Artist: Earl Foss' Brown Derby
Title: This Drinkin' Life
Genre: Alt-Country [Similiar Artists: Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt/Wilco/Golden Smog]
Release Date: September 28 2006
Label: None, Independent
CD Ripping Info: CD->EAC-FLAC with LOG/CUE/m3u
Track Listing:
1. Silver Eagle
2. Bad News
3. Barstool
4. Moving On
5. Always and Forever
6. All That's Left
7. Say What You Mean
8. This Drinkin' Life
CD Review:
With major influences like George Jones and the original cosmic cowboyGram Parsons as guides, Madison newcomers Earl Foss’ Brown Derby Bandhave produced one of the better country disks to come out of thisgussied-up cow town in recent memory. Singer John Kunert communicatessincerity every time he’s on the mike, and his pairing with KristenKehl on the “Always and Forever” is raw enough to make it somethingmore than your typical George and Tammy tribute. For something a littlemore rocked up, there’s the pedal-steel-soaked “Silver Eagle,” aforlorn trucker song that rides a ribbon highway into the high-lonesomenight. Some of the production isn’t as supportive as it could be, butthis is a strong debut from a straight-ahead (and laudably irony-free)band that bleeds a little on every track.
Biography:
Like most good things, Earl Foss Brown Derby happened almost byaccident. Singer John Kunert and guitarist Ralph Lansing had for yearsbeen kicking around the idea of starting an old-school country band,inspired by a mutual appreciation for artists like George Jones, WaylonJennings, and the Silver Jews and a mutual distaste for top-40 countrymusic. In December 2005, they decided to make it happen. After adding aroommate (Pete Foss) on bass, a bicycle-racing buddy (Andrew Harrison)on lead guitar, and an old friend (Tony Sales Jr.) on drums, theystarted practicing. None of the others in the band had ever played, orin some cases even listened to much country music beforehand, but aftera few practices they all started to think they might be on tosomething. This became their current demo, and sounds like exactly whatit is: Original songs, largely inspired by listening to old country onAM radio, and peppered with a number of wide-ranging influences fromthe last 20 years of Indie Rock. The band has taken the last couple ofmonths to write several new songs. Currently the Earl Foss Band hasfinished an 8-song album for release at their cd release party on Sept28th at at the Corral Room. Band Members + Other Projects John Kunertguitar, lead vocals (was also in a Madison band called Revere.) AndrewHarrison lead guitar, vocal harmonies Ralph Lansing rhythm guitar (alsoplayed in Revere) Pete Foss bass (also plays in a madison/mpls-basedband called the Malmbergs) Sam Tokheim pedal steel guitar Jordan Parkerdrums (played in a Madison band called If Then Else.) Tony Sales, Jr.drummer emeritus (plays on the demo, and also played in Revere, thoughperhaps more interesting is the fact that his dad and uncle, the Salesbrothers, were the rhythm section for David Bowies Tin Machine groupand also played on several Iggy Pop solo albums.) His dad plays as wellwith the Harry Dean Stanton Band.
John Kunert - vocals, guitar
Andrew Harrison - lead guitar,vocals
Samuel Tokheim - pedal steel guitar
Ryan Lansing - rhythm guitar
Peter Foss - bass
Jordan Parker - drums
with Kristin Kehl - vocals
All songs written by John Kunert and the Brown Derby.
The Official Earl Foss' Brown Derby Website:
http://www.myspace.com/brownderby
Distributed with permission from Earl Foss' Brown Derby. Please seed. Support Indie music, see a show, buy a CD.
