Announce Reunion Dates and Details * "Fate's Got A Driver" Reissue * David Moore Solo Debut for Doghouse Records!
An emotional hardcore sound that blankets when you are cold, and grabs you by the throat when you need a good shaking... "Fate's Got A Driver" teems with meditations on halcyon Midwestern days gone by, and with the emotions underneath a seemingly simple, homespun life - Magnet Magazine
Split Lip was possibly the most important emotionally tinged hardcore band to emerge from the Midwest.
Alongside Endpoint, Split Lip helped prove to an international audience that a band could effectively combine the chunky thrash of the coastal straight-edge hardcore scenes with the warm emotional depth of certain, more popular music, emotive drive, and political slant of D.C. bands like Embrace.
Split Lip's songs were mosh-pit inducing, yet often elicited tears and scream-along empathy from audiences. The band formed in the Indianapolis suburb of Carmel, IN, in 1990, with vocalist Steve Dujinske, guitarist Clayton Snyder, bassist Curtis Mead, and drummer Charlie Walker. They recorded a poorly circulated demo, but didn't really get moving until vocalist David Moore and lead guitarist Adam Rubenstein came aboard. Still in their teens, this lineup crafted heartfelt, chunky hardcore songs addressing political and personal issues, making a demo tape and then signing to Toledo, OH-based label Doghouse Records. They released their Soul Kill 7" single in 1992 -- complete with an essay that was heavily critical of Christopher Columbus, in commemoration of the 500-year anniversary of the "discovery" of the "new world."
In 1994, the band debuted their first full-length album, For the Love of the Wounded, which blended the guitar dexterity of Metallica with the passionate, affected vocal approach of David Moore and his increasingly more poetic lyrics, which set them apart from the pack. It is perhaps the definitive record of the emocore genre. The band grew in popularity, becoming a headlining act at Ohio's More Than Music Festival and touring with the likes of Samuel, Shift, and Colossus of the Fall. Split Lip released their second album, Fate's Got a Driver, in 1995, just before deciding to change their name to Chamberlain. The album was promptly re-released under the new moniker, and it signaled the gradual change of the band into a more roots rock-inflected, radio-oriented outfit.
On the heels of Fate's success, the band put out a split EP with Bloomington band Old Pike in the fall of 1996. Then came 1998's The Moon My Saddle, which broadened the band's audience, but it's Americana sound alienated many of the old Chamberlain faithful. Shortly thereafter, Mead and Snyder were replaced by guitarist Stoll Vaughn and bassist Seth Greathouse. Vaughn, the nephew of John Mellencamp guitarist Mike Wanchic, left the band in March of 1999.
To date, Chamberlain plans to reissue their "Fate's Got a Driver" LP, April 21st on Doghouse Records. The release will be supported by a series of shows around the Midwest, and ultimately the East Coast, before Chamberlain vocalist David Moore releases his debut full length later this Summer.
* Chamberlain's Fate's Got a Driver, the long out of print classic LP, is finally available on limited color vinyl with fully redesigned artwork. In addition to the 8 original tracks are 5 previously unreleased and rare tracks. In addition, each LP will include a download code including all the songs on the LP plus additional b-sides and bonus videos. More information including tracklist and tourdates below!
Fate's Got A Driver Track Listing:
Side A:
1. Her Side of Sundown
2. Street Singer
3. Yellow Like Gold
4. Five Year Diary
5. Uniontown
6. Surrendering the Ghost
7. Drums and Shotguns
Side B:
1. The Simple Life
2. Uniontown (Split Lip demo for Anti-Matter fanzine)*
3. From Infinity to the County Fair*
4. Racing Cincinnati*
5. Everything Here*
6. Street Singer (Live at CBGB)*
*previously unreleased
Split Lip / Chamberlain Live!
(featuring all original members)
May 1 2009 Headliners Louisville, KY
May 2 2009 Birdy's Indianapolis, IN
May 3 2009 The Metro Chicago, IL
More dates to be announced!
For more information, visit:
www.doghouserecords.com
www.splitlipchamberlain.com
