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Cougars

Voted Best of the Zombies

About Me


“…A rock band making rock music.”
That’s how Cougars, if prodded, would describe what they are. That’s how your dad and his drinking buddies, if prodded harder, would describe what they are.
But for many, that simplistic description just isn’t enough. Granted, there are eight of them. Amidst the swirling morass of dueling guitars, lock-tight bass and drums, menacing vocals, two-piece horn section, and ominous synthesizer, there must be something going on that deserves a prefix. It can’t be that simple. There needs to be generalized comparisons and convenient little genre tags to slap on them.
But there isn’t. In the end, when those efforts prove off base and futile, all you’re left with is “Rock”-- plain and simple. As it is, Cougars have done nothing less.
After signing with New York based Go Kart Records in the fall of 2003, Cougars released their self produced debut album Nice, Nice. It proved to be a record that amazed many and confounded many more, earning them stellar reviews and a spot in Alternative Press’ “100 Bands to Watch in 2004”. For many, Cougars left them no other choice but to watch as they took their blistering spectacle of a live show all across North America, supporting Nice, Nice and follow up Ep Manhandler (Thick Records 2004). To all that say “nay”, Cougars time and again broke the mold of typical indie/punk rock pigeonholing, gracing the stage with numerous bands from every corner of the rock realm; from Mastodon to Ted Leo/Pharmacists, from Supersuckers to Fu Manchu.
And the hits keep coming! With the helping hand of legendary recording engineer Steve Albini, Cougars have essentially captured the blaring intensity of their live performances on analog tape for their second full length album, Pillow Talk. A monster of an album featuring ten brand new tracks, it is a testament to Cougars unwavering raucous instinct. It’s an instinct that leads them not down a path of musical status quo, but rather to continue being merely what they know how to be, “a rock band making rock music.” Indeed.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 11/2/2004
Band Website: cougarsrock.com
Band Members: Sam Ambrosini- Keyboard
Bryan Bienias- Bass
Matt Irie- Vocals
Brett Meingasner- Guitar
John Mcclurg- Guitar
Brian Wnukowski- Drums

Influences:

Sounds Like:

Record Label: Go Kart Records
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

Swayzes Birthday Extravaganza

Empty Bottle1035 N Western Chicago, IL 60622 MON. 6/23/08 (9:00pm; Free!) Swayze's Birthday Extravaganza featuring: Big'nHaymarket Riot label: Stiff Slack , Divot, ThickCougars label: Go Kart Plus a v...
Posted by Cougars on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:16:00 PST

Und dann Booed sie&

Und dann Booed sie& Lassen Sie mich beginnen, indem Sie sagen, dass dieses Gedicht 8 Jahre nahm, um abzuschließen. Es dokumentiert mein Leben als Mitglied der Pumen und der Härten I' VE musste infolg...
Posted by Cougars on Sat, 31 May 2008 06:44:00 PST

The internet is full of plagues and diseases

Just wanted to thank everybody for their patience and apologize for offering sweet discounts from Macy's for the last few days. Our account had been hacked by internet gnomes who have since been cast ...
Posted by Cougars on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 07:21:00 PST

End of an Era... Beginning of an Another

It is with the utmost respect and appreciation that we are announcing that Cougars is parting ways with it's mighty horn section (Jeff Vidmont and Mark Beening) after 6.5 years of loyal rockitude. Th...
Posted by Cougars on Thu, 31 May 2007 08:49:00 PST

Interpunk Top 40 Contest, AGAIN!

Interpunk is at it again! They are having their weekly top 40 contest and Cougars "There's No High In Team" has been picked. If you want to vote for us go to : http://www.punkradiocast.com/TOP10.php ...
Posted by Cougars on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:26:00 PST

We Ranked The Hardest

Thanks to everyone that voted for us in the Interpunk.com Top 40 Contest. We came in fourth. Hooray. Now we can die.
Posted by Cougars on Tue, 23 Jan 2007 08:10:00 PST

Interpunk.com Top 40 Contest

Every Sunday night from 7:00 - 10:00 PM EST, Interpunk.com airs a special three hour live show counting down to the band voted number one. In addition to winning the countdown, the winner is also feat...
Posted by Cougars on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 07:36:00 PST

Coalition of the Kickass (Cougs &Canada)

This blog is for Canada. Canada, you are huge and nice. And your #1 rock publication Exclaim! was so kind as to include Pillow Talk in its Top 10 Releases of 2006 (punk). You can check it out her...
Posted by Cougars on Wed, 13 Dec 2006 03:08:00 PST

Sound Scene Revolution Podcast 22 (UPDATED)

Head on over to Sound Scene Revolution for an interview we did while on our U.S. tour earlier this year. (Podcast 22) Our new song "We Blog The Hardest" can be heard there as well. Sorry, the contest ...
Posted by Cougars on Wed, 20 Sep 2006 09:23:00 PST

Thick Records

Chicago's THICK Records does it againHAIR  - Chicago Punk Cuts14 UNRELEASED, NEW & EXCLUSIVE tracks from the best bands Chicago has to offer! Features cuts from: Allister, Much The Same, The ...
Posted by Cougars on Wed, 20 Sep 2006 06:54:00 PST