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Middle Class Rut

{{Short description|American band}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Middle Class Rut

| image = Middle_Class_Rut.jpg

| caption =

| background = group_or_band

| origin = Sacramento, California, United States

| genre = Alternative rock, post-punk, indie rock

| years_active = 2006–2015, 2017–present

| label = Bright Antenna
Kids (UK)

| website = [http://www.myspace.com/middleclassrut Middle Class Rut myspace], [http://www.mcrut.com Middle Class Rut website]

| associated_acts =

| current_members = Zack Lopez
Sean Stockham

| past_members =

}}

Middle Class Rut, also known as MC Rut, is an American alternative rock band duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Zack Lopez and vocalist/drummer Sean Stockham. They were formed in Sacramento, California in December 2006. After several EP's, in 2010 they released their first full-length LP, No Name No Color. Their second album Pick Up Your Head was released June 25, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/pick-up-your-head-deluxe-edition/id607158602 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110211813/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/pick-up-your-head-deluxe-edition/id607158602 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 10, 2013 |title=iTunes - Music - Pick Up Your Head (Deluxe Edition) by Middle Class Rut |publisher=iTunes |date=2013-06-21 |access-date=2013-10-30}} After a brief hiatus, the band returned in 2018 with their third album Gutters.

Biography

Middle Class Rut was formed after the dissolution of Lopez and Stockham's previous band, Leisure, which was signed to Dreamworks Records in 2000 when Lopez and Stockham were in their teens. Leisure came to an end in 2003 and, after taking a hiatus from performing, Lopez and Stockham came together again to form Strangler, which would soon after be renamed Middle Class Rut.{{cite web|url=https://mcrut.com/mcr-3/very-rare-3-song-promo-disc|title=*VERY RARE* 3-SONG PROMO DISC - Middle Class Rut|quote=This is a CD made by the band when shopping for a label back when they were still called “Strangler”. Before the Blue + Red Eps.|date=2018-08-31}}

The band played its first major national tour in the fall of 2007 with Receiving End Of Sirens and Envy On The Coast. Alternative Press reviewed MC Rut's live performance, saying "…it's mind-blowing to witness the sheer depth and complexity of the sound these two guys are capable of unleashing on their own…but once the novelty subsides, you're left with incendiary post-rock with visible traces of '90s alternative."{{cite web |url=http://www.altpress.com/apr/104.htm |title=AP&R - Alternative Press |publisher=Altpress.com |accessdate=2013-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724102359/http://www.altpress.com/apr/104.htm |archive-date=2011-07-24 |url-status=dead }} The band toured with Burning Brides during July 2008 and 3 during October 2008.

In late 2007 Sacramento alternative rock station KWOD 106.5 FM (defunct) featured Middle Class Rut's "New Low" as part of its on-air local band feature. KWOD DJ/Music Director Andy Hawk received the submission direct from the band, and KWOD DJ Rubin played "New Low" later that day. "New Low" reacted immediately and was quickly added to regular rotation. The song became one of the most requested of the year, and KWOD developed a relationship with the band. At the end of 2008, "New Low" was voted top song of the year by KWOD listeners in an online poll conducted by the station.{{cite web|url=http://submergemag.com/music/middle-class-rut-2018/|title=IMPERMANENT VACATION - Submerge Magazine|date=20 July 2018 }} Throughout 2008, Zack and Sean did numerous live interviews with KWOD DJs Rubin and Andy Hawk to promote local MC Rut shows. KWOD's parent company flipped the station's format in mid-2009 to an all 1990s format. During a local show after the flip, Middle Class Rut singer/guitarist Zack Lopez made mention of it by saying, "There's been a death in Sacramento. KWOD 106.5 gave us and a lot of good local bands a chance to be heard by a much bigger audience than we could ever get on our own. So thank you, KWOD. We'll miss you."{{Cite web |url=http://bo.knittingfactory.com/event/59135/ |title=Knitting Factory - Middle Class Rut – Tickets – Knitting Factory Concert House – Boise – Boise, ID – September 21st, 2011 – Boise |access-date=2011-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302123519/http://bo.knittingfactory.com/event/59135/ |archive-date=2012-03-02 |url-status=bot: unknown }}

The band released two self-titled EPs, referred to as the Red EP and the Blue EP due to their respective colors, in early 2008, as well as a limited-edition 7" in the UK on November 24, 2008 which featured "Busy Bein' Born" and "All Walks of Life".{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Middle-Class-Rut-Busy-Bein-Born/release/2028115 |title=Middle Class Rut - Busy Bein' Born (CD) at Discogs |publisher=Discogs.com |accessdate=2013-10-30}}

In September 2008, the band came to the attention of BBC Radio 1 DJ, Zane Lowe, who then featured their song, "Busy Bein' Born", as his Single of the Week during the week of October 20, 2008. In November 2008, the band was profiled in the Radar section of NME magazine, which described them as "...epic noise alchemists...,"{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/photos/623/2/this-week-s-nme-12-november-2008 |title=Music Photography, Pictures, Galleries, Band Images and Live Photos |date=11 November 2008 |publisher=Nme.Com |accessdate=2013-10-30}} and played a five-stop tour in London, England for the first time. On November 19, 2008 the band recorded a live session for BBC One in Studio Four of the BBC's Maida Vale Studios. After this tour, Kerrang! magazine wrote in its December 12, 2008 issue, "[Their] sound is nothing short of colossal, and one that a mere two-piece shouldn't be able to create, combining the boisterous swagger and pomp of Jane's Addiction and the feral fury of Rage Against the Machine.",{{cite web|url=http://www2.kerrang.com/2008/12/xmas_rocks_chilling_out.html |title=Kerrang! Kerrang! Magazine 17/12/2008 |publisher=.kerrang.com |date=2008-12-17 |accessdate=2013-10-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116033415/http://www2.kerrang.com/2008/12/xmas_rocks_chilling_out.html |archive-date=2009-01-16 }} and Rocksound's December 2008 Christmas issue pegged them as "Ones to Watch", saying, "Their debut double A-side single 'Busy Bein' Born'/'All Walks of Life' is a breath of fresh air in the midst of the musical stench that emo is now emitting."{{cite web|url=http://www.rocksound.tv/magazine/issue/issue-117-xmas-08 |title=Issue 117 - Xmas 08 | Magazine | Rock Sound |publisher=Rocksound.tv |accessdate=2013-10-30}}

On March 10, 2009, Zane Lowe of Radio 1 debuted a new song called 'I Guess You Could Say' and named it as his Hottest Record in the World. The song is featured on the EP, 25 Years.{{cite web|author=Zane Lowe |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/zanelowe/2009/03/hottest_record_mc_rut_i_guess.html |title=Zane Lowe's Hottest Records blog: Hottest Record - MC Rut - I Guess You Could Say |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2013-10-30}}

On May 1, 2009, Middle Class Rut performed at the 2009 Road Recovery Benefit show at the Nokia Theatre in New York.

During a concert in Cesar Chavez Park in Sacramento, California on June 19, 2009, lead singer Zack Lopez announced that Middle Class Rut would be releasing their debut album for which they had recently been recording new material. Lopez did not announce a release date. Outside a concert in Montreal, QC on March 17, 2010, Lopez said the new album was going to be out hopefully next summer.

Middle Class Rut opened for Social Distortion at the end of 2009, and Alice In Chains for the second half of their 2010 tour. They also opened for Them Crooked Vultures in Los Angeles, CA on April 14, 2010 and Las Vegas, Nevada on April 17, 2010. On October 4, 2010, Middle Class Rut released their full-length album, No Name No Color in the United States and November 22, 2010 in the UK.

On October 30, 2010, Middle Class Rut opened for Chevelle's second night of the 10 Year Anniversary show at the Metro in Chicago, IL. Chevelle singer and guitarist Pete Loeffler is a fan of Middle Class Rut.

On December 17, 2010, Middle Class Rut opened "The Night 89x Stole Christmas" show featuring Middle Class Rut, Sick Puppies and My Chemical Romance at the Fillmore in Detroit, Michigan.

In February 2011, Middle Class Rut opened for 30 Seconds to Mars at the Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York. On May 21, 2011, Middle Class Rut opened "DC101 Chili Cook-Off" featuring Middle Class Rut, Paper Tongues, Neon Trees, Panic! at the Disco, Papa Roach, Seether and Weezer at RFK Stadium grounds in Washington, D.C.

The band appeared on the 2011 Vans Warped Tour.

Starting February 2012, Middle Class Rut co-headlined tour the United States with Chevelle and Janus.

On April 26, 2013, Loudwire premiered the music video for the single "Aunt Betty".{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/middle-class-rut-aunt-betty-exclusive-video-premiere/ |title=Middle Class Rut, 'Aunt Betty' – Exclusive Video Premiere |publisher=Loudwire.com |date=2013-04-26 |accessdate=2013-10-30}}

For Record Store Day 2014 the band released a limited edition 7" Factories/Indians featuring previously unreleased tracks.{{cite web |url=http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/6968 |title=Record Store Day - Special Release |accessdate=29 May 2014}}

On September 18, 2015 Zack Lopez announced via the band's Facebook account that the band was on an indefinite hiatus, due to scheduling and recording purposes of the duo.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/middleclassrut/posts/993730090678130|title=UPDATE|website=Facebook |date=2015-09-18}}

On September 9, 2017, the band successfully completed a Kickstarter campaign to fund the third album. According to a post on the band's official Facebook page, the third album is estimated to be released in May 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/middleclassrut/videos/1712213112163154/|title=Middle Class Rut|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-21}}

{{When|date=May 2018}}

Members

  • Zack Lopez - vocals, guitar
  • Sean Stockham - vocals, drums, percussion, guitar

Discography

=Studio albums=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of studio albums

! scope="col" style="width:14em;" | Title

! scope="col" style="width:18em;" | Album details

scope="row" | No Name No Color{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/no-name-no-color-mw0002029409 | title=No Name No Color – Middle Class Rut | work=AllMusic | publisher=Rovi Corporation | accessdate=March 12, 2013 | author=Ruhlmann, William}}

|

scope="row" | Pick Up Your Head{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/pick-up-your-head-mw0002488140 | title=Pick Up Your Head – Middle Class Rut | work=AllMusic | publisher=Rovi Corporation | accessdate=March 12, 2013}}

|

  • Released: June 25, 2013
  • Label: Bright Antenna
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
scope="row" | Gutters{{cite web | url=https://twitter.com/MiddleClassRut/status/898016328635736068 | title=Strangler Days Updates}}

|

  • Released: August 3, 2018 {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/middleclassrut/posts/1700715019979630|title=Middle Class Rut|website=www.facebook.com}}
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, LP (Deluxe Version), digital download

=Extended plays=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of extended plays

! scope="col" style="width:14em;" | Title

! scope="col" style="width:18em;" | EP details

scope="row" | Middle Class Rut: Blue EP{{cite AV media notes | others=Middle Class Rut | date=2008 | title=Blue EP | type=track listing }}

|

  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: LP
scope="row" | Middle Class Rut: Red EP{{cite AV media notes | others=Middle Class Rut | date=2008 | title=Red EP | type=track listing }}

|

  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: LP
scope="row" | Busy Bein' Born/All Walks of Life

|

  • Released: 2008
  • Label: KIDS, Bright Antenna
  • Formats: LP
scope="row" | Busy Bein' Born/Start to Run

|

  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Bright Antenna
  • Formats: LP
scope="row" | 25 Years{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/25-years-mw0002065811 | title=25 Years – Middle Class Rut | work=AllMusic | publisher=Rovi Corporation | accessdate=March 12, 2013}}

|

  • Released: May 26, 2009
  • Label: Bright Antenna
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download

=Singles=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;" | Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year

! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album

scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US
Alt.
{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=middle class rut|chart=Alternative Songs}} | title=Middle Class Rut – Chart History: Alternative Songs | magazine=Billboard | publisher=Prometheus Global Media | accessdate=March 12, 2013}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US
Main. Rock
{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=middle class rut|chart=Mainstream Rock Tracks}} | title=Middle Class Rut – Chart History: Mainstream Rock Tracks | magazine=Billboard | publisher=Prometheus Global Media | accessdate=March 12, 2013}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US
Rock
{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=middle class rut|chart=Rock Songs}} | title=Middle Class Rut – Chart History: Rock Songs | magazine=Billboard | publisher=Prometheus Global Media | accessdate=March 12, 2013}}

scope="row" | "All Walks of Life"{{cite AV media notes | others=Middle Class Rut | date=2009 | title=All Walks of Life | type=track listing | publisher=Bright Antenna }}

| 2008

| — || — || —

| rowspan="2" | Non-album single

scope="row" | "I Guess You Could Say"{{cite AV media notes | others=Middle Class Rut | date=2009 | title=I Guess You Could Say | type=track listing | publisher=Bright Antenna }}

| 2009

| — || — || —

scope="row" | "New Low"

| 2010

| 6 || 38 || 12

| rowspan="2" | No Name No Color

scope="row" | "Busy Bein' Born"

| rowspan="2" | 2011

| 26 || — || 47

scope="row" | "Hurricane"{{cite AV media notes | others=Middle Class Rut | date=2011 | title=Hurricane | type=track listing | publisher=Bright Antenna }}

| — || — || —

| Non-album single

scope="row" | "Are You on Your Way"

| 2012

| 33 || — || —

| No Name No Color

scope="row" | "Aunt Betty"

| rowspan="2" | 2013

| 38 || 31 || —

| rowspan="3" | Pick Up Your Head

scope="row" | "Dead Eye"

| — || — || —

scope="row" | "Pick Up Your Head"

| rowspan="2" | 2014

| — || — || —

scope="row" | "Factories/Indians"{{cite AV media notes | others=Middle Class Rut | date=2014 | title=Factories/Indians | type=track listing | publisher=Bright Antenna }}

| — || — || —

| Non-album single

scope="row" | "No Sale"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-sale-single/1380851626|title=No Sale - Single by Middle Class Rut|work=Apple Music|date=4 May 2018 }}

| 2018

| — || — || —

| Gutters

colspan="6" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20101104053019/http://www.roadrecovery.com/newsarchive.html#may2009 Roadrecovery.com]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20080624203848/http://mcrut.com/ Middle Class Rut Official Page]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20120327013432/http://mcrut.brightantenna.com/ Middle Class Rut at Bright Antenna]
  • [http://www.myspace.com/middleclassrut Middle Class Rut on Myspace]
  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvqtWjN7lOI&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL "Busy Bein' Born" YouTube Video]
  • [https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20081021 October 20, 2008: "Busy Bein' Born" as Zane Lowe's Single of the Week on BBC Radio1]

{{Middle Class Rut}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Alternative rock groups from California

Category:Musical duos from California

Category:American rock music duos

Category:Musical groups established in 2006

Category:Musical groups from Sacramento, California

Category:Bright Antenna Records artists