Cows (Minneapolis noise rock band)

Cows were a noise rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota who formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1998. The band’s music mixed punk rock with surreal humour and copious amounts of noise played through distorted amplifiers and trumpet bleats, codifying them as a noise rock band. Throughout their career Cows released nine studio albums, all but one on the Minneapolis-based label Amphetamine Reptile Records. A star in honor of the Cows is on the outside mural of First Avenue. Cows formed in 1986 with Kevin Rutmanis on bass, Thor Eisentrager on guitar, then front man Norm Rogers on vocals, and on drums Kevin's younger brother Sandris Rutmanis. Norm Rogers left the band in January 1987 to dedicate his time to drumming for the Jayhawks, later returning to play drums for Cows in 1990. Shannon Selberg became Cows’ front man in February 1987, providing both vocal and bugle duties. After disbanding, Shannon Selberg went on to front The Heroine Sheiks. Cows were notorious for their raucous live performances. Actions the band have performed onstage include kicking people in the front row, spitting on the stage, throwing the microphone stand into the crowd, throwing food at the crowd, and drawing on themselves, among others. Lead singer Shannon Selberg's trademark is that he has a tattoo illustrating the game Hangman on his body that reads "F_CK" and another tattoo of an anchor with the word "DAD" on top of it. One reviewer wrote about the band's shows, "I have no doubt that the Cows know how to play their instruments. What I don't understand is why they refuse to tune them." Cows have been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue, recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue. Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh. Shannon Selberg – vocals, bugle, trumpet, trombone (1987–1998) Kevin Rutmanis – bass (1987–1998) Thor Eisentrager – guitar (1987–1998) David van der Steen – fifth udder (1987–1992) Sandris Rutmanis – drums (1987–1988) Tony Oliveri – drums (1988–1990) Norm Rogers – drums (d. 2018) (1990–1995) Freddy Votel – drums (1995–1998) Taint Pluribus Taint Unum – Treehouse Records, 1987 Daddy Has a Tail! – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1989 Effete and Impudent Snobs – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1990 Peacetika – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1991 Cunning Stunts – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1992 Sexy Pee Story – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1993 Orphan's Tragedy – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1994 Whorn – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1996 Sorry in Pig Minor – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1998 Chow 7" – Treehouse Records, 1988 Slap Back 7" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1990 Plowed EP – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1992 Woman Inside 7" – Insipid Records, 1992 Cow Island 7" – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1994 The Missing Letter Is You EP – Thick Records, 1998 Sugar Daddy Live Split Series Vol. 2 – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 2012 (split with the Melvins) Old Gold 1989-1991 – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 1995 Orpheus’ Travesty – KMFMT Records, 1998 (A retrospective album put together by Kevin Rutmanis and Freddy Votel and sold before their final concert) Stunning Cunts – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 2014 (Demos from Cunning Stunts) Stunning Cunts Vol. 2 – Amphetamine Reptile Records, 2015 (Demos from Cunning Stunts) "Cows: Biography" Cows' Biography as written by Allmusic. cited August, 2009 Founding members "Cows: Mark's Record Reviews" Mark Prindle Review Site. cited August, 2009 "The Stars". First Avenue & 7th Street Entry. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020. Bream, Jon (May 3, 2019). "10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show". Star Tribune. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved May 10, 2020. Marsh, Steve (May 13, 2019). "First Avenue's Star Wall". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved May 10, 2020. The Unofficial COWS Home Page