Chuck Prophet And The Mission Express

Chuck Prophet And The Mission Express

Chuck Prophet And The Mission Express is the live band of San Francisco musician Chuck Prophet. The lineup is described as rotating, with a core association around Prophet and regular sidemen over the years. It is based in San Francisco, United States.

Lineup

Past members include Prophet’s wife Stefanie Finch on keyboards, along with guitarists Max Butler, Tom Heyman and James DePrato. Drummers in the group have included Winston Watson, formerly a longtime sideman to Bob Dylan, and Todd Roper, formerly of Cake. Bassists have included Rolley Salley, who goes on to work with Chris Isaak, Rob Douglas, and Kevin T. White, who previously plays with Shelby Lynne.

Recording and live work

Prophet’s studio releases are generally issued under his own name, while live performances are often billed as Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express. The live album Turn The Pigeons Loose is released under that name and is recorded at The Bottom of the Hill nightclub in San Francisco.

Related projects and collaborations

Prophet first gains recognition as the youngest member of Green on Red, appearing on several albums and touring lineups with the group. In the early 1990s, after Green on Red fades, he begins performing with Finch and releases independent records on small labels. He also records the side project Go Go Market with Finch.

As a songwriter and guitarist, Prophet works with or contributes to recordings by Kelly Willis, Steve Yerkey, Jonathan Richman, Warren Zevon, Kim Carnes, Cake, Tom Heyman and Jewel. He also co-writes and records with Alejandro Escovedo on Real Animal, produced by Tony Visconti.

Solo releases and labels

Prophet’s solo debut is Brother Aldo, released on Fire Records and later reissued on Walter Yetnikoff’s Velvel imprint. Balinese Dancer follows in 1993, and Feast of Hearts is produced by Steve Berlin and issued in Europe through Fire. After a period of substance abuse, he re-emerges with Homemade Blood, The Hurting Business and the live Turn The Pigeons Loose, which are available via Cooking Vinyl in the UK.

By 2002, he begins incorporating electronic influences into his roots-rock style, leading to wider exposure for No Other Love and Age of Miracles, both on New West Records. In 2007, he signs a new US arrangement with Yep Roc for Soap and Water.

Media appearances and recognition

Soap and Water leads to performances on National Public Radio and on television programmes including Late Night with David Letterman and The Carson Daly Show. Prophet’s songs are also recorded by Solomon Burke, Heart and Cyndi Thomson.