Biography
Rough Shop is a St. Louis, Missouri–based rock and roots band that has been recording and performing since the mid-2000s.[3][4] Emerging from the city’s tight-knit Americana and indie scene, the group coalesced around a shared love of songcraft, vintage rock & roll, country, and soul, channeling those influences into a distinctly Midwestern sound. From their earliest releases onward, Rough Shop cultivated a reputation as a songwriter-driven band, balancing tuneful hooks with literate, often wryly observed lyrics about everyday life, relationships, and the passage of time.[3]
The band’s core has long centered on principal songwriters Andy Ploof and John Wendland, supported by a rotating but stable circle of St. Louis musicians who help shape the group’s arrangements and live sound.[3] Since 2006, Rough Shop has released multiple albums and EPs, including the holiday-themed "Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree," and has become locally known for its annual holiday concerts, where the band mixes original seasonal songs with reimagined classics.[3][5][6] Musically, Rough Shop’s work ranges from rock and power-pop to folk and country-tinged material, often featuring acoustic and electric guitars, vocal harmonies, and an emphasis on narrative songwriting. Over time, the group has solidified a legacy as a dependable, enduring presence in the St. Louis music community, particularly associated with its long-running holiday shows and its commitment to original material.[3][4][5][6]
Fun Facts
- Rough Shop has been putting out albums since 2006, making them a long-running part of the St. Louis independent music scene.[3]
- The band is especially known for its holiday-themed material, including the release "Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree".[3]
- Rough Shop presents an annual multi-night holiday show at The Focal Point in St. Louis, an event that has grown into a recurring local tradition and has reached at least its eighteenth installment.[5][6]
Musical Connections
Key Collaborators
- Andy Ploof - Principal songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist as a core member of Rough Shop (Band albums and songs released since 2006, including holiday release "Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree") [2006–present[3]]
- John Wendland - Principal songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist as a core member of Rough Shop (Band albums and songs released since 2006, including holiday release "Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree") [2006–present[3]]
- St. Louis musicians (various) - Local players who have performed and recorded as part of Rough Shop’s lineup over time (Studio recordings and live performances, including annual holiday concerts) [2006–present[3][4][5][6]]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree | 2014-10-28 | Album |
| Beneath the South Side Bridge | 2012-04-14 | Album |
| Just Because It Was Christmas | 2009-12-15 | Album |
| Here Today | 2008-03-18 | Album |
| Far Past The Outskirts | 2006 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Clean Slate (Here Today)
- Wandering Tonight (Here Today)
- Dance All Night (Here Today)
- Dear Mama (Here Today)
- Golden Slumber Inn (Here Today)
- Drink Up And Go Home (Here Today)
- Here Today (Here Today)
- 'Til The Well Runs Dry (Here Today)
- Reasons (Here Today)
- Best Of A Bad Thing (Here Today)
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
ROUGH SHOP has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 14, 2025 | 10:13 | MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONEfrom LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE | Old Time Country and Bluegrassw/ Hazel The Delta Rambler |