Soul Coughing

The Profile

Soul Coughing are an American band formed in New York City in 1992 and active until 2000. The lineup featured Mike Doughty (vocals, guitar), Mark De Gli Antoni (sampler, keyboards), Sebastian Steinberg (bass), and Yuval Gabay (drums). They released three studio albums—Ruby Vroom (1994), Irresistible Bliss (1996), and El Oso (1998)—blending alternative rock with jazz, hip hop, funk, and sample-based experimentation. Notable tracks include Super Bon Bon, Circles, and Screenwriter’s Blues.

Origin: New York City, USA. Years active: 1992–2000. Members: Mike Doughty, Mark De Gli Antoni, Sebastian Steinberg, Yuval Gabay. Albums: Ruby Vroom (1994, Slash), Irresistible Bliss (1996), El Oso (1998). Known for a genre-blending style often dubbed “deep slacker jazz,” heavy upright-bass grooves, and inventive sampling.

Four DeBaser reviews celebrate Soul Coughing’s singular “deep slacker jazz,” a fusion of alternative rock, jazz, funk, hip-hop, and samples. Ruby Vroom is hailed as the formative masterpiece; Irresistible Bliss leans pop while staying inventive. El Oso earns raves for its razor-sharp, industrial-tinged production and big singles. Live, they were a force—though some note the studio magic was hard to replicate.