The Cows

Cows were a noise rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1998. They were known for a unique mixture of punk rock and blues played with large amounts of noise and surreal humour; their music can be considered noise rock.

Their CD releases are very hard to find these days, considering most of them are out of print ("Whorn" and "Orphan's Tragedy" remain in print). Some say that the group's most acclaimed album is 1992's "Cunning Stunts". Some of their albums, such as their debut album, "Taint Pluribus Taint Unum", were never released in CD format.

Live Performances

The band was notorious for their raucous live performances. Acts the band have performed onstage include kicking people in the front row, spitting on the stage, throwing the microphone stand into the crowd, throwing food at the crowd, drawing on themselves, among others. Lead singer Shannon Selberg's trademark is that he has a tattoo illustrating the game Hangman on his body that reads "F_CK" and another tattoo of an anchor with the word "DAD" on top of it. One reviewer wrote about the band's shows, "I have no doubt that The Cows know how to play their instruments. What I don't understand is why they refuse to tune them."

They have a star on what is probably the most famous venue in the area, First Avenue. Their singer, Shannon Selberg, has gone on with music, fronting the Heroine Sheiks.

Cultural depictions

The Cows were featured on several posters created by Derek Hess to advertise the band's performances. One of posters features The Reverend Horton Heat, with The Cows as a supporting act.

tatistics

*Genre: Noise rock, Indie rock
*Country: U.S.
*Status: separated
*Time: 1987–1998

Band members

Last line-up

*Thor Eisentrager – Guitar (1987–1998)
*Kevin Rutmanis – Bass (1987–1998)
*Shannon Selberg – Vocals, Horns (1987–1998)
*Freddy Votel – Drums (1995–1998)

Former members

*Norm Rogers – Drums (1990–1995)
*Tony Oliveri – Drums (1988–1990)
*Sandris Rutmanis – Drums (1987–1988)
*David van der Steen – Fifth Udder (1987–1992)

Discography

tudio Albums

*"Taint Pluribus Taint Unum" – Treehouse Records, 1987
*"Daddy Has a Tail" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1989
*"Effete & Impudent Snobs" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1990
*"Peacetika" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1991
*"Cunning Stunts" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1992
*"Sexy Pee Story" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1993
*"Orphan's Tragedy" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1994
*"Whorn" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1996
*"Sorry In Pig Minor" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1998

ingles and EP's

*"Chow 7"" – Treehouse Records, 1988
*"Slap Back 7"" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1990
*"Plowed EP" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1992
*"Woman Inside 7"" – Insipid Records, 1992
*"Cow Island 7"" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1994
*"The Missing Letter Is You EP" – Thick Records, 1998

Compilations

*"Old Gold 1989-1991" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1995
*"Orpheus’ Travesty" – KMFMT Records, 1998 ("A retrospective album put together by Kevin Rutmanis and Freddy Votel and sold before their final concert")

Notes

External links

* [http://www.bubbasmonkey.com/COWS/home.html The Unofficial COWS Home Page]
* [http://www.markprindle.com/cowsa.htm Mark Prindle's Record Reviews - The Cows]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thecowsband The Cows fan profile on myspace]