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The Silos is an American rock band formed by Walter Salas-Humara and Bob Rupe in New York City, United States, in 1985.

Key Information

History

[edit]

Prior to starting the Silos, Salas-Humara had been a member of the Vulgar Boatmen, and Bob Rupe was in Florida bands the Roll N Pinz, the Cichlids, Crank and the Bobs, as well as Screaming Sneakers. The Silos put out the independently released album About Her Steps in 1986, which received a warm critical reception. The band's 1987 follow-up album, Cuba, also independently released, received even more recognition. The Silos were named Best New Artist in the Rolling Stone magazine critics' poll.[1][2] Cuba continues to be cited as highly influential among alternative country artists.[citation needed] The band subsequently signed to RCA Records and released the album The Silos (1990), produced by Salas-Humara and Rupe along with Peter Moore. Commonly referred to as "the bird album" or "The One With The Bird On The Cover", The Silos led to the band's network TV debut appearance on Late Night with David Letterman.

Salas-Humara quit the band following the release of The Silos and purchased the rights to the Silos name from Rupe in 1991, thus dissolving the partnership.[3] Subsequent albums included Hasta La Victoria (1992), Susan Across the Ocean (1994), Heater and its remix companion Cooler (both 1998). After Heater was recorded, Salas-Humara turned the band into a three piece with Drew Glackin on bass and lap steel guitar and Konrad Meissner on drum and backing vocals. The subsequent records were Laser Beam Next Door (2001), When The Telephone Rings (2004), and the live This Highway Is A Circle. Bloodshot Records released the Silos' 2007 offering, Come On Like The Fast Lane. In 2008, Glackin died.[4] Salas-Humara and Meissner continue to perform with other players. In 2011, the band released Florizona with Rod Hohl playing bass, Bruce Martin on keyboards and Jason Victor on guitar.

Salas-Humara has also released the solo albums Lagartija (1988) (which also featured Bob Rupe), Radar (1995) and most recently, Curve and Shake (2014). He joined Alejandro Escovedo and Michael Hall in a side project called the Setters. The novelist and music aficionado Jonathan Lethem called Salas-Humara "a melodic genius, one of our greatest songwriters."[5] Rolling Stone said Salas-Humara "has a deft songwriting touch, creating terse, stripped-down songs as elegant as Shaker furniture."[6]

Bob Rupe went on to record with House of Freaks, Gutterball, Danny & Dusty and Sparklehorse. Prior to starting Silos he was well established as a producer and engineer in South Florida, handling production for Psycho Daisies, The Chant and The Preachers. He was a member of Cracker from 1994 to 2000 and has appeared as a guest artist on releases by many other artists including Freedy Johnston, Joan Osborne, Steve Wynn, Daniel Johnston and Garrison Starr. Bob Rupe has also mastered records for a variety of artists across many musical styles including Charlie Pickett (Bar Band Americanus). Rupe died on March 3, 2025, at the age of 68.[7]

Discography

[edit]
  • 1985 About Her Steps (Record Collect)
  • 1987 Cuba (Record Collect)
  • 1990 The Silos (a.k.a. The One with the Bird on the Cover) (RCA) U.S. #140[8]
  • 1992 Hasta la Victoria! (Normal Records)
  • 1994 Susan Across the Ocean (Watermelon Records)
  • 1994 Diablo (European version of Susan Across the Ocean) (Normal Records)
  • 1994 Ask the Dust: Recordings 1980-1988 (reissue of About Her Steps and Lagartija [Walter Salas-Humara]) (Watermelon Records)
  • 1997 Long Green Boat (Greatest hits with live tracks) (Last Call Records)
  • 1998 Heater (Checkered Past Records)
  • 1998 Cooler (Remixes of Heater) (Normal Records)
  • 2001 Barcelona (Live) (Return to Sender Records/Normal Mail Order)
  • 2001 Laser Beam Next Door (Checkered Past Records)
  • 2001 Nuestra Vida (Greatest hits) (Discmedi)
  • 2004 When the Telephone Rings (Dualtone Records)
  • 2006 This Highway Is a Circle (Live CD + DVD) (Blue Rose Records)
  • 2007 Come On Like the Fast Lane (Bloodshot Records)
  • 2011 Florizona (Sonic Pyramid)
  • 2022 Family
[edit]
  • 1988 Walter Salas-Humara, Lagartija (Record Collect)
  • 1990 The Vulgar Boatmen, You and Your Sister (Record Collect)
  • 1992 The Vulgar Boatmen, Please Panic (Safe House Records)
  • 1993 The Setters, The Setters (with Alejandro Escovedo and Michael Hall) (Blue Million Miles Records; re-released in 1994 on Watermelon Records)
  • 1994 Walter Salas-Humara, Lean (Live) (Return to Sender Records/Normal Mail Order)
  • 1994 Walter Salas-Humara, Ask the Dust: Recordings 1980-1988 (reissue of About Her Steps and Lagartija [solo]) (Watermelon Records)
  • 1995 The Vulgar Boatmen, Opposite Sex (Blanco y Negro)
  • 1996 The Setters, Dark Ballad Trash (Return to Sender Records/Normal Mail Order)
  • 1996 Walter Salas-Humara, Radar (Watermelon Records)
  • 2000 Woozy, Woozy (with Dave Bassett) (Last Call Records)
  • 2003 The Vulgar Boatmen, Wide Awake (Selections from the studio albums plus four new tracks) (No Nostalgia)
  • 2008 I'm Not Jim (with novelist Jonathan Lethem), You Are All My People (Bloodshot Records)
  • 2014 Walter Salas-Humara, Curve and Shake (Sonic Pyramid)

References

[edit]
[edit]
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The Silos

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The Silos is an American band formed in 1985 in by Walter Salas-Humara, guitarist Bob Rupe, and violinist Mary Rowell. Blending elements of , , punk, and influences, the band helped pioneer the alt-country and No Depression movements of the late 1980s and 1990s. They earned early critical acclaim, being named magazine's Best New American Band in their 1987 critics' poll. Throughout their career, The Silos have undergone several lineup changes while maintaining Salas-Humara as the creative core; notable past members include bassist Drew Glackin (who passed away in 2008). The band's debut album, About Her Steps (1986), was followed by the critically praised (1987) and their self-titled major-label release (1990), which featured appearances on . By 2025, they had released 25 albums, including recent works like Florizona (2011) and the studio album (2022), with all titles available for streaming. Remaining active into their 40th year, The Silos continue to tour—as evidenced by their 2025 anniversary tour—and record, emphasizing collaborative songwriting across regions.

History

Formation and early years

The Silos were formed in New York City in 1985 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Walter Salas-Humara and multi-instrumentalist Bob Rupe, who had previously collaborated in the Florida-based band The Vulgar Boatmen. Drawing from punk, roots rock, and emerging indie scenes, the duo assembled an initial lineup that included violinist Mary Rowell for string arrangements, alongside occasional support from bassist J.D. Foster. This fluid ensemble reflected the band's grassroots origins amid New York's post-punk landscape, where Salas-Humara and Rupe sought to blend raw energy with narrative-driven songwriting. The band's debut album, About Her Steps, was released in 1986 on the small independent label Record Collect, a New York-based imprint that limited their reach but allowed creative control. Produced by Salas-Humara and mixed with Rupe, the record featured an eclectic mix of tracks like "Shine It Down" and "Start the Clock," showcasing the group's jangly guitars, violin flourishes, and introspective lyrics over a 30-minute runtime. Recorded at local studios such as Studio Double You and L-7 in NYC, it captured their nascent sound and earned positive notices in underground music circles for its unpolished authenticity, though distribution challenges from the indie label hindered wider exposure. In 1987, The Silos followed with Cuba on Record Collect, refining their approach with a more cohesive lineup including drummer John Galway and Rowell on and viola. Produced by the band and engineered by figures like David Pearlman, the album included standout tracks such as "Tennessee Fire" and "She Lives Up the Street," blending country-tinged Americana with rock edges in a way that foreshadowed the movement. Cuba garnered significant critical praise, earning the band the Best New American Band accolade in Rolling Stone's 1987 Critics' Poll and establishing them as innovators in the genre. Despite the acclaim, the group navigated independent hurdles, including sparse touring budgets and regional gigs in the Northeast to build a audience before attracting major-label interest.

RCA period and initial split

In 1988, following their recognition as Best New Band in Rolling Stone magazine's critics' poll, The Silos signed a deal with RCA Records, marking their transition from independent releases to major-label backing. The agreement provided the band with significant creative control, allowing co-founders Walter Salas-Humara and Bob Rupe to maintain their artistic independence amid the shift to a larger platform. This period also saw the band drawing on their Southern roots for recording, as they chose a vacant 800-seat theater in Gainesville, Florida—Salas-Humara's hometown—for sessions, which influenced a raw, acoustic-driven sound emphasizing natural reverb and live interaction over polished studio effects. The band's self-titled major-label debut, The Silos, was released in March 1990 and produced by Peter Moore alongside Rupe and Salas-Humara. Recorded over six weeks in the theater using a mobile unit, the featured a lineup including Brian Doherty, J.D. Foster, and keyboardist Kenny Margolis, blending alt-country twang with rock energy in tracks such as "Caroline," "I'm Over You," and "Anyway You Choose Me." To promote the record, The Silos undertook North American tours, building on their exhaustive 1988 national outing of 75 shows in 90 days that supported their prior independent Cuba. They gained further visibility with a performance of "I'm Over You" on in May 1990. Despite critical praise for its uncluttered production and emotional depth, the achieved limited commercial success, failing to secure radio airplay and prompting RCA to drop the band later that year. Tensions escalated in 1991 amid the label's rejection, leading to an internal split that effectively disbanded the original partnership. Salas-Humara departed RCA and purchased the rights to the Silos name from Rupe, who chose to leave the group entirely. This dissolution stemmed from creative and professional differences following the album's underperformance, resulting in a temporary hiatus for the band as Salas-Humara relocated to to pursue new projects.

Reformation and later career

Following the departure from and the band's initial split, Walter Salas-Humara reformed The Silos in in 1991, recruiting bassist Tom Freund, guitarist Manny Verzosa, and drummer Darren Hess to continue the project independently. This revival marked a shift toward self-directed production and smaller labels, emphasizing the band's resilience amid lineup changes and industry challenges. The group recorded their comeback album, Hasta la Victoria!, which was first released in 1992 on the German independent label Normal Records and in the U.S. in 1994 via Watermelon Records. The Silos maintained momentum with Susan Across the Ocean in 1994, also on Watermelon Records, further establishing their reputation for introspective songwriting that wove themes of perseverance and emotional endurance through roots-rock arrangements. By 1998, Salas-Humara relocated to New York and assembled a more stable core lineup dubbed "Silos 3.0," featuring drummer Konrad Meissner and multi-instrumentalist Drew Glackin on bass and guitar; this configuration released Heater on the independent Checkered Past Records, blending raw energy with the band's signature melodic grit. The album's lyrics often reflected personal and artistic tenacity, mirroring the group's determination to thrive outside major-label constraints. Throughout the 2000s, The Silos solidified their independent ethos with extensive touring across the U.S. and , including club dates and occasional festival slots that sustained their . In 2007, the power-trio format of Salas-Humara, Meissner, and Glackin yielded Come On Like the Fast Lane on , an album infused with driving rhythms and resilient narratives of momentum and survival. Tragedy struck in 2008 with Glackin's passing, prompting the addition of bassist and guitarist Rod Hohl, keyboardist Bruce Martin, and guitarist Jason Victor to the lineup, which brought renewed stability and layered production. This evolved ensemble debuted Florizona in 2011 on Sonic Pyramid, a densely textured work dedicated to Glackin that underscored the band's enduring spirit through intricate, harmony-rich explorations of loss and renewal.

Recent events

In 2022, The Silos released their twelfth studio , Family, on the independent label Sonic Pyramid Records. The album, recorded remotely across the Northeast, Midwest, , and , features contributions from the band's current lineup, including leader Walter Salas-Humara, and reflects on themes of familial bonds, legacy, and artistic perseverance amid a career spanning nearly four decades. Critics noted its blend of rootsy optimism and , marking a reunion-like effort following periods of solo work by key members. The band maintained an active touring schedule through 2023 and 2024, performing at venues across the , and announced a 40th European tour for February 2025, followed by Midwest dates in April. In late 2024, The Silos revealed plans for a series of live albums commemorating their 40-year history, starting with a recording from their 1988 first national tour, available for streaming and download. By 2025, the group's complete discography, including , became widely accessible on major streaming services such as and , ensuring broader reach for their catalog. On March 3, 2025, founding bassist Bob Rupe died at the age of 68, with the cause undisclosed. Rupe, who co-founded with Salas-Humara in 1985 and contributed to its early albums before departing in 1991, later played a key role in acts including Cracker (1994–2000), Gutterball, and . Tributes from former bandmates and the wider music community emphasized his foundational influence on The Silos' sound and his enduring contributions to the genre.

Musical style and influences

Core sound and genre evolution

The Silos' core sound emerged as a fusion of , , and alt-country, characterized by guitar-driven energy and a raw, unpolished edge that distinguished them in the late 1980s indie scene. Their debut album, About Her Steps (1985), and follow-up Cuba (1987) featured noisy, crunchy guitar riffs blended with experimental elements and folk-leaning arrangements, creating a distinctive foundation that evoked influences while incorporating early country twang. This period established their hallmark of dual guitars—typically interlocking lines from lead and rhythm players—paired with prominent, driving bass lines that anchored the rhythmic propulsion. The band's genre evolution became evident with their 1990 self-titled RCA album, which shifted toward a more polished production while retaining the rootsy core, resulting in a loose-limbed country-rock hybrid recorded live in the studio for an organic feel. Following their initial split after this major-label release, the reformation in the mid-1990s marked a return to a rawer, Americana-infused sound, as heard in albums like Hasta la Victoria! (1992) and Susan Across the Ocean (1994), where semi-acoustic rustic pop emphasized downcast introspection and occasional dissonance over commercial sheen. Later works, such as Laser Beam Next Door (2001) and Come on Like the Fast Lane (2007), refined this into a fierce power-trio intensity with proto-punk aggression, while maintaining the alt-country fusion that positioned them as pioneers in the genre. Instrumental signatures persisted, including dual guitar interplay and, in earlier configurations, violin accents that added textural depth to the roots elements. In 2025, to commemorate their 40th anniversary, the band released a series of 25 live albums spanning their career, showcasing the enduring dual-guitar driven roots rock sound across decades. Lyrically, The Silos consistently explored themes of relationships, , and perseverance, often through simple yet emotionally charged narratives of , loss, , and resilience that complemented their evolving sonic palette. These motifs, delivered in a straightforward style, underscored the band's conceptual unity across genre shifts, from the desolation of early indie tracks to the hopeful grit of later Americana explorations.

Key influences and critical reception

The Silos drew significant inspiration from the New York punk and no-wave scenes of the early 1980s, as co-founder Walter Salas-Humara relocated to the city amid the genre's decline, forming the band in 1985 with an experimental edge shaped by aesthetics. Salas-Humara's upbringing further infused elements, evident in his early exposure to bands like , blending blues, , and rock traditions into the group's rootsy sound. The band's work also resonated within the emerging alt-country movement, paralleling pioneers like through shared hybridization of punk, folk, and , though The Silos predated and helped catalyze that scene with their raw, genre-blurring approach. Critics hailed the band's 1987 album as a of alt-country innovation, praising its rustic fusion of , and fiddle-driven acoustics that captured an intimate, unpolished vibe while redefining roots music for college radio audiences; it earned The Silos the title of Best New American Band in 's 1987 critics' poll. In contrast, their 1990 self-titled RCA debut, despite strong songcraft, was viewed as a commercial misstep, with the label's marketing struggles leading to the band's swift departure and underscoring their challenges in achieving mainstream breakthrough. Later releases received acclaim for stylistic consistency, with outlets like and noting the enduring appeal of Salas-Humara's lyrical depth and the band's ragged energy across decades of evolution. The 2025 release of their 40th anniversary live album series has been positively received for preserving and highlighting their pioneering alt-country sound. Overall, The Silos cultivated a cult following as a "lifer band," celebrated in a 2011 NPR feature for their resilience through lineup changes, relocations, and the 2008 death of guitarist Drew Glackin, prioritizing artistic integrity over commercial hits while maintaining a dedicated "Silos family" of fans and collaborators. Post-2022 reviews of Family emphasized its emotional resonance, highlighting thoughtful lyrics on love, trust, and natural metaphors that deliver an uplifting, heartland optimism amid the band's signature roots-rock drive.

Band members

Current lineup

The current lineup of The Silos as of 2025 centers on founder Walter Salas-Humara, who serves as and and has remained a continuous member since the band's formation in 1985. Drummer Konrad Meissner, who joined in 1998, has played a pivotal role in the band's studio recordings and live performances over the decades. Guitarist and backing vocalist Rod Hohl has been a long-term collaborator since the mid-1990s, contributing to the band's core sound on multiple albums and tours as bassist and guitarist. Bassist and Caitlin Oliver-Gans joined in the , bringing arrangements that enhance the group's alt-country and roots-rock textures. Keyboardist Bruce Martin joined in the 2010s and provided key contributions to the 2022 album Family, including synthesizers and production support. Guitarist Jason Victor joined in the 2000s and has contributed to recent recordings and tours. This configuration has supported recent tours celebrating the band's 40th anniversary, as well as performances promoting Family, blending traditional instrumentation with expanded arrangements.

Former members and contributions

Bob Rupe served as the bassist and co-founder of The Silos from 1985 to 1991, contributing significantly to the band's early and roots sound through his guitar, bass, and vocal work on debut album About Her Steps (1985), (1987), and the self-titled 1990 release. His distinctive bass lines, such as on the track "For Always" from the 1990 album, helped define the group's rhythmic drive and jangle-pop edges during their formative years. Rupe passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 68. Mary Rowell joined as a founding violinist in 1985 and remained through the late and into the early , infusing the band's initial recordings with classical folk textures via her and viola performances on About Her Steps and Cuba. Her contributions, including prominent parts on tracks like those from About Her Steps, added emotional depth and a string-driven layer to the Silos' blend of and Americana influences. Drew Glackin served as bassist and guitarist from 1998 until his death in 2008, contributing to Silos 3.0 and albums like Come on Like the Fast Lane (2004) and Tell Me You Love Me (2021), adding lap steel and rhythmic elements to the band's sound. Drummer John Galway provided support during the band's 1980s era, particularly aiding early national tours such as the 1988 cross-country trek documented on Live at the Toad Cafe 1988, where he backed core members alongside John Ross. JD Foster contributed bass and production elements in the band's early phase, appearing on recordings like the 1990 self-titled album and later co-producing tracks on Hasta La Victoria! (2001), while also handling bass duties during transitional periods. Graham Maby played bass for the Silos in the early 1990s, including on live sessions such as the 1990 broadcast for The Bird Album, supporting the group's shift toward a more polished roots-rock configuration post-Rupe.

Discography

Studio albums

The Silos' debut studio album, About Her Steps, was released in 1985 on Record Collect Records and consists of 10 tracks, marking their independent entry into the music scene. Their second album, Cuba, arrived in 1987 on the same label, featuring 10 tracks and self-produced by the band, which helped establish their breakthrough status in alternative rock circles. The self-titled The Silos followed in 1990 on , an 11-track major-label effort produced by Peter Moore alongside band members Bob Rupe and Walter Salas-Humara, recorded live in the studio for an energetic feel. It peaked at #140 on the US Billboard 200. After their initial split, Hasta La Victoria emerged in 1992 (initially on Normal Records in , with a U.S. release in 1994 on Watermelon Records), comprising 12 tracks of rustic acoustic pop led by Walter Salas-Humara. Susan Across the Ocean was issued in 1994 on Watermelon Records, an 11-track album that incorporated covers and additional material. The band returned in 1998 with Heater on Checkered Past Records, a 13-track release that reaffirmed their sound after a hiatus. Laser Beam Next Door was released in 2001 on Checkered Past Records, featuring 11 tracks with a rock-oriented sound. When the Telephone Rings appeared in 2004 on , an 11-track album produced by Walter Salas-Humara. After nearly a decade, Come On Like the Fast Lane came out in 2007 on , featuring 12 tracks produced by the band and emphasizing their power-trio intensity. Florizona, released in 2011 on Spray Records, includes 11 tracks drawing from the band's Southwestern influences during a period of lineup evolution. The latest studio album, (2022, Bloodshot Records), contains 10 tracks assembled remotely by current and former members, highlighting the band's enduring collaborative spirit. None of the Silos' studio albums achieved major commercial success, though the 1990 self-titled release charted modestly and early works like garnered critical praise; later ones sustained a dedicated indie following. Several, including and Hasta La Victoria, have seen reissues on labels such as and Sonic Pyramid to reach new audiences.

Other releases

In addition to their studio albums, The Silos have issued a handful of compilations, live recordings, and singles, often drawing from early career material or archival performances. The band's primary compilation, Ask the Dust: Recordings 1980–1988, was released in 1995 on Watermelon Records and compiles tracks from their debut album About Her Steps (1985) and Walter Salas-Humara's solo album Lagartija (1988), along with early demos and bonus material spanning the pre-RCA era. Live releases have primarily emerged as archival efforts in recent years, with no major official live albums during the band's peak commercial period. Live at the Toad Cafe 1988, recorded during their national tour supporting Cuba, was released digitally in 2024 as part of the band's 40th anniversary celebrations, capturing the original lineup's raw energy in a Milwaukee venue. Similarly, The Bird Album: Live on KCRW (2024) presents a 1990 radio session performance of their self-titled RCA album in its entirety, highlighting the band's jangle-rock sound in an intimate broadcast setting. Unofficial bootlegs from the 1988 and 1990 tours, such as the soundboard compilation Flipping the Bird, circulate among fans but remain unauthorized. Singles and EPs have been sporadic, often tied to independent or digital platforms. Early 1980s demos appear on , providing a glimpse into the band's formative New York sound before formal releases. In the digital era, standalone singles include "It's a Little Late for " (2023), a holiday-themed track available on streaming services. No major EPs were issued, though some tracks from the 2010s, such as those previewing Florizona (2011), functioned as promotional singles. Post-2022 archival efforts, including the live release, have been streaming exclusives, emphasizing the band's enduring catalog accessibility.

Walter Salas-Humara's solo and collaborative work

Walter Salas-Humara released his debut solo album, Lagartija, in 1988 on Record Collect Records. The record features ten tracks of rock and pop-oriented songwriting, including "Carol" and "About Her Steps," with contributions from former Silos collaborator Bob Rupe on bass and guitar, maintaining a sonic continuity with the band's early style through introspective lyrics and jangly guitar arrangements. Critics noted its well-crafted appeal, describing it as not straying far from the group's established sound. His second solo effort, , appeared in 1995 on Watermelon Records. This eleven-track album explores raw, with elements of indie credibility, featuring layered instrumentation such as , , and across songs like "Three, Two, One And More" and "." Recorded in multiple studios, it reflects Salas-Humara's return to a scrappy, unpolished aesthetic reminiscent of his foundational work with The Silos. In 2014, Salas-Humara issued Curve and Shake on Blue Rose Records. The ten-song collection blends rock, folk, and country influences, incorporating diverse elements like Latin percussion and on tracks such as "Counting on You" and the title song, emphasizing personal introspection and rhythmic drive. Produced with collaborators including Amy Daggett on vocals, it underscores his enduring songwriting voice through stripped-down arrangements that echo the narrative depth of his band material. Beyond solo releases, Salas-Humara engaged in notable collaborations during the 1990s, most prominently with The Setters, a short-lived supergroup alongside Alejandro Escovedo of True Believers and Michael Hall of Wild Seeds. Formed for a 1993 music festival and active through 1994, the project yielded a self-titled album of re-recorded originals by each member, produced by Gurf Morlix and released on Watermelon Records in the U.S. The effort highlighted shared roots-rock affinities, with Salas-Humara contributing songs that aligned with his thematic focus on emotional resilience. He also made guest appearances on recordings by like-minded artists, including contributions to compilations and side projects in the alternative country scene. In production roles during the and , Salas-Humara worked on albums for emerging acts in the indie and Americana spheres, such as co-producing Michael Hall's in 1990 on Record Collect and The Vulgar Boatmen's You and Your Sister that same year. His involvement extended to the Vulgar Boatmen's 1992 release and The Woolridge Brothers' 1998 debut, where he shaped raw, guitar-driven sounds akin to his own output. These efforts demonstrated his ear for collaborative dynamics and commitment to fostering under-the-radar talent. Following The Silos' activities in 2022, Salas-Humara has pursued solo endeavors blending music performances with visual art exhibitions, often tying into his songwriting legacy through live sets of catalog material. In 2023 and 2024, he conducted intimate acoustic tours across the U.S., including unplugged shows with peers like , focusing on narrative-driven sets from his solo and band eras. By 2025, these continued with a solo exhibition of abstract horse paintings accompanied by musical performance in on September 19–20, a performance with on November 18 in , a scheduled joint appearance with in on December 12, and another in on December 13, where he performed selections evoking The Silos' enduring influence.

Bob Rupe's additional endeavors

Following his departure from The Silos in the early 1990s, Bob Rupe contributed bass guitar to House of Freaks' third studio album, Cakewalk, released in 1991 by Reprise Records. This collaboration with the Richmond, Virginia-based duo of Bryan Harvey and Johnny Hott marked one of Rupe's early post-Silos projects, adding low-end drive to tracks like the title song and "Left of the Dial." In 1993, Rupe co-founded the alternative rock supergroup Gutterball alongside Steve Wynn, Stephen McCarthy, Bryan Harvey, Johnny Hott, and Armistead Wellford, serving as bassist and backing vocalist on their self-titled debut album released by Normal Records. The band's eclectic sound blended post-punk and Americana elements, with Rupe's contributions evident on songs such as "Gear Jammer" and "All the Kids in Alabama," reflecting his roots in the indie scene. Rupe joined as a session for their debut album, Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot, released in 1995 by . His playing underpinned Mark Linkous's lo-fi on tracks including "Homecoming Queen" and "Weird Animals," providing subtle rhythmic support amid the album's atmospheric and experimental textures. From 1994 to 1999, Rupe was Cracker's touring and recording , joining during the sessions for their third album, The Golden Age (1996, ), where he played on hits like "I Hate My Generation" and contributed to the band's raw, roots-infused sound. He continued with Gentleman's Blues (1998, ), delivering bass lines for tracks such as "Seven Days" and "Sweet Thistle Pie," and appeared on select cuts from Forever (2002, ), solidifying his role in David Lowery's project amid the alt-rock landscape. Rupe's tenure with Cracker extended to live performances, enhancing the band's energetic blend of country, punk, and . Beyond these band affiliations, Rupe undertook session work for various alt-rock artists, including contributions to David Lowery's solo and Cracker-related recordings, as well as other Virginia-centric indie projects that underscored his reputation as a reliable in the underground scene. In the , he occasionally reunited with The Silos for sporadic performances and explored solo bass recording at his P&P Sound studio in the , focusing on experimental and production-oriented endeavors. Rupe's death on March 3, 2025, at age 68 prompted widespread tributes from the community, with peers like David Lowery and praising his charismatic presence, technical prowess, and enduring influence on bass playing in alternative and Americana genres. His work across these projects cemented his legacy as a versatile figure in 1990s underground music, particularly in the Richmond and broader East Coast scenes.

References

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  31. https://www.noise11.com/news/cracker-bass-player-bob-rupe-has-died-at-age-68-20250304
  32. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-silos-mn0000421400
  33. https://trouserpress.com/reviews/silos/
  34. https://www.popmatters.com/the-silos-come-on-like-the-fast-lane-2495809596.html
  35. https://www.heynonny.com/shows/the-silos-3/
  36. https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-20567-family-function.html
  37. https://www.qobuz.com/ie-en/interpreter/the-silos/821526
  38. https://medium.com/the-riff/an-album-you-should-hear-dd5d640a64f5
  39. https://www.popmatters.com/silos-cuba-2496079201.html
  40. https://popdose.com/reissue-review-silos-cuba/
  41. https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2011/04/28/135805458/lifer-bands-staying-a-fan-through-thick-and-thin
  42. http://www.thesilos.net/pix-bio-posters
  43. https://www.njarts.net/hoboken-event-will-feature-both-the-music-and-the-paintings-of-walter-salas-humara/
  44. https://bluerose-records.com/the-silos-with-their-newest-album-family-finally-available-through-the-blue-rose-webshop/
  45. https://www.amny.com/entertainment/music/dark-streets-celtic-punk-american-band-pogues/
  46. https://thesilos.net/music
  47. https://www.checkeredpast.com/collections/the-silos
  48. https://nodepression.org/silos-cuba/
  49. https://www.discogs.com/artist/254241-JD-Foster
  50. https://thesilos.net/album/404071/live-at-kcrw
  51. https://www.discogs.com/release/9107160-The-Silos-About-Her-Steps
  52. https://www.discogs.com/release/3412338-Silos-Cuba
  53. https://www.discogs.com/release/2569283-The-Silos-Hasta-La-Victoria
  54. https://www.discogs.com/release/3985974-The-Silos-Heater
  55. https://www.discogs.com/release/5079734-The-Silos-Laser-Beam-Next-Door
  56. https://www.discogs.com/release/4330043-The-Silos-When-The-Telephone-Rings
  57. https://stores.portmerch.com/thesilos/music-video/downloads/ask-the-dust-download.html
  58. https://thesilosofficial.bandcamp.com/album/the-bird-album-live-on-kcrw
  59. https://bbchron.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-silos-1990-tour-live-compilation.html
  60. https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCnBaBeYTi1KksyR8UMYhoaA
  61. https://www.discogs.com/release/2082607-Walter-Salas-Humara-Lagartija
  62. https://www.discogs.com/release/2663929-Walter-Salas-Humara-Radar
  63. https://stores.portmerch.com/thesilos/radar-cd.html
  64. https://www.discogs.com/release/8334638-Walter-Salas-Humara-Curve-And-Shake
  65. https://www.popmatters.com/184580-walter-salas-humara-curve-and-shake-2495630302.html
  66. https://www.alejandroescovedo.com/new-page
  67. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/05/13/the-setters-the-silos-true-believers/
  68. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/walter-salas-humara-mn0000230069
  69. https://www.discogs.com/artist/633537-Walter-Salas-Humara
  70. https://www.waltersalashumara.com/
  71. https://www.bandsintown.com/a/153146-walter-salas-humara
  72. https://www.14bcgallery.org/upcoming-exhibitions/walter-solo-show
  73. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freedy-johnstons-tues-night-live-w-guest-walter-salas-humara-tickets-1964540065219
  74. https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2025/12-12-2025-freedy-johnston-and-walter-salas-humera/
  75. https://www.bluecricket.com/freaks/albums/cake.html
  76. https://www.discogs.com/release/15118008-Gutterball-Gutterball
  77. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bob-rupe-mn0000763525
  78. https://crackersoul.com/blogs/news/posts/7537320/the-passing-of-bob-rupe-cracker-bassist-1994-1999
  79. https://www.discogs.com/artist/260682-Bob-Rupe
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