Throw Rag

Infobox musical artist
Name = Throw Rag


Img_capt = Left to right: Captain Sean Doe , Franco Fontana, Dino, and Chango
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Salton Sea, California, USA
Genre = Punk rock Psychobilly Rock and Roll Sailor Rock
Years_active = 1993–present
Label = Acetate Records, BYO Records
Associated_acts = Queens of the Stone Age Supersuckers Gogol Bordello Sun Trash Eagles of Death Metal Brant Bjork The Briefs Charley Horse The Damned Circle Jerks Motörhead The Pogues Reverend Horton Heat Horrorpops Stiff Little Fingers
URL = [http://www.throwrag.com www.throwrag.com]
Current_members = Captain Sean Doe, Franco, Dino, and Chango
Past_members = Jacko, Scorcho, Chino, Talmadge Black, The Outlaw, Barfly, Col. Riptide Tenmen, Gusto, Louis Bluefeather, Chance Roulette, Dr. Brittle Bones ("outpatient"), and King Taco Pearl.

Throw Rag is a four piece punk rock band from the Salton Sea, California. Formed in 1993, [ [http://www.acetate.com/bands/throwrag/index.html Acetate.com] ] Throw Rag has been fronted by Sean Wheeler aka Captain Sean Doe aka Diamond Boss since the inception of the band. Other current members of the band are Patrick Bostrom aka Dino aka Dean McQueen on lead guitar, Frank Cronin aka Franco Fontana aka New Rome Emperor on bass, and Chango Von Streicher (The Urban Commando) on drums. In its various incarnations, Throw Rag has been categorized as Rockabilly, Punk rock, Psychobilly and Sailor Rock. They have blended sounds of traditional Rock and Roll, Country, and Surf. [http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/events/throw-rag/] .

History

Throw Rag started up in October 1993 with founding members Sean Doe, Roger "Chino" Smith, and Dan "Scorcho" Lapham. Also in the original lineup were bassist Danny "Talmadge" Black and Michael "The Outlaw" McCartney. Throw Rag played primarily at the Indio, California venue "Rhythm and Brews" (operated by renowned desert musician Mario Lalli, whose song "King Baby" was also performed by the band) throughout 1994 with other shows in Orange County, CA. Other members of the early Throw Rag were Scott "Barfly" Brooks (bass) and Tom "Colonel Riptide Tenmen" Lynn (banjo and vibes). By the end of 1994, Francis "Franco" Cronin (bass fiddle), Patrick "Dino" Bostrom (lead guitar), and Craig "Jacko" Jackman (washboard and vocals) had joined the band.

From late 1996 through mid-1997, the band saw more lineup changes as Jacko left temporarily to be replaced on occasion by John Summers aka Johnny Bloodstreak on washboard and vocals. Also onboard during this period were Louis Bluefeather (harmonica and didgeridoo) and Dr. Brittle Bones (tambourine and onstage medical assistance).

From 1995, many of the songs that would eventually make it onto the debut album ("Tee-Tot") were featured on compilations. "Tee-Tot" saw its first release on Hellnote Records in 1999. The album featured musical contributions from Sean Doe, Scorcho, Dino, Franco, Jacko, Chino, and Tony "Gusto" Portillo (drums). Supported by "Tee-Tot", and bolstered by new rhythm guitarist A.J. "King Taco Pearl" Nesselrod, Throw Rag started building a wider fan base with their intense, maniacal live shows. Usually wearing a sea captain's hat and 70s double-knit suit, Sean Doe and Jacko (with nothing more than a wife beater and double knit pants) became notorious for stripping on stage. The band eventually started opening for acts such as Supersuckers, Green Day, Wesley Willis and Willie Nelson [http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/events/throw-rag/] . In 2001, the band released a 7-inch split with Supersuckers [ [http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/supersuckers___throw_rag Rate your music] ] which featured a song that would later appear a Warped Tour 2002 Tour Compilation and their follow up album "Desert Shores". "Tee-Tot" was only released in smaller record stores, and was available at live shows. Now out of print, Acetate plans to re-release the album in 2008 [http://www.antimusic.com/news/08/may/07Double_Throw_Rag_Releases.shtml]

Desert Shores was released June 3, 2003, on BYO Records. Critics referred to the album as "fun" record [ [http://www.deadmetaphor.com/reviews.php?id=2387 Dead Metaphor] ] , and compared highly to The Damned.

"Throw Rag's approach to punk rock is refreshing and yet still time-honored. "Space Hump Me" has a lot of early-'70s punk in it, particularly with the sneering vocals and simple arrangement such as the Damned"."

from Billboard. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?JSESSIONID=5lPVLQCKQQf8JHLTJ5Ghk2SsPccyvZTlL1xxLwqFV2pQpdhFCSgg!302100662&pid=344950&aid=584386] Billboard]

"Throw Rag takes the anything-goes attitude of early Damned and grafts it to the purposefully sloppy riffs of boozy bar punk to get a record that celebrates punk’s cut-loose mentality that’s frequently lost in the dead-serious world of rock’n’roll rebellion. Desert Shores isn’t going to change the world (psst – neither will Rancid’s latest Clash copy, either, so get over it) but it’s sure made for a rollicking punk rock-up"."

Aversion. [ [http://www.aversion.com/bands/reviews.cfm?review=1268 Aversion.com | Throw Rag - Desert Shores ] ]

In 2004, Kung Fu Films approached Throw Rag to star in their 15th Episode of The Show Must Go Off!, and on April 29, 2004 Throw Rag's performance (opening for the Circle Jerks) was recorded Live at the House of Blues of Anaheim. On Nov. 2, 2004 the DVD was released. This featured all six members of Throw Rag. Shortly thereafter King Taco Pearl left the band to sustain a family life.

After 25 months of relentless touring, 2005 saw the release of "13 Feet and Rising", which featured guest vocals by Keith Morris, Jello Biafra, and a cover of Merle Haggard "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down" ft. guest vocalist Lemmy.

Throw Rag's fourth full length album entitled "2nd Place" was released on June 10, 2008. This album features a mix of both new and older songs.

References

External links

* [http://www.throwrag.com/t-rag_nav_pages/t-rag_main.htm Official site]