The Presidents of the United States of America

For a more comprehensive discography see the Musicbrainz entry (http://musicbrainz.org/artist/7509421d-1074-442f-be8f-b526167afcb3.html) for this artist. (Their three-part arrangement of the normally four-part "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah", featured on Keep on Doing [1982], is legendary in a cappella circles.). Singles:. They have also recorded their own arrangements of songs from a variety of New York folk artists, as well as a few covers of famous songs. Live/Greatest Hits:. The majority of Roches songs are written by the three sisters, alone, in every combination, and occasionally collaborating with other songwriters. Full-lengths:. Suzzy's daughter Lucy Roche has also contributed vocals on the Roches' and McTeigue's albums.

Both instruments are modifications of traditional six string electric guitar bodies with specific strings removed and different tunings. Maggie's son, Felix McTeigue, has recorded two albums (one with his group Filo). The Presidents are credited with creating the instruments known as the 'basitar' and the 'guitbass'. Brother David is also a singer-songwriter with his own solo album, and has often backed up the trio on their recordings. They also perform the theme music for The Drew Carey Show. Musical talent runs further in the family. They were noted for their amusing lyrics and simple, catchy guitar riffs, usually with guitars from which they had removed strings. While touring as a trio, all three sisters accompany themselves on guitar and keyboard, frequently without additional musicians.

They are a grunge pop group that had a sequence of hits in the mid 1990s, such as "Lump", "Kitty", and "Peaches". Suzzy playfully fills in the middle range to complete the trio. The Presidents of the United States of America is an alternative band which was formed in 1989. Terre provides a soprano that brackets the upper range of the sisters. "Some Postman" (2004). Maggie has a dramatic contralto voice that provides an unusual bass element for all-female harmonies. Last Girl On Earth (2001). All three sisters can be found periodically participating in New York-area events.

Jupiter (2001). Suzzy, who has acted on the stage and in several movies, released two of her own albums and two with Maggie, with whom she is currently touring. Jazz Guy (2000). Terre teaches guitar workshops and has released a solo album. Nuthin' But Luv (2000). They continue to work on solo projects and often collaborate on albums and performances. Tiny Explosions (2000). In 1997, the three sisters formally put The Roches group on indefinite hold.

Teenage Girl (1999). After a tour that was interrupted by the death of their father, The Roches crafted a more somber and thoughtful album, Can We Go Home Now (1995), the last original recording they released as a trio. "George Of The Jungle Theme" (1999). After another pop album (A Dove, 1992), they recorded an entire album of children's songs entitled Will You Be My Friend?, featuring a song by brother David and a gaggle of young backup singers, including Suzzy's daughter Lucy. Video Killed The Radio Star (1998). In 1990, they returned to their Christmas carolling roots with the release of the 24-track We Three Kings, which included the haunting a cappella "Star of Wonder", written by Terre. Man (Opposable Thumb) (1997). Throughout the 1980s, The Roches continued to release their intriguing combination of quirky, fun, and sad music to small but appreciative audiences, little or no air play, and only modest record sales.

Supersonics (1997). Maggie's "The Married Men" from this album was eventually to become the biggest hit of the songwriting trio — not for them, but for Phoebe Snow, as often happens to singer-songwriters. Volcano (1997). Robert Fripp produced the elegantly sparse album that allowed the sisters' complex and playful harmonies to shine through. Supermodel (Oh Yeah) (1997). Terre was now writing songs as well, and by the time of their first album as a trio, The Roches (1979), Suzzy also caught the writing bug. Bug City (1997). It was here that they met many of their future singing and songwriting collaborators.

Tiki God (1996). Around this time, they parlayed bartending jobs at famous Greenwich Village folk venue Folk City into stage appearances, an experience they commemorated in their song, "Face Down at Folk City" (from Another World, 1985). Ça Plane Pour Moi (1996). Shortly after that, youngest sister Suzzy (rhymes with "fuzzy") chimed in to form The Roches trio. "Cleveland Rocks (1996). They returned the favor, so to speak, by getting his assistance (along with an appearance by The Oak Ridge Boys) on their first (and only) album as a duo, Seductive Reasoning (1975). Mach 5 (1996). The sisters got a break when Paul Simon brought them in as backup singers on his album There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973).

Dune Buggy (1996). In the late '60s, eldest sister Margaret and middle sister Terre (pronounced just like "Terry") quit school to tour as a duo. Maggie wrote most of the songs, with Terre contributing to a few. Back Porch (1996). Now on hiatus as a trio, they still perform in various combinations and venues. Peaches (1996). Although they never had major commercial success, they developed an enthusiastic audience for their unique "family music". Naked And Famous (1995). Their musical career spans more than four decades, taking them from neighborhood carolling and a touring duo to working the Greenwich Village folk scene as a trio, getting record contracts, doing more touring, occasionally appearing on television and in movies, and collaborating with other musicians on a variety of projects.

Kitty (1995). The group is known for its unusual harmonies, quirky lyrics, and casually comedic stage performances. Monkey River (1995). The Roches are a female vocal group made up of three songwriting sisters, Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy Roche, from New York. Lump (1995). Loudon Wainwright III. Fuck California (1994). Paul Simon.

Lump (1999) Greatest Hits. Felix McTeigue. Pure Frosting (1998) with, live features. Kate & Anna McGarrigle. Rarities (1997) Greatest Hits. David Massengill. Love Everybody (2004). Christine Lavin.

Freaked Out And Small (2000). Mark Johnson. Pure Frosting (1998). The Indigo Girls. II (1996). Jack Hardy. The Presidents of the United States of America (1995). Philip Glass.

The second C sharp is an octave higher. Robert Fripp. It consists of a normal six string guitar with only three strings, tuned to C sharp, G sharp and C sharp (lowest to highest). Laurie Anderson. The guitbass acts as an electric guitar and was created by band member Dave Dederer to compliment Ballew's basitar. Suzzy was one of the latter-day Babes in this rotating-membership pop-folk group founded by Christine Lavin. It consists of a normal (six string) guitar body fitted with two bass guitar strings on the two middle tuning pegs, tuned to C sharp and G Sharp (lowest to highest). Some Assembly Required (Shanachie, 2002), by the Four Bitchin' Babes.

The basitar was first created by lead singer Chris Ballew and acts as a bass guitar. Suzzy produced as well as performed on this album by various artists. Jason Finn (see also: Love Battery). Moms That Cook (Baby Boom, 1999), by The Music Workshop For Kids. Dave Dederer. Tracey Takes On..., episode "Music" (30 Apr 1997). Chris Ballew. Christmas Songs (One Voice/Satellites Records, 1996), by the Carolling Carollers, another über-group consisting of The Roches, Ilana Iguana, Margaret Dorn, Libby Mclaren, and Bonnie Mann.

Anthem (Intersound, 1996), by the Desolation Angels, an über-group consisting of The Roches, Karla DeVito, Kit Hain, Deborah Berg, the Blister Sisters, and Jane Kelly Williams. Includes performances by The Roches and The Music Workshop For Kids. A Family Concert (K-Tel VHS, 1995). The Roches appropriately played a trio of singing roaches.

Tiny Toons Adventures, episode "New Character Day" (20 Feb 1991). The Roches provided several songs for the soundtrack. Suzzy played Marilyn, a friend of Isabelle (Irving). Crossing Delancey (1988), starring Amy Irving.

The Roches were the featured group in one episode of this televised music series. Soundstage (1983). Why The Long Face (Red House Records, 2004). Zero Church (Red House, 2002).

The Sound of a Tree Falling (Earth Rock Wreckerds, 1998). Songs From An Unmarried Housewife And Mother, Greenwich Village, USA (Red House, 2000). Holy Smokes (Red House, 1997). Collected Works of the Roches (Rhino/Warner, 2003).

Can We Go Home Now (Rykodisc, 1995). Will You Be My Friend? (Baby Boom, 1994). A Dove (MCA, 1992). We Three Kings (MCA, 1990).

Speak (MCA, 1989). No Trespassing (Real Live Records, 1986). Another World (Warner, 1985). Keep On Doing (Warner, 1982).

Nurds (Warner, 1980). The Roches (Warner, 1979). Seductive Reasoning (Columbia, 1975).