Posted in Whathaveyou on February 16th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Solo singer-songwriter, Boozewa drummer/vocalist and former Backwoods Payback frontman Michael Rudolph Cummings hits the road again next month supporting his new LP, You Know How I Get (review here). That long-player was issued last October as part of Ripple Music‘s “Blood and Strings’ (mostly) acoustic series from otherwise (mostly) plugged artists, and solidified many of the aspects of Cummings‘ prior solo work, from the ’70s ramble rock aspects to the bedroom folk guy-and-guitar-ism that reminds of an “Unplugged’ heyday in the 1990s.
Cummings toured concurrent to the release last October with a full band behind him, and heads west this time in the continued company of Mlny Parsonz, also of Royal Thunder. I hope someone gets video of one of these shows, if not an actual live recording, as that duet seems to me worth preserving, but it’s also fair to let the dust settle from the actual album release before thinking of the potential ‘next thing.’ Sometimes that’s a hard impulse to fight.
Here are the dates along with the oddly-haunting-doodles of the tour poster:
Hitting the road again this March in support of my latest album “you know how I get” released by @ripplemusic… Stopping at some places I haven’t seen in a bit along the way… Playing with some killer bands and artists I am really looking forward to spending time with… Doing this run on the acoustic guitar, happy to have Mlny Parsonz @_meltoro_ (@royalthunder ) along on bass and vocals… Dates are below, see you soon.
Wed 3/08 – Cincinnati, OH @ Comet Bar Thurs 3/09 – Chicago, IL @ Livewire 3/10 – Oshkosh, WI @ New Moon Cafe Sat 3/11 – Minneapolis, MN @ Underground Music Venue Sun 3/12 – Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge Tues 3/14 – Denver, CO @ TBD Wed 3/15 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High Saloon Thurs 3/16 – Las Vegas, NV @ TBD Fri 3/17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Scotland Yard Sat 3/18 – Lancaster, CA @ Britisher Irish Pub 3/20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room 3/22 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Core4 Brewing 3/23 – Fort Smith, AR @ Private Event 3/24 – New Orleans, LA @ Sidney’s 3/25 – Fort Walton Beach, FL @ Fort Walton Music Hall 3/26 – Asheville, NC @ 27 Club 3/28 – Richmond, VA @ The Get Tight Lounge
Poster done by the always incredible @stephenschrock
Michael Rudolph Cummings will issue his new solo album, You Know How I Get, on Oct. 21 through Ripple Music as the third installment of the label’s ‘Blood and Strings’ series of unplugged-style releases. Following on the heels of offerings by Scott “Wino” Weinrich (review here) and Tony Reed (review here), the erstwhile Backwoods Payback frontman and current drummer of the raw-no-rawer-than-that heavy punk outfit Boozewa is nothing if not in good company, but as the nine-song/29-minute collection makes plain, Cummings‘ position alongside those generational heavyweights is well earned in terms of craft and arrangement as, in an unflinchingly organic fashion, Cummings manifests influences from across a spectrum of rock songwriters.
He’s still a punk, after all, if a punk troubadour. You Know How I Get is mesmeric in its honesty, in the organ lines that make their presence felt early in “Cellar Times” and “Closer Than They Appear,” and in the atmosphere of intimacy cast in the recording, on which Cummings himself is by no means alone or inexperienced. Opener “Sunburn” introduces itself with just-strum minimalism, but then the drums, backing vocal layers, and keys kick in and a fluidity of verses and choruses that sets up the manner in which Cummings will on the rest of what’s to come pull together classic pop singer-songwriterism, contemporary ‘new-dude’ outlaw country folk — lookin’ at you, ramblin’ title-track — and ’90s-era emotive grunge heroics, Neil Young via Pearl Jam via Neil Young, with Nirvana, Unplugged in New York, to spare.
The songs are mostly short, with only three of the nine topping three minutes long, and that speaks to both Cummings‘ punker roots and a sing-with-me stripped-down folk simplicity. “Closer Than They Appear” — a well chosen lead single — rings churchy with its sustained organ notes and steady ’70s folk-rock roll, semi-harmonized vocals and all kept subtly moving by the drums beneath, answering the fragility of “Cellar Times” and finisher “Burning Harbors” with assurance of sure footing. “Got it Made” moves along with a Tom Petty casual bounce but is more introverted in its guitar and vocal, and album centerpiece “62 Westbound” — video premiering below directed by Courtney Gauger — has a broader drum echo in its toms and cymbal washes, and is plenty full-sounding for that, with a drone maybe of accordion coinciding with the soft singing and lightly noodled guitar. Yes, the track named for a road moves. It is linear, contemplative and, like a lot of You Know How I Get, melancholy.
In the beginning moments of “Sunburn” and with a bookend back in “Burning Harbors,” Cummings nods to his longtime affinity for self-recording to a 4-track tape machine — I don’t know how old some of these pieces are and indeed these two in particular have a rawness to their vocal that at very least imitates tape compression — but You Know How I Get is far and away the most elaborate solo release he’s had, and the individual cuts benefit from the attention to detail put into them, be it “Charles Doesn’t Lie,” which is relatively straightforward instrumentally, no drums, but layers the vocals to add presence as well as dynamic, or the penultimate “Goblina,” which is the longest inclusion at 5:47, based around electric guitar and building to a volume swell as it gradually moves into a particularly flannel-clad, heart-on-sleeve-tattoo payoff, leaving “Burning Harbors” as an epilogue but one that underscores the atmosphere and intimacy that Cummings has worked over the course of the record to maintain.
You Know How I Get manifests the clarity of purpose in Cummings‘ solo offerings like earlier 2022’s mRc EP (review here), but also goes back to 2014’s debut solo full-length, Get Low, at which point he toured with and performed as mRc and the Souvenirs — his first single was 2013’s “Maybe Time” (posted here), which would later be on the debut — so it seems appropriate to think he’s approaching these tracks a similar way. A primary difference is the scope of the production here, but also a maturity of the craft in general. There is a patience even to “Sunburn” as packed-tight as that song is that is a beacon of welcome for the weary, and that holds firm whether we’re riding down the Highway 62 in, let’s assume, Texas, or burning the harbors behind us on our way out. Lyrically, the perspective is likewise poised. Genuine, still searching, but experienced as well and unflinching from sharing what has been learned, likely the harder way.
That vibe, of lessons learned, is pervasive throughout You Know How I Get, and even in “62 Westbound,” lines like “Somewhere I have not been/I long to stay/Weeping in the palm trees/Springs remain,” know where they want to be and have a point of view able to step back and realize there’s more life to come. So much more, then, does Cummings convey his depth as a songsmith and performer than just on the surface. In that, it speaks directly to what has always been and remains one of the greatest strengths of Cummings‘ work. Along with, you know, all that performance and songwriting stuff.
Please enjoy:
Michael Rudolph Cummings, “62 Westbound” video premiere
Video directed by Courtney Gauger (Instagram @corkytea).
East Coast-based folk and alt-country artist MICHAEL RUDOLPH CUMMINGS signs to Ripple Music for the release of his new solo album “You Know How I Get” as part the third chapter of their “Blood And Strings – The Ripple Acoustic Series” this October 21st.
Michael Rudolph Cummings is known for being the vocalist/guitarist for East Coast stoner grunge band Backwoods Payback. His solo material is equally dark but subdued in volume and temperance, recalling the ditch-trilogy era of Neil Young and the slower moments of Townes Van Zandt, while also hinting at more contemporary acts such as The White Buffalo.
His new album and Ripple Music debut “You Know How I Get” will see release in October 2022, as part of their revered acoustic series “Blood and Strings” (which previously featured stellar solo releases from The Obsessed’s Scott “Wino” Weinrich and Mos Generator’s Tony Reed). To support its release, Michael Rudolph Cummings will embark on a US tour with his solo band, the roster of which reads like a who’s who of east coast underground mainstays, literally some of the best players out there including Mel Parsonz of Royal Thunder, Patrick Shannon of All Else Failed and Mike Bardzik of The Boils.
Full dates are below and tickets for most are on sale now.
OCTOBER 20 – Animated Brewing, Coatesville PA 21 – Westside Bowl, Youngstown OH 22 – drkmttr collective, Nashville TN 23 – Hernandos Hide Away, Memphis TN 24 – The Nick, Birmingham AL 25 – Boggs, Atlanta GA 26 – Odditorium, Asheville NC 27 – Cobra Cobana, Richmond VA 28 – Century, Philadelphia PA 29 – Hart Bar, Brooklyn NY
Posted in Whathaveyou on August 16th, 2022 by JJ Koczan
Set to head out on Oct. 20, Michael Rudolph Cummings — current Boozewa drummer/vocalist, ex-Backwoods Payback guitarist/vocalist — will tour in support of his upcoming solo album, You Know How I Get, which is being released the second day of the tour as part of Ripple Music‘s ‘Blood and Strings’ acoustic-ish series. Cummings has announced the band that will join him on the run, which includes Mike Bardzik (Duffy’s Cut, Super Hi Five), Mlny Parsonz (Royal Thunder), and Dennis Prendergast (of Avenue 8 Guitars, and the one who should probably be fixing the van), and they’ll make their way along the Eastern Seaboard starting out in Cummings‘ native Pennsylvania and swinging south before heading up north again.
You can see all that from the list of dates and don’t need me to tell you, so I’ll tell you this: the album is gorgeous. Cummings has a long-standing track record of being sincere in ways that most artists wouldn’t dare, and You Know How I Get presents this through varied songs and an intimacy that comes through no matter how many players or voices are involved at one time. The video for “Closer Than They Appear” below came with the recent album announcement. Dig that fucking organ, man. God damn. Going to church and so on.
Dates from socials:
Michael Rudolph Cummings – Oct. Tour Dates
In the words of my friend the great @bobwayne1977
“Who is ready to fix the van?!”
This October I will head out in my first solo tour in close to 5 years, supporting a brand new record seeing release via @ripplemusic
This record means more to me than anything I have ever been a part of and to bring it to its full vision I am so honored to have some of my closest friends and most inspiring musicians along with me for the tour.
Mike Bardzik @noisylittlecritter
Mel Parsonz @_meltoro_ @royalthunder
Dennis Prendergast @avenue8guitars
Full dates are below and tickets for most are on sale now! See you out there
OCTOBER 20 – Animated Brewing, Coatesville PA 21 – Westside Bowl, Youngstown OH 22 – drkmttr collective, Nashville TN 23 – Hernandos Hide Away, Memphis TN 24 – The Nick, Birmingham AL 25 – Boggs, Atlanta GA 26 – Odditorium, Asheville NC 27 – Cobra Cobana, Richmond VA 28 – Century, Philadelphia PA 29 – Hart Bar, Brooklyn NY
Posted in Whathaveyou on August 4th, 2022 by JJ Koczan
Go ahead and take a listen to the new Michael Rudolph Cummings single at the bottom of this post. It’s “Closer Than They Appear” — à la the rearview — and it comes from Cummings‘ impending solo offering, You Know How I Get, which will see release on Oct. 21 as the third installment of Ripple Music‘s ‘Blood and Strings’ series, following behind outings from Scott “Wino” Weinrich and Tony Reed. Significant company to keep.
Cummings — currently in Boozewa, formerly of Backwoods Payback, perennial in All Else Failed — has trickled out solo albums under his full name and his initials mRc over the better part of the last however many years, but I’ve never heard a track from him that sounds as fleshed out as “Closer Than They Appear,” with its backing vocals, organ, and so on. His last posted piece — also streaming below — was a cover of Neil Young‘s “Cortez the Killer” recorded a decade ago in his bedroom, so yeah, it’s a bit of a step forward in cohesion and a full-band atmosphere. Only fitting he’s planning to take the show on the road. Could hardly be any other way.
From the PR wire:
Folk artist MICHAEL RUDOLPH CUMMINGS to issue new album ‘You Know How I Get’ on Ripple Music this fall; listen to new single “Closer Than They Appear”
East Coast-based folk and outlaw country artist MICHAEL RUDOLPH CUMMINGS signs to Ripple Music for the release of his new solo album “You Know How I Get” as part the third chapter of the label’s “Blood And Strings – The Ripple Acoustic Series” this October 21st. Listen to a stirring first track with “Closer Than They Appear”!
“There comes a time in most folks’ lives where something important reaches an end. Whether it be a friendship, a band, a relationship, a job, at some point the feeling will hit. What happens once it arrives is up to you,” says Michael Rudolph Cummings about this new song.
Michael Rudolph Cummings is known for being the vocalist/guitarist for East Coast stoner grunge band Backwoods Payback. His solo material is equally dark but subdued in volume and temperance, recalling the ditch-trilogy era of Neil Young and the slower moments of Townes Van Zandt, while also recalling more modern acts such as The White Buffalo.
His new album and Ripple Music debut “You Know How I Get” will see release in October 2022, as part of their revered acoustic series “Blood and Strings” (which previously featured stellar solo releases from The Obsessed’s Scott “Wino” Weinrich and Mos Generator’s Tony Reed). To support its release, Michael Rudolph Cummings will embark on a US tour with his solo band, the roster of which reads like a who’s who of east coast underground mainstays, literally some of the best players out there including Mel Parsonz of Royal Thunder, Patrick Shannon of All Else Failed and Mike Bardzik of The Boils.
TRACKLIST: 1. Sunburn 2. Cellar Times 3. Closer Than They Appear 4. Charles Doesn’t Lie 5. 62 Westbound 6. Got It Made 7. You Know How I Get 8. Goblina 9. Burning Harbors
Michael Rudolph Cummings is a lifer. Touring the world as the vocalist/guitarist for the band Backwoods Payback, the drummer of the band Boozewa and the synth player/vocalist of the band All Else Failed, Cummings has been there and done that. All of it. Literally. No matter the band when playing live he has always been known for his intensity and ability to connect to every person in the room. Regardless if it is a festival overseas or a coffee shop in a small town in the USA, he leaves a little piece of himself everywhere he goes. mRc has previously released one full-length, four EPs and a revered cover of Neil Young’s “Cortez The Killer”. This new album and Ripple Music debut “You Know How I Get” will cement his career as one of America’s most promising and fascinating folk artists of this generation.
Posted in Whathaveyou on July 11th, 2022 by JJ Koczan
It’s a pretty common experience for an artist or a band to record a cover for a tribute album in progress and then not have that release actually happen. Happened to me, anyway. Happened apparently to Mike Cummings, then of Backwoods Payback, now of Boozewa (think ‘bourgeois’ but with the demon alcohol) circa 2012 for a Neil Young tribute for which he took on no less than “Cortez the Killer” from 1975’s Zuma, self-recording for a bedroom-folk intimacy and carrying the sweetly infectious melody of the original over to his own expressive modus. I’ll cop to not being nearly the Neil Young fan that Cummings or any number of other people are, up to and including Pearl Jam, of whom Cummings might just also have a cover or two laying around, but it’s a cool take, raw of course but the song suits that.
Giving ear won’t take but a few minutes — the player is at the bottom where the players go in hopes that you’ll read the words between here and there — and as always, I hope you enjoy.
From Bandcamp:
mRc – Cortez the Killer
Roughly a decade ago I was asked to be a part of a cassette only Neil Young tribute record. It was a small label based out of Virginia or DC from what I recall and I was excited to contribute to it. The band I was in at the time was of course in a state of flux and we were not able to get our shit together to make what I wanted to happen happen.
Instead, I decided to do this on my own, live with two mics taped to my Tascam 4 track tape machine.
The label never responded once the song was sent (in the mail mind you!) and honestly I don’t think the record ever ended up coming out.
This has sat on the shelf for a long time…and it felt like the right time to set it free.
This week, Michael Rudolph Cummings releases his new recorded-live-to-two-track EP, mRc, and begins a weekender of shows in Los Angeles, which is not a minor trip for someone based in Pennsylvania. The new release is, well, not really new. It was recorded 10 years ago by Cummings on an old tape machine and it’s been mastered and all that happy whatnot, but you can still hear the songs are plenty raw. It sounds like, oh, say, a guy recording onto a tape machine he found at somebody’s garage sale.
That barebones-ness gives a sense of intimacy to a track like “1993” or the twang-grunge of “The Meaning Of” (premiering below) and as with Cummings‘ more recent work in the trio Boozewa alongside fellow former members of Backwoods Payback, the lo-fi aspect across mRc becomes a crucial part of the aesthetic. For about 15 minutes, then it’s done. It’s a very quick release.
As to what else Cummings might have in store for the year, I don’t know, but he’s dropping hints of more to come, so who knows what else may be in the proverbial vault, which one imagines as actually a disorganized closet or one of those plastic bins you get at the Costco. At least that’s how I’m living these days.
Cummings is playing with Bob Wayne, IV and the Strange Band (which is Hank Williams III‘s kid? fuck I’m old) and Desert Danish and Sammy Ruiz. Looks like a cool couple of shows. And the EP’s right on. I guess that’s the depth of insight I have to offer here. Dude does cool shit. I should rewrite the headline.
Audio and info and dates and so on:
These two LA shows will mark my first time playing on the west coast in close to a decade. To say I’m excited for them is the understatement of the year (it’s still early!).
Add in the release of this new/old long lost ep and it’s safe to say 2022 is already shaping up to be quite productive…and it’s only getting started.”
some info on the ep:
It was recorded sometime in 2012 (I think?) here at the compound in an old 2 track tape machine I bought at a yard sale. It had one reel of tape with it and I recorded the songs live. It was then mastered by Mike Bardzik at Noisy Little Critter and given back to me on a master CD. The CD was lost in the shuffle of tours and bands and vans up until the lockdown of 2020 when it found its way back to me. Now it’s out, 10 or so years after it was intended, but it feels good to share it finally.
Michael Rudolph Cummings “mRc” Release date: Feb 1 2022
1. Beltdrive 2. 1993 3. Healer 4. The Meaning Of 5. Hurdles
SHOWS Feb 4th Bourbon Room Hollywood CA w/ Desert Danish, Sammy Ruiz Feb 6th Alex’s Bar Long Beach CA 2pm MATINEE w/ Bob Wayne, IV & The Strange Band
Posted in Whathaveyou on August 3rd, 2020 by JJ Koczan
The creativity born of restlessness. How was your quarantine? Was it productive? Well, if not, there’s always the next one, apparently. For Backwoods Payback guitarist/vocalist Michael Rudolph Cummings, the early part of the summer resulted in three new solo songs that he’ll release this week under the banner of MRC, or if you go by the logo, mRc. The EP is called What Year is It?, suitably enough, and is being self-released by Cummings with proceeds headed to the ACLU, which, you know, is legit. I don’t know who was involved in this recording with him — he calls the backing band The Souvenirs and has toured as mRc and the Souvenirs in the past — but the last time Cummings did an mRc release was 2015’s More Barn (streaming below) and that band included Jessica Baker from Backwoods Payback as well as Dan Metzker and Pat Shannon from Philly’s Hold Down the Ocean as well as drummer Mike Bardzik, who engineered that recording and also just engineered the new Hold Down the Ocean EP, Sidereal Month.
What Year is It? comprises three tracks and runs from heavier-ended Americana to more straight up ’90s alt worship and is a step-aside from some of the more intense fare that Backwoods Payback has unleashed over their last couple records, though Cummings‘ voice and songwriting are nothing if not characteristic. Kind of a fan-piece here, maybe, but hell, it’s a three-song tape, I can’t imagine he’s making too many of them, and all the money goes to the ACLU. You could do worse.
Incidentally, it’s definitely 2020. Sometimes feels like 1620.
Announcement is quick:
mRc – What Year is It? EP
August 7th I’m releasing a brand new mRc ep. Three songs written the first week of June and recorded the second week of July with the souvenirs. These songs are now. It’s never too late.
100% of the proceeds will be going to the @aclu_nationwide to ensure we can all keep fighting the good fight……
