12 Rods: The Story of Alt-Rock's Unsung Heroes

[@ChristopherMcGuire-vx7no]

Hey man. An old friend hipped me to ur video. He told me w great vigor that he thought I should watch it and so I did. Dude. I mean,...whoa and wow. It's really far out. I'd like to express to you that I was really very honored by some of the things u said about me drum set playing. It's very kind of u. I do not take it lightly. I'm glad u like/liked some of my beats as I def def slaved over every gd 8th Note I ever played in 12fags so then maybe I could hope that some of these attempts of mine at clever drum patterns that were being activated by having them be put to use for a really badass song by a really badass band would then be maybe poss that some wicked original music that we were all really proud of was maybe worth consideration to make even if just only a tiny little kitty sized entry into what the rock n rolls forefathers ref to as the rock n rolls history books, dig? We all thought that would be cool to do if we could do that. We worked really hard. We rehearsed our dicks off. We all tried to do our very bests w whatever we were doing at the x, dig?? Anyway dude, It's rad that ur sucha fan of 12gays. Thanks a lot man. It makes a dude feel good. Maybe we'll meet someday and I can give u abuncha pure and uncut 12sucks gossip and fantastic stories about what it was like being the drummer in that band that u prob wouldn't even believe and/or would prob make ur brains cream out ur ears. Unto u sir I say Love and Respect. Christopher McGuire age unknown [e-mail]

[@nvirdf]

I FINALLY GET A 12 RODS KZbin ANALYSIS VIDEO LETS FUCKING GOOOO

[@Efrenlm10]

Ryan's my best friend. Playing keys for the upcoming tour. Imma show him this, thanks.

[@Thrash_r]

I SAW YOU GUYS IN DC 2 WEEKS AGO!! YOU GUYS WERE AWESOME!!!

[@robertfoshizzle]

I've never met Ryan, but I've seen quotes from him that make me think he may not know how many people still admire and appreciate his work. I don't blame him for being a little bitter, considering 12 Rods deserved to be way bigger than they were. But I hope he knows there are plenty of people out there like me who were deeply inspired by his music, and his influence is all over the stuff that I write today well over 20 years after discovering 12 Rods in high school. I once listened to "Mexico" for a week straight my freshman year in college... no joke. I think I was going through a mental break of some kind, but that song will always hold a special place in my heart (as do so many others up through Lost Time).

[@funnygirl100heyjude]

please come back to Toronto or somewhere within 8 hours driving distance

[@kingcrimsonandthelizardwizard]

rest in peace king

[@Aspartamebraintumor]

Rip

[@yippee743]

I FREAKING LOVE 12RODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@soufandeTheCure]

WE FREAKING LOVE 12 ROds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@laketoriver]

As a 12rods fan, I have to say I appreciate your effort to not only talk about this band but recognise the older albums and give an in depth look into this band and it’s lyrics. And i’m also very happy you talked about the unfair pitchfork listings.. this bands treatment by not only their record company but also critics gives an off taste. 12rods are the best band i’ve ever heard and Ryan is not just a musical genius but also (at least in my mind) a lyrical genius. So, thank you so much for this video! Little note here about HHD: Ryan has responded numerous times to people asking about the album, and seems pretty on set to not release the cassette to the public anytime soon (even backed down when i asked him, saying he didn’t have it anymore). There’s no known duplicates, so it probably won’t be on the internet anytime soon, shame. But bliss is possibly one of the best albums, something i like about the rough quality. Oh, and i uploaded 14:41 haha

[@nitemarehippygirl510]

good to see u again 😃

[@TouringFunkBand1]

“Separation Anxieties” had plenty of bangers! I once heard “what has happened” was about American Head Charge

[@Jafiveon]

Well they are pretentiously aggressive. Honestly I love separation anxieties. I was shocked to hear that they were unhappy with how it turned out.

[@robertfoshizzle]

@@Jafiveon It's my least favorite of their 3 full-lengths, but it's not a bad album at all -- certainly not anything like how Pitchfork painted it. If Gay? and Split Personalities were 10's, Separation Anxieties was still a solid 7, and Lost Time is like a 9 for me personally. I think they made one good, one great, and two classic records. That's pretty damn good work in 6 short years.

[@devilmooned]

YESSSS 12 RODS!!!!!! IT'S SO COOL TO FIND A VIDEO MADE BY ANOTHER PERSON WHO ENJOYS THIS BAND :DDDD

[@Cristian-ku5fd]

Split Personalities really surprised me on my first listen. They’re incredibly talented and this video makes me want to check out the rest of their discography.

[@yippee743]

I AHVE BEEN WANTING TO SEE THIS VIDEO FOR A WHILE AND IM FINALLY DOING IT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I ALOVE YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS AAAAAAAAAAAA I LOVE 12RODS ITS THE BEST BAND EVER I LOVE IT SM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111

[@greggbendian6250]

12 Rods is indeed VERY special!

[@normalfrog]

im seeing them in a few months very excited

[@audioidkid]

Aw...i liked the Separation Anxieties lyrics. It was a fun album. Marionette was great live.

[@hgxnorton1986]

This band should be way bigger, everyone I’ve shown has fell in love with them.

[@jayxander5269]

me and you both had similar stories with like getting into 12rods. i agreed with everything that was in this vid loved it so much. there’s so much hidden lore behind this little band. if it weren’t for spotifys discover weekly showing me make out music i would’ve never fallen in love with this awesome band

[@edenontheair4168]

Fantastic video, they have been one of my favorite bands for 4 years now. Hope more people check them out

[@henryingber2472]

I think I’m flying is an incredible song. fight me

[@M1DA5_]

Amazing music, amazing video. Incredibly comprehensive too, glad you included the deep cuts. Hope this blows up! (Loved reading your reviews too, dude. Love your passion for this music)

[@fruitbasket7071]

Got the chance to see them last week in ATL at 529 and got the chance to talk to them for a bit and got my Split Personality signed !! some of the nicest people and Ryan pulled an incredible performance

[@wezlam]

Cheers for making this! Loved it.

[@ReeseChown]

With all the fools that toured in the 90s off one junk single, I am shocked at the underappreciation of their discography. It's no secret Billy Corgan took his ears off the streets, but he really should have had 12 RODS open on a Pumpkins tour.

[@pockitsune6347]

Funny thing about the comparison to Car Seat Headrest, I only found out about 12 rods recently sort of because of CSH. Past month I've been feeling pretty sad and gay, as one does, and wanted to listen to more albums like Twin Fantasy and my boyfriend gave me a list of albums that are similarly gay, amongst those: split personalities. I've immediately fallen in love with them from that, they've got such an amazing sound that's some parts frustrated and dreamy that resonates with me. Unsurprisingly, even hearing I Wish You Were a Girl mentioned nearly brings me to tears. It's such an immensely upsetting idea that is unfortunately still very relatable. Something similar plagued my own mind all the time when I was a teen. For me it was a bit different, I wanted to be different rather than anyone in specific I had my eyes on, I wanted to be a girl so this "abominable" (in the words of the homophobic family around me) want to be with a man would've been just...normal. On the video itself, you clearly put a lot of effort into making things look good and you sound very passionate. Happy I found this. Makes me wanna listen to the rest of 12 rods discography!

[@makotoelterrordelasnenas]

WOOOO 12 RODSSSS

[@seancdavis13]

I discovered 12 Rods throgh the magazine CMJ new music monthly. Every issue came with a cd with various artist, and the first issue i bought had the song "What has happened?". I bought everything they made after that. A truly unique band.

[@moonveteran6857]

Thank you for making this, 12 RODS deserves so much more recognition!

[@afie1032]

i love 12 rods

[@the.end.of.the.world.34]

I've been asking if my parents could buy me the documentary for months I need to watch it so bad😭🙏

[@Bubbapunches]

One of my all time fav bands, got to see them live a couple months ago, even met and talked to Ryan a bit

[@augustmoviereviewer]

Separation Anxieties is definitely a strange one. I think you're right to evoke the Weezer albums like Maladroit. I will come to the defense of Kaboom though, even if the lyrics are awful, the song never takes itself seriously enough to the point where that's an issue. When the chorus hit, the instruments lock together into a tight chug, only to deftly transition right back into a super funky groove... *chefs kiss* Very glad someone made this sort of video about this band, love 'em.

[@ThPsmni]

12RODS I LOVE THIS BAND DUDE

[@ryanwinsel4053]

when ur favorite KZbinr billywentz uploads 💕

[@2_ratsplz]

Friend showed me this band years ago and I fell inl9ve with them, was hyped when they announces they were dropping an album

[@panhead55]

Bill Shaw was my favorite bass player for them. He had that older light blue Fender P-bass I always liked…

[@r.m4niiii]

This video is great man

[@TonyNovak-pp5pv]

One of the main reasons I love Separation Anxieties is the fact that it was produced by Todd Rundgren. It's pretty clear that V2 wanted to get some more conventional hits out of them but Todd Rundgren is a very weird choice for that since he's got a creativity that just wasn't suited for the main stream in the 90s-2000s. V2 probably could have given them a producer that would've leaned more heavily on their indie rock roots but I love that Todd brought them in the power pop direction, even if the end result was a bit silly and cringe. With the fact that I've been getting into the power pop hidden gems of the 90s recently with the likes of Jellyfish and The Grays, when I first heard Separation Anxieties it slotted right in with those and I loved how different it is compared to Split Personalities.

[@SoftOceanBreeze]

I think 'Red' re-recorded version on Split Personalities contains some of Chris McGuires best drumming, the original version is good, but the Split Personalities version is just so perfectly posh top shelf majestically professional in terms of drumming, when listening to 'Red (4/9 new version)' from Split Personalities, pay close attention to what Chris is doing and you'll hear what I mean, I hope one day theres isolated drums for that song

[@mastershmiddy]

Spectacular video about a spectacular band. I hope they get their due praise while they’re all still here, and I hope you do, too 🤙🏼

[@2xmachine]

Nice vid, but What Has Happened lyrics are not cringe at all to me. They're very raw and cathartic. That album is my favorite !and I simply don't understand the hate! They peaked there

[@laketoriver]

I gotta be honest, they were a little cringe to me but it’s sort of cute. My friend thinks the song is funny cause he’s “bashing his love”

[@siahleon7499]

Saw the reunion at 1st Ave. Going tomorrow night at the Fine Line. Really hoping it’s not the same set, as I would LOVE to hear more songs off Split Personalities.

[@hope_canyon]

I was talking to one of my bandmates recently about 12 rods. He doesn't know them but when i told him the one dud in their discography was produced by todd rundgren he sort of knowingly chuckled. He reckons todd had a bit of a streak sabotaging his own production work with other bands so they wouldn't have a chance of sounding better than his own records. If that's true, he probably had no intent of helping them make something as comparatively focused as Lost Time. I'm never gonna listen to separation anxieties, but i accept that this could have happened to anyone, and that most artists go through a period of, shall we say, not resonating, every once in a while. It's only art.

[@zarazkribblez]

Omg, someone covering 12 RODS? I've never heard anyone really talk about them before.

[@hampst3rdance]

yaayyy!!

[@doyouseethepiano]

I met ryan on tour he was so nice he signed my copy of the newest lp

[@seancdavis13]

I love 12 Rods. They should have been huge.

[@conditionoakland7389]

omg omg 12 rods content??? I LOVE 12 RODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sinnermann2046]

cool video, a few thoughts: On Separation anxieties, there was hope that Glad that it's over was the debut single, but it being over 8 minutes led to it not being selected. I wish you would have talked more about Dave Jake and Bill. They are powerhouses in their own right. Other projects of theirs are Halloween Alaska, The Bad Plus, Happy Apple etc. And I wish you had played a snippet from Summertime Vertigo, my absolute favorite song of thiers. It's so haunting and melodic! I'll send this to Bill.

[@BillyWVids]

@@sinnermann2046 Thank you! One thing I definitely wish I had talked about was all of the awesome bass lines on pretty much all 12 Rods songs. Not even a passing mention of that and Dave's drumming on Lost Time is a grave error on my part. I'll be sure to listen to their other projects, as I've checked out (and included footage of) a Japanese band Quruli that Chris drummed for. Twenty Four Hours Ago is my also my favorite 12 Rods song ✌️

[@sinnermann2046]

@@BillyWVidsBill said he enjoyed it

[@talkabtspace4492]

i couldn’t find anything on them really thanks for the video essay bro like i felt totes alone for my love 4 the band and like ya totally awesome love it ❤️❤️😕AHHHHH

[@Leaf_09]

THANKYOUUUWU FOR THIS, U ARE SO EPICCC LIVE LOVE 12 RODS

[@Pasta298]

Finally a video abt my fav band

[@funnygirl100heyjude]

12RODS is my fav band too! obsessed with Split Personalities, Gay? and If We Stayed Alive but ya we really NEED a version of Separation Anxieties that is instrumental-only because I cannot physically handle the lyrics. Def will give it another go and focus on the lush shoegazey soundscapes though after watching this!

[@milliondollarextreme99]

ryan is such a sweetie, hes a good friend of mine. He is still doing lots of touring and work!

[@fruitcose]

I LOVE 12 RODS THANK U

[@nayower728]

YEAHHHHHHHH I FUCKING LOVE 12 RODS

[@jointgarten]

12 rods my beloved

[@boogeymanleven]

I wish you were a girl literally popped up on my spotify, and i just started listening to their catalog Happy there's a video essay about 12Rods-

[@awsinger1]

I loved separation anxieties, every song except marionette

[@wren000]

IM SO MAD YOU DIDNT INCLUDE ASTROGIMP WHEN TAKING ABOUT SEPARATUON ANXIETIES RAARARRHRGEHRGRRHEHEHHRRRRRR ITS THE BEST ONEEE!!!!!! cool video thoguh :)))

[@BillyWVids]

Best song along with Radioaction

[@Tttttkd]

Wish they would tour west coast 😢

[@rhubarb1073]

12 rods were hometown heroes to ryan schreiber who started pitchy, that's the only reason that album got a 10. It's still a tight record tho

[@squidito2534]

Is that lost time footage. The band playing, toward the end. Is that on KZbin?

[@emanuelscaune6220]

Whats the song at 2:00

[@dc9662]

I may be mistaken, but I believe that song is, "Come Down On Me," from Bliss.

[@talkabtspace4492]

IM AHHH I LOBE AHHHH I LOVE 12 RODS AHHHHHHHHHHGHGGGGG

[@nekoo6231]

🔥 video

[@frontrowruby6725]

🔥🔥🔥

[@mastershmiddy]

By the way-what’s the song playing at the end?

[@richardpimples]

I liked Separation Anxieties

[@alexanderfrancisrobertson6872]

I made one of these too, a few months prior! It’s not good, but check it out

[@BillyWVids]

It was good!

[@emptycinema]

Gay?

[@DaryllHurst]

You lost the crowd when you said 'Red' from Gay was better than the version on SP. You're totally incorrect. Instrumentation is much more polished. Non-musicians tend to focus on lyrics too much. The lack of musicial knowledge with these people doesn't allow the mind to drift. Spend too much time on words and you lose the magic of the melody and music. What Has Happened is one of the best chorus' written in the genre.

[@Aspartamebraintumor]

After all the negative talk of Separation Anxieties, I was blown away when I listened to it. It's right up there with their other releases

[@Aspartamebraintumor]

Pye Luis RIP

[@neilkennedy9678]

yo what is the song @3:55

[@user85467]

Tell a lie