John Ramberg and the Tripwires at BumbershootJim Sangster performing with the Christy McWilson Band at the Ballard Seafood FestJohnny Sangster and The Tripwires play at BumbershootMark Pickerel drumming with The Tripwires during Reverb Fest 2007Dan Peters on drums
Brothers Jim Sangster and Johnny Sangster grew up in Seattle, Washington, but spent summers on Lopez Island, Washington, where their parents have resided since 1988. The brothers attended a year of high school on the island, where they formed their first bands, performing at the high school and the American Legion hall.[3]
In 1984, Johnny relocated to Denmark, where he led the Copenhagen-based The Sharing Patrol until 1997. Returning to Seattle in 1997, he connected with Egg Studios owner Conrad Uno, who enlisted Johnny's engineering assistance.[4]
After recording 4 albums with The Model Rockets, John Ramberg had begun work on a solo album with drummer Bill Rieflin (R.E.M., Ministry, The Minus 5). In 2006, those sessions, with the contribution of the Sangster brothers, evolved into the formation of the group The Tripwires.[5]
Releases
The first The Tripwires album Makes You Look Around was released in 2007 on the Paisley Pop label and featured support from Scott McCaughey and technical help from Kurt Bloch. Reviewers praised the album, calling it melodic but powerful pop, bright and propulsive, filled with melodic hooks.[6]
A second album, House to House, was released in 2009 on the Spark & Shine label, featuring production by Johnny Sangster and engineering by Sangster and Jon Erwie. The album was described in reviews as explosive power pop.[7]
Jim Sangster, vocals, bass and guitar. Sangster has also performed with The Young Fresh Fellows, The Minus 5, The Picketts, Fun At The Zoo, Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands, Roy Loney and the Longshots, and Thee Sgt. Major III.[14]
Johnny Sangster, vocals and guitar. In addition to his work with The Tripwires, Sangster has played with Mark Pickerel and his Praying Hands, Model Rockets, Maggie Björklund, The Basements, Cobirds Unite, Dear John Letters, and Steve Turner and His Bad Ideas.[15][16]
Mark Pickerel, drums. Pickerel is best known as the original drummer for the Screaming Trees. He also leads the band, Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands. In 2012, Mark Pickerel amiably parted ways with the band, and Dan Peters (Mudhoney) took his place on drums.[17]
In the early 80s, Johnny Sangster (guitar, vocals) and Jonathan Stibbard (drums) formed The Sharing Patrol in Seattle, Washington. Henrik Tuxen (bass) joined in 1984 when Johnny and Jonathan moved to Copenhagen, Denmark. The band released four albums before Sangster returned to Seattle in 1997. The Sharing Patrol recorded for EMI Records and toured Europe, Scandinavia, and the former Soviet Union.[4]
Stumpy Joe
John Ramberg (lead vocals, guitar) led this Seattle-based band. Other members included Mark Hoyt (lead guitar, vocals), Christian Wilson (bass, piano), and Scott Russell (drums). They released one album: One Way Rocket Ride To Kicksville! in 1991. Scott McCaughey co-produced, engineered, and mixed the recording.[19]
The Model Rockets
John Ramberg led this Seattle-area band, which still performs on occasion. In 1993, when Stumpy Joe disbanded, several ex-members formed a new band: Glory Stompers. The name was already taken, so they changed the name of the band to The Model Rockets. Initially, The Model Rockets consisted of John Ramberg (guitar, lead vocals), Grant Johnson (guitar), Boyd Remillard (bass), and Graham Black (drums). In 1994, Johnson was replaced by Scott Sutherland (Chemistry Set). Their debut album, Hilux, (Lucky Records) was produced by Scott McCaughey (The Young Fresh Fellows). A second album, 1996's Snatch It Back and Hold It (C/Z) was followed by a tour of Spain.[20]
In 1998, The Model Rockets released At El Sol / Sold Out. This album was recorded live in Madrid, Spain. 2003's Pilot County Suite was their most recent recording.[21]
Sangster Family Band
Jim and Johnny Sangster have performed occasionally as part of the Sangster Family Band, which includes their mother Patsy, their father John (now deceased), Jim's two children, and Johnny's three children.[3][22]
Sangster Meets Benson/Benson Meets Sangster
In 2002, Johnny Sangster recorded one album with Robb Benson (Dear John Letters, Nevada Bachelors). The Sangster Meets Benson/Benson Meets Sangster album was described as an experimental pop collaboration.[23][24]
Johnny Sangster works as an audio engineer operating the Crackle & Pop! recording studio in Seattle, Washington, with partners Andrew Smith and Scott Masoner.[15]
Discography
The Tripwires
LPs
2008: Makes You Look Around (The Paisley Pop Label pop020169)
2009: House to House (Spark & Shine)
2014: Get Young (Folc Records FOLC033)
EPs
2017: Fat City Let's Go (House Frolic/Folc Records FOLC062)
Singles
2016: The Tripwires / Phantom Ships – "Paper Crown" / "There's This Girl" (Tym Records TYM 041)
Compilations
2014: More Super Hits of the Seventies! – Track 19, "2-4-6-8 Motorway" (Mike Shell)
2015: We Want To Be Black Vol. 4 – Track A1, "C'mon and Swim" (Folc Records FOLC041)
2016: Super Hits of the Seventies: Hit Explosion! – Track 17, "Games People Play" (Mike Shell)
2017: Super Hits of the Seventies: Pure Dyn-O-Mite! – Track 15, "Motorcycle Mama" (Mike Shell)
