Rough Shop
“Beneath the South Side Bridge”
The members of Rough Shop are veteran St. Louis musicians, with hundreds of nights behind them on stages large and small, singing and playing songs they’ve loved and songs they’ve written.
From rock ‘n’ roll to pop music, from Americana to soul music, the four members of Rough Shop have listened to, studied, absorbed and converted the influence of so many strains of American music. With the release of “Beneath the South Side Bridge,” their fourth full-length album, they have seamlessly integrated what they know and love about music into an original and emotional vision.
Songwriters John Wendland and Andy Ploof, who alternate on the majority of lead vocals, have played together and written songs together for nearly 20 years, since Wendland moved to St. Louis from Los Angeles in 1993. First in One Fell Swoop, and then in Rough Shop, they have formed a close partnership. Ploof, who by day runs a music store, brings impeccable chops on a wide variety of stringed instruments, including electric guitar, mandolin and dobro, and a near-psychic ability to find the exact musical idea to strengthen any given song. Rhythm guitarist Wendland, a musical connoisseur of great passion and range, has expanded the stylistic possibilities of the group, while keeping the band moving forward no matter what personnel changes or performing situations come the band’s way.
Rough Shop officially became a band, however, the day Anne Tkach, a veteran of Hazeldine and Nadine, joined in 2005. A musical chameleon (who also performs with St. Louis bands Magic City and the Skekses), Tkach grounds Wendland and Ploof by adding intuitive harmony parts and fluid bass lines. She also frequently steps forward as a third lead vocalist with her beautiful alto.
Spencer Marquart, who also served in One Fell Swoop years ago, has become the full-time drummer for Rough Shop in recent years. Marquart brings both enthusiasm for all the styles of music in the band’s repertoire, but also the skills to drive each of them home. A one-time drummer for a Bruce Springsteen cover band, Marquart consistently finds the groove in Rough Shop’s soul, rock, country and pop songs.
Recorded by Jack Petracek and Jason McEntire at Sawhorse Studios in St. Louis, “Beneath the South Side Bridge” is the first non-holiday themed release from Rough Shop in four years. As such, fans who have caught their many performances in St. Louis clubs are likely to recognize at least some of these songs right away. But it won’t take long for each of the 12 songs to win a place in listeners’ hearts.
Written over a period of four years, the collection finds Ploof and Wendland fusing catchy hooks and rich melodies with at times witty and at times heartbreaking lyrics. (Wendland also co-wrote two songs with long-time friend, Michael Friedman.) Joined by Tkach, Marquart and honorary member Jon Parsons on soulful organ and Wurlitzer, they set the material in an array of environments. The soul of lead-off track and first single “Flashback,” the Fairport Convention-styled folk-rock of “Flywheel,” the dark balladry of “Reloaded,” the soaring pop of “Syd” (inspired by Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd), the twangy rock of “Suzanna” or the furious swing of “Ripped Upholstery Blues” stand out first and foremost, but every song is capable of becoming a favorite on any given day.
“Beneath the South Side Bridge” is the sound of a veteran band doing what it does best: writing, arranging and performing songs of deep craft and deeper heart. The music of Rough Shop is music for adults, born of experience with good times and hard times, with love and disappointment, with discovery and memory, and most certainly with the power of music to express what really matters.
~ Steve Pick
Rough Shop is:
Andy Ploof (lead guitar, mandolin and vocals)
Anne Tkach (bass, percussion and vocals)
John Wendland (rhythm guitar and vocals)
Spencer Marquart (drums, percussion and vocals)
Special Guest: Jon Parsons (keyboards)
Download the hi-res publicity photo 1 (Credit: Nate Burrell)
Download the hi-res publicity photo 2 (Credit: Nate Burrell)
Recent Press
Riverfront Times review of Beneath the South Side Bridge
Riverfront Times review of Here Today
Stubby’s House of Christmas review of Just Because It Was Christmas
Riverfront Times review of Just Because It Was Christmas
There Stands the Glass review of Just Because It Was Christmas
