Brodie Foster Hubbard
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| Born: | 1978 Phoenix, Arizona |
|---|---|
| Occupation: | Singer, guitarist and songwriter
<tr><th style="text-align: right;">Website:</th><td>www.brodiehubbard.com</td></tr> |
Brodie Foster Hubbard (born 1978) is an American country music and rock music singer, guitarist and songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona.
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[edit] Biography
After several years in various punk rock and hardcore punk bands, Hubbard began playing his own compositions in a solo capacity in October 1999. <ref> O'Connor, Christopher. "Wallpaper Chase" (Phoenix New Times, January 30, 2003) </ref> He caught attention for his catchy hooks and melodies, deeply personal lyrics, and his guitar playing style; across his lap, using his thumb across the frets, the strings in Open D tuning. <ref> Fanning, Christopher. "Brodie Hubbard" (College Times, August 25, 2004) </ref>
In the beginning of his career, the majority of his works were about romantic relationships prior to his 2001 marriage, and were categorized as indie pop. After his divorce in 2004, Hubbard began to delve into darker material such as murder ballads that would become his signature, a style Hubbard has dubbed as "outlaw indie rock," his own version of outlaw country. <ref> Kelley, Brendan Joel. "Single Going Steady" (Phoenix New Times, March 2, 2006) </ref>
Hubbard's lyrics have made literal and figurative comparisons between love and heartbreak to vehicular manslaughter, strangulation, and stabbing. His songs have broached such topics as domestic violence, poverty, narcissism, and revenge (including a bludgeoning by shovel and desert burial of a man caught sleeping with the lover of the song's narrator in "No Faith").
Hubbard encourages crowd participation, leading sing-alongs and even asking audience members to join him onstage to dance. He often reveals the stories behind his songs during his shows, often stopping his set for several minutes on comedic riffs, anecdotes, or jokingly angry tirades.
His song, "Powers" (named after the Brian Michael Bendis comic), was nominated for Best Song <ref> Dominic, Serene. "Live Wire" (Phoenix New Times, March 2, 2006) </ref> in the 2006 Arizona Ska Punk Awards[1]. The lyric, "the broken heart I wear on my sleeve says everything" is a reference to the broken heart tattoo on Hubbard's right shoulder, surrounded by his initials, which subsequently became his logo.
He has independently released three EPs: American 1978-2001 (1978), Legacy Of Sentimentality (2004), and Don't Screw Up Like I Did, a split release with Father's Day.
[edit] Promotion and activism
Hubbard has also been a music promoter and political activist in Phoenix, Arizona for several years, working with groups such as the Irish Human Rights Coalition (an Irish Republican group), Food Not Bombs, raising money for the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan at a concert held on September 11, 2002, the first anniversary of 9/11, a benefit for Amy Dykes of Atlanta synth-pop duo I Am The World Trade Center <ref> Pitchfork Media (August, 2004) </ref>, assisting in the production of 2004's "Putting the MOCK Back In Democracy," a voter registration event featuring David Cross, Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, and other stand-up comedians<ref> Senft, Michael. "David Cross" (Arizona Republic, August 25, 2004) </ref> , and a benefit for the West Memphis Three <ref> Sony Records' Pearl Jam website (June, 2005) </ref>.
Hubbard is a proponent of the DIY ethic and has been quoted as saying "none of the music I support today is played on the radio." He is, however, a fan of country icons like Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline.<ref>Orf, Christopher. "Aural Fixations - Remembering the first record we ever bought" (East Valley Tribune, January 15, 2006) </ref>.
Hubbard converted to a vegetarian diet in 2004, then went vegan in fall 2005.<ref> Phoenix Vegan Community </ref>
[edit] Extracurricular activities
Hubbard is interim host of the Willow House's Monday night open mic. The former host, Dave Gironda of Workshirt Wonder, departed to Flagstaff, Arizona to pursue music studies at Northern Arizona University.
Hubbard is co-host and producer of Grand Avenue LIVE, billed as "downtown Phoenix's only talk show", hosted by Kevin Patterson at the Trunk Space, every first Thursday.
Hubbard has also made occasional appearances on Uncle Sku's Clubhouse.
[edit] Influences
Hubbard claims The Ramones as an influence, and has covered "Chainsaw," "I Want You Around," "The KKK Took My Baby Away," and "Blitzkrieg Bop" at live shows. He also cites Misfits, and has not only performed numerous Misfits songs at his live shows, but fronts a Misfits tribute band called 138 with members of Haunted Cologne. The title and album cover of his second CD release, Legacy of Sentimentality, was an homage to the Misfits collection Legacy of Brutality. His third CD release, Don't Screw Up Like I Did, concludes with a cover of "Astro Zombies." He has also cited Black Flag as an influence, and when he plays punk rock versions of his songs with his band The Hired Hands (members of Haunted Cologne), he performs wearing only black gym shorts, in tribute to Henry Rollins. He also cites Morrissey as an influence, often telling the story in concert of kissing his girlfriend for the first time parked in front of Morrissey's former Sunset and Sweetzer home. He is often seen playing live in a Morrissey t-shirt, and has covered "National Front Disco" and "Last of the Famous International Playboys" in concert. He has been compared vocally to Frank Black, is often seen wearing a Pixies t-shirt in concert, and has covered "Wave of Mutilation" in performance, as well as songs from Black's solo efforts such as "Billy Radcliffe."
[edit] Discography
- American 1978-2001 (2002)
- Legacy Of Sentimentality (2004)
- Don't Screw Up Like I Did (2005, a split release with Father's Day).
[edit] External links
- Brodie Foster Hubbard official site
- Brodie Foster Hubbard on PureVolume
- Brodie Foster Hubbard on MySpace
[edit] Notes
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Categories: 1978 births | Living people | American alt-country musicians | American alt-country singers | American composers | American country musicians | American country singer-songwriters | American country singers | American folk musicians | American guitarists | American lyricists | American male singers | American musicians | American punk rock musicians | American rock musicians | American singer-songwriters | American songwriters | American vegans | Arizona musicians | American singer-guitarists | Human rights activists | Irish-American singers | People from Phoenix, Arizona
