Bob Gaulke

Press Release: Three new releases with Shriekback streaming on 06/06/25

Working with Idols. Working & Idle.

Bob Gaulke is set to release his first in a series of collaborations with the band, Shriekback (currently composed of Barry Andrews, Martyn Barker, and Carl Marsh) to streaming on July 6th, 2025.

The three albums, “(S)words”, “(detail)”, and “When Are These Not Difficult Times?”, are mixed by Martin Scian, and represent the fruit of several years of file sharing and overdub sessions that stretch back over a decade.

Spurred by the band’s crowdfunding offer to commission an original piece of music for its fans exclusive use, Gaulke saw the band and raised the ante by attempting to create a new original work from a commission of five songs. Although this plan was eventually set aside, it set off a virtual collaboration, primarily with Barry Andrews, that continues to this day.

“Shriekback have been a part of my musical DNA since 83-84 when I was a teen and first heard “All Lined Up” on college radio in Rochester, NY. Their sense of musical and conceptual adventure seemed to know few boundaries. A song could be made up of a swinging rope or Gregorian chants…but it was always funky. There always seemed to be an active sense of almost scientific exploration going on which kept me listening over the decades. When I saw this opportunity to collaborate with its members in a novel way, I jumped at the chance.”

Gaulke currently teaches public school in the Bronx and has managed to release more than 30 short albums to limited acclaim and audience. He often blends world traditions with a post-punk foundation to achieve a personal fusion of elements. He cites John Hassell and Brian Eno’s concept of “Fourth World Music” as somewhat emblematic of what he hopes to achieve, “We’re all stuck at home with the world at our fingertips. I think my songs on the template I use sort of reflect that sense.”

“I like short songs and albums. After twenty minutes, I sort of get bored,“ he reflects. The sessions naturally became albums as I sort of write to a story arc before I pick up a guitar or bass. “(S)words” (pronounced “swords”) were more guitar-driven. You can hear echoes of old-school post-punk (Big Audio Dynamite, Wire, and Shriekback, natch) in the writing. The songs were written around a sense of lost personal agency with the first trump administration. It seemed like a good moment to finish them up and put out the album.”

“By contrast, the songs on “(detail)” were all written on the bass. It was my chance to pretend to be Dave Allen (RIP), whom I actually had the pleasure of meeting once or twice when living in Portland. My original plan was to get him playing on these sessions, but things moved in a different direction.”

Both albums feature editing, backing vocals, and guitar work from Dutch singer-song writer, Hans Croon. “Hans was another teenage hero of mine who’s since become a friend and collaborator. We had worked together closely on an earlier project (“The Record Man”) and his work as a co-producer was really important when trying to make sense of a galaxy of overdubs and crazy ideas.”

“And the secret sauce is the Brazilian rhythm section of Gil Olivera (Lucas Santtana) and Paulo LePetit (Tom Ze). Then know how to move a groove.”

Completing the triptych is “When Are These Not Difficult Times?”, a 4-track e.p.. “These songs all had a particular cast that seemed to point to a shorter format. A bit more reflective songwriting and different subjects. A bit of a chaser after the two main courses.”

The three releases, “(S)words”, “(detail)”, and “When Are These Not Difficult Times?” will debut on streaming on June 6. Gaulke plans to be active in the NYC area this summer playing from his catalogue with Leon Gruenbaum (Keyboards) and Gil Oliveira (drums).