User:Csmbargaintown/sandbox

'''Chris Morrison The Sloppy Guitarist The Lonely Trojans Bargain Town'''

"A true iconoclast, Chris Morrison takes society’s cherished norms and turns them on their heads. While mourning the loss of the heroic in modern life, Morrison maintains his faith in another world, parallel to this one. A world where galaxies shine through swirling skies of purple and orange and magical ringmasters possess the secrets to salvation. One where dreams and reality cannot be separated and yellow brick roads and magic carpets know the way home. A self-taught artist and musician, Morrison’s desire to transcend the mundane and to find the heroic in himself and others is captured in his vibrant and soulful music and art. He hopes you will take a leisurely stroll through his work and join him in his artistic quest to make sense of the world that surrounds us." - A. Jones

Chris Morrison's first record was a 12" album entitled "Pieces," under the name of "The Sloppy Guitarist," released in 1988 on Tucson's San Jacinto label. The 22 year old's six song EP, was largely inspired by the music of British urban folk artist, Billy Bragg. The same year Morrison began playing with bass player Gerard Schumacher and The Lonely Trojans were formed. The power-pop trio released their first single on Toxic Shock/ West World Records in 1988. Morrison put his new band on hiatus when he moved to London in 1989 for a year to solicit his EP "Pieces." He worked and lived in a pub in London while playing several shows including gigs at Covent Garden and the legendary Forge. Morrison met Billy Bragg, became close friends with English Blues slide guitarist legend Pigmeat Pete Smith and recorded with Dave Wolfson, a former  member of Gang of Four. Upon returning to America, Morrison moved The Lonely Trojans to Chicago where he was originally from. The band played gigs with Wreck, Die Kreuzen,  the Wedding Present and within one year, had landed a deal with the indie label Limited Potential (Smashing Pumpkins, Poster Children) toured the Midwest with Chicago hometown favorites Pegboy and played every major club in the city including the Metro, the Lounge Ax, Avalon, Edge of the Looking Glass and a sold out show with Naked Raygun at the Riviera Theatre. By 1993 the industry had undergone numerous and drastic changes. Morrison decided he'd had enough of trying to "make it," and returned to Arizona to complete his undergraduate degree and attain a high school teaching credential. Just prior to moving however, Morrison and the Lonely Trojans completed somewhat of a breakthrough recording session with British producer Iain Burgess (Naked Raygun, Big Black, Mega City Four, Ministry) and Joe Haggerty (The Effigies, Pegboy, Stiff Little Fingers) on drums. A 7" of the recording was pressed and upon release in 1992, it began to see airplay on Chicago radio. Enthusiastic reviews were in turn, followed by enthusiastic letters soliciting more material which were then followed by apologetic rejection letters all basically claiming the same sentiment; Though a good band with good songs, there really wasn't any "current market," available or open to the band.   Perhaps too simply stated though nonetheless accurate, The LT's were too young for the first wave and too old for the second. Avoiding "punk," cliches however, is what may be the reason the band still sound fresh. Moving forward, Morrison's next musical offering was called "Bargain Town," after the long gone Chicago toy store. Recorded on a variety of 4 and 8-track tape machines in his home, the first Bargain Town album was released on Tucson's Crash Landing label in 1995. The album demonstrated Morrison's ability as a multi-instrumentalist who was able to play whatever arrangements his songs required. That same year marked the beginning of a musical collaboration with high school friend Thomas Cray called Ranger Able. Recorded in Detroit and Chicago, it features Cray's interpretation and arrangements of Morrison's songs. Since then, Morrison has, by himself, written, recorded and produced eight additional Bargain Town albums. Each album has its own particular theme and style reflecting where they were written or recorded including Tucson, Berlin, Chicago, London, Amsterdam, San Francisco, Barcelona, Detroit and Portland, Oregon. Still, Morrison's ability to write songs that pay tribute to his influences yet maintain a raw, unaffected honesty and charm in a fashion and presentation that is all his own, deserves to be admired or at the absolute least, noticed. After moving to Portland, Oregon in addition to working on Bargain Town, Morrison formed the Portland band the Middle Ages who played with bands Doom Patrol, Therapists, Trash Tv and many more for a glorious six fun filled years. Currently, Morrison continues to teach high school and he occasionally records the odd track now and again. - Keith Jennings, Chiswick, London 2022

Discography of recordings: 1. The Sloppy Guitarist – Pieces Label:	San Jacinto Records – DRAM - 10890 Format:	Vinyl, 12", EP 2. G-Whiz / The Lonely Trojans – Noise From Nowhere Volume 4 (7") Toxic Shock TOX-013, Volume 4 US, 1989 3. The Lonely Trojans - Noise From Nowhere Volume 4 (7", Red Transparent) Toxic Shock TOX-013, L-34213, Volume 4 US, 1989 4.The Lonely Trojans - Three Guys Six Songs album Label:	Limited Potential Records – Limp 010 Format:	Vinyl, Mini-Album, 12" Country:	US Released:	1991 5.The Lonely Trojans- Ten Past Five (7", EP, 45 RPM) Third World Underground TWU 20 v,U35006M 1993 6. The Lonely Trojans - No Smoking, Littering Or Radio Playing: A WNUR Compilation Various - Label:	WNUR – NUR-04 6.The Lonely Trojans - Yeah, But It's A Dry Heat Label:	Westworld – WW2LP, Westworld – WW-2 "JR" 6.Bargain Town - by Chris Morrison 1996 Record Label: Crash Landing UPC0744434029021 7. Bargain Town II (30 In America) 1997 Soundsville INT. 8. Bargain Town III (Capital) 1998 Soundsville INT. 9. Bargain Town IV (The New Regime)2000 Soundsville INT. 10.Bargain Town V (Love Over All) 2002 Soundsville INT. 11.Bargain Town VI (Charing Cross Road) 2005 Soundsville INT.

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