Eric "Roscoe" Ambel (born August 20, 1957) is an American guitarist and record producer.
Eric Ambel | |
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 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Eric "Roscoe" Ambel; Eric Roscoe Ambel |
| Born | August 20, 1957 Kankakee, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Americana, folk rock, rock, alternative country |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Guitarist, multi-instrumentalist |
| Labels | Enigma Records/EMI Records Bloodshot Records |
| Website | EricAmbel.com |
He has worked with a wide range of artists including Nils Lofgren, Steve Earle, the Yayhoos, Del Lords, The Bottle Rockets, Joan Jett, Mojo Nixon, Blood Oranges, Blue Mountain, Freedy Johnston and Mary Lee's Corvette.[1][2][3]
Early life
editThis section may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (May 2022) |
Eric "Roscoe" Ambel" was born August 20, 1957, in Kankakee, Illinois. At a young age, Eric took up the piano and trumpet as part of the School music program. Around 10 years old Eric borrowed a guitar from his neighbor and began to teach himself with a chord book and by playing along with records. Eric played both trumpet and guitar throughout his college career at University of Wyoming.
"Ambel first took up the rock 'n' roll torch in the late 1970s while attending college the University of Wyoming, where he formed the punk combo the Dirty Dogs, who released the cult-classic single "Sorority Girl" before changing their name to the Accelerators and relocating to Los Angeles. In L.A. the Accelerators recorded and released an EP called "It's Cool To Rock" produced by Danny Holloway (Plimsouls, Bob Marley). Then, after playing with Rik L Rik and Top Jimmy, he began a two-year stint as lead guitarist in Joan Jett's original Blackhearts, touring extensively and playing on her I Love Rock 'n' Roll album. He exited in the early 1980s to co-found the gritty New York foursome the Del-Lords, which also included ex-Dictator Scott Kempner and future Cracker drummer Frank Funaro, which released four highly regarded studio albums and helped usher in the 1980s roots-rock mini-boom."[4]
Later life
edit"Veteran singer/guitarist/songwriter/producer/raconteur Eric Ambel—known to friends, associates, and bandmates as Roscoe—is the possessor of an estimable musical resume that’s established his credentials as a deeply committed rocker as well as a witty and thoughtful songwriter. Between his current duties as producer, bandleader, studio proprietor, bar owner, member of the uber-bar-band supergroup the Yayhoos, and lead guitarist of Steve Earle’s band the Dukes, he’s found time to launch his own label, Lakeside Lounge Records, to redress the longstanding absence of Ambel solo product from the marketplace.[4]
Lakeside Lounge Records’ initial release is Knucklehead,[5] the first new Eric Ambel album in nearly a decade. The disc compiles 15 previously unreleased tracks recorded by Ambel in a variety of locations over the past 14 years with a variety of notable collaborators, including his fondly-remembered ’80s band the Del-Lords, the Bottle Rockets, Andy York (John Mellencamp), Warner Hodges (Jason and the Scorchers), Will Rigby (the dB’s), Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu), Tony Shanahan (Patti Smith), Ron Gremp (the Morells), Steven Terry (Whiskeytown), Martin’s Folly and Ambel’s Yayhoos cohorts Dan Baird, Keith Christopher and Terry Anderson. Also lending a hand is Steve Earle, who contributes a previously unheard composition, "The Usual Time", and adds vocals to a new version of the Del-Lords chestnut "Judas Kiss".
In 1996, Ambel co-founded the Yayhoos with ex-Georgia Satellites frontman Dan Baird, Satellites/Shaver/Roscoe's Gang bassist Keith Christopher and noted drummer/tunesmith Terry Anderson, who released their long-brewing debut album Fear Not the Obvious on Bloodshot Records in 2001. Also in 1996, Ambel opened the popular East Village bar the Lakeside Lounge, which he co-owns and where he sometimes performs. In 1999, he inaugurated Cowboy Technical Services, his own 24-track analog/digital recording studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which has since played host to the likes of Ryan Adams, Robert Randolph, Steve Wynn, Marshall Crenshaw, Laura Cantrell, Marah, the Silos, the Damnwells and Martin's Folly.
In 2000, he became the lead guitarist in Steve Earle’s touring and recording band the Dukes, appearing on such projects as Earle’s acclaimed Jerusalem album, the documentary profile Just An American Boy and the Grammy Award-winning record The Revolution Starts…..Now. Ambel recorded and toured with Earle and the Dukes from 2000 through 2005.
In June 2006 Ambel’s Lakeside Lounge label releases the new Yayhoos CD titled Put The Hammer Down. Also in 2006 Ambel's song "Baby I Love You" from the Yayhoos Fear Not the Obvious was featured as the closing credits song in James Gunn's Horror/Comedy film SLiTHER.
Ambel has been producing records for many artists including Kasey Anderson, The Travelling Band, Mark McKay, and the Bottle Rockets while playing gigs with the Roscoe Trio and playing guitar for Mike Ferrio's band Tandy.
In 2008 New West Records released Steve Earle's Live From Austin, TX from the Austin City Limits on November 12, 2000, featuring Eric as a member of the Dukes.
In 2009 The Bottle Rockets Ambel produced Lean Forward was released by Bloodshot Records. Ambel also began work on his Gringoman recordings which find him playing all the instruments and doing most of the recording in his home studio Lily’s Terrace in the East Village.
In 2010 the Del-Lords released the Ambel produced Under Construction EP. The recent reissues of their records had brought them back together. After a couple of undercover warm-up gigs in the North East, the band played their first tour in 20 years in Spain. Back in NYC Ambel began work on Chris Barron’s next solo record and albums from Ben Hall from Nashville and the Tallboys of Kentucky.[4]"
As a member of The Yayhoos with Dan Baird, Keith Christopher, and Terry Anderson, the band put out the record “Put The Hammer Down” in 2006. In the 1980s Del-Lords reformed and put out a record titled “Elvis Club” in 2013. After 11 years, Eric put out his first solo record titled “Lakeside” after a bar he co-owned. He also runs Cowboy Technical Services, a recording studio, with Tim Hatfield.[6]
Discography
editAwards & Contributions
edit| 2016 | Canis Majoris | Esquela | Producer |
| 2015 | #392: The EP Collection | Marshall Crenshaw | Mixing |
| 2015 | Blue Healer | Jimbo Mathus | Primary Artist |
| 2015 | South Broadway Athletic Club | The Bottle Rockets | Mixing, Photography, Vocals, Guitars, Composer |
| 2014 | Face the Music | Nils Lofgren | Guitar, Producer, Vocals |
| 2014 | The Box Set Series | Run-D.M.C. | Guitar |
| 2013 | Bottle Rockets/The Brooklyn Side | The Bottle Rockets | Transfers, Reissue Coordination, Guest Artist, Mixing |
| 2013 | Elvis Club | The Del-Lords | Engineer, Guitar, Vocal Harmony, Soloist, Inside Photo, Composer, Keyboards, Vocals |
| 2013 | Let Me Turn You On! | Composer, Guitar, Instrumentation | |
| 2013 | Are We Rolling? | Esquela | Producer |
| 2011 | Heart Of A Dog | Kasey Anderson and the Honkies | Composer |
| 2011 | Not So Loud: An Acoustic Evening | The Bottle Rockets | Mixing |
| 2010 | The Music of Run DMC | Run-D.M.C. | Guitar |
| 2010 | The Owl Has Landed | Esquela | Producer |
| 2009 | A New Beginning | Ted Morris | Mixing |
| 2009 | Lean Forward | The Bottle Rockets | Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards |
| 2009 | Royal City | Royal City | Engineer |
| 2009 | This Song Kills Cancer, Vol. 1 | Producer | |
| 2008 | Live from Austin TX November 12, 2000 | Steve Earle | Main Personnel, Vocals, Guitar |
| 2007 | Brooklyn Bridge | Casey Neill | Guitar (Electric) |
| 2007 | Dismissed With a Kiss | Spanking Charlene | Producer, Photography, Guitar, Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Wah Wah Guitar, Soloist, Dulcitone |
| 2007 | Let Go | Keri Noble | Guitar (Electric) |
| 2007 | Low | Miss Ohio | Mixing, Keyboards |
| 2007 | Reckoning | Kasey Anderson | Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String), Guitar (Baritone), E-Bow, Trumpet, Keyboards, Tambourine, Vocals (Background), Hi String Guitar, Mando-Guitar |
| 2007 | Songbird: Rare Tracks & Forgotten Gems | Emmylou Harris | Vocals, Guitar |
| 2006 | Harpo's Ghost | Thea Gilmore | Engineer, Guitar (Electric), Harmonium |
| 2006 | In the Raw | Sugar Mountain | Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Acoustic), Pump Organ, Vocals (Background), Vocal Harmony, Fuzz Guitar, Telecaster |
| 2006 | Love, Loss & Lunacy | Mary Lee's Corvette | Producer, Guitar (12 String), Drum Programming |
| 2006 | Put the Hammer Down | The Yayhoos | Producer, Liner Notes, Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Piano, Drums, Percussion, Clapping, Dulcitone, Fuzz Guitar, Group Member, Composer |
| 2006 | Slither [Music from the Motion Picture] | Allan Wilson | Composer |
| 2006 | Wire Waltz | The Last Town Chorus | Engineer |
| 2005 | Best: 1991-2003 | Joe d'Urso & Stone Caravan | Producer, Musician |
| 2005 | Favorites 1990-2005 | Nils Lofgren | Producer, Audio Production, Main Personnel, Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Timpani |
| 2005 | For a Decade of Sin: 11 Years of Bloodshot Records | Producer, Mixing, Group Member | |
| 2005 | Keri Noble | Keri Noble | Guitar (Electric) |
| 2005 | Lowe Profile: A Tribute to Nick Lowe | Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Primary Artist | |
| 2005 | My Own Backyard | Ann Klein | Guitar (Acoustic) |
| 2005 | Terry Anderson and the Olympic Ass-Kickin Team | Terry Anderson | Guitar |
| 2004 | Austin City Limits Music Festival: 2003 | Guitar | |
| 2004 | Dead Roses | Kasey Anderson | Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String Electric), E-Bow, Piano, Wurlitzer, Tambourine, Dulcitone |
| 2004 | Knucklehead | Eric Ambel | Primary Artist, Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Photography, Vocals, Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Organ, Soloist, Dulcitone, Composer |
| 2004 | Shimmer | Mark McKay | Producer, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Baritone), E-Bow, Piano, Organ, Wurlitzer, Tambourine, Vocals (Background), Dulcitone |
| 2004 | The Q People: A Tribute to NRBQ | Guitar (Electric), Vocals (Background) | |
| 2004 | The Revolution Starts...Now | Steve Earle | Main Personnel, Vocals, Guitar, Group Member |
| 2003 | 700 Miles | Mary Lee's Corvette | Producer, Mixing, Audio Production, Photography, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (12 String), Organ, Drum Programming, Vocals (Background), String Arrangements, Dulcitone |
| 2003 | From Hope | Martin's Folly | Producer, Mixing, Recorder, Horn, Percussion |
| 2003 | Split Personality | The Gamma Rays | Vocals, Guitar |
| 2003 | The Songs of Hank Williams Jr.: A Bocephus Celebration | Mixing | |
| 2003 | Used Country Female | Tammy Faye Starlite | Producer, Guitar (Acoustic), Tambourine, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Rhythm) |
| 2003 | What's in the Bag? | Marshall Crenshaw | Producer, Guitar (Bass), Dulcitone |
| 2002 | Chooglin': A Tribute to the Songs of John Fogerty | Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Drums | |
| 2002 | Come Along | The Dark Horses | Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Organ, Tambourine |
| 2002 | Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down: A Tribute to Kris Kristofferson | Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Trumpet, Trombone, Drums, Bass | |
| 2002 | Jerusalem | Steve Earle | Vocals, Guitar |
| 2002 | Perfect City | Florence Dore | Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String), Piano, Organ, Vocals (Background), Dulcitone |
| 2002 | The Lowdown: 1997-2002 | Tandy | Trumpet |
| 2001 | Cripplin' Crutch | Joe Flood | Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String Electric), Percussion, Vocals (Background) |
| 2001 | Fear Not the Obvious | The Yayhoos | Producer, Engineer, Photography, Vocals, Guitar, Composer |
| 2001 | Green Pop | Big In Iowa | Producer, Mixing, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Acoustic, Electric, 12-String, Baritone), Tambourine, Trumpet |
| 2001 | Pulling up Atlantis | Demolition String Band | Producer |
| 2001 | The Bloodroot Transcriptions | Tandy | Trumpet |
| 2000 | Boarding House Rules | Tom Heyman | Mastering |
| 2000 | Down to the Promised Land: 5 Years of Bloodshot Records | Producer, Engineer, Vocals, Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Dulcimer, Keyboards, Drums, Percussion, Bass | |
| 2000 | Lot No. 99-0038 | Robert Becker | Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Bass |
| 2000 | Tarheel Boogie | Jimmy Nations | Guitar (Acoustic) |
| 1999 | Brand New Year | The Bottle Rockets | Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (12 String), Slide Guitar, Guitar (Baritone), Wah Wah Guitar, Organ, Shaker, Dulcitone |
| 1999 | Crown Royal | Run-D.M.C. | Guitar |
| 1999 | Get Tough: The Best of the Del-Lords | The Del-Lords | Mixing, Guitar, Bass |
| 1999 | It's Heartbreak That Sells: A Tribute to Ray Mason | Producer, Engineer, Performer, Primary Artist | |
| 1999 | Man, It's Cold | Martin's Folly | Producer, Mixing, Guitar, Trumpet, Keyboards |
| 1999 | Sessions from the Flats | Ghosts of the Canal | Production Coordination |
| 1999 | Southern Lines | The Backsliders | Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Electric), Composer |
| 1999 | Stir of Echoes | Composer | |
| 1999 | This Ain't No Tribute Blues Cube | Guitar | |
| 1999 | This Note's for You Too!: A Tribute to Neil Young | Performer, Primary Artist | |
| 1999 | True Lovers of Adventure | Mary Lee's Corvette | Producer, Guitar, Guitar (Electric) |
| 1999 | Ultimate Collection | Nils Lofgren | Producer, Guitar (Electric) |
| 1999 | West Virginia Dog Track Boogie | The Cowslingers | Producer |
| 1998 | Dolly Horrorshow | The Blacks | Producer |
| 1998 | Leftovers | The Bottle Rockets | Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Slide Guitar, Organ (Hammond), Harmony |
| 1998 | Little Big Man | Jono Manson | Producer, Mixing |
| 1998 | Popular Demons | Greg Trooper | Composer |
| 1998 | What's So Funny | Angry Johnny & The Killbillies | Guitar, Organ (Hammond) |
| 1997 | 24 Hours a Day | The Bottle Rockets | Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String), Piano, Organ, Mellotron, Tambourine, Percussion, Clapping, Harmony |
| 1997 | Bug Bite Daddy | Simon Chardiet | Producer |
| 1997 | Characters | Producer | |
| 1997 | Gadzooks: The Homemade Bootleg | Mojo Nixon | Guest Artist, Producer, Vocals, Guitar |
| 1997 | Killing Time [EP] | Love Riot | Producer |
| 1997 | Mexican Blackbird | The Cowslingers | Producer, Guitar |
| 1997 | Paint It Blue: Songs of the Rolling Stones | Guitar | |
| 1997 | Straight Outta Boone Country | Producer, Drums, Vocals (Background), Bass | |
| 1997 | Surf Guitar Greats | Producer | |
| 1996 | Buffalo Nickel | Dan Baird | Composer |
| 1996 | East Side Story, Vol. 1 | Performer, Composer, Primary Artist | |
| 1996 | Life Is Large | The Kennedys | Guest Artist, Guitar (Electric) |
| 1996 | Martin's Folly | Martin's Folly | Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Trumpet, Piano, Percussion |
| 1996 | Mary Lee's Corvette | Mary Lee's Corvette | Producer, Mixing |
| 1996 | Maybe She Will | Love Riot | Producer, Mixing, Guitar, Percussion, Mastering |
| 1996 | Rig Rock Deluxe: A Musical Salute to the American Truck Drivers | Producer, Vocals, Guitar | |
| 1996 | That's Truckdriving | The Cowslingers | Producer, Mixing |
| 1996 | The Knitter | Cheri Knight | Guest Artist, Producer |
| 1996 | Trucker's Last Dollar | The Cowslingers | Producer, Guitar (Acoustic) |
| 1996 | Waiting Around for the Crash | Go to Blazes | Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Penny Whistle, Trumpet, Vocals (Background) |
| 1996 | Wooden Leg | Wooden Leg | Guest Artist, Mixing |
| 1995 | Cool Down Time | Dan Zanes | Composer |
| 1995 | Dog Days | Blue Mountain | Guest Artist, Producer, Mixing, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Shaker |
| 1995 | Look at Me I'm Cool! | Simon & the Bar Sinisters | Producer, Photography, Guitar (Acoustic), Shaker, Vocal Harmony |
| 1995 | Loud & Lonesome | Eric Ambel & Roscoe's Gang | Producer, Arranger, Mixing, Liner Notes, Primary Artist, Vocals, Guitar, Composer |
| 1995 | Sing Hollies in Reverse | Producer, Performer, Primary Artist | |
| 1995 | The Brooklyn Side | The Bottle Rockets | Producer |
| 1995 | The Live from Mountain Stage, Vol. 8 | Guitar | |
| 1995 | Whereabouts Unknown | Mojo Nixon | Producer |
| 1994 | Anytime...Anywhere | Go to Blazes | Producer, Mixing, Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String), Dobro, Percussion, Vocals (Background), Composer |
| 1994 | Love & A .45 | Producer | |
| 1994 | Star Power | Producer, Vocals, Slide Guitar | |
| 1994 | The Crying Tree | Blood Oranges | Producer, Mixing |
| 1993 | Marijuana's Greatest Hits Revisited | Producer, Guitar | |
| 1993 | Rig Rock Truck Stop | Producer, Vocals, Guitar | |
| 1992 | Crooked Line | Nils Lofgren | Producer, Vocals, Guitar, Timpani |
| 1992 | Just a Little | Nils Lofgren | Producer, Vocals, Guitar |
| 1992 | Lone Green Valley | Blood Oranges | Producer |
| 1992 | Rig Rock Jukebox | Producer, Guitar, 6-String Bass, Bass | |
| 1991 | 20 Explosive Dynamic Super Smash Hit Explosions! | Guitar, Fuzz Guitar | |
| 1990 | Lovers Who Wander | The Del-Lords | Featured Artist, Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (12 String), Vocal Harmony, Performer, Guitar (Rickenbacker) |
| 1990 | Otis | Mojo Nixon | Guitar, Vocals (Background) |
| 1989 | Howlin' at the Halloween Moon | The Del-Lords | Guitar |
| 1989 | Live at Raji's | The Del-Lords | Guitar |
| 1989 | Surprise | Syd Straw | Guitar, Guitar (Electric) |
| 1988 | Based on a True Story | The Del-Lords | Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards |
| 1988 | Roscoe's Gang | Eric Ambel | Primary Artist, Producer, Liner Notes, Vocals, Guitar, Composer |
| 1986 | Johnny Comes Marching Home | The Del-Lords | Vocals, Guitar, Group Member, Composer |
| 1986 | Luxury Condos Coming to Your Neighborhood Soon | Producer, Vocals, Guitar | |
| 1984 | Frontier Days | The Del-Lords | Vocals, Guitar |
| 1981 | Bad Reputation | Joan Jett | Guitar |
References
edit- ^ Stewart, Allison (July 2004). "Lord of the Lakeside". No Depression. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
- ^ Myers, Mitch (September 1996). "Eric Ambel, Lord of the Lakeside". No Depression. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
- ^ Trucks, Rob (July 2006). "We're Rolling". No Depression. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Bio: history | ericambel.com". ericambel.com. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
- ^ "store | ericambel.com". ericambel.com. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
- ^ from an interview on Americana Music Show #295, published April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Eric Ambel | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
External links
edit- Official website
- at Bandcamp
- Eric Ambel at AllMusic
- Eric Ambel discography at Discogs