Dave Stoops

The story begins in the depths of co-producer Brian Berg's basement/laboratory. Berg is the architect of Portland rock faves 44 Long and wearer of many hats--cellist, thereminist, and bartender among them. The hats were worn on Dave Stoops' array of songs--songs influenced by writers such as Difford & Tilbrook, Karl Wallinger, Ray Davies, and Paul Westerberg. What emerged is a unique collection of tunes ranging from Stonesy rock to Merseybeat Britpop to spaced-out chamber music. Featuring bursts of trumpet, saxophone, and slide guitar, Spill Your Drink is a sonic blend of clever melodic hooks and classic British grace with lyrics evocative of Tennessee Williams' dissolute South. Not Lame wrote, "Much of the material sounds like the long, lost World Party album that fans have been waiting for the last 15 years...This is a release that I will be pulling out in 20 years. It's that cool."