RICH MCCULLEY: If Faith Doesn't Matter

Rich McCulley

If Faith Doesn't Matter

© 2002 Rich McCulley (783707564920)

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Infectious Harmonies, Ragged Guitar and a Touch of Country

tracks

1 Waiting
2 Unwound
3 Say Bye-bye
4 Uncertain
5 Nothin' To Say
6 Please Sing Along
7 Fight It
8 Hang Me
9 Bend For No One
10 Heaven Or Hell
11 Only Fool
12 You're So High

notes

The Rich Life (Biography):
A native of California, Americana guitarist-singer-songwriter Rich McCulley was raised on AM Country radio & classic rock in the San Joaquin Valley. "I have always loved music, from riding in my dad's 1970 Ford truck listening to Buck Owens and Johnny Cash or listening to my mom's Beatles and Stones records. I have always wanted to play music, I never noticed the difference between country and rock. I loved it all."

McCulley's Detroit-bred/Los Angeles-based grandfather helped grow Rich's love for music and the desire to make it himself. "My grandpa had a guitar and an organ he would play, and it fascinated me. I wanted to play guitar. I was a small guy, so he said when my hand was big enough to fit around the neck I could have the guitar. I took until the 8th grade!"

Developing his roots-rock sound, Rich began playing songs by classic 70's-80's rock acts with a band called the East Side Indians in his hometown of Fresno. "We learned the hard rock stuff, always the bluesy stuff though. We were trying to be the Black Crowes who were trying to be the Rolling Stones who were trying to be Muddy Waters, who was trying to be Robert Johnson who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his musical talents!"

Soon after he began playing, songwriting came naturally to McCulley: "Until I started singing in bands, I just always wrote the music and the singers would add the words. I finally tired of dealing with jerky lead singers, I decided I can do this (I can be the jerk!). Then I realized I HAD to write the words. I soon discovered I had a lot to say, whether or not anyone wanted to hear it, I wanted to say it!"

Influenced by Paul Westerberg, Steve Earle, Wilco, Tom Petty, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, the Black Crowes and - of course - his grandfather, McCulley's style remains sunny and honest and always throws a hook. "I want the truth, ugly as it may be. Give me a story, not the big special effects."

Although he does have some formal training, Rich has honed his ambitious guitar prowess virtually on his own. His true talent and skill comes from the "School of Hard Knocks" where he recorded with bands like the alternative rockers Big Blue Hearts (Geffen) and toured as a fiery sideman with jam band Sweet Vine (Columbia) and stone Country singer Victor Sanz. Additionally, Rich has recording & engineering credits with several West coast-based recording artists.

Regarding his Big Blue Heart days, Rich says, "I actually started the band with them, I did the demos that got them a deal." However, Rich soon disagreed with the direction of the band and their sound. "They got signed to a major label about month after I quit."

McCulley's education continued as a hired gun with Sweet Vine, "Every horror story you hear about a bad major label deal, that was this. Sweet Vine made every bad choice they possibly could AND they were prima donnas. Uh, I ain't bitter?not at all?these are truths!"

As a touring guitarist for Country singer Victor Sanz, McCulley experienced the big time opening for acts including Dwight Yoakam and the Charlie Daniels Band while playing halls like Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, state fairs, rodeo shows and even performed at the Houston Astrodome. Much of what McCulley has learned on the road is obvious at his current live performances.

Rich says, "I try for the shows to be fun. Even though some of the words are serious, I don't lay my heavy trips on people. They can go home, listen to the CD and let the words speak to them. People always seem to like the dynamics of my shows. I play everything from total rockers to mellow, or bluesy, or country-ish stuff, mix it up."

And that's exactly what listener's can expect on Rich McCulley's two self-released CDs: If Faith Doesn't Matter (2002) and After The Moment Has Past (2000). On his primarily self-penned recorded works, Rich sings and plays guitar, bass, mandolin, harmonica, a little piano, some lap steel and contributed to the recording, engineering and production.

Of McCulley's debut release, Amplifier Magazine said, "he's a helluva guitarist and has a way of infusing his songs with load of memorable guitar hooks."

The Sacramento News & Review's Jackson Griffith wrote "?Loaded with tuneful, guitar-driven power-pop tunes...McCulley certainly has a way with writing a hook, too. A winner? Totally."

With his newly released If Faith Doesn't Matter, Rich continues to win over the critics with his sublime guitar work and catchy refrains. Each of the 12 new tunes features McCulley's distinctive chopped gravel vocal rasp - hailed by IndieMusic.com as, "a great rock and roll voice" - as well as his multi-genre sound that shifts effortlessly from full-on rock to laid-back California cool.

Miles of Music says, "If Faith Doesn't Matter, will renew your belief in good time roots-pop. [McCulley] gives his distinct power-pop a decidedly sharp, rootsy flavor and at times it sounds, vocally and musically, like Cracker."

The Dallas Morning News wrote, "Lyrical honesty and musical chops. [McCulley's] brand of roots pop is both twangy and sunny, and his melodies can be as breezy as a Southern California wind."

And the Kansas City Pitch branded McCulley with, "Hard-driving rock and college-radio-friendly alt-country with hooks that stick to the ribs."

Having completed their first national tour in Winter 2003, the Rich McCulley Band is currently touring in support of If Faith Doesn't Matter on the West coast with a Texas-SW tour booked in June-July, and another cross-country tour planned for Fall 2003. All of McCulley's recordings and other merchandise are available at select retail outlets nationwide and on the internet, including www.richmcculley.com.

Looking to his future in music, Rich says "I hope I create some music that matters to someone." Now that's faith.

reviews

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  • If Faith Doesn't Matter...well, it still rocks!!
    author: Rolka

    If Faith Doesn't Matter is an amazing sophmore album by a dedicated musician with a plan and the desire/discipline to see it through. The cohesive vibe on the album sells itself, let alone the sounds of the sometimes gritty lead guitars, sometimes syrupy sweet slide work. Add in Rich's soulful vocal delivery, and you've got a great album with plenty of satisfying sounds and some suprising corner turns. Excellent work.

  • album is full of unadorned songs about love gone awry
    author: Dallas Morning News- Mario Tarradell

    Dallas Morning News - Thursday, February 27, 2003 Rich McCulley If Faith Doesn't Matter (Self-released, 2002) What this San Francisco-based singer-songwriter lacks in vocal power, he makes up for with lyrical honesty and musical chops. His brand of roots pop is both twangy and sunny, and his melodies can be as breezy as a Southern California wind. Mr. McCulley's album is full of unadorned songs about love gone awry. But there's never a downtrodden feel to the proceedings thanks to his jubilant way with guitar-fueled rhythms.

  • It’s a nice ride.
    author: Indie-Music.com - Thursday, January 09, 2003

    Quote: "That gravelly, emotive, I-just-drank-a-bottle-of-Johnny Walker Red voice can, and does, give each song a different tone and touch". I have reviewed many discs over the years. Oftentimes, it just so happens that an artist "needs" some fancy packaging and good press photos to push me into listening to their music. However, Rich McCulley don’t need no stinkin’ press photos. His music speaks for itself, and I think I can truthfully say that no one will care what he looks like once they hear his voice. And his voice comes shining through each of these tracks in a myriad of ways – there’s the gruff, oft-interesting mannerisms that he possesses, the melody lines and lyrics of his songs, and the occasional wail of a harmonica just to let you know that he’s present. In fact, while this disc is a little rough around the edges, it only adds to the spontaneous and spirited performance that pervades the material at every turn. Think roots rock without the pretentious banter of an overinflated ego. The first thing you’ll notice, because it simply wollops you over the head and in the ears (but in that welcome way that those of us who have withdrawal symptoms after listening to pop radio can develop), is a glorified guitar. Cutting a neat, shimmery line through the variant melodies and providing magnificent depth and tone to McCulley’s material, the guitar here is the proof in the pudding. It flys out of the speakers at the right moments, and plays off McCulley’s own distinctive voice with great flair. Because that gravelly, emotive, I-just-drank-a-bottle-of-Johnny Walker Red voice can, and does, give each song a different tone and touch. From the blasting rock star, to the disparaging songwriter, McCulley brings his own style to the table. The disc, on the whole, presents great melodic structure, shows range and variety, and in my opinion, is radio-ready. Those who like Wilco, Fastball, Stereophonics, and Tom Petty will enjoy this disc. It’s a nice ride.

  • Something tells me he’s itching for something bigger. A strong showing of an eme
    author: The Big Take Over-Issue #51

    Rich McCulley -If Faith Doesn’t Matter Those of you who enjoy the rootsier side of artists like George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Alex Chilton, Paul Westerberg, and Emmit Rhodes will find San Francisco’s, Rich McCulley‘s self-released sophomore effort, If Faith Doesn’t Matter right in the proverbial ballpark… Backed by a crack band who have an intuitive feel for his music, McCulley’s songs are realized tomes of heartache and loss that never sound forced or pretentious. Keep an eye out for this guy. Something tells me he’s itching for something bigger. A strong showing of an emerging talent. Lovely! -Bryan Swirsky

  • this album is a worthy acquisition for all lovers of melodic rock 'n' roll,
    author: Power of Pop

    Power of Pop - webzine - Sunday, December 01, 2002 Rich McCulley If Faith Doesn't Matter (Self-released) Good news, folks, looks like McCulley has discovered the twang! This sophomore effort has McCulley lining his obvious pop-rock chops with a rustic country edge. The benefits are immediate - the opening "Waiting" is an infectious gem. The rest of Faith continues this fine blend with the Elvis (Costello that is) evoking "Unwound," the heartfelt "Say Bye Bye," the Stonesy "Fight It" and the austere "Heaven or Hell" making this album a worthy acquisition for all lovers of melodic rock 'n' roll, country rock and everything in-between. -

  • Great CD!!!!
    author: High Bias

    RICH MCCULLEY-If Faith Doesn't Matter- California's Rich McCulley navigates the rich space between power pop and roots rock on his latest record If Faith Doesn't Matter. Marrying catchy melodies to straightforward arrangements, McCulley makes classic-sounding rock & roll without making any obvious nods to anyone else. Cuts like "Nothin' to Say," "Unwound" and "Say Bye-Bye" cut to the chase, both instrumentally and emotionally; the pedal steel-like slide guitars support McCulley's gritty vocals. "Fight It" and "Only Fool" kick up nice clouds of dust, while "Please Sing Along" and "You're So High" give plaintive a good name. McCulley's music is about as unpretentious as one can get, never indulging in clever wordplay for the sake of it or inserting musical quotes just to show off his influences, and he clearly loves his work. The album may be titled If Faith Doesn't Matter, but to him it definitely does. Michael Toland

  • This is what I hoped the wallflowers would wind up sounding like
    author: Amplifier-Bill Holmes

    Amplifier-Issue 32…Sept.-Oct. 2002If Faith Doesn’t Matter...This is what I hoped the wallflowers would wind up sounding like. Twang pop melodies, just enough grit on the sandpaper voice, a solid bass/drum combo that knows what the word “support” means and a tasty slide guitar player painting tangents over the other guitarist melodic chunk. But McCulley’ songs are more consistently strong than the young Mr. Dylan’s is, and the arrangements always seem spot-on to match. I much prefer the up-tempo material- the bouncy “Uncertain” and “Bend For No One” are more appealing than the waltz of “Please Sing Along,” for example. That’s no put down of the more delicate tracks like “You’re So High” and “Hang Me,” as McCulley’s voice sells them all anyway. After listening to the controlled chaos of “Fight It,” my guess is that this band can shred in a live setting.

  • Americana_UK review. "Great stuff."
    author: Americana-UK

    Rich McCulley - Album - If Faith Doesn't Matter..... Instead of being overt about his pop influences and totally abandoning his country side as Jeff Tweedy of Wilco has done or Ryan Adams from the late, lamented band Whiskeytown is trying to do, Rich McCulley weaves them into his songs in an organic way that encourages a real blend, not a choice between one or the other. On McCulley's new CD, you can find some tremulous piano or a beautiful George Harrison-like guitar part right next to the most goosebump-raising steel guitar glissando you ever heard. It's a kind of roots pop slowly becoming popular as more and more alt.country artists experiment with their songwriting styles. McCulley earns extra points for just being himself and not going crazy with it, not trying to be Paul McCartney or Brian Wilson all at once like the artists I have mentioned previously. McCulley's songs bring to mind Sheryl Crow, not in sound but in example. Crow had her first hit (All I Wanna Do) with a blend of poppy rock and countrified steel guitar that sounded very natural. McCulley's work is just like that. Catchy songs with great hooks and instrumental parts (like the George Harrison-like slide work) that are very memorable and powerful are the norm here but there is definitely a lot of twang and just strong songwriting with good characterizations and no pretention. While his voice does sound almost like the lead singer of the Barenaked Ladies, I won't hold that against him and instead praise him for a wonderfully strong bunch of songs that is sure to please fans of both country and melodic pop. Great stuff.-Scott Homewood

  • If Faith Doesn't Matter?
    author: Bangsheet

    Re: the title – If faith doesn’t matter, then what? Huh? Rich McCulley knows what: The end. Because rockroll faith is all that a guy like McCulley has – it’s all he knows, and without it, there is nothing. If I have a bent for any rockroll "type", its this kind of blue-collar rock workingman, the ones with a day job or two, a fistful of guitars laying around the house, a tangle of wire and effects pedals under the bed, and a penchant for cheap beer and dumpy dives. All the music here is solid, no-frills rockroll that would make any Saturday night at the bar a better proposition than staying home with the t.v. and would outshine most jukebox alternatives. Rock would probably have been dead long ago with out backbreakers like McCulley keeping the faith that he knows does matter. - KV

  • let’s say his latest release is the best of all worlds.
    author: The Davis Enterprise

    It may be lonely at the top, but that’s not because there isn’t enough room for everybody. As I gaze upon those who dwell atop the musical world, I hope they save a place for Rich McCulley. Our old Fresno friend has found a new fortress in ‘Frisco, but the net result is that he’s back in town with a new ‘rock ‘n’ roll show worthy of greatness. I hope you caught his July 13th appearance at Davis’ G Street Pub. If you did, you probably took home his latest CD, and need not read any further. For those who failed to appear, “If Faith Doesn’t Matter” is a huge step in McCulley’s personal evolutionary process. If you liked his work as the sideman in the country-based band Big Blue Hearts… if you liked the raw rock ‘n’ roll power of his former band SparkleJet… if you like the gentle musings in his subsequent solo efforts… let’s say his latest release is the best of all worlds. Whether catchy pop-hooks or introspective, country laced folk, McCulley would be a t home anywhere, and this disc should be at home in your home, so leave home and don’t come back until this one returns home with you. by David Meyers

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