Hello, my name is Kurt Hagardorn. In 1995, my bass playing friend Gary Miller and I moved from Tennessee to Chapel Hill North Carolina, fleeing boredom and premature mid life crises. We met Jody Maxwell, a really good drummer, ex-member of the band Sex Police, and pipe smoking model for many Norman Rockwell paintings. Thus was formed GUMPTION. The bottom line for this band was (and still is) songwriting, strong melodies, and putting energy into those songs. The Kinks, The Replacements, and Guided By Voices were early influences. Touring, a seven inch single on Spongebath records, and consumption of massive amounts of nachos soon followed, culminating in the self release of ULTRAMAROON, a seven song EP on our own label, Seriously Records, which is still available. Shortly After the release of this CD, Gary left the band to attend Graduate School. Gary is a really good bassist and he rocks, and we will miss his manly presence.  At this point the band became a four piece, with Aaron Oliva on Bass and Dave Merritt on second guitar, vocals and songwriting type guy. I'll let Dave describe the carnage that has followed.

Ah, right. Okay, first of all, I didn't take that money.  And no, that isn't a beauty mark.  As for the band, now we are four.  Aaron used to play bass in The Flyin' Mice and occasionally plays in sundry Chapel Hill bands such as the Flat Duo Jets, Morris, Kizmet, et al.  I am from the North, and used to play in a band in Canada called Adam West.  I still find your customs strange.  What is this bourbon of which you speak?

How are we different from the three-piece Gumption? Hmm. One more guitar, maybe?   I think it was a pretty smooth transition.  The louder parts got louder, the quieter parts--somehow--got even quieter.  And the kids seem to love it, especially in Chapel Hill, where we can't really go anywhere without being mauled by adoring fans (unless you're from there, in which case just disregard that last sentence). So, on with the show.

Listen to Gumption!