menu
©2015 Joe Kirschling

The Rutabega

South Bend, IN

RIYL: Elliott Smith, Owen, Bottomless Pit, Guided by Voices, Sunny Day Real Estate and Teenage Fanclub

Sometimes two people is all that is necessary for music making. Such is the case with The Rutabega, the self described “Carp Rock power duo” hailing from the rather unlikely locale of South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 2002 by singer and guitarist Joshua Wayne Hensley, The Rutabega expanded their sound and membership with the addition of Garth Mason in 2011. Their 2013 full length brother the lights don’t work drew on the band’s knack for emotive and expansive songwriting, bringing to mind a two-piece Neil Young & Crazy Horse playing Beatles songs. Since it’s release, The Rutabega has continued to tour and work out new songs, stopping to record live sessions with Daytrotter and WPRB‘s Jon Solomon. Look for a 7″ on Triple Eye Industries in late spring / early summer 2015.

Releases

Artist Video Gallery

Artist Photo Gallery

Release Reviews

TEI-005: Shiny Destination

“

...the duo make the sort of indie-rock that feels timeless and fresh at the same time... ...It becomes the sort of indie anthem that you can feel in your bones, even if isn’t mixed so as to point out “YOU SHOULD RAISE YOUR FIST HERE!” Awkward pogoing should ensue.

” independentclauses.com
“

Their sound is geared for fans of The Wedding Present and some Brit pop akin to Pete and The Pirates but in an american decadent style that is head bopping to the point where you might knock off your ski-cap or hipster eyewear. ...The Rutebega’s music is good like waffles, bacon and syrup because it is filling and tasteful.

” Review Stalker
“

With its playfully chaotic feel, rough-around-the-edges vocal, and bouncy, toe-tapping surf rock construction, the title track reminds me of something that might have come from The Unicorns, a notion only reinforced by quirky lyrical content. Energetic and catchy, it’s a breezy piece that’s nearly impossible to dislike, joined by a b-side in “Ladder” that, with its laid back tempo and more emotional punch, resembles an ‘80s soft rock ballad. 7.5 / 10

” Andy, ScenePointBlank.com
“

I like the excitement and energy of “Shiny Destination,” but the reflective tone on “Ladder” gets me every time. Both are winners for entirely different reasons, but it’s a great example of the diversity of The Rutabega’s sound. Whatever way this Indiana duo goes in the future, I can’t wait to hear it.

” Kurt Morris, Razorcake
Date City Venue Country
02/15/17 Milwaukee, WI Cactus Club United States
Venue: Cactus Club. Time: 2:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 2496 S. Wentworth Avenue. Venue phone: 414.897.0663. w/ Work & Body Futures More information
01/29/17 South Bend, IN LangLab United States
Venue: LangLab. Time: 2:00pm. Admission: $10. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 1302 High St.. Stand with Standing Rock Benefit Concert & Silent Auction More information
10/20/16 Chicago, IL Quencher’s Saloon United States
Venue: Quencher’s Saloon. Time: 8:00pm. Admission: $8. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 2401 N Western Avenue. w/ NONAGON, CHUNG ANTIQUE and CMN INEED YR HLP More information
09/23/16 South Bend, IN TBA United States
Venue: TBA. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. w/ Tyranny is Tyranny
08/26/16 Milwaukee, WI Cactus Club United States
Venue: Cactus Club. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 2496 S. Wentworth Avenue. Venue phone: 414.897.0663. TEI FEST w/ Hot Coffin, The Terrible News, High Priests and Heat Death
06/24/16 Chicago, IL Kinzie & Sangamon United States
Venue: Kinzie & Sangamon. Time: 7:00pm. Address: W Kinzie St & N Sangamon St. PRFBBQ Inferno w/ Begin By Gathering Supplies (Chicago), Magpies (Missoula), Akosuen (Chicago), The Columbines (Chicago) and Bone & Bell (Portland) More information
06/13/16 Kalamazoo, MI Louie’s Trophy House United States
Venue: Louie’s Trophy House. Time: 7:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 629 Walbridge Street. Venue phone: (269) 385-9359. w/ OUT | Nonagon | Pariah
05/07/16 Champaign, IL Mike N Molly’s United States
Venue: Mike N Molly’s. Time: 8:30pm. Admission: $7. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 105 N. Market St.. w/ Evil Tents | Motes | Iska Dhaaf More information
05/05/16 South Bend, IN The Well United States
Venue: The Well. Time: 6:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 2410 Mishawaka Ave.. Venue phone: (574) 387-2410. w/ Lune | Spaceships | Automagik | Analecta More information
02/19/16 - 02/21/16 Escanaba, MI Terrace Bay Inn United States
Venue: Terrace Bay Inn. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 7146 P Road. Venue phone: 906-786-7554. PRF THUNDERSNOW More information
02/17/16 Milwaukee, WI Lucky Cat United States
Venue: Lucky Cat. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages.
01/31/16 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle United States
Venue: Empty Bottle. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. w/ Stomatopod | Thoughts Detecting Machines (tickets are free with RSVP) More information
01/30/16 Racine, WI Evelyn’s Club Main United States
Venue: Evelyn’s Club Main. Time: 3:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 331 1/2 Main Street. BITTER FEST 2016 More information
01/23/16 South Bend, IN McCormick’s Coney Island United States
Venue: McCormick’s Coney Island. Time: 9:00pm. Admission: $5. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 125 N.Michigan Street. Venue phone: (574) 289-8031. w/ The Weary Hearts, Letters from Earth More information
07/11/15 Cleveland, OH Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern United States
Venue: Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern. Time: 8:30pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 11625 Euclid Ave.. w/ Blaka Watra
07/10/15 Kalamazoo, MI Louie’s Trophy House United States
Venue: Louie’s Trophy House. Time: 8:30pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 629 Walbridge Street. Venue phone: (269) 385-9359. w/ Blaka Watra | Petrillo
07/09/15 South Bend, IN The Well United States
Venue: The Well. Time: 8:30pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 2410 Mishawaka Ave.. Venue phone: (574) 387-2410. w/ Blaka Watra
06/20/15 Chicago, IL K’s Dugout United States
Venue: K’s Dugout. Time: 10:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 1930 W. Foster Ave.. PRF BBQ 2015 More information
06/20/15 South Bend, IN LangLab United States
Venue: LangLab. Time: 8:30pm. Admission: $8. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 1302 High St.. w/ Bailey Williams & the Cherannes (release show!!!) | Every Mother More information
05/23/15 Kenosha, WI Port of Kenosha United States
Venue: Port of Kenosha. Time: 9:00pm. Address: 714 50th St.. w/ Fowlmouth
05/22/15 Chicago, IL TBA (Chicago, IL) United States
Venue: TBA (Chicago, IL). Time: 9:00pm.
05/15/15 South Bend, IN McCormick’s Coney Island United States
Venue: McCormick’s Coney Island. Time: 9:00pm. Address: 125 N.Michigan Street. Venue phone: (574) 289-8031. w/ Knife the Symphony | Nonagon | Heavy Hand
Tour: Rutabega West Coast 2015
04/10/15 Oakland, CA Leo’s United States
Venue: Leo’s. Time: 9:00pm. Address: 5447 Telegraph Ave.. PRF BBQ WEST w/ A CARP-TON OF AWESOME BANDS
04/09/15 San Francisco, CA Knockout United States
Venue: Knockout. Time: 9:00pm. Address: 3223 Mission St.. w/ Chung Antique | Cruel Summer
04/08/15 Santa Clara, CA Chromatic Coffee United States
Venue: Chromatic Coffee. Time: 9:00pm. Address: 5237 Stevens Creek Blvd.. w/ Chung Antique
04/07/15 Arcata, CA TBA (Arcata, CA) United States
Venue: TBA (Arcata, CA). Time: 9:00pm. w/ Chung Antique
04/06/15 Portland, OR Red & Black Cafe United States
Venue: Red & Black Cafe. Time: 9:00pm. Address: 400 Southeast 12th Ave.. w/ Chung Antique | Bone & Bell | Green Hills Alone
04/05/15 Olympia, WA Obsidian United States
Venue: Obsidian. Time: 9:00pm. Address: 414 4th Ave. E.. w/ Chung Antique | TBA
04/04/15 Seattle, WA Victory Lounge United States
Venue: Victory Lounge. Time: 9:00pm. Address: 433 Eastlake Ave E.. Venue phone: (206) 382-4467. w/ Chung Antique | The Bismarck More information
04/03/15 Seattle, WI The Future United States
Venue: The Future. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. w/ Chung Antique | Heavy Petting
03/19/15 Fort Wayne, IN Bob Villa’s This Old House United States
Venue: Bob Villa’s This Old House. Time: 7:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. w/ Snack Mountain & the Boys Who Live | Tim Korenich | Grey Gordon More information
03/15/15 South Bend, IN McCormick’s Coney Island United States
Venue: McCormick’s Coney Island. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 125 N.Michigan Street. Venue phone: (574) 289-8031. w/ Ladies of Leisure | Hungry Man | This Old Hearse More information
03/14/15 Kalamazoo, MI Milhouse United States
Venue: Milhouse. Time: 9:00pm. Admission: $5. Age restrictions: No Minors. w/ Petrillo | Hungry Man
02/20/15 - 02/22/15 Escanaba, MI Terrace Bay Inn United States
Venue: Terrace Bay Inn. Time: 6:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 7146 P Road. Venue phone: 906-786-7554. PRF Thundersnow!
02/13/15 Seattle, WA Victory Lounge United States
Venue: Victory Lounge. Time: 10:00pm. Admission: $8. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 433 Eastlake Ave E.. Venue phone: (206) 382-4467. w/ The Bismarck | Chung Antique More information
02/13/15 Mishawaka, IN Wander Inn United States
Venue: Wander Inn. Time: 10:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 417 S. Main Street. Venue phone: (574) 255-2464. w/ The Weary Hearts, Anarchist Funk Brothers More information
01/17/15 Racine, WI Evelyn’s Club Main United States
Venue: Evelyn’s Club Main. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 331 1/2 Main Street. BITTER FEST – benefit for Hope Safehouse w/ The Cell Phones, Burn Permits, Heavy Hand, Fake Limbs, Fowlmouth
01/16/15 Milwaukee, WI Circle A Cafe United States
Venue: Circle A Cafe. Time: 8:00pm. Admission: $5. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 932 E. Chambers Street. Venue phone: 414-562-4101. w/ Heavy Hand
11/15/14 South Bend, IN The Well United States
Venue: The Well. Time: 6:00pm. Admission: $5. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 2410 Mishawaka Ave.. Venue phone: (574) 387-2410. Benefit for Joanne & Mike Boys w/ Bailey Williams, Michael Doty of Ceiling Star, Matt Teters More information
11/08/14 Kenosha, WI TG’s United States
Venue: TG’s. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 4120 7th Avenue. w/ The Columbines
11/07/14 Chicago, IL Borelli Pizza United States
Venue: Borelli Pizza. Time: 6:00pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 2124 W Lawrence Ave. Venue phone: (773) 275-1700. Pizza Party at Borelli’s! BYOB. w/ The Columbines | Infinite Buffalo | BooKoos More information
09/21/14 Mishawaka, IN Wander Inn United States
Venue: Wander Inn. Time: 7:00pm. Admission: $5. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 417 S. Main Street. Venue phone: (574) 255-2464. w/ The Baby Magic | This Old Hearse More information
09/05/14 South Bend, IN The Gridiron United States
Venue: The Gridiron. Time: 5:30pm. Admission: donation. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 112 E.Washington Street. Bridge Project Benefit w/ Ratboys and several others *we play at 8:30pm. More information
09/03/14 South Bend, IN The Pool United States
Venue: The Pool. Time: 6:00pm. Admission: $5. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: Central High. w/ Dena Dena Dena | The Go-Rounds More information
08/30/14 South Bend, IN McCormick’s Coney Island United States
Venue: McCormick’s Coney Island. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 125 N.Michigan Street. Venue phone: (574) 289-8031. w/ No Coast Social w/ Body Futures & more!
08/29/14 Kalamazoo, MI Louie’s Trophy House United States
Venue: Louie’s Trophy House. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 629 Walbridge Street. Venue phone: (269) 385-9359. w/ Body Futures | Dumbelievers | Disastronaut
08/28/14 Chicago, IL LiveWire Lounge United States
Venue: LiveWire Lounge. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 3394 N.Milwaukee Avenue. Venue phone: (773) 756-5363. w/ The Columbines | Body Futures | The Paver
08/08/14 Milwaukee, WI Cactus Club United States
Venue: Cactus Club. Time: 9:00pm. Age restrictions: No Minors. Address: 2496 S. Wentworth Avenue. Venue phone: 414.897.0663. w/Body Futures and Like Like the the the Death

Subscribe: RSS iCal