Stripped by The Makers

The Makers are an American Garage Band. Formed in 1991, while still in their teens, The Makers hail from the city of Spokane, a small blue-collar town in eastern Washington State. Brothers Michael and Donny along with their two oldest friends Jamie and Jimmy were raised on a strict diet of traditional blues, 50’s R&B, 60’s rock, 70’s punk, and whatever else they could find at the local thrift-stores. An explosive live show combined with the occasional violent altercation cemented their early reputation as “garage punk misfits.” Back when The Makers were playing amphetamine-driven Kinks covers, wearing four-button suits, and being pelted with beer cans, the rest of the world was wearing flannel and grooving to Pearl Jam. Years later, however, these misfits would become respected figures in the garage/punk underground due to a fantastic run of sneering, primitive LP’s: “Howl”, “All Night Riot”, “The Makers”, “Hunger” and “Psychopathia Sexualis”.

They’ve recorded well over 200 original songs on labels such as Sub Pop, Estrus, Sympathy For The Record Industry, and now Kill Rock Stars.

They’ve toured the world extensively, playing with other like-minded bands such as The White Stripes (USA), Billy Childish (UK), The Hellacopters (Sweden) and Guitar Wolf (Japan).

Long before the “New Garage” phenomenon hijacked the mainstream, The Makers were touring in a 1965 Pontiac HEARSE and sounding like some cross-bred mutant child of The Stooges and Small Faces. For sheer energy and bravado, the boys from Felony Flats remain untouchable. Their unrepentant style and swagger is not a “show” or some carefully planned contrivance – it’s their life’s blood. They’ve been walkin’ the walk for over ten years.

The Makers’ music (and fashion sense) directly influenced Mooney Suzuki and unknowingly paved the way for other contemporary racket-makers such as The Hives and Jet.

In 2000, The Makers confounded any thoughts of pigeonholing theirs as merely a garage rock phenomenon with the release of their high-falutin’ double-album concept recording “Rock Star God” which put them on top of college radio playlists and critics’ top ten lists worldwide. Admired by the likes of Joey Ramone, Jon Spencer, R.E.M., Marilyn Manson, Billy Childish and Jello Biafra, The Makers have always pushed their musical boundaries far beyond expectation. David Fricke’s 4-star review in Rolling Stone magazine declared: “On Rock Star God, The Makers strut their stuff like they rule, right here, right now”.

In 2004, The Makers are revisiting their roots. “Stripped” is the raw unfiltered Makers. Once again, The Makers are back on the hard stuff. This record will set your rectum on fire. It is the sound of suicide, desperation, drunken parties, and suburbia burning. This record will make your head pop-off and spiral into the gutter while your gonads dance a crazy Ukranian jig. With new drummer Jimmy Maker (ex-Cramps) on board, The Makers are just hitting their stride. Recorded by legendary rock producer, Jack Endino, this is 16 of the best and most often requested songs The Makers have ever performed, along with a few new ones just for kicks. The Kings of Garage are back to reclaim the crown.

Hail Hail Rock ‘n Roll Motherfucker!!

Vic Mostly