From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Originally called Ryan'z Bihg Hed, 12 Rods were an indie rock band from Oxford, Ohio, USA that formed in 1992 while the members were in high school, moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1995, and amicably ended in 2004.

They self-released an album called Bliss in 1993 and the gay? EP in 1996, one year after moving to Minneapolis. It was one of Pitchfork Media's few albums given a rating of 10.0, bringing the band much-needed publicity. Strangely, gay? almost didn't get a real review. Former Pitchfork columnist Jason Josephes spoke of it favorably in his "Three Blocks from Groove Street" column after he and Pitchfork founder Ryan Schreiber saw 12 Rods' first Minneapolis concert and bought the EP. After Josephes gushed over the EP, Schreiber demanded a full review from Josephes.

12 Rods signed with V2 in 1996 and re-released gay? while they recorded a new album. Split Personalities, which many consider their best album, was released in 1998. Pitchfork Media named it in their first list of the best albums of the 1990s (although it was absent in the second version).

After two strong releases, despite the departure of drummer Christopher McGuire, 12 Rods looked set to make some sort of an impact on the charts with their next album, the Todd Rundgren-produced Separation Anxieties, but it was not to be. The album failed miserably, both critically and commercially, and 12 Rods were dropped by V2.

They struggled on for one more album, 2002's self-released Lost Time, but ceased to be as of 2004. Ryan went on to perform solo as Foodteam, and with a band as Mystery Palace. Ev went on to play in Halloween, Alaska and The Few Nice Words. Christopher McGuire went on to play with Kid Dakota, John Vanderslice, and Quruli. Bill Shaw re-formed Post Mortem Grinner and also plays in The Few Nice Words. David King plays actively with Happy Apple, The Bad Plus and Halloween, Alaska.

Contents 1 Discography 2 Lineup 3 External links 4 References

• Bliss (1993)
  
• gay?(1996)
  
• Split Personalities (1998)
  
• Separation Anxieties (2000)
  
• Lost Time (2002)
  
• Unreleased Vol. 1-6 (2004)
  

• Ryan Olcott – vocals, guitar, synths
• Christopher McGuire – drums (1992–2000)
• Ev (Olcott) – synths, guitar, vocals

• William Shaw – bass (2000–2004)
• Matt Foust – bass (1994–?)
• Matt Flynn – bass (1992–1994)
• David King – drums (2000–2004)
• Jacob Hanson; guitar (2003–2004)

• 12 Rods official site

• Pitchfork Media [1]
• 12 Rods. All Music Guide.