The Rum Diary

The Rum Diary was an American indie rock band known for their experimental and atmospheric blend of post-rock, shoegaze, and punk influences. Formed in the early 2000s in the Bay Area of California, the band featured members Daniel McKenzie, Jon Fee, Joe Ryckebosch, and Schuyler Feekes.

The Rum Diary’s sound is marked by moody instrumental textures, layered guitar work, and complex rhythmic patterns, often shifting between melodic serenity and dissonant bursts of energy. Their music appealed to fans of bands like Explosions in the Sky, Sonic Youth, and Unwound, yet carved a niche of its own within the indie and post-rock scenes.

Their discography includes the full-length albums Poisons That Save Lives (2003) and We’re Afraid of Heights Tonight (2006), as well as a number of EPs and split releases on independent labels such as Devil in the Woods and Parks and Records—a label co-founded by members of the band.

Though The Rum Diary went on hiatus in the late 2000s, the members have remained active in the music world through various side projects, including Identical Homes, Shuteye Unison, Built for the Sea, Things of Youth, and musical efforts through Parks and Records. The Rum Diary remains a cult favorite for listeners drawn to the more introspective and experimental corners of indie rock.

Discography

Noise Prints CD (Substandard Records, 2002)
A Key To Slow TimeCD (Springman Records, 2002)
Mileage 2 Song 7-inch Record on Colored Vinyl (Springman Records, 2002)
Poisons That Save Lives CD (Substandard Records, 2003)
Poisons That Save Lives 12-inch Record on Gold Vinyl (Substandard Records, 2003)
Desert City Soundtrack and The Rum Diary 2 song split 7-inch Record (Springman Records, 2003)
Split with Kilowatthours CD (Springman Records, 2005)
Back in the Hardcore Days 2 Song 7-inch Record (Devil in the Woods, 2006)
We’re Afraid of Heights Tonight 12-inch Record (Devil in the Woods, 2006)
We’re Afraid of Heights Tonight CD (Devil in the Woods, 2006)
North v. South 4-way split 7-inch Record (Springman, 2007)