTV News.
  9. Kaufman, Gil (January 30, 2003). "Kid Rock's Dead-In-The-Water Cocky Comes Back To Life". MTV. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  10. Strauss, Neil (September 4, 2000). "Songwriter's Racist Songs From 1980's Haunt Him". The New York Times. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  11. "Kid Rock and the Confederate flag: a history". Detroit Metro Times.
  12. McCollum, Brian. "Kid Rock: Confederate flag was dropped years before protest". Detroit Free Press.
  13. "Artsandentartainment: VFW slams Kid Rock for flag poncho". Sptimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  14. "Senator Blasts KID ROCK For Wearing Flag". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. February 13, 2004.
  15. "Kenny Olson & the Power of Soul: Anything is Possible with New Jimi Hendrix Tribute | Music | Northern Express". www.northernexpress.com.
  16. Cohen, Jonathon (October 17, 2007). "Kid Rock Rolls to No. 1 Album Chart Debut". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
  17. "Kid Rock to ride wave of success into Detroit shows". kidrock.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  18. "Kid Rock, National Guard and Dale Earnhardt Jr team up for new commercial". May 30, 2008. Archived from the original on June 2, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  19. Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke. "Kid Rock, Earnhardt featured in Army Guard advertising campaign". Archived from the original on 2009-06-11.
  20. "Kid Rock, 'Rebel Soul': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. November 20, 2012.
  21. Graff, Gary. "Kid Rock keyboardist Jimmie Bones wanders into his own album, finally". The Oakland Press.
  22. "Kid Rock Raps With The Devil". MTV News.
  23. Brunner, Rob (19 November 2001). "EW review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  24. Pozzolano, Vincent (November 3, 2017). "Kid Rock – Sweet Southern Sugar (Album Review)".
  25. McCollum, Brian. "Kid Rock's new album: 'Sweet Southern Sugar' brings on the twang, holds the politics". Detroit Free Press.
  26. Tingle 10/24/2017, Lauren. "Kid Rock Details Sweet Southern Sugar". CMT News.
  29. "The wild woman behind Kid Rock". www.semissourian.com. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
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