Rusted Root

After eight months of recording at Mr. Small’s Funhouse in their hometown of Pittsburgh PA, Rusted Root have successfully created an organic sounding record true to their nature. The result is Rusted Root, the band’s third Mercury album. This new music displays Rusted Root’s expanded instrumentation and is a potent mixture of Latin, African, Eastern, Soul, Rock, and traditional American music. With the assistance of producer Susan Rogers (Barenaked Ladies, Prince, David Byrne, Nil Lara) Rusted Root has woven these influences together to create a focused, energetic and exciting new collection of songs that is without question their most inspired album to date.

Rusted Root’s twelve tracks include the exuberant “Magenta Radio”, “Rising Sun”, and “Live A Long Time”. Also included are the hypnotic “My Love”, the rousing “She Roll Me Up”, “Agbadza” (one of Root’s signature drum pieces featuring cello arrangement by David Coleman), and the ethereal “Moon” (with Liz Berlin on lead vocals). The new album also includes Root’s version of the Rolling Stones’ classic “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” performed with special guests Hot Tuna, who shared support duties on the 1998 Furthur Festival. Hot Tuna keyboardist Pete Sears plays on several other tracks adding piano, organ, and accordion to the mix. Towards the end of the recording process Rusted Root enlisted the expertise of producer Pat Moran (Robert Plant, Iggy Pop, Edie Brickell) to contribute to the production of some of the tracks.

Rusted Root has a long and winding history. Mike Glabicki (lead vocalist, florist, guitarist, songwriter) left college in 1988 to devote time to developing his songwriting skills. While seeking out other musicians he invited high school friend, vocalist/ songwriter Liz Berlin to collaborate at a rehearsal. There the two immediately started working on harmonizing and weaving their vocals as well as laying the beginning foundations of song arrangements that would later become Rusted Root. In January of 1990 drummer/percussionist Jim Donovan and guitarist/bassist Patrick Norman, who were attending the University of Pittsburgh, began jamming with Mike and Liz, adding a uniquely driving rhythm section. It was then that the band was officially formed and began performing around the Pittsburgh area, playing small clubs and many benefits. Later on that year multi-instrumentalist/visual artist John Buynak began playing with the group, adding signature flute/ penny-whistle melodies which were featured on Rusted Root’s first hit single, “Send Me On My Way”. At this time, vocalist Jenn Wertz also joined the band, and left in 1995 to pursue other musical interests. In 1993, the addition of percussionist/ethnomusicologist Jim DiSpirito brought a new level of musicianship and instrumental texture to the band.

In response to growing public enthusiasm, Rusted Root released its first independently produced, full length CD, Cruel Sun in 1990. Cruel Sun, produced by Rusted Root and Dave Brown (The Gathering Field) has sold over 110,000 copies to date. This album caught the attention of Mercury Records, who subsequently signed the group to a recording contract. In 1994, they released their Mercury debut, When I Woke, produced by Bill Botrell (Tom Petty, Sheryl Crow), and recorded at Toad Hall, in Pasadena, CA. When I Woke spawned the hit single, ASend Me On My Way”, as well as other Rusted Root standards such as “Ecstasy”, “Martyr”, and “Drum Trip”. When I Woke was certified platinum in 1996.

The more introspective follow-up album, Remember, released in 1996, was recorded at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California. Jerry Harrison, keyboardist and founding member of the Talking Heads produced the album. Remember contains the songs “Heaven” and “Who Do You Tell It To”. It also featured “Virtual Reality” which was included in the 1997 summer blockbuster film, Twister, as well as its soundtrack. The Twister soundtrack was certified gold in 1998.

In addition, Rusted Root has released three EPs: Evil Ways, Live and Airplane; as well as a full length live home video (including bonus CD), Rusted Root Live. Their music has been used in several other major motion pictures such as