The One Up Downstairs

While in Cambridge, MA this summer I happened upon this Ep in Newburry Comics. Polyvinyl must have just re-released all of their old stuff onto vinyl, which seems to be a common trend amongst record companies these days. Anywho, The One Up Downstairs was an emo band from the Chicago area from '96 to '97, whos line up consisted of Allen and David Johnson on bass and guitar, Steve Lamos on drums, and Mike Kinsella doing vocals. Aparently the band recorded these songs back in '97, but broke up before the record could be pressed. Polyvinyl didnt get around to releasing these songs until '06, and even then it was just a digidownload. Kinsella and Lamos went on to form American Football, while the Johnson brothers(I'm assuming they are brothers) went on to play in Very Secretary and Favorite Saints. Kinsella was once in Cap'n Jazz and Owls, and currently plays in Joan of Arc and makes music as Owen. Lamos plays in The Geese and DMS.


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The One Up Downstairs EP

Ghosts & Vodka

This was posted by Ghosts and Vodka all over the internet recently:


Hi.


We just got done having our first practice in 8 years or something like that. Honestly I can't remember the last time we were all in the same place at the same time. At any rate... It happened.


We will keep you posted... or not. One or the other.



-GnV

So, in light of Ghosts and Vodka's recent reunion, I've decided to stop being lazy and start updating more, although I've been telling myself that since they got back together, which has been at least a week. Whatever. All you need to know is that Victor Villareal (Cap'n Jazz, Owls) and Sam Zurick (Joan of Arc, Make Believe) are playing the guitars. Great post-Cap'n Jazz era band that plays midwest style post-emowhateverthehell. They put out a seven inch and one full length LP (Precious Blood) between 1998-2001. Addicts and Drunks, a discography release put out by Six Gun Lover in 2003 after the band broke up, compiles these two releases.

If you used to listen to this band back in the day and lost your CD or you've never heard of them before, get it. Because apparently we'll be seeing more of these guys soon. Although videos of Victor Villareal's new solo material, which had an album slated for release originally sometime last month or so, is a bit puzzling, to be honest:





Now, some bizarre video of Ghosts and Vodka I found on youtube.



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Addicts and Drunks (2003)