Episode 81: Todd Rittmann (U.S. Maple, Dead Rider)

When recounting the rich history of Chicago's weird and wonderful boundary-pushing rock bands, a special place will always be held by U.S. Maple.Comprising drummer Pat Samson, singer Al Johnson and guitarists Mark Shippy and Todd Rittmann, the band gave the world 12 years of their own unique brand of angular, idiosyncratic rock n roll before scattering in the wind.With SKiN GRAFT Records having last week put out a special vinyl and CD reissue of the debut U.S. Maple album Long Hair In Three Stages Todd and I discuss the early years of the band, his memories of making their first record and his move into recording and production work.As well as continuing to carve out a unique musical path with Dead Rider, Todd Rittmann has worked on a host of other projects as a recording engineer and producer.Below are a notable selection to check out.⁠Single from forthcoming LP⁠ By Cult Canyon Todd recorded/producedNew LP by ⁠Collections of Colonies of Bees⁠ just out this monthLovely little Girls - ⁠Effusive Supreme⁠ mastered by ToddTodd plays drums, bass and some guitars on this ⁠LP by Sacha Mullin⁠ as well as produced/recorded:Todd recorded Chiromancer, a project featuring Charlie Werber (formerly Lovely Little Girls)Charlier Werber ⁠new album Krater mastered by Todd⁠ (interview with Charlie coming next week)⁠Evelyn Davis solo LP⁠⁠Dan Whitaker LP⁠⁠Cheer-Accident featuring Nils Frykdahl⁠ (Sleeptime Gorilla Museum)The one and only ⁠Ralph "soul" Jackson⁠ LP featuring Chicago soul legend Nellie "tiger"Travis. Todd recorded parts, mixed, and played drums and some guitar solos)⁠: ⁠Closing track: "Letter To ZZ Top"Huge thanks to Mark at SKiN GRAFT Records for everythingBuy the new edition of ⁠Long Hair In Three Stages⁠Follow Todd in ⁠Instagram⁠For all Dead Rider links and news visit ⁠Drag City⁠Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠Podcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: "Detachment" by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com