Search - Victor Krummenacher :: Saint John's Mercy

Victor Krummenacher Saint Johns Mercy Saint Johns Mercy is the second solo release from former Monks of Doom and Camper Van Beethoven bassist Victor Krummenacher. His followup to 1995s acclaimed Out in the Heat, Saint Johns Mercy features Krummenacher reuniting with the talents of fellow CVB/Monks alumni Chris Pedersen, David Immerglck, and Greg Lisher, as well as appearances by steel player Bruce Kaphan (David Byrne, American Music Club, Chris Isaak) and Mommyhead bassist Jeff Palmer. The recording was produced by former King Missile keyboardist/bassist Chris Xefos. Revolving around the title track, Saint Johns Mercy features a series of songs written following the demise of Krummenachers touring band, A Great Laugh. That band was waylaid in 1996 following a disastrous tour during which drummer John Nelson was struck and seriously injured by a car in St. Louis, Mo. He was taken to Saint Johns Mercy Medical Center. The dramatic events of that tour led Victor to take some time off from playing live to focus on writing. The results are a series of songs reflective of Krummenachers diverse influences. From the opening salvo of the garage-rock-meets-Richard Thompson Tear Stained Road to the psychedelic country strains of Questa Sunset to the neo-Creedence overtones of Long Way Home, Krummenacher achieves the envious balance of paying homage to influences without losing his own focus as a songwriter. Intimate, passionate, and literate, Victor unleashes a trained poetic eye upon the world, keeping the focus on the song, and providing a smooth, complex, enjoyable listen. Not particularly alternative, not country, not roots rock, not punk, Krummenachers music inhabits the space most writers hope to achieve: its own.