The Minus 5 is ...

The Minus 5 is ...

... a rock/folk/pop collective captained by Scott McCaughey (see: “Scott McCaughey” c/o “The Internet”, for further reliable information), with Peter Buck often aboard as navigation officer. By design from its inception, the line-up for recordings and live appearances is completely fluid, dependent on musician availability, whim, and wind direction. Collaborators regularly feature friends from R.E.M. (as it once were), Wilco, Decemberists, Posies, and literally hundreds and hundreds of other recalcitrant comrade combos.  Everyone gives their all, and no one need be counted on.

On Record Store Day, April 19, 2014, the Minus 5 released its ninth official long-player, the all-new five-LP, 57-song, 211-minute set Scott The Hoople In The Dungeon Of Horror, on long-time home Yep Roc Records. The sprawling but concise work benefits from the participation of both the usual and new suspects, like John Moen, Jeff Tweedy, Bill Rieflin, Linda Pitmon, Nate Query, Jenny Conlee, Ian McLagan, Laura Gibson, Joe Adragna, Ezra Holbrook, Wesley Stace, Casey Neill and more.  It was limited to a 750-copy vinyl run (including 100 colored) in a deluxe book-style bound album.  It was mined/plundered for two CD/LP releases, Dungeon Gold (2015), and Of Monkees And Men (2016).  November 2017 saw the Minus 5's entry in the holiday sweepstakes, Dear December, which was conveniently released a week after Scott fell down on Kearney Street in San Francisco.

Stroke Manor came to life in a dazzling 2019 Record Store Day package, followed soonly by CD and "regular" vinyl, as well as a summer spate of touring, with M5 line-ups including Peter Buck, Linda Pitmon, Kurt Bloch, Mike Mills, Casey Neill, Jenny Conlee, Jim Talstra, Alia Farah, Paulie Pulvirenti, Steve Drizos, and guests Steve Wynn, Kelli Hogan, Mike Giblin, Mike Ritt, John Perrin... etc. Solid Sound was epic.  Camper's Camp-out was smoldering.  Chicago was twice vanquished. Portland was quite honestly magical.  As were most other stops along the way.   

And now Mott ('74 version) is back for more.  The Minus 5 is all IN.  Still, Scott The Hoople’s future remains uncertain.  As does YOURS.

Those who serve

Once you're in, you're in - like it or not.

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Scott McCaughey
Songs, vocals, guitars, etc.

See also: Young Fresh Fellows, R.E.M., Baseball Project, Tired Pony, Peter Buck, Tuatara, Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3, etc.

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Peter Buck
12-string, bass, mandolin, etc.

Invented indie rock and has apologized. Check out Peter Buck (the group) - vinyl only.

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John Ramberg
Guitar, vocals

The Secret Weapon. See also The Tripwires, Less Than Equals. Model Rockets, Stumpy Joe.

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Bill Rieflin
Drums

Currently in King Crimson land. And Peter Buck. Before: Blackouts, Ministry (and offshoots), R.E.M.

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Ken Stringfellow
vocals, bass, guitar, drums

Simplement formidable! (en francais)

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Jeff Tweedy
lead guitar, bass, vocals

Also writes and sings his own songs, a real up-and-comer.

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Casey Neill
guitar, vocals

Portland's own, terrorizes the land with the Norway Rats.

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Linda Pitmon
drums, vocals

You'll find her picture next to 'rock' in the dictionary.

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Steve Wynn
guitar, vocals

Dream Syndicate! The Miracle 3, Gutterball, Danny & Dusty. Simply one of the greats.

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Ezra Holbrook
Drums, vocals

He's real good at everything.

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John Moen
Drums, vocals

Of Decemberists, and Eyelids, solo band = Perhapst, former Dharma Bum, Jick, Maroon, etc.

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Kurt Bloch
Guitar, recording, mixing, mastering, artwork.

From Fastbacks to YFF to Thee Sgt. Major III to Full Toilet: always BANG ON!

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Jimmy Talent
bass

A/K/A Jim Talstra of Eyelids, Dharma Bums, Maroons fame.

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Joe Adragna
Drums, vocals, guitar, bass

A fine talent - Louisiana long distance assistance.

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Jenny Conlee
piano, organ, accordion

In the Decemberists, Black Prairie, wherever, she's The Magical Music Box.

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Jon Auer
Guitar, vocals, drums

The Posies! Big Star!

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Nate Query
bass, cello

Decemberists, Black Prairie, King Charles 3

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Jason Finn a/ka/ Puffy
drums

Love Battery, PUSA, etc. M5 live stalwart for years

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Glenn Kotche
drums, crotales, marimba

Wilco, On Fillmore, etc.

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John Stirratt
bass, vocals

Hilltops! also Wilco, Autumn Defense

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Wesley Stace
vocals, guitar

Thee Artist Formerly Known as John Wesley Harding

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Mikael Jorgensen
keyboards, engineer

Let there be Quindar. And Wilco forever.

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Chris Funk
pedal steel, marxophone, banjo, mandolin

K.M.R.I.A.

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Barrett Martin
drums, upright bass, vibes

Skinyard, Screaming Trees, Mad Season, Tuatara, Walking Papers

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Mike Mills
Bass, vocals

Has been known to find a finger.

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MIchael Giblin
Bass, vocals

Helmsman of the Split Squad super group.

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Tucker Jackson
pedal steel
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Anna Shelton
singing

The only Shee Bee Gee to also play with Michael Hurley

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Ellen Osborn
singing

L.L.S.B.B.

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Alex Valdivieso
singing
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Heather Larimer
the singing

Killingsworth it

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Dennis Diken
Drums, vocals

Nun Bett-R!

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Leroy Bach
guitar, keyboards

Down With Wilco!

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Josh Kantor
piano, organ, accordion

on loan from the BBP

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Morgan Fisher
keyboards

MOTT !!!

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Chris Ballew
organ, bass, vocals

Presidents of the United States of America, Chris & Tad, Caspar Babypants

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Mike Coykendall
bass, vocals, recordin'

He's kind of a genius

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Laura Gibson
guest singer
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Rebecca Gates
singing

Spinanes and beyond...

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Sean Nelson
singing

from Harvey Danger and Long Winters to NOW

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Rachel Blumberg
drumsing

fine artiste!

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Jonathan Drews
Zuma guitar

Eyelids, Sunset Valley

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Eric Lovre
guitar, recordin'

Dharma Bums Forever

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Mike McCready
lead guitar

'Cross Every Line'

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Kelly Hogan
vocals

Funnier than you and sings better too

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Dave Dederer
guitar

Popsycle Shoppe Incident

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Antlers, Inc.
Get The Horn Section

Ragers.