Rodney Linderman

{{short description|American musician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2015}} {{BLP sources|date=April 2010}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = Rodney Linderman | image = Rodney-anonymous-by-kyle-cassidy.jpg | caption = Linderman with a hurdy gurdy | image_size = | background = solo_singer | birth_name = Rodney Linderman | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|5|21|df=y}}<ref name=twitter /><ref name=DM /> | alias = Rodney Anonymous, Rodney Amadeus Mozart,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hochman|first=Steve|date=1989-02-11|title=Lively Dead Milkmen Like to Rattle Audiences|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-11-ca-1943-story.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> H.P. Hovercraft<ref>{{Cite web|last=Appleford|first=Steve|date=1992-10-23|title=MUSIC : Milkmen to Deliver : The Philadelphia rock quartet, noted for its off-center lyrics, will perform at the Palomino.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-23-va-443-story.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> | origin = | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|keyboards|tin whistle}} | genre = {{hlist|Punk rock|folk }} | years_active = 1983–present | label = Restless Records, Hollywood Records, Razler Records | associated_acts = The Dead Milkmen, Burn Witch Burn, 25 Cromwell Street | website = [http://www.rodneyanonymous.com/ www.rodneyanonymous.com] }}

'''Rodney Linderman''' (born 21 May 1963<ref name=twitter>{{cite web|title=Rodney Responds on Twitter About Age|url=https://twitter.com/RodneyAnon/status/641637194130702336|website=Twitter|accessdate=September 11, 2015}}</ref><ref name=DM>{{cite web|title=Celebrate Rodney and Dean's Birthday at Bar XIII|url=http://www.deadmilkmen.com/|website=deadmilkmen.com|accessdate=May 7, 2016}}</ref>), also known by his stage name '''Rodney Anonymous''', is an American musician, journalist, and humorist currently based in Philadelphia. He is best known as the lead vocalist, keyboardist and co-songwriter of the satirical punk rock band The Dead Milkmen.

== Early life and education == Linderman grew up in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2011-09-29|title=The Official Dead Milkmen Website » A History Lesson|url=http://www.deadmilkmen.com/a-history-lesson/|access-date=2021-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929080330/http://www.deadmilkmen.com/a-history-lesson/|archive-date=September 29, 2011}}</ref> He attended Coatesville Area High School with future bandmate Joe Genaro.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pirro |first=J.F. |date=2014-09-02 |title=Dead Milkmen Keep Punk Alive at Cemetery Show |url=https://mainlinetoday.com/life-style/dead-milkmen-keep-punk-alive-at-cemetery-show/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Main Line Today |language=en-US}}</ref> He went on to attend West Chester University.

==Musical career==

===With the Dead Milkmen (1983–1995)=== {{Main|The Dead Milkmen}}

Linderman joined an embryonic version of Genaro's basement group the Dead Milkmen while in high school around 1981. Briefly serving as drummer, Linderman had become the group's lead singer by the time of their first public performance in 1983.<ref name=":0" />

Following the success of their 1985 debut LP, ''Big Lizard in My Backyard'', the group toured extensively and enjoyed college radio and modest MTV-based success behind eight LPs. Linderman played keyboards and split vocals with Genaro.

===Later activity; Dead Milkmen reformation (1995–present)=== thumb|right|Linderman performing with The Dead Milkmen in 2010 {{Main|Burn Witch Burn}}

Shortly before the Dead Milkmen disbanded, Linderman founded the group Burn Witch Burn with his wife Vienna and four other musicians. The group blended American roots music with Celtic folk, Pogues-styled punk and gothic leanings. They released a demo tape, one CD-EP and one full-length album before breaking up in 2001.

After two reunion shows in 2004, the Dead Milkmen officially reformed in 2008. Linderman, Genaro and drummer Dean Sabatino were joined by bassist Dan Stevens who replaced the deceased former bassist of the group, Dave Schulthise. They have since resumed performing regular concerts and working on new material.

Linderman also played in the group 25 Cromwell Street with Bill Fergusson of Burn Witch Burn.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

He was also played synthethizers and drum machines in an industrial duo called 7th Victim with Janet Bressler on vocals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Yoni |title=Anti-Nostalgia: Philly punk vets Dead Milkmen keep looking forward through an array of side projects |url=https://xpn.org/2019/03/06/dead-milkmen-side-projects/ |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=WXPN {{!}} Vinyl At Heart |language=en}}</ref>

==Journalism== Linderman keeps an active comedic/topical blog, ''Rodney Anonymous Tells You How to Live'', as well as a radio show of the same name on Y-Not Radio.<ref>{{cite web|title=Y-Not Radio|last1=Radio|first1=Y-Not|url=http://www.ynotradio.net}}</ref> He regularly contributed to the ''Philadelphia City Paper'', writing about music, as well as political, social and local issues.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.rodneyanonymous.com Rodney Anonymous Tells You How to Live] *[http://www.deadmilkmen.com Official Dead Milkmen web page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Linderman, Rodney}} Category:Musicians from Philadelphia Category:American punk rock singers Category:Living people Category:American bloggers Category:The Dead Milkmen members Category:1963 births Category:West Chester University alumni