Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot:
Press Kit
Of the 16 compositions on the debut long-playing audio product by something going by the name of Sparklehorse, there are just as many songs about auto parts as the pleasures of nice-smelling hair, exactly the same number of up-tempo alternative rock contenders as plaintive, writerly ballads, three songs about bad dreams and only one about a pretty girl doing chores. Just so no one gets the wrong idea.

Sparklehorse is, essentially, Mark Linkous, a tall dark man who has better luck finding sensible shoes than functional eye wear. Who lives in a house on a farm in Bremo Bluff, VA, with three dogs, two horses, one cat, four reptiles (amphibians?) and his wife, Teresa. The house is a rental, sits at the bottom of a long, stubborn stretch of washboard gravel, and if you approach at night and unexpected you'll be met by this tall, crooked rail petting the barrel of a sawed-off shotgun. That'll be Mark. Who drives a flat black charger when he goes into town (Richmond), who's been caught stealing from Pinkney Benedict and Roberto Benigni, and who exhibits an unnatural fondness for Mexican food, Italian motorcycles, American cars and Irish women (only some of which are readily available in the greater RIchmond metropolitan area.)

Many fine people contributed to the making of vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot, some of whom have been chosen to receive special recognition (see below), while others were paid, thereby sacrificing greater glory. All of it was done off the clock, much of it at home though big bits in the studio, through the grace and generosity of a few who still know the joy of music. Needless to say, a great many months were needed to make it all just so, which left no time, in spite of countless promises, for Mark to put the finishing touches on that whirligig he promised his pal, Dave. Maybe now, at long last, he can finally get at it so that we all may understand better which way the wind blows.

 Personnel LP:

-Mark Linkous: Voice, guitar, tapes, Land Camera, size 11 Red Wings. Born in the 1960's of three generations of Southwest Virginia coal miners.
-David Charles: Redlands, CA. Red Hair, nylon string guitar, many cousins in prison.
-Armstead Wellford: Athens, Georgia. Love Tractor, Gutterball, Bass has too many strings.
-Johnny Hott: Richmond, Virginia. Drum. House of Freaks. Real name - Steve Hott.
-David Bush: Youngster in local punk rock band. Can play 'Heart of Gold' beat on a drumset.
-Al Esis: Doesn't drink, sleep, complain, or ask to get paid. Drums.
-Bob Rupe: The omnipotent. Menomony Tribe of Michigan. Drag racer. Silos. Cracker bass.
-Mississippi Dennis Herring: Famous record producer. Played hammer and & vibraphone.
-Mike Lucas: Most polite man in VA. Pedal Steel.
-Paul Watson: Well groomed surrealist. Fred Frith, 1/2 Japanese. Guitar (solo) on 'Ballad of a Cold Lost Marble'.

Personnel Touring:

-Mark Linkous: Voice, Guitar.
-Scott Minor: Drums, banjo, Dictaphone, chord organ.
-Johnny Hott: Wurlitzer, theramin, chip organ, towel rack, tapes, bullhorn vocals.
-Scott Fitzsimmons: Stand up bass, vocals.
-Paul Watson: Guitar, banjo, lap steel, coronet, mandolin and vocals.

Discography:

-'Spirit Ditch'/'Waiting for Nothing' 7" single, May '95. Slow River Records.
-'Hammering the Cramps'/'It's Too Late' 7" single, August '95. Slow River Records.

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