Brian's World: Limited Warranty: Biography

BRIAN'S WORLD:
Limited Warranty
Biography

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ELEMENTS

THIS IS SERIOUS

LIMITED WARRANTY

Movie Music From The 80's

LIMITED WARRANTY
THIS IS SERIOUS
LAST TO KNOW
BEAT DOWN THE DOOR
YESTERDAY'S NEWS
ONE OF A KIND
DRIP DRIP DRY
ERIK NEWMAN
JERRY BRUNSKILL
VICTORY LINE
EIGHTIES
GREG SOTEBEER
DOMESTIC 17
ONE OF A KIND
DALE GOULETT

I will continue to update and add items as information becomes available. If you have any additional info on the band not included here please contact me.

GROUP BIO
In 1979, Greg and Paul started a band named Forte' (the latin word for "loud" used on sheet music). Jerry Brunskill was brought on as drummer after auditioning for Greg and Paul in his basement. Taking their name from a wallpaper repair kit, the members of Limited Warranty began synthesizing their varied musical backgrounds in an attempt to break into the volatile Minneapolis music scene, sharing a house, practicing in the garage, and playing weekday nights for pocket money in the small clubs around town. With the addition of singer/guitarist Dale Goulett, Limited Warranty found the combination of sound and personal energy that worked. In 1983 Steve Smith left the band and Dale took over as Lead singer. In 1984 they won the $100,000 championship for Best Music Artist on the 1985 season of Star Search. Their first single, This Is Serious b/w Never Enough received extensive airplay on Twin Cities and other midwestern radio stations.
Based on this airplay and some dates in New York in August of 1985, Limited Warranty was approached and signed with ATCO Records (a division of Atlantic) and went on to record their first album in England early in 1986. This self-titled album and it's first single, Victory Line, were well received on the radio stations, record stores and in the music press. In November 1986 the band played some midwest and northeastern US tour dates opening for Eddie Money.
According to a January/February 1987 fan club newsletter Limited Warranty was to begin recording their second album for Atco in late spring of 1987 with a tentative release date of June/July 1987. In February 1987 Limited Warranty traveled to San Francisco to play at the Gavin Convention (an annual music industry convention).
Through extreme mis-management Limited Warranty was dropped from ATCO Records. Some of the material written for the second album on ATCO was recorded and included on DOMESTIC 7. DOMESTIC 7 was released on Limited Warranty's own label, Ultrabeat Records. After leaving Atlantic Records Limited Warranty was signed to EMI America and were advanced $40,000 to record demos for a new album. When EMI America folded the band was moved to the new label, EMI Manhatten. Unfortunately, along with the new label came new management. The band recorded three songs at the brand new Paisley Park Studios (owned by Prince). When Jerry Griffith came to Paisley Park to hear the demos he was either not impressed with the band or not willing to work with a band which had been signed by his predecessors. The next day Limited Warranty was released from their contract with EMI.
Limited Warranty continued to play in the twin cities area and occasionally played shows after Minnesota Strikers (soccer) games. They even performed at the World Series in Minnesota once.
The band never officially broke up. But around 1987-88 the band began to practice less often and play fewer and fewer gigs as the various members became involved in other projects both musical and non-musical. Their second to last show was opening for Tears For Fears. Their last show was an outdoor event in 1989. More current info on the band members is listed below.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBER BIOS

Jerry Brunskill (drums and vocals) is the power backbone upon which Limited Warranty and it's audience dances. Not your average chaotic drummer's personality, he is well versed in many instruments. In high school Jerry played Trumpet. In Limited Warranty though Jerry played drums using both an acoustic set and a stand-up Simmons electric kit at various times through the band's life.
Jerry now owns an advertising company called Wow and Flutter with Dale Goulett. Together they do music for commercials for radio, tv, and other projects. Jerry heads the LA office and Dale runs the Minneapolis home base.
Jerry has also been working on a very interesting and more personal side-project. He has started a second company, Journey Music Books, with author Neale Donald Walsch. Jerry, under the name Gerald Brunskill, creates musical compositions inspired by self-help/metaphysical books. The first release was a personal project inspired by Neale Donald Walsch's "Conversations With God", which Jerry says helped him through some trying personal times several years back. The author was so impressed with what Jerry had done they decided to work on the companion to his follow-up book "Conversations With God For Teens". "GWGFT" features the voice of Alanis Morrissette and others.
Jerry also composes music for the NBC TV show, She Spies.

Erik Newman (guitars and vocals) was Limited Warranty's main songwriter. True to his
instrument he is a self-taught guitarist whose style is derived both from the rockers of the early 70's and the English pop artists of the post-punk era. As a songwriter he displays a broad lyrical vision, from cynical, enlightened views of our consumer society to the classic ballader's self-torture over lost love and youth.
Towards the end of the life of Limited Warranty Erik formed a band called HOLIDAY RANCH. The five piece Minneapolis band was comprised of Erik, Dave Russ, John Schech (of Great Nation fame), Eric Moen (of Sussman Lawrence Fame) and Karen Paurus. They played across the U.S. for nine years (1990-1999) in various forms at colleges and clubs.
They opened for John Prine, America, Christopher Cross, Bo Deans and Crash Test Dummies among others. Three Holiday Ranch CDs were released. Holiday Ranch are no longer together.
He was signed to a songwriters publishing deal with Famous Music (Paramount Pictures Music Publishing) from 1992-1995.
Erik now works with his brother marketing their own line of outdoor apparel. He also sells hand-made greeting cards as an additional job through a rep group in New York.
In his spare time Erik has also taken up painting and has had several art showings in the Twin Cities.

Dale Goulett (guitar and lead vocals) joined the group after knowing each other through Dale working as a sound engineer for the band Sussman Lawrence who Limited Warranty frequently opened for in early 1983. His romantic, soulful voice and riveting stage presence made him a natural front man for the band. He is also an accomplished sound engineer and producer. Dale now heads the Minneapolis office of Wow and Flutter, which he owns with Jerry, doing music for radio and tv commercials and other projects. He is married with two children.

Paul Hartwig (keyboards and vocals) began playing music at the age of five. While attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Minnesota, he developed a strong background in jazz and classical composition which he used to maintain stability while infusing nuance into the band's sound. Paul now writes/records music for tv documentaries and such. His work has been used on The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, and other local documentaries. He is also married with two children.

Greg Sotebeer (bass and lead vocals) is a classically trained vocalist, participating in the all-state choir, the Bemidji State University Choir and the Royal Shakesperean Opera Company. His funky bass style grew from his early school days when his interest in jazz led him to play the trumpet as well as the bass. Greg is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying Cessnas and Pipers. He still flies occasionally. In 1994, after Limited Warranty Greg started a successful ISP, Spacestar, in Minnesota. Greg is very active with his church, and plays with their music ensemble. Greg is now married and has one daughter.

ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL

Stephen Ross Smith (Smitty) (lead vocals on ELEMENTS) was an early front man for Limited Warranty. His vocals appear on the ELEMENTS album. He also made a few appearances with the band later at their annual Christmas shows and whatnot. He currently plays drums and sings backup in a band with Chris Thompson called SUN SHOT HALO.

Chris Thompson (rhythm guitar) was an early member of Limited Warranty. He was also a song writer who wrote the songs "Moving Things", "Living In Limbo", "Generic Land", and "Media Man". He currently sings lead and plays guitar in a band with Smitty called SUN SHOT HALO.

Chris Canutsen (lead vocals) was an early singer for Limited Warranty. No info on his current happenings.

Pat Ritacco (lead vocals) was the original singer for Limited Warranty back when the band started in 1979. He was a friend of Paul and Greg. His current whereabouts are unknown. He sang lead vocals on Limited Warranty's very first three song demo recorded by Steppenwolf's Nick St. Nicolas who owned a small studio in the area.

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This site and its content owned and maintained by Brian Nern as part of
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Copyright 1995-2007. All Rights Reserved.
All audio/video clips Copyright Limited Warranty, Atco Records, Ultrabeat Records.
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