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Washington DC's The Public Good is led by songwriters John Elderkin (guitar, vocals) and Steve Ruppenthal (bass, vocals), who were also the nucleus of North Carolina’s now legendary The Popes. One of the most acclaimed bands to emerge from the early 90s Chapel Hill music scene, The Popes’ first release, “Hi We’re The Popes,” received national airplay on college radio stations and made a splash on the College Music Journal charts, landing a spot higher on the "new releases to watch" poll than REM’s release at the time. Billboard , Cashbox, SPIN Magazine and others gushed about the record and the band. Billboard , Cashbox, SPIN Magazine and others gushed about the record and the band. The Public Good’s live shows in and out of the District have developed a cult following intrigued by the band's special mix of heart-pounding rock-n-roll, brain-wrenching IQ quizzes, and occasional costume dramas. The band is rounded out on stage by literary genius Sam Esquith on guitar/keyboards/tambourine, and the supremely talented roaming percussionist Chris Garges (Mitch Easter band, etc.) on drums. Together, the quartet are increasingly recognized as formerly the smartest band in the world. Their 2009 release "No. 1" hit #1 in Waterville, ME and continues to capture the approving attention of fans and critics alike:
Band History As The Popes, Elderkin and Ruppenthal penned songs for independent releases such as the cassette-only “Afar” and WXYC’s collection “DemoListen,” and compilation records such as Mammoth Records’ "Frequency." The Popes also contributed to the internationally released tribute to Alex Chilton, “Not the Singer But the Songs" on Munster Records. After a failed record deal with First Warning Records, The Popes split up. Years later Elderkin and Ruppenthal found themselves in Atlanta, GA. The two played together again first as muscular pop group Stumble and then as the hard rocking Lovely Lads. The Lads released two acclaimed CDs on Put It On A Cracker Records, first “The Lovely Lads v. The World” and then “Lucky Jim.” Another break in the music followed when Elderkin left the US for a Fulbright teaching exchange and subsequent graduate work in Gainesville. Fate intervened eventually, however, finding the two songwriters blocks from each other in Washington DC in 2007, when they formed The Public Good. Longtime listeners have noted that they are writing the best songs of their career. What has always separated Elderkin and Ruppenthal’s songs from the pack is their ability to rock the house in their own style while singing with humor, originality, and empathy about the foibles and pleasures of everyday life. When one of their songs cranks up, you know it’s them right away. |
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What Kind of Music Is This? This is just another way of asking who we sound like. We know that. And along with Lydgate, Cervantes, Marlowe, Donne and others we agree that comparisons are odious. HOWEVER, if you are in a hurry to get a feel for our music then here's a shortcut for you: Take: Go to your favorite dive bar with a good friend that knows your joys and your sorrows, and repeat the recipe above... ... until it feels right
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