Voodoo Gearshift

R. McDonald: [mailto:mickeyd@terminus.intermind.net]
dated 7/19/03

" roadied for Voodoo Gearshift after their move to Seattle. They were a three piece at the time - Jim Roth (vocals and guitar), Paul Sorrells (bass) and Mark Bruggermann (ex-Dangtrippers, drums). They released a CD "Glue Goat" on CZ records. On a tour through the Midwest, Sorrells was releaved of his bass duties. Another bass player was brought in after the surviving duo returned to Seattle, I only remember his first name as being Scooter. The band continued to play clubs throughout the NW and also opened for Nirvana and Tad during the Mia Zapata Benefit Show. (The road manager for Nirvana was a complete and utter prick and gave Voodoo only 15 minutes to set up, play and tear down.)"

" When the band was ready to record a second album, CZ records stated VG was "not punk enough" for his label. To make matters worse, D House (prez of CZ) refused to release the band from their contract and wanted way too much $$$ for another label to sign them. The band did release a demo tape sometime afterwards. I cannot remember the name of it. The band eventually went separate ways. Scooter and Bruggermann were/are in 12:30 Dreamtime, which was formed by a former member of the Treepeople. Sorrells was/is playing bass for Johnny Astro. Roth was in the alt-country band Goody Blick and the Country Kind before forming the Delusions. He was/is a touring member of Built to Spill. It has been a few years since I last spoke to any of them so my info is really dated. "

"There is one thing that I would like add. VG released a second CD on Your Name Here Records entitled "It's About Time". CZ records was still around but close to closing its doors, so to my knowledge there was no legal ramifications. Later, they released the demo."

"One last thing...when I toured with the band through the midwest, the band played several shows in Iowa. Iowa kicked ass as far as music went and Hairy Marys was just as good if not better than any nightclub in Seattle during the time. I grew up in Indiana and all we had there, for the most part, were a bunch of butt-rock cover bands wearing spandex and singing "Talk Dirty to Me." VG turned me onto some great bands from Iowa. I will always be grateful to them"