The Brooklyn-based orchestral pop band THE SILENT LEAGUE originated as the solo identity of singer Justin Russo in the late nineties. While a keyboardist with Mercury Rev in support of the critically acclaimed albums "Deserter's Songs" (V2) and "All Is Dream" (V2), Russo secretly stole each available moment in a busy tour schedule to write and record his own fragile and epic LP, "The Orchestra, Sadly, Has Refused".
The Wounded Knees are Jimi Shields (Rollerskate Skinny, Lotus Crown, Martina Topley-Bird), Suzanne Thorpe (Mercury Rev, Forest for the Trees, thenumber46), and Phil Williams (Hopewell, Evil Twins). The pirate-punk trio were united by dissatisfaction.... As their latch-key-child government embezzled its' own conscience and crossed-their-hearts-hoped-to-die lied about everything..... confusion turned to sound.... Like lightning cracking an old oak tree, the anthems of All Rise were born. The Wounded Knees are sometimes joined live onsatge by J Mascis.