the LIBERTINES us

We're an indie rock band from Ohio called the LIBERTINES US.  Started in 1983, we jumped back into the Midwestern music scene in 2006 after a 13 year break.

THE LIBERTINES US: Greatest Hits Alternative rock that goes jingle jangle crunch.

In 1983, the original power trio consisted of Cincinnati native Walt Hodge, with Randy Cheek and Joe Hamm of West Chester.  Their debut performance was broadcast live on WAIF radio in 1984, immediately gaining them a following.

The Libertines US debut single "Everybody Wants to be my Sister" was an underground hit in the Midwest, with college and alternative stations like WOXY placing it in heavy rotation for several weeks.  Not bad for a one-shot afternoon recording session…

We set ourselves apart in the alternative music scene with an interesting variety of original material.  Heavily influenced by music of the 1960's and 1970‘s, most notably CCR, Velvet Underground, and the Stooges.  Their sound has been described as a blend of Replacements, Echo and the Bunnymen, and early REM.  Dark pop lyrics, reverberating guitar, a thumping bass line, and driving drum beat.  Jingle, jangle, and crunch.

We toured to numerous cities in the US, performing with major recording artists and alternative acts such as the Violent Femmes, Replacements, the Long Ryders, Eleventh Dream Day, Guided by Voices, Del Fuegos, and True Believers. 

Despite a very limited budget, the Libertines US received alternative radio airplay in various parts of the world.  Our second single, "Voices from the Past" was introduced to Europe by the late John Peel on BBC radio in 1987.

After 1986, we expanded to a quartet, adding longtime friend Jimmy D on guitar, and Greg Blanton replacing Joe on drums.  The band then launched some heavier rockers to augment the earlier pop material.  The performances often shifted from pop, country twang, psychedelic punk, to grunge (before it was described as such).   

The band’s genre hopping made it difficult for A&R people to categorize, and no major US label at the time would touch us.  Finally, in 1988, the Dutch record label Megadisc released Tilt-A-Whirl, the Libertines US first LP in Europe.  Tilt-A-Whirl received good reviews in alternative press… but unfortunately was never distributed here!

By the early 1990s, Randy had found success playing bass with the Ass Ponys.  Jimmy D began working as tour manager for a number of bands.  Walt continued briefly with Ted Nagel playing bass, and Greg drumming,  but he had a young family to tend to.  After playing and recording throughout the Midwest for a decade, the Libertines US went into hibernation for thirteen years.  We were carefully frozen to preserve freshness.

In late 2005, Jimmy D convinced Walt and Randy to reunite, after a charity event for Hurricane Katrina victims.  They were in need of a drummer to get rolling again, and recruited another longtime friend, Todd Witt (T-Lo).

The new CD is available now through CD Baby.

THE LIBERTINES US: Greatest Hits Alternative rock that goes jingle jangle crunch.