Vince Allen
started playing music when he was ten years-old and his Mom bought his
first drum set. After spending his early teenage years banging away to
a radio in a basement buried deep in Atlanta, Georgia's suburbs, he played
in a string of high school punk bands. Now Vince is playing venues around
New York City realizing he should have done this a long time ago. Mixing
acoustic guitar, pedal steel, and a jazz rhythm section with melodies rooted
in traditional Southern folk and bluegrass, Vince's sound captures what
is beautiful about where he comes from and what stirred him up and moved
him away.
The American String Conspiracy arose out of jam
sessions between guitarists Gary Keenan and Brian Boyles in 2003.
Their idea was to form an alternative model for a band, a circle
of sympathetic string musicians with a love for American songs in
their various traditions—blues, country, r&b, folk, rockabilly,
punk, anything that sounded good on acoustic strings. Since their
debut performance as a quintet in October, 2003, ASC has regularly
performed in NYC clubs, developing a body of songs (both originals and
covers), a range of performing ensemble options from duo to septet,
and a loyal and growing audience of fellow musicians and listeners as
they carry folk traditions into the 21st Century. ASC members bring a
wide range of musical and artistic experience into their collective efforts.
No player has to make every rehearsal or show, and no two shows are the
same, but the string band sound remains consistent as ASC picks, strums
and twangs its way through songs by (among others) Stephen Foster, Fats
Waller, Hank Williams, Charley Patton, Sparkle Moore, Tommy Johnson, Aretha
Franklin, Jo Stafford, Cindy Lauper, Kurt Cobain, Gary Keenan, and those
prolific geniuses Trad and Anon.
Banjorama!
Take 3 parts
Brooklyn Jugs, add one part Whisky Rebellion, mix in as many banjos
as possible, including but not limited to tenor banjo, 5-string banjo,
banjo ukulele, and plectrum banjo, and you've got the banjo blues orchestra
that is Banjorama! While their instruments may not vary, their styles
certainly do. From the tropical blues stylings of singer-picker-harpist
Ernesto Gomez, to the Irish airs frequented by picker Terrence McCafferty,
to the hits of the 1870s & 1970s favored by singer-picker-shaker Alex
Battles, you'll always have a footstompin' goodtime listening to these
happy-go-lucky cats play backed by the fine jugwork of Arturo Stile.
Battlestar America
(acoustic) Battlestar America's fearless team was conceived
in the 70's as an elite fighting unit, and spent the last quarter of
the 20th century training in seclusion to become a superior bionic
ninja cowboy unit capable of defeating Dr. Destructo and his army of
vampire robots. Now that Dr. Destructo has been abolished, this
unstoppable team turns its attention to taking our country back from the
clutches of corporate zombies with country-hip-hop music "so fat it needs
its own zipcode". B-Star will do a very special acoustic show. Expect
some honkytonk classics and no-so-classics. Expect something just a little
different. "Rocking two turntables and a fiddle, Battlestar America
will get you bobbing your head until your neck turns red." Vibe Magazine,
December, 2004.
Bill Carney's
Jug Addicts apply the twinning principal
utilized by Ornette Coleman's early 60s groups and the
Max Roach's Double Quartet to the jug band idiom. The result
is a particularly robust and raucous jug band sound free of any archival
obsessiveness. Comprised of jug band veterans culled from the Don't
Look Now Jug Band, MetroPolecats, and Pork Chop, the Jug Addicts' repertoire
draws from early jazz, tin pan alley, ragtime, and string band music,
along with the classic jug band canon. Their cd, "Cynthia's Kitchen" was
produced by so-called Sixth Stroke, JP Bowersock, the NYC rock band's
guru and sensei.
Blue State
Band Combining
the groove of Rockabilly and Western Swing, the heart, soul and longing
of Country Music, and a contemporary, urban sensibility, Blue State Band
wants to make you dance. Singer and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lisman has
played for several years on the roots music scenes in New York and Chicago.
He's been heard at Uncommon Grounds and Lapiz Lounge in Chicago and at
Freddy's Backroom and the Baggot Inn in New York, among other places.
Lead guitarist Matt Walsh recently returned to NYC after a stint in Nashville,
where he played guitar with artists such as Will Oldham, Miles Zuniga
(from Fastball), and Carey Kotsionis (a member of Bobby Bare Jr.'s Young
Criminal Starvation League). While in Nashville, Matt got his song "Just
Like Jones" recorded by 70's country music star Del Reeves. Del even played
the song on the Grand Ole' Opry, which is broadcast nationwide on cable
network CMT.Matt lived in NYC during the late '90s, when he played with his
own group Matthew Guadalupe and The Regulars. The Regulars recorded a CD
in 1999 with instrumental and vocal help from local roots music legend
Greg Garing as well as steel guitar and fiddle help from Larry Campbell
of the Bob Dylan band. Lincoln Schleifer, bass player extraordinaire
for Donald Fagan among others, produced.
Buttermilk Channel are Alan Friend and Chris Seymour. 2 banjo
players + 2 guitarists + 2 vocalists +1 concertina player + 1 dulcimer
player = 2 (not 8) great instrumentalists and singers. They perform
traditional songs and tunes from America to the British Isles.
They will thrill you with their wonderful vocal harmonies and inspiring
instrumentals. Alan Friend plays banjo, guitar and concertina, and sings
traditional songs from America and the British Isles. He is a member
of the old-time band “Chelsea String Band” and the contra-dance
band “Contrapolitans”. Alan has performed solo and with various
bands at festivals, coffee houses and radio stations from West Virginia
to Montreal. He has also given many banjo and ballad workshops.
Alan is an Executive Board member and past President of the New York Pinewoods
Folk Music Club. Chris Seymour sings an eclectic variety of traditional
and contemporary songs, from tragic ballads to humorous ditties, from hard-hitting
political commentary to old-time gospel. He accompanies his warm baritone
on banjo, dulcimer and guitar.
The CasHank Hootenanny Jamboree was created
to give folks a chance to sing and play the tunes of two of country
music’s greatest artists and composers, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.
Born at the 1st Annual Brooklyn Country Music Festival, the CasHank has
been a monthly fixture at Buttermilk ever since, and will be celebrating
its 1 year anniversary at this fine establishment. Expect to see some
of your favorite folks who have performed throughout the festival as well
as visits from surprise guests. Four chords. No plugs. All welcome.
9pm Christian Gibbs
has an assortment of hats in his Brooklyn apartment. On top of an old
brown bookcase there is a Stetson, a few old rancher hats, some prized
fedoras, and other thrift store acquisitions. With his forthcoming release,
Parade Of Small Horses, it is easy to get an idea of which hats were
worn in between takes. Incorporating pedal steel, layered acoustic and
electric guitars, harmonica, wurlitzer, piano, mandolin, drums, bass
(and the occasional cello), the new L.P. was recorded entirely in New
York with his band sometimes referred to as The Cardia Bros. Perhaps
his most cohesive record yet, Parade of Small Horses manages to build
on the eclectic energy of its predecessor The Pinkermen Set while producing
a singular, heartfelt overture in the increasingly cluttered soundscape
of American Music. The mood of this record can be due in part to half a
year spent on the property of Big Pink (where the Band had once lived and
recorded Bob Dylan’s The Basement Tapes). The wooded confines of the Catskills
provided a serene backdrop as Gibbs had just come off tour. When the living
situation came up he jumped at the opportunity to get out of the city for
a while. He moved his recording equipment into the guest house of Big Pink
which he refers to as “Little Pink” and began writing and recording demos
for what would evolve into Parade Of Small Horses. “Christian Gibbs never
settles down. As his lyrics detail surreal and troubled visions, the music
wanders amid countryish rock, cracked cabaret oompah and elaborate Beatles-flavored
ballads” – NY Times “Gibbs shows off both his songwriting smarts and the
high caliber of his musical compatriots on The Pinkermen Set.. The lyrics
throughout bristle with sharp focused intensity flowing with an ease that
belies the care taken in its creation.” –No Depression
The Crevulators: Raw. Hyper. Rowdy. Addictive. All words that
might describe a good country band...or a good punk rock one. Or, in the
case of a band like The Crevulators, a little bit of both. Take a simple,
swinging beat; add some straight-up guitar and bass, and a touch of sweet
baritone harmonies; throw in a rough drawl peppered with just the slightest
taste of snot, and the result is a scrappy little trio that kicks out enough
infectious, happy energy to take on a squad of session men twice their size.
The Defibulators are a well rounded hodge-podge country band.
Combining two singers with great harmonies, banjo, pedal steel, a doctor
on the upright bass, a fiddle prodigy from tennesse, a kid from new orleans
on the snare, who backs us up with snare to bring you a little gritty,
high energy, heart thumpin' tonk. And Erin sings the hell out of those
ballads.
East River
String Band John Heneghan began playing guitar at age five and
became completely bitter and jaded about the idea of trying to play any
kind of modern music very soon thereafter. The only band of note that
John has played in is Oatmeal Banana, which after enjoying a brief stint
of success in the mid 90s, was quickly crushed by the downtown music scene
and disolved quietly into obscurity. Being unable to co-exist with modern
man, John decided to form his dream band- the East River String Band- in
2004. ERSB is the only band he can really enjoy playing in due his brutal
contempt for all modern music. John likes 78's, vintage instruments, his
dog Junior, and his best gal Eden. He dislikes nearly everything else.
The Flanks
They say it isn't easy being the hardest working band in show business.
That's why the Flanks don't even try. As far back as 2002, the legendary
Flanks have been playing in and around New York, converting everyone
within shouting distance to belief in theirall-spit-and-no-polish country
jug stylings. Most of their songs areoriginals, the others are forgotten
old-time gems. In sweet, crowd-pleasing harmony, the Flanks sing about
shady characters, questionable goings-on,regrettable sets of personal
circumstances, petty thievery, chemicalimpairments, and hitting on recently
divorced women.
The Harmony
Bros. return to the KCO. They were the first band to play the first
show and we’re glad they are back. The music of Jerry and Charlie is
in the grand tradition of brother duets a la Louvin Brothers and Everly
Brothers with rich, high harmonies. Along with their golden voices, their
main instruments are mandolin, guitar, and 5-string banjo. The Harmony
Bros. have been around the block a few times and have been playing this
kind of music since they were kids. Their repetoire includes several styles
of playing: fingerpicking, straight bluegrass, country blues, flatpicking,
gospel, and country western. The Harmony Brothers are sure to be a special
treat, so don’t you miss ‘em.
Jessica Rose: Jessica Rose caught the sweet stage fever at the tender
age of 14 whenshe sang Patsy Cline's Crazy at a grimy piano bar somewhere
in California. Since then she's toured extensively through the U.S. and ourfriendly
neighbors to the north, Canada. Steeped in a love of true grit singers from
Emmylou Harris to Nina Simone, the highlights of hercareer have been opening
for the legendary Willie Nelson, one of her longtime heroes, and singing
at Lorretta Lynn's ranch in Tennessee. She now resides in Brooklyn with her
handsome and faithful dog, Ocean.
Kings County Opry: Every third Thursday of the
month, The Kings County Opry swings into Freddy’s Backroom with an
eclectic set of genuine country music chosen by Dock Oscar of Sweet
William. In July, the Kings County Opry presents the following fine artists
to kick off the 2nd Annual Brooklyn Country Music Festival.
The Lonesome
Prairie Dogs are a band of rockin’ hillbillies based mainly
in Jersey City, who play the music of Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Johnny
Cash and other greats of country, rockabilly, rock ‘n roll and related
genres, plus their own original compositions. Described by one observer
as “super vintage,” The Lonesome Prairie Dogs aim roughly for a Sun sound,
with a lineup of Steve “Luke” Lonesome on acoustic guitar and vocals, “Hellcat”
Heidi Lonesome on upright bass and vocals, “GUItar” Mike Lonesome on Telecaster,
and Jun “Sticks” Lonesome on snare and cymbal. (He’s a boy named Jun,
by the way.) In their hearts, they long to cruise Memphis in a ’59
convertible or ride the range like old cowpokes on bright and windy days.
And it shows.
(Jan Bell with members
of) The Maybelles firmly believe they very well may
be the spiritual daughters of such greats as Hazel Dickens, Memphis Minnie,
Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Orbison, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash,
and of course Mother Maybelle herself. It may also be more than co-incidence
that Bob Dylan was on tour in northern England at the time of Ms. Bells
conception. However, none of this has been proven by DNA testing. Perhaps
Bell's approach to the harp rack is proof enough...The genetic line does
not stop there - long lost cousin Gillian Welch has been unknowingly copying
Carpers' vocal stylings for years now. Carper, virtually unknown, does
not seem to mind - preferring to labor in obscurity. She is currently focussing
on perfecting a more Leadbelly-esque edge, combined with Peggy Lee-ish
subtleties.
Michael Daves
Bluegrass Mob The Michael Daves Bluegrass Mob plays roof-raising
string band music, as much in touch with the psychotic, trance-like Applachian
mountain fiddling roots as with the notion that the early Bluegrass heroes
- Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, andothers -- embodied the visceral, iconoclastic
essenceof rock n' roll before its time. Led by Daves onguitar, mandolin,
and tenor vocals, the group features a rotating cast of New York's top
traditional musicians.
John Pinamonti
Born in LA and raised in the suburban wilds of San Antonio, TX and
Portland, OR, John has been playing guitar, writing songs and trying
to sing for more years than most folks can remember. After spending
4 years on the road with African drum master Obo Addy's band (a time he
refers to as "Rhythmic Grad School"), he relocated to the urban wilds
of New York and has proceeded to record and perform his own brand of
American roots music. He plays in venues all over the 5 boroughs
in a variety of solo and band configurations (a recent week found him
in the Bronx at an Irish bar on Thursday, then a venerable pub in Brooklyn
on Saturday and finally a hip little bar in the East Village on Sunday).
His 3rd CD was released in late 2004. Of his talents, Performing
Songwriter says: "His dead on sense of humor, no nonsense approach
to lyrics and instrumentation, and his ability to wear his heart on his
sleeve while staying gruff and detached make his songs prepossessing
and addictive". Finally, he is also a closet Mets fan.
Prince Lefty and His Ramblin’ Kings Prince
Lefty grew up in New York City. He moved to Austin, Texas as a member
of a rap band and came back a pedal steel player. Upon deciding
to put together an outfit to play his favorite honky tonk songs, he
called his pal Dish to play bass. Dish happened to know a certain guitar
playing Rick Donner with a voice like an angel. Borrowing awesome drummers
from The Hold Steady, Winterville and Beetroot (most recently Jason Mills),
Prince Lefty, with his Ramblin' Kings have done just that. With help
from musical librarian friends, a selection of the best honky tonk music
recorded over the golden era of country music has been compiled in the
form of a rotating set list of about 50 tunes. Plenty of Buck, Merle
and George classics as well as deep cuts by them and other lesser known
artists are sure to please everyone from the wide eyed new comer to the
scrutinizing traditionalist.
Radio
Ghost Town is Ryan Wells' country-rock band
from New York City. They dig deep into the raw, dirty, roots of rock 'n'
roll...into the drunken soul and easy heartache of country. Often likened
in sound to many of the lost "heroes" of country-rock, Radio Ghost Town
plays beer soaked, down and out, heart on your sleeve, alt-country ditties
to any and all who will listen. They bring a little salvation and whiskey
to all the sinners out there.
Sweet
William hails from the back woods of Brooklyn, drawing from the
very roots of country music and then some. Sweet William is a band that
digs deep into the roots of country music with the heart of Hank Williams,
the soul of Steve Earle, and a touch of Uncle Tupelo. Listening to Sweet
William you’d swear you were punching in hits from a bygone era jukebox
at a forgotten truckstop. Running the gamut from honky tonk barnburners
to bottom-of-the-beer-bottle weepers to alt-country rockers, Sweet William
delivers high harmonies, lonesome sounds and raw-energy country songs
that are sure to make believers out of the most cynical of Indy Rockers.
Roulette Sisters
Megan Burleyson,
Mamie Minch, and Meg Reichardt first met up in the late winter
months of 2003. After playing just a few songs together, they immediately
knew something good was cooking in their unique stew of guitar, resonator,
and washboard. Megan, Mamie, and Meg became excited with the idea
of forming an all-girl trio with three singers in the tradition
of the Boswell Sisters and Andrews Sisters, and turned on knowing
they could play great kick-ass music without cranking amps louder
or piling the most notes into a guitar solo. Over the past year,
the girls have been building up a repertoire that incorporates much
of the American music they love. They play old time country, like the
Original Carter Family and Merle Haggard; old blues, like Bessie Smith,
Leadbelly, Pink Anderson, Memphis Minnie, and Papa Charlie Jackson;
as well as traditional ballads by Stephen Foster and original compositions.
And the list keeps growing! Look out for the Roulette Sisters debut
CD release in early 2005.
Sheriff
Uncle Bob An accomplished dobro player and singer of country
and bluegrass songs, you may have seen Sheriff Uncle Bob as the leader
of the weekly Old Time Jam at the Baggot Inn, or possibly performing
onstage as leader of the Nieces and Nephews, or as a sideman in the
popular group UncleF***er, but whatever the venue, expect a wonderful
helping of sweet country music from the man with the badge.
Sweet
William hails from the back woods of Brooklyn, drawing from the
very roots of country music and then some. Sweet William is a band that
digs deep into the roots of country music with the heart of Hank Williams,
the soul of Steve Earle, and a touch of Uncle Tupelo. Listening to Sweet
William you’d swear you were punching in hits from a bygone era jukebox
at a forgotten truckstop. Running the gamut from honky tonk barnburners
to bottom-of-the-beer-bottle weepers to alt-country rockers, Sweet William
delivers high harmonies, lonesome sounds and raw-energy country songs
that are sure to make believers out of the most cynical of Indy Rockers.
Susquehanna Industrial
Tool & Die Co. is the little trio with the big hillbilly
sound. For just over two years now, the "SIT & Die"
boys, as they're known, have been producing quality-built "ballads,
boogies, & blues", as says their motto, in a lively hillbilly style
that's made the bottles bounce on the tables of some of New York City's
swellest joins. Consisting of singing accompanied by rhythm and "take-off"
electrified guitars and the beat of the doghouse bass, the boys offer
up a mix of both original compositions and those of Rhythm & Blues,
"rock-a-billy" and Country & Western artists that they just happen
to like. They do their best to really put on a show, dress sharp as a tack,
and are rarely (okay, never) at a loss for words when faced with an audience.
In the end, won't you kindly consider Susquehanna Industrial Tool &
Die Co. to satisfy you most exacting hillbilly music needs?
Two Man Gentleman Band plays original, old-time
music at a reasonable volume and a lively pace. They adorn themselves
in the well-tailored fineries of yesteryear, and present the passerby
with over nine unique sounds: two voices, guitar, bass fiddle, banjo, lead
kazoo, tenor kazoo, and the occasional whistle. Embracing ancient and
modern themes, their compositions appeal to listeners of all proclivities.
The Gentlemen were born in the Fall of 2002, when longtime friends Andy
Bean and Fuller Condon (known also as The Councilman) first carried their
instruments into New York City's Central Park. The park-going public received
them kindly, showering them with kind words and coinage despite The Gents'
then-meager repertoire (about 15 minutes of original material). Bean and
The Councilman concluded that the park benefited from the presence of old-time
music, played quickly, by men in suits. They vowed to make it a habit.
Uncle Leon and the Alibis Once in a while an act comes along
that is so unsavory in its content, so Neanderthal in its execution,
so basely moronic in its very existence that, like a grisly collision
between a circus train and a prison bus, it becomes an unintentional
freak show, at once alluring and horrific, hilarious for all the wrong
reasons. Such is the case with Uncle Leon, a bald, creepy-crooning
never-was who obviously took his Mojo Nixon albums a little too seriously.
His backing band is pretty good, but unless you’re the sort of dive-bar
creep who enjoys gutter-quality, brick-handed meditations on the alleged
joys of big butts, monster trucks, or drinking booze, avoid this degenerate
at all costs.
Warren Malone
Orchestra Originaly from Manchester England, Warren spent
time in Ireland, before moving to San Francisco in 1993 where he played constantly
for 5 great years and recorded his first album Spit n kisses which featured
members of the Tori Amos band (or so I'm told). A return to England
and another album Hummingbird in 2000 led to an opening spot for David
Gray. Other gigs have included openings for Bert Jansch, Chip Taylor,
The handsome Family, Centro-Matic and many more. He now lives in New
York and has a new album Moon June Spoon available through the mail order
page at www.glitterhouse.com. His influences include Steve Earle,
Sean Hayes, Norman Blake, Doc Watson, Neal Casal, The Carter Family,
Bill Monroe and so many more. “The first record I put on was Hank Williams
and The Drifting Cowboys, I was 4 years old and I remember the MGM lion
spinning on its yellow label.”
The Wissler
Family formed when Matt Wissler and Linda May Wacker began
a series of drunken impromptu concerts in the Wacker living room comprised
exclusively of Stevie Nicks covers. From such auspicious beginnings,
The Wissler Family has grown to include members Tim Woods and Tom Mayer,
who, in turn, seek to uphold a tradition begun by scribbling lyrics on
a shoe box. Influenced by such attitudes and artists as The Carter Family,
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Prine and Iron Maiden, The Wissler
Family fuses their traditional folk style with varying songs from all eras
of both country and rock music. This raw yet fun approach to their favorite
songs is at the core of The Wissler Family's unique brand of folk music.
The Whisky
Rebellion is Alex
Battles. The Whisky Rebellion performs original songs, by turns funny and bittersweet, in the classic country style.
Battles writes these tunes with the help of his grandfather's
tenor banjo. His major songwriting influences are Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, John
Prine, Tom Waits and Willie Nelson. The Whisky Rebellion contains
anywhere from 1-7 members, depending on venue constraints and the weather.
He things funny thongs.
The Y'all Stars met at and grew out of Brooklyn's Ponkiesburg Pickin'
Party, founded in 2000 by Barbara Brousal. The Y'all Stars play
country and bluegrass classics by the Louvin Bros, Bill Monroe, and
Blue Sky Boys. They are Fran Leadon and Charles Puckette on vocals
and guitar, Diane Stockwell on vocals and fiddle, Ben Fraker on vocals
and mandolin, Andy Cartoun on banjo, and John Cleveland on bass. They have
played live shows on WKCR and at the annual Howl Festival and play once
a month at the Parkside Lounge.
Younger Sister Band Brian and Jessica grew up on the
same block. Twenty - four years later, they are devoting their
time to writing music instead of building submarines out of old lawnmower
parts, as aresult of mystical consultations in the Far East. In
betweenthis time, Fletcher and Jessica have have harmonized for elevenyears
right through Italy, New York and South Africa. Asfurther luck
would have it, after Brian and Joe met three timesthey began to remember
each other, and destiny brought Joe intothe circle from the south Bronx.
Last but not least, Bobo waslured from his woodsy hovel and a renounciation
of all worldygoods with the promise of deep yankee country! What
is deepyankee country? A mix of esoteric mysticism, American
musicaltradition, and endless academic research into the meaning of
life.