- The Sidewinders
Infobox musical artist
Name = The Sidewinders
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Origin = Tucson,Arizona ,United States
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Genre =Alternative rock Modern rock Desert rock
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Years_active = 1985-1993, 1996-1999
Label =Mammoth Records Atlas Records Contingency Records Polydor Records RCA Records
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Past_members = Rich HopkinsDavid Slutes Bruce Halper Mark Perrodin Andrea Curtis
Notable_instruments =The Sidewinders (later the Sand Rubies) were a rock band from
Tucson, Arizona , who released two major-label albums and scored two radio hits in the US before a lawsuit forced a change of name. Another album was released on a major label but by that time the band had nearly broken up. Since then the band has reunited and dissolved several times.History
The Sidewinders formed in the spring of 1985 by guitarist Rich Hopkins and vocalist
David Slutes . [http://home.comcast.net/~calmenge/contingency/sandrubies.html Sidewinders/Sand Rubies Bio] . Contingency Records. Accessed June 22, 2007.] The group released its first record, "Cuacha!", in 1988, and subsequently signed to RCA/Mammoth Records , where they released two full-length albums, 1989's "Witchdoctor" and 1990's "Auntie Ramos' Pool Hall". "Witchdoctor" cracked the lower echelons of theBillboard 200 at #169, [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jifwxqr5ld0e~T5 Billboard] , Allmusic.com] on the strength of two modern rock radio hits; the band scored exposure onMTV andVH1 and embarked on a worldwide tour,Cathalena E. Burch. [http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/26169 Sand Rubies Re-Unite for Gig, at Least] . "Arizona Daily Star", June 18, 2004. Accessed June 22, 2007.] but the band's career was soon sidelined due to legal problems. In 1991, a North Carolinacover band known as Sidewinder sued the group over the use of its name, and it took two years to sort out the proceedings and secure the release of their next album, now under the name Sand Rubies.Fred Mills, [http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=sidewinders&tr=y Sidewinders Biography] . Trouser Press. Accessed June 22, 2007.]As the Sand Rubies, they released an album on Polydor/Atlas in 1993; at one point,
Pearl Jam served as their opening act. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0xfoxql5ldke~T1 Sand Rubies Biography] , Allmusic.com.] However, due to attrition over the period of legal troubles, the rhythm section of the band had departed, and the Sand Rubies dissolved during a tour in 1993, just as two other Arizona rock bands,Gin Blossoms and The Refreshments, were attracting mainstream attention.A few one-off shows were given in 1995 and 1996 before an official Sand Rubies reunion was announced in October 1996. A show at
SXSW followed in 1997, as did a new album, "Return of the Living Dead", in 1998. They were able to independently release a best-of collection of tracks from their major label years entitled "The Sidewinders Sessions", and an all-covers album, "Release the Hounds", ensued in 1999 along with a tour of Europe. The band broke up again, followed by short reunion stints in 2001-02 and 2006 to support renewed local touring and special rereleases.Members
*Rich Hopkins-guitar
*David Slutes-vocals
*Bruce Halper-drums
*Mark Perrodin-bass
*Andrea Curtis-drumsDiscography
Sidewinders
*"Cuacha!" (San Jacinto Records ), 1988; re-released twice
*"Witchdoctor" (Mammoth Records /RCA Records ), 1989
*"7 & 7 Is" EP (Mammoth/RCA), 1990
*"Auntie Ramos' Pool Hall" (Mammoth/RCA) 1990
*"The Sidewinders Sessions" (Contingency), 1998Sand Rubies
*"Goodbye EP" (Polydor Records /Atlas Records ), 1993
*"Sand Rubies" (Atlas), 1993
*"Sand Rubies Live" (San Jacinto), 1996
*"Return of the Living Dead" (Contingency Records ), 1998
*"Release the Hounds" (Contingency), 1999
*"Goodbye: Live at Alte Malzerei" (Contingency), 2002
*"Mas Cuacha (San Jacinto), 2007Charting singles
References
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