Frontier Ruckus

Milia and Jones formed the band while both attending Brother Rice High School in Metro Detroit. They began by playing a mixture of Milia's early compositions and traditional bluegrass songs that Jones had collected. Around this time they also recruited Eli Eisman as a bassist. While Milia attended Michigan State University—where he studied poetry under Diane Wakoski—and Jones attended the University of Michigan, Frontier Ruckus expanded into a six-piece. The new formation included Zachary Nichols playing trumpet, musical saw, and melodica; Ryan Etzcorn playing drums; and Anna Burch singing harmony vocals—all of whom Milia met while in East Lansing.{{cite web|author=Emily Hopkins |url=http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-5511-frontier-ruckus-cuts-a-trail-through-bluegrass-with-deeper-arrangements-and-a-singing-saw.html |title=Frontier Ruckus cuts a trail through bluegrass with deeper arrangements and a singing saw |publisher=Okgazette.com |access-date=2013-02-03}}{{cite web|last=Tupica |first=Rich |url=http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/article-3369-raising-a-ruckus.html |title=Raising a Ruckus |publisher=Lansingcitypulse.com |date=2009-08-26 |access-date=2013-02-03}}

File:Frontier Ruckus performing at Lollapalooza, 2013.jpg in 2013]]

In the beginning of 2007, shortly after the release of I Am The Water You Are Pumping, Frontier Ruckus began to receive attention in Michigan, with Metro Times considering the band "already one of the very best sounds to come out of Michigan this entire decade," and Real Detroit Weekly stating: "This is the best band you haven't heard and Milia is the most impressive wordsmith I've listened to in a really long time. I'm not sure If I can recall a voice as untreated and honest as Milia's ... ever. His is a voice whose timbre carries as much meaning as the words that come through it."{{cite web |last=Bartle |first=Gary |url=http://www.realdetroitweekly.com/content/article_4737.shtml |title=Ear Candy (October 29, 2008) | Ear Candy |publisher=Real Detroit Weekly |access-date=2013-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205055351/http://www.realdetroitweekly.com/content/article_4737.shtml |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|last=Shaul |first=Aaron |url=http://www.metrotimes.com/music/review.asp?rid=24684 |title=Record Review: Frontier Ruckus / The Orion Songbook |newspaper=Metro Times |date=2008-11-26 |access-date=2013-02-03}}

Frontier Ruckus was named "Best Folk Group" in Detroit by Real Detroit Weekly, who were also among the first to laud The Orion Songbook prior to the album's official release, during an eMusic advance feature.{{cite web|url=http://www.emusic.com/album/Frontier-Ruckus-The-Orion-Songbook-MP3-Download/11484985.html |title=Download The Orion Songbook by Frontier Ruckus |publisher=eMusic |date=2008-11-06 |access-date=2013-02-03}}

Released on November 6, 2008 through Quite Scientific Records,{{cite web|url=http://www.quitescientific.com |title=Quite Scientific Records |publisher=Quitescientific.com |access-date=2013-02-03}} The Orion Songbook received positive reviews, garnering attention from Blurt Magazine, Crawdaddy!, and Under the Radar, who gave the album an 8/10.{{cite web|url=http://www.blurt-online.com/features/view/243/ |title=TALES OF THE NEW FRONTIER Frontier Ruckus on Blurt Online |publisher=Blurt-online.com |date=2008-12-22 |access-date=2013-02-03}}{{cite web|last=Williams |first=Paul |url=http://www.crawdaddy.com/index.php/2008/12/10/frontier-ruckus/ |title=Crawdaddy |publisher=Crawdaddy |access-date=2013-02-03}} Hear/Say called it "the year's best alt-country album."{{cite web|url=http://www.hearsay.cc/sub_pages/reviews_interviews/12-06-01-09/albums3-frontierruckus.html |title=Hear/Say: America's College Music Magazine |publisher=Hearsay.cc |access-date=2013-02-03}}

In 2009, Way Upstate and the Crippled Summer, pt. 1, a six-song EP, was released as the fourth side of the double-vinyl edition of The Orion Songbook.{{cite web|url=http://www.lansingscene.com/lprecords/orion.html |title=Frontier Ruckus - The Orion Songbook / Way Upstate and the Crippled Summer, pt.1 |publisher=Lansingscene.com |access-date=2013-02-03}} Frontier Ruckus toured the entire US and to Europe for the first time, playing Slottsfjell Festival in Norway, among shows in the UK, Germany, and Holland.[http://www.slottsfjellfestival.no/pages/nor/42-history ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503064504/http://www.slottsfjellfestival.no/pages/nor/42-history |date=May 3, 2010 }}

In 2010 the band toured extensively, including a month-long European tour and a performance at Bonnaroo Music Festival, for which Rolling Stone listed the band as one of their Essential Sets, calling the band "the perfect recipe for Gothic Americana."{{cite magazine|author=J. Edward Keyes |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/110908 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609172016/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/110908 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 9, 2010 |title=Bonnaroo 2010's Essential Sets | Music News |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2010-06-07 |access-date=2013-02-03}} Paste Magazine featured Frontier Ruckus in their "Best of What's Next" issue.{{cite web|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2010/07/best-of-whats-next-frontier-ruckus.html |title=Best of What's Next: Frontier Ruckus |publisher=Pastemagazine.com |date=2010-07-08 |access-date=2013-02-03}} It was announced that Deadmalls and Nightfalls, their second full-length album, would be released July 20 via Ramseur Records.[http://www.bonnaroo.com/artists/frontier-ruckus/2010.aspx] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413161852/http://www.bonnaroo.com/artists/frontier-ruckus/2010.aspx |date=April 13, 2010 }}[http://www.freep.com/article/20100416/COL19/100416073/1320/Metro-Detroiters-to-perform-at-music-fests ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420224952/http://www.freep.com/article/20100416/COL19/100416073/1320/Metro-Detroiters-to-perform-at-music-fests |date=April 20, 2010 }}

Versions of several new songs were released through a Daytrotter session on February 14, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/frontier-ruckus-concert/20031052-3738222.html|title=A Wide-Eyed Astonishment Of Nature, And More|publisher=Daytrotter.com|access-date=2012-02-03}}

Deadmalls and Nightfalls received positive critical reviews—given 9 out of 10 stars by PopMatters, who called the record "a musical map to the psyches of its performers" that "not only outdoes it predecessor, it reaches a level of top-notch songwriting most groups never attain on a greatest hits compilation."{{cite magazine|last=Dietzel |first=Andrew |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/128141-frontier-ruckus-deadmalls-and-nightfalls |title=Frontier Ruckus: Deadmalls and Nightfalls |magazine=PopMatters |access-date=2013-02-03}} A music video was shot for the song "Nerves of the Nightmind" which featured members of the band in downtown Los Angeles.{{cite web|url=http://www.muzzleofbees.com/2010/09/15/video-premiere-frontier-ruckus-nerves-of-the-nightmind/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129080516/http://www.muzzleofbees.com/2010/09/15/video-premiere-frontier-ruckus-nerves-of-the-nightmind/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 29, 2013 |title=Video Premiere: Frontier Ruckus – Nerves of the Nightmind |publisher=Muzzle of Bees |date=2010-09-15 |access-date=2013-02-03}} Deadmalls and Nightfalls served to broaden public appreciation for the group's songcraft and instrumentation, as it also left an impression with songwriters of note. Upon hearing the album, musician Ryan Adams posted on his Twitter page: "Loving the new Frontier Ruckus! Great band ... this is what I want to get back to. Those tunes go forever ...."{{cite web |last=Tupica |first=Rich |url=http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/article-7314-sonic-boom-on-the-frontier.html |title=Sonic boom on the frontier |publisher=Lansingcitypulse.com |date=2012-05-02 |access-date=2013-02-03 |archive-date=2013-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419233930/http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/article-7314-sonic-boom-on-the-frontier.html |url-status=dead }}

Frontier Ruckus returned to Europe in May 2011 for the third time, expanding to new countries such as Ireland, Sweden, and Italy. Their performance at the 2011 Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots festival was described as "a particular highlight" by The Irish Times.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0502/1224295867578.html |title=Mon, May 02, 2011 - Rhythmic Kilkenny roots for music festival |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=2011-05-05 |access-date=2013-02-03}}

File:Frontier Ruckus performing in Stockholm, Sweden in May 2011.jpg on tour with Frontier Ruckus in Stockholm, Sweden in 2011]]

The band taped a performance for the NPR radio program Mountain Stage in August 2011 alongside John Oates of Hall and Oates, performing with him for the encore number.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/10/03/141015479/frontier-ruckus-on-mountain-stage |title=Frontier Ruckus On Mountain Stage |publisher=NPR |date=2012-05-30 |access-date=2013-02-03}}

Adult Swim used Frontier Ruckus' song "Dark Autumn Hour" for four ads in their well-known series of bumps, first airing in September 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZjHK2ILZtU |title=Frontier Ruckus on [adult swim] - (Hemingway & Faulkner hangover cures) |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-01-24 |access-date=2013-02-03}} Around this time, Deadmalls and Nightfalls was released in a deluxe double-vinyl package including the bonus EP Way Upstate and the Crippled Summer, pt. 2.

In March 2012, the band streamed the recording of their third Daytrotter session live. A music film shot on Super 8 mm film for the song "Mona and Emmy" was premiered by Paste Magazine who also announced the first official details on the band's upcoming third full-length record Eternity of Dimming—slated to be a double album of 20 songs and 5,500 words.{{cite web|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2012/03/video-premiere-frontier-ruckus---mona-and-emmy.html |title=Video Premiere: Frontier Ruckus - "Mona and Emmy" |publisher=Pastemagazine.com |date=2012-03-09 |access-date=2013-02-03}}

In May 2012, footage of Jones and Nichols performing a medley of theme songs from The Legend of Zelda—on banjo and musical saw, melodica, and Casio keyboard respectively—was circulated by Geekologie and the Kotaku site of Gawker Media.{{cite web|url=http://www.geekologie.com/2012/05/zelda-medley-performed-on-banjo-and-musi.php |title=Zelda Medley Performed On Banjo And Musical Saw |publisher=Geekologie |access-date=2013-02-03}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/05/its-a-beautiful-bluegrass-zelda-jamboree/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032920/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/05/its-a-beautiful-bluegrass-zelda-jamboree/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |title=It's A Beautiful Bluegrass Zelda Jamboree |publisher=Kotaku Australia |access-date=2013-02-03}}

Eternity of Dimming was released on January 29, 2013 to strong critical response. Jim Farber of the New York Daily News commended the double album's dense specificity and ability to "obsess on the most suburban images possible."{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/matthew-milia-helps-raise-frontier-ruckus-article-1.1256349 |first=Jim |last=Farber |title=Matthew Milia raises a Frontier Ruckus by writing about his strip-mall dreams |date=February 7, 2013 |newspaper=New York Daily News |access-date=May 9, 2015}} The band released Eternity of Dimming at the 36th Ann Arbor Folk Festival at Hill Auditorium, sharing the stage with Colin Hay and Rodriguez.{{cite news |url=http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/frontier-ruckus-starts-2013-on-a-high-note-with-friday-set-at-ann-arbor-folk-festival/ |first=Roger |last= LeLievre |title=Frontier Ruckus promises to give Friday set at Ann Arbor Folk Festival everything we have |date=January 19, 2013 |newspaper=Ann Arbor.com |access-date=July 9, 2019}}

2013 saw Frontier Ruckus perform at Lollapalooza and return to Europe twice, as Eternity was their first record to receive distribution from a European label, Loose Music. The band appeared at End of the Road Festival in the UK, where the record received positive reviews from Uncut magazine—who stated the band was at "their blinding best."{{cite journal |url=http://loosemusic.com/frontier-ruckus/uncuts-praise-for-frontier-ruckus |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131106193447/http://loosemusic.com/frontier-ruckus/uncuts-praise-for-frontier-ruckus |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 6, 2013 |title=UNCUT'S PRAISE FOR FRONTIER RUCKUS |date=January 11, 2013 |journal=Uncut |access-date=May 9, 2015 }} Singles for the record, "Careening Catalog Immemorial" and "Dealerships", were both accompanied by music videos and premiered by IFC and Rolling Stone, respectively.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dealerships-by-frontier-ruckus-free-mp3-20130111 |title=EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: FRONTIER RUCKUS "CAREENING CATALOG IMMEMORIAL |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=May 9, 2015 |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518163818/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dealerships-by-frontier-ruckus-free-mp3-20130111 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ifc.com/fix/2013/02/premiere-frontier-ruckus-careening-catalog-immemorial |title=EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: FRONTIER RUCKUS "CAREENING CATALOG IMMEMORIAL" |first1=Brandon |last1=Kim |publisher=IFC}}

For The A.V. Club's "Undercover" series, Frontier Ruckus recorded a cover of Third Eye Blind's 1990s alternative rock hit "Semi-Charmed Life" at The Onion's Chicago office.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/frontier-ruckus-semi-charmed-life |title=Frontier Ruckus Semi Charmed Life |website=Huffingtonpost.com |access-date=2017-03-22}}

On November 11, 2014 (November 10, 2014 in Europe), Frontier Ruckus released their fourth full-length album, Sitcom Afterlife.{{cite web|last=Studarus |first=Laura |url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/premiere_frontier_ruckus_sitcom_afterlife_album_stream/ |title=Premiere: Frontier Ruckus – "Sitcom Afterlife" Album Stream |website=Undertheradarmag.com |access-date=2017-03-22}} Prior to the complete album release, the tracks "Sad Modernity", "Bathroom Stall Hypnosis", and "Darling Anonymity" were released individually, highlighting the band's shift toward a greater focus on classic power pop arrangements, while still remaining densely lyrical.{{cite web|url=http://www.cmj.com/news/track-premiere-frontier-ruckus-darling-anonymity/ |title=Track Premiere: Frontier Ruckus - "Darling Anonymity" |publisher=CMJ |access-date=2017-03-22}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.popmatters.com/post/184682-frontier-ruckus-bathroom-stall-hypnosis-audio-premiere/ |title=Frontier Ruckus - "Bathroom Stall Hypnosis" (audio) (Premiere) |magazine=PopMatters |access-date=2017-03-22}} On the release tour for Sitcom Afterlife, CMJ reviewed the band's Manhattan stop glowingly, writing: "For an hour, they treated the crowd to a sampling of songs taken from their three existing LPs as well as their upcoming fourth, and transported us from New York City to a larger, intangible, folktale version of suburban America."{{cite web|url=http://www.cmj.com/live/frontier-ruckus-mercury-lounge-august-19-2014/ |title=Frontier Ruckus @ Mercury Lounge | Live Reviews |publisher=CMJ |access-date=2017-03-22}}

In December 2016, Rolling Stone announced that Frontier Ruckus' 5th LP would be titled Enter the Kingdom and was to be released in February 2017. It was reported that the album was recorded in Nashville with founding Wilco member and final Uncle Tupelo drummer, Ken Coomer. They also premiered a music video for the single "27 Dollars," featuring the band performing on the roof of the Penobscot Building in downtown Detroit.{{cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/see-frontier-ruckus-detroit-rooftop-video-for-27-dollars-w455866 |first=Chris |last=Parton |title=See Frontier Ruckus' Detroit Rooftop Video for '27 Dollars' |date=December 13, 2016 |newspaper=Rolling Stone |access-date=December 13, 2016}} For the first half of 2017, the band toured across much of the United States and Europe in support of Enter the Kingdom. A music video for the album's title track was premiered by Billboard in late summer.{{cite news |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/7882320/folk-band-frontier-ruckus-heartwarming-enter-kingdom-video |first=Gary |last=Graff |title=Folk Band Frontier Ruckus Share the Heartwarming Video for 'Enter the Kingdom': Exclusive |date=August 1, 2017 |newspaper=Billboard |access-date=August 3, 2017}} Writing for Vice, legendary rock critic Robert Christgau gave the album a favorable review, commenting, "Somebody marry this winsome sad sack, whose increasingly plausible rhymes now include open-ibuprofen, gauche-precocious-neurosis, salad on the tennis court-valid passport, speckled melanin-freckled up your skin, and the very sexy errands-gerunds."{{cite web|last=Christgau |first=Robert |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/punk-miracles-expert-witness-with-robert-christgau/ |title=Punk Miracles: Expert Witness with Robert Christgau |publisher=Noisey |date=2017-03-17 |access-date=2017-05-04}}

In February 2024, Frontier Ruckus ended a seven-year recording hiatus to release their sixth full-length studio album, On the Northline.{{cite web|last=Milo|first=Jeff |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/music/frontier-ruckus-makes-sense-of-their-present-tense-with-latest-album-on-the-northline-35440061 |title=Frontier Ruckus makes sense of their present tense with latest album ‘On the Northline’ |publisher=MetroTimes |date=2024-02-14 |accessdate=2024-10-18}}

• The Orion Songbook (2008)
• Deadmalls and Nightfalls (2010)
• Eternity of Dimming (2013)
• Sitcom Afterlife (2014)
• Enter the Kingdom (2017)
• On the Northline (2024)

• I Am The Water You Are Pumping EP (2006)
• Way Upstate and the Crippled Summer, pt. 1 (2009)
• Way Upstate and the Crippled Summer, pt. 2 (2011)

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.frontierruckus.com/ Official website]
• [http://www.quitescientific.com/artists/Frontier-Ruckus/ Label artist page - Quite Scientific Records]

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Category:Musical groups from Detroit

Category:American folk rock groups

Category:2003 establishments in Michigan