Music
Press
This is an audio interview.
January 5, 2006
Lee Rude and the Trainwrecks
Lee Rude and the Trainwrecks are a band with an identity problem. They're country, yet the members consider themselves punk or straight up rock 'n' roll. But the truth is they're all of the above. Listen in as Lee talks to Ken about their style of music and where they fit into the Seattle music scene.
- Listen now (17:10, 15.72MB)
- Seattle P-I
Speaking of which Lee Rude and the Train Wrecks….
Lee Rude was seriously glammed out for his performance mid slot last night. Complete with pink boa, silver leggings and dog collar, he is the first country/glam front man I have yet to see. The juxtaposition of his glam digs and the roots rock/western sound of Lee Rude and the Train Wrecks was fun to watch. Rude's band included Chris Friel on drums (amazing as usual), Kelly Van Camp on guitar, harmonicas and bass (equally amazing) and Rob Mitchell keys so hot he held down the bass line as well as adding honky-tonk and blues riffs all over the place. Rude will, unfortunately, be on a forced extended hiatus so do check out their MySpace page for songs and downloads if you are new to the band.
Rude wailed both vocally and on his guitar through upbeat songs and a ballad or two. He was joined on stage by Kim Virant and Tim DiJulio for a barn burner interpretation of "You're Not the One." Virant's new cd, Songs From a Small House features some of her best vocal work ever and she demonstrated it while in the duet with Rude. (Best wishes to you Lee - Kj & Hez)
In the warm up spot was The Moon Doggies
- Radio Free seattle
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Lee Rude and the Trainwrecks are a Seattle-based rock-n-roll combo with heavy country/Americana influences. Formed by frontman/songwriter Lee Rude in 2000, the band went through several personnel changes before solidifying into the current line-up in 2003.
The band is: Lee Rude(guitar/vocals); Gary Westlake(guitar/steel guitar/mandolin); Kelly Van Camp(guitar/harp/backing vocals); Bardi Martin(bass); Robert Mitchell(keyboards); Chris Friel(drums).
Bassist Bardi Martin was a founding member of Candlebox, Seattle platinum-selling "grunge/pop" band. Martin reformed Candlebox in 2006 and toured the US before leaving to dedicate himself to the Trainwrecks.
Chris Friel has been a fixture in Seattle rock since his early years, when he and his brother Rick formed Shadow with Pearl Jam's Mike McCready. (McCready contributed guitar to three Lee Rude songs on the 2004 release "Bound for Glory"). Friel has been the drummer for rock vets Goodness since the nineties.
In 2006, Lee Rude and the Trainwrecks began recording a set of songs at London Bridge Studios with veteran producer Dave Hillis(Pearl Jam "ten"). It is at this point the train came screeching to a halt as Rude developed serious health problems and surgeries and extensive rehabilitation were needed.
We are pleased to report that Rude has recovered fully and has re-formed the band. Lee Rude and the Trainwrecks are completeing an EPK and are booking shows for late 2008.
LRTW packs houses all over the greater Seattle area, and have collaborated with Mike McCready(Pearl Jam), Kim Virant(Lazy Susan), Rick Friel(The Rockfords featuring Carrie Akre), among many others.
Their live shows have garnered many accolades from local press, including SeattleNoise.com, RadioFreeSeattle, and were recently named "Band of the Month" by local eatery Dick's Drive-in!
The band is looking forward to completing the London Bridge sesion recordings and getting back on the stage and road.
www.myspace.com/leerudeandthetrainwrecks
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