Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers profile picture

Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers

Setting The Stupid Free since 2002

About Me


The Continuing Evolution of Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers
When Bob Collum released his last album ‘The Boy Most Likely To..’ in ’04 one reviewer remarked that this is what the pop charts in heaven must sound like. The pleasures of the afterlife becomes more attainable with the release of its follow up, ‘Set The Stupid Free’, in January 2008..and you don’t even have to die for the privilege!
Having released two albums stateside (1997’s ‘More Tragic Songs of Life’ and 2000’s ‘Low Rent Romeo’), at the turn of the millennium Bob waved a fond farewell to his Tulsa Oklahoma abode, and exiled himself in South Essex, conveniently on the fringes of the capital and the underground Americana music scene. He then set about commandeering the tight rhythm section he could find in Dan Wilkinson (Bass) and Paul Quarry (Drums) to give his new songs the tougher propulsive edge they demanded. The Welfare Mothers were born and through gigging extensively, began to build a following both around and outside the UK.
After a few cracked-hearts, snapped guitar strings & many memorable live shows along the way, we find ourselves in 2008…..’Set The Stupid Free’ opens with one of those attention-grabbing simple statements of intent, and a brief invitation to what follows. A simple guitar crash, understating the bands Who-like comprehension of exciting rock dynamics, before being swiftly seduced by the playful crying steel guitar (provided by the legendary BJ Cole), and a melodic, Byrds-ian country-edged soul, so central to Bob & the Mothers sound.
Elsewhere on this emancipation ride, the breadth of Bob’s song-writing and the band’s reach takes in earthy rock grooves (Virgina Mystery), intimate yet universal confessionals (Katie I Agree) and a hypnotic musing on the likelihood of second-coming quitting all that sanctity lark and setting up a mobile karaoke unit (Disco Jesus).
Ultimately, ‘Set The Stupid Free’ marks a turning point, where a promising talented band steps up to command attention. Inviting, compelling you to sign up for the cause.
Reviews
A turn of phrase to rank with Nick Lowe's, and an instinct for hook and melody mean you're thinking of the Byrd's with a country edge to boot. The Boy Most Likely Too... is a testimony to the enduring power of finely crafted songs played well . It deserves a wide hearing and appreciation. - Bucketfull of Brains
On The Boy Most Likely Too..., Bob Collum masterfully combines melodicism and rootsy twang.The result is as honest and refreshing a record as has come down the dusty two laned highway this year. With TBMLT, Collum has crafted roots pop perfection. - Amplifier
Anyone who wants to hear what Top 40 sounds like in a perfect world should pick up The Boy Most Likely Too... and turn it up! Being There

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 7/20/2005
Band Website: bobcollumonline.com
Band Members: Bob Collum - vocals & guitars, Dan Wilkinson - bass & vocals, Paul Quarry - drums & more drums
Influences: Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Ramones, Replacements, REM, Neil Young, Lou Reed, The Who, XTC, Beatles, The Move, Buck Owens, NRBQ, Incredible Casuals, the dB's, Wilco, Wreckless Eric, Patto, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Brinsley Schwartz, Graham Parker, Pixies, Yardbirds, Merle Haggard, Phil Ochs, Yo La Tengo, Velvet Underground, David Ackles, Grateful Dead, Wilko Johnson, Teenage Fanclub, Buddy Holly, Elvis, Hank Williams, MC5, Marshall Crenshaw, Harry Smith, Bob Dylan, Jack Klugman, etc....
Sounds Like: Wilco, Green On Red, Long Ryders, Elvis Costello, REM, Steve Earle, Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Bob Childers

I just heard that Oklahoma songwriting legend Bob Childers has died. Bob was always a voice of encouragement to us younger songwriters and was a wellspring of useful advice. He possesed a Willie ...
Posted by Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:23:00 PST

Dan

After 6 years of service, our bassist Dan Wilkinson is moving on. Dan is now a fulltime Nasty Rabbit and will be gigging all over the place tickling your ears with that groovy Rabbits racket...
Posted by Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:47:00 PST

Prozac Yodel - April 6th

Prozac Yodel - Sunday April 6th@St. Anne’s Castle Great Leigh Essex http://www.myspace.com/stannescastle Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothersplus special guestsRant n Ravehttp://www.myspace.com/...
Posted by Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:53:00 PST

some STSF reviews...

Some tasty bits from the STSF reviews so far...   "Heavy on hooks and steel guitar."  *** 3 stars  UNCUT "The kind of lyrical twists that endear so many while playing it straight."***&n...
Posted by Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:07:00 PST

Set The Stupid Free @ The 12 Bar & What’s Cookin’

On on January 21st, after months of baiting your collective breath, our new album Set The Stupid Free comes out. We are giddy with excitement, anticipation, anxiety, as well as well as thirteen or fou...
Posted by Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:34:00 PST

Spin CDs has STSF

Spin CDs in Newcastle, which would rank as one of the coolest shops in the world and a personal favorite of mine, has SET THE STUPID FREE for sale on their website. The folks at Spin have always ...
Posted by Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 02:45:00 PST

UNCUT

UNCUT magazine have awarded SET THE STUPID FREE three stars in the brand new issue (the one with the Bob Dylan NASHVILLE SKYLINE pic on the cover).  Can OK and HEAT be far behind???
Posted by Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:39:00 PST

Set The Stupid Free merchandise

I've finally set up a Cafe Press store to sell some Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers brand swag.  What better way to show the world that you are a long haul gear jammer with great t...
Posted by Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:23:00 PST

Q

Q magazine has awarded Set The Stupid Free 3 stars in the Feb 2008 issue which just hit the streets in the UK.  The reviwer had particularly nice things to say about 'Jennifer Jones' and 'Ne...
Posted by Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers on Sun, 30 Dec 2007 05:15:00 PST

Ho, ho.......ho.

Felice navida amigios.  Me and the Welfare Mothers are nestled in our beds with dreams of sugar plumbs dancing in out heads.  I personally have just endured a really lame Scooby Doo Xmas spe...
Posted by Bob Collum & the Welfare Mothers on Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:09:00 PST