Ghosts and Vodka

Home: Chicago, IL
Members of: Cap'n Jazz, Noyes, Owls, Make-Believe

Being in prison gives a guy plenty of time to think about crap, especially if you're a deaf mute. Rudy Bump, inmate #12346, was happily crapping in his jail cell toilet when the thought hit him that he wanted to sing for a rock n roll band. "I will call it, Ghosts and Vodka," thought Rudy, "and it will turn the music community inside out, much like a T-shirt with the tag showing"! The fact that Rudy Bump was a deaf mute did not impede his rock and roll dream, and so, after spending 2.3 years in jail for stealing some things that were not his, Rudy was released and immediately formed Ghosts and Vodka with the help of four men named Erik, Sam, Scott, and Vic. Having been in such bands as Cap'n Jazz, Tetsuo, and Joan of Arc, these four men had enouph musical instruments laying around to make some out of sight rock and roll tunes for all the children of the world to enjoy. Rudy Bump sang along in his head to what he imagined the songs sounded like, and just like that, his dream was realized! Moral of story - Follow your dreams even if they make no sense.

My daughter, while in the womb, listened to this band on many occasions. Now she is a book worm, incredible artist, and a science geek! In some wacky way these 4 men as well as Rudy, have enhanced my daughter's ability to learn and to appreciate art history. She is only 2.

Players: Erik Bocek, Scott Shellhamer, Victor Villarreal, Sam Zurick
Instruments: Bass, Guitar - Pedals, Computer, Drums

Discography:
Ghosts and Vodka 'Cowboys & Sailors' 7inch (Hefty Records)
Ghosts and Vodka 'Precious Blood' CD Full Length
Ghosts and Vodka 'Addicts and Drunks - Discography' CD Extra Full Length

Reviews:

"Ghosts and Vodka's 'Precious Blood', the Chicago four-piece's full-length debut, proves that you shouldnt judge an album by its accompanying artwork. Get past the lurid, often pornographic cartoon drawings meant to 'go along with the stories' of the songs, and you'll find 12 tracks of exceedingly energetic instrumental rock with a surprising abundance of melodic hooks. 'Precious Blood' is a wealth of kick-ass rock!"
---Billboard.Com (Top 10 Pick of 2001)

"Tunes that are rich and evocative in their purely sonic realm. More abstract than Pell Mell, more convoluted than Forever Einstein, this is smartly arranged and rendered music".
---Pulse! Magazine (Tower Records)

"The music's great - off kilter time changes, frenzied guitar lines, and energetic as all hell. The songs swirl and chum, explode, then slip away into delay-drenched respited."
---Strength Magazine

"I've gone temporarily deaf listening to Precious Blood over and over again at ever-louder volumes - it's that good!"
---Jersey Beat