|


|
The
SKOOSHNY Story (so far):
THE
BEGINNING: Mark and David met in Chicago in 1970 and began
working on a band called Brevity. Mark wrote for the band, but didn’t
perform. They both wound up in L.A. and formed Skooshny as a duo with
revolving guitarists. In 1975, David met Bruce a few days before a session
and invited him to sit in. The lineup stuck.
EARLY RELEASES: David, inspired by the new indie records
market of the time, suggested to Mark that they form their own label,
Alien Records, as a vehicle for Skooshny. They released a 4-song EP in
1978; a single followed in 1979. Both records were greeted with stunning
reviews. Sales were lukewarm, due to the fact that Skooshny was a recording-only
band, no live shows. Skooshny continued recording for a few more years
and then broke up.
CLEANING THE CLOSET: In 1991, Greg Shaw of Bomp brought
it to the band’s attention that their old records were collectors’
items in Europe. He put them in touch with Bill Forsyth at the Minus Zero
Record Shop in London. Bill asked if they had any more copies. Yup. They
were sent. They started selling and getting more great reviews. Bill asked
if any unreleased tapes existed. Yup. They were sent. Bill decided to
start a label, Minus Zero Records, to release a compilation of what had
been sitting in David’s closet for years. Great reviews. Decent
sales. A second pressing.
REFORMATION: Skooshny then decided
to reform and to go back into the studio. This was also the beginning
of songwriting collaborations between Mark and Bruce. Next was a vinyl
EP, then “Even My Eyes,” an album of newly recorded material.
More great reviews. More recording, which yielded the follow-up album,
“Water.”
ZOLOTO: David suggested looking
for a domestic (U.S.) label to release a “best of” compilation,
along with four new songs. The search was on, and Vibro-Phonic Recordings
agreed to put out “Zoloto,” (Russian for “Gold”).
“Zoloto” spans 1976 to 2003 and covers the wide range of psych-folk-pop
that Skooshny is known for.
|