Origin St. Louis, Missouri Years active 1995–present | Genres Indie rock Labels Ottomen Records | |
Associated acts Paper Fleet
Misung and the Keyboards Members David (Misung) Stevenson
Walter Wroughton
Jesse Heirendt
Michael Bowler | ||
Ottomen is a rock and roll band from St Louis, Missouri.
Contents
Origin and early history
The Ottomen started in 1995 when Jim and Dave began recording demos in the dorms of the Kansas City Art Institute. They added drummer George Garcia in 1996. With a complete band, they began playing shows in and around the school and Kansas City, and quickly became rivals of the Emo scene and The Get Up Kids. Within a couple years they had recorded three full albums and over 40 original songs. After graduating, the Ottomen moved to Saint Louis, Missouri and added local jazz and rock musician Justin DiCenzo on the bass or guitar...depending on what was needed for the particular show. Because George stayed behind to finish his degree, John Halloran was added on drums. Jim moved to New York in 2000, so Dave and Justin recorded their new album without him. Then Dave and Justin added Mario Viele from Pubes and Sex Robots on lead guitar. Various additional musicians have cycled through The Ottomen, including Duane Bridges from Shedshot and Vegabasin, Alison Derrick from UT austin orchestras, and Mark Youngbauer. In 2006 the original Ottomen lineup of Dave, George and Jim appeared at CakeShop in Manhattan's lower east side for a reunion, and to celebrate the release of Jim’s new band Paper Fleet’s debut 7 inch record. In 2010 The Ottomen appeared live on St Louis television station KPLR Channel 11 and performed "The Texting Song".
Ottomen Records
Jim Campbell and David Stevenson started Ottomen Records (AKA Ottomen Empire Records/formerly Dancer Dave Records) in 2000. In addition to releasing the Ottomen albums, Ottomen records has also released the albums by Paper Fleet and Misung and the Keyboards.
Random Facts
Mostly due to the prolific nature of David Stevenson, The Ottomen have written over 150 songs.
At a show at Kansas City’s Grand Emporium, a 4th member, a cardboard cutout of Rolado Ozuna playing banjo, was added.
Side Projects
Misung Stevenson started Misung and the Keyboards in 2000, and the Rough Snailfish in 2002. Jim Campbell plays guitar and sings in Paper Fleet