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2001
Dave?
My mind is going. I can feel it.
January
20, 2001 Good-luck, goodbye... (aka What
we've learned
)
Well, we've got Mr. Bush in the White House,
and like his predesessor Mr. Clinton, we're riding off into the blood-red
sky. Yep, the little label that debuted with the ringing sounds of a chainsaw
slicing up the meter-man, will be dismembered in a similar fashion in
bankrupcy court. On January 29, this site will self-destruct and we'll
be out of here. We recently received a one-line sendoff from a fan that
is helping us to hold our heads high as we exit this music "business:"
"Thanks
for not sucking."
You're welcome.
So, why did we
fail? Well, this is just my opinion, but from the start we spent money
unwisely by trying to be a big label with a small label budget. In hindsight,
we probably should have cultivated a core audience and focused on a Mail
Order/Internet sales and distribution model targeted regionally instead
of putting so much focus on the holy grail/ego trip of "national distrbution."
At the end of the day, if you don't have the marketing budget to support
national distribution, it ends up becoming an albatross that produces
massive returns and deficits. Buying radio promotion compounded the problem.
It provided ammunition for distributor reps to get records in stores,
but at the Americana level, it wasn't broad enough to spur sales. One
thing about radio promoters: do your homework and get references before
you hire one. Or just hire Al Moss. He is a man that loves the music and
has great integrity.
Unfortunately,
integrity is rare in this business. We "sold" records to many
regional and international distributors on good faith and haven't seen
a dime for them. Hitsounds Records and LN Records in the Netherlands come
to mind. Steer clear of a scamster named Winno Jannsen. Other distributors
will make an indie label wait until it's on the verge of bankruptcy and
still not pay for records shipped over a year ago. My eyes get red just
thinking about that...
Thanks to all
of you who've supported us. You know who you are.
Closing
Prayer (MP3)
Angry's
Big Top (aka Carnival
of Carnage
)
We just received an eMail from a long-time fan
who wrote about a recent Angry show, "Angry mentioned something about
being sued by Tarhut" Say it isn't so!!!
It isn't so.
We have no intention
whatsoever, but under the Angry Big Top, he's just got to be getting screwed
by someone, or else he wouldn't be Angry...
Us Nervous?
Some parting words of friendship and thanks to Nervous Records UK. We
love them and you will too (after you order from us)! They're really nervous
and they really rock, baby!! Tell 'em the dock workers at Tar Hut sent
you. www.nervous.co.uk
Finally, we're only a month away from the equipment
truck leaving for Spring Training in sunny Florida. Needles to say, THIS
IS THE RED SOX YEAR!!!
Summer
2000
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Hi. Lots has happened since our last news report...gas prices are sky-high
making it tough for touring indie bands, Britney Spears released a new
record and did a tv show from Hawaii (wink wink), Lou Reed is back on
the road, Elian was reunited with his father, Pee Wee King died, and the
Soprano's regular HBO season ended. Oh yeah. WHEN THE HELL ARE THE RED
SOX GOING TO COME OUT OF THEIR FUNK???
SXSW NEWS AND ABUSE
Here's some gibberish from Dave and Leo's excellent adventure in Austin
at SXSW. Everything's still blurry and our ears are still ringin' but
here's what we do remember.
~We met lots of swell people.
~The folks at Groovetone were so impressed with the Ex-Husbands performance
we ended up inking a digital download distribution deal with them shortly
after the conference. Check out their website at Groovetone.com
~The Bottle Rockets cranked it out for hours at Doolittle's label party
at Club DeVille on Thursday afternoon.
~Hank III raved on at Stubb's on Friday night (jammed to the rafters,
band cranks three hell-fire songs, amp blows, Hank leaves, history's made).
~Supersuckers had 3,000 people giving the jackalope eye salute at Stubb's
on Friday night (Eddie Spaghetti, baby, reconfirms our faith in RockNRoll).
~The Ex-Husbands show at Opal Divine's on Saturday night was, well, it
don't get much better folks.
~We drove the wrong way (again and again...) down Austin's one way streets
with 18 people shoved in a Ford Focus, people as hood ornaments and stuffed
in the trunk.
Hey, come join us next year!
THE EX-HUSBANDS
Got a hankerin' for some real outlaw country music? The Ex-Husbands recent
release, "All Gussied Up," peaked at # 9 on the Gavin Americana
national radio chart in February, sharing space in the Top 10 for several
weeks with Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Guy Clark, Ed Burleson,
Slaid Cleaves, Star Room Boys, The Mavericks, The Derailers, Nelson/Jennings/Kristofferson/Shaver,
Steve Forbert, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Jerry Jeff Walker, Buddy Miller
and The Souvenirs.
The band also tore through Austin for SXSW and received a total of four
critic's choices from the Austin Chronicle and Austin American Statesman.
If you were there, you know how it all went down. If not, read on...
Austin Chronicle (SXSW, March 2000) "Everything Nashville-based music
isn't
supposed to be anymore -- visceral, dangerous, roadside fresh -- the Ex-Husbands
are in spades. Saving room at the table for Merle Haggard and Black Sabbath,
this fearsome foursome [sic] comes off tougher than boot leather and more
ornery than Granny after someone hid her teeth." -- Christopher Gray
By Jerry Renshaw, Austin Chronicle
March 24, 2000: The Ex-Husbands
Opal Divine's Freehouse, Saturday, Mar 18
Weather -- the wild card at South by Southwest. You may recall the torrential
storm that rained out BR5-49 at Stubb's last year, the winds that nearly
blew Hank Williams III all the way to Ben White this year, or the downpour
that found the Waco Brothers playing to a huddle of poncho-wearing fans
at Scholz Garten that same night. For the Ex-Husbands' set at Opal Divine's,
the skies were occasionally stitched with lightning (drawing whoops from
the crowd), with a shower dampening the crowd intermittently, but the
hand of God was on Nashville trio's side this time. Out on the front porch,
guitarist Anders Thomsen had his Fender amp turned up way louder than
usual, pushing those tubes for a sound that Yardbirds-era Jeff Beck would
have loved. Several South by Southwest revelers were visibly swaying and
weaving a bit, working on a Lone Star buzz that would bring this year's
festival to a suitable climax. As the band churned through familiar favorites
like "Honky," "Tequila Salt," and "Lime,"
"I Have a Ball," and "Six Feet Tall and Crying," the
mood took on that of a big house party, the band's many female fans dancing
onstage, longnecks being drained effortlessly, and revelers dancing from
the venue's balcony. The Husbands even strayed toward an AC/DC cover,
Jerry Reed's "Eastbound and Down," and ZZ Top's "Beer Drinkers
and Hell Raisers"
until it seemed like a foregone conclusion that someone would take their
clothes off at some point (almost, but not quite). It was all over too
soon, the band closing the set with a cover of the New York Dolls' "Rock
and Roll Nurse" and the bar staff starting their "finish your
drinks" spiels. Too bad bands like the Eagles and Poco ruined the
term "country rock" some 20 years ago; the Ex's can play honky-tonk
faithfully enough for a Broken Spoke two-step crowd, but then can rock
out hard enough to offend rockabilly
purists nationwide. Their genre-blurring Saturday-night set just goes
to show that "alternative country" is a term that's quickly
becoming as useless and obsolete as "New Wave," "alternative
rock," and whatever other trendy music-writer tag you can think of
from the past two decades. All told, a great pull-out-the-stops coda to
SXSW 2000, and the band never did quite get rained out, either.
The band just wrapped a west coast tour and will enjoy taking off part
of this summer while writing and preparing to record their third record....
KING RADIO
Mr. Frank "Radio Radio Sound Salvation King " Padallero is wrapping
up his band's new record, tentatively titled "Curse Of The Bambino."
Check back here for news on when and where it'll be released. As good
as King Radio's debut was ("Mr K Is Dead Go Home" made several
critics Top 10 lists for 1998), the new record sounds like the crowning
achievement in the band's young career. Frank's also been busy with other
projects, having contributed to Chappaquiddick Skyline (aka Joe Pernice)
on SubPop Records, and T.W. Walsh's "How We Spend Our Days"
on Made In Mexico Records.
MARTIN'S FOLLY
The Folly are back in the studio with Eric "Roscoe" Ambel recording
the follow-up to the fantastic "Man, It's Cold." Ian Hunter's
on board with the band this time around...you'll have to check back for
more details.
In other news, Paul Page, bass player from Martin's Folly, appeared on
the Conan O'Brien show in support of Ruth Gerson. Paul's also recently
released a terrific solo CD with Lance Doss and a host of others. Get
it at... http://www.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Page,_Paul/
http://www.theorchard.com/index1.html
THE LONESOME BROTHERS
Earlier this year the LB's were selected as finalists in A Prairie Home
Companion's Sixth Annual "Talent from Towns Under 2,000" Contest.
The song "Elly Mae's Party" from their recent excellent Tar
Hut release, "Diesel Therapy," was the contender. The band battled
until the end, but an eleven year old gospel singer from Florida wiped
everyone in the voting.
The Brothers continue to secure heaps of praise from the national and
international press for "Diesel Therapy." Featuring local New
England legends Ray Mason on bass and Jim Armenti on guitar and mandolin,
with Bob Grant on drums, Doug Beaurnier on pedal steel and Jim Weeks on
guitar and keyboards, Cheri Knight also stopped by the studio and blessed
the new record with her beautiful vocals.
ANGRY JOHNNY & THE KILLBILLIES
People actually fear this band! Well, you should too because Angry's music
will kick your ass. Angry and Jim Joe have been performing together for
more than a decade (as a duo, trio, and with up to 34 different Killbillies),
so don't be fooled by all the imitators.
"The most rip-roarin,' butt-kickin,' combo yet to bust out of the
so-called No Depression ranks. - Holly George-Warren
The Village Voice, January 1, 1999
WE LOVE FAN MAIL!!!
"I saw the Ex's. You are not kidding, the boys can definitely play.
They did several covers during and at the end that we're mind blowing.
NY Dolls, AC/DC and one other - Black Sabbath? War Dogs or some such thing.
I have never seen so much diversity at a show. These guys were all over
the map and every lick was cool."
Phil, San Jose
"I really liked this webbsite. I cant wait to get my hand on "Hankenstein"
and some other lonesome country-stuff. Keep it hanging!"
Ove, Sweden
"Saw the Ex's at the paradise in SF last night. jesus christ that
shit blew my mind. you guys should take it easy you could really hurt
people. I haven't seen a ROCK show that hard-ass in years and you're COUNTRY
band. shit. renewed my faith in music. i will not miss the next show in
the bay area. thanks"
Guirk, San Francisco
"I have to thank you very much for the cd I recently received. I
was really very positively impressed by a country album that really sounds
country and not pop like most of the stuff coming out of Nashville nowadays!
What is more, the album is so hardcore country - the kind of material
that I tend to play on my show. Once again, thanks for your help, time
and effort and keep it country!"
Raúl
J. Tejeiro, Director, Top Country Hits, Cabildo-Mas 106.7 FM, Montivideo,
URUGUAY/Country Music Association member on the Ex-Husbands
"At Xmas, I gave a copy of the Lonesome Bros Diesel Therapy to the
carpenter, who has done a lot of favors for me over the years :-)."
Martha,
a fan from AOL
"Congratulations on the success of your band. You're on a roll now....."
-Marlene K., Ladd, IL on the Ex-Husbands
"Cette le catalogue de Tar Hut à découvrir! Le King
Radio King Radio!, Angry
Johnny, ExHusbands, Martin's Folly, 'n Lonesome Brothers!! Nouvelle sortie
de
ce bon label house American. Wild! Une nouvelle de groove, à découvrir!!
De
shag et très dancefloor pour semaine dans dj."
Jacques
Dreawouir., Paris, France
"I love the boys called the Ex-Husbands. They have the best music
since Hank Williams. They are the best group of 2000. As Tony Tiger says,
"They'rrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee GGGGRRRREEEEEAAAAATTTT!!!!"
Teresa T., Antlers, OK
"Is Angry Johnny coming out with a new CD? I'm still stuck in Europe
and can't go to any of the live shows to get a fix."
Dan H., Stuck in Europe
"Just saw them at the Star Bar in Atlanta where they kicked ***!"
Molly P. from Atlanta, GA on the Ex-Husbands
"The Ex-Husbands are fabulous!!"
Abby G., Rego Park, NY
"Just a quick note to say that the CD's (Lonesome Brothers, Ex-Husbands,
and Martin's Folly) showed up in record time. Thanks. I want to add that
the reason that I picked up the CD's is because of Angry Johnny and the
Killbillies. I figured that any label that has something as good as Johnny
must have other gold in them thar hills. And Tar Hut does."
Michael S., NYC
March
8 , 2000 - Special Report
Greetings!
Thanks again for your support. You've helped us on the national radio
charts, national public radio, ESPN, The Disney Channel, and now at public
radio again.
The Lonesome Brothers have just been selected as
finalists from among hundreds of submissions in A Prairie Home Companion's
Sixth Annual "Talent from Towns Under 2,000" Contest! The song
"Elly Mae's Party" from their recent Tar Hut release, "Diesel Therapy,"
is the contender. It's a great song on a great record. They're great.
We're great. You're great. Great!
The Lonesome Brothers will play in New York on April 15 when all finalists
chosen by a distinguished panel of judges will perform in New York and
the winner awarded the coveted Silver Water Tower Trophy! We're confident
the band will take that baby home! The Silver Water Tower Trophy! The
Silver...
Who
loves ya, baby?! Dave and Leo
March
1 , 2000 - News and Abuse, Vol. 47
Hi.
(Don't hesitate to maximize window for ultimate monophonic effect)
Instructions: Read this now. Better yet, print this now and read it later
with the family. When finished reading, pass on to people who want to
purchase great music, or mail a copy to David Geffen. Let's kick this
off with some FAN MAIL!!!
"At Xmas, I gave
a copy of the Lonesome Bros Diesel Therapy to the carpenter, who has done
a lot of favors for me over the years :-)." Martha, a fan from AOL
"Congratulations on the success of your band. You're on a roll now....."
-Marlene K., Ladd, IL on the Ex-Husbands
"Cette le catalogue de Tar Hut ŕ découvrir! Le King Radio King Radio!,
Angry Johnny, ExHusbands, Martin's Folly, 'n Lonesome Brothers!! Nouvelle
sortie de ce bon label house American. Wild! Une nouvelle de groove, ŕ
découvrir!! De shag et trčs dancefloor pour semaine dans dj." - Jacques
Dreawouir., Paris, France
"I love the boys called the Ex-Husbands. They have the best music since
Hank Williams. They are the best group of 2000. As Tony Tiger says, "They'rrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
GGGGRRRREEEEEAAAAATTTT!!!!" -Teresa T., Antlers,
OK "Is Angry Johnny coming out with a new CD? I'm still stuck in Europe
and can't go to any of the live shows to get a fix." -Dan H., Stuck in
Europe
"Just saw them at the Star Bar in Atlanta where they kicked ***!" -Molly
P. from Atlanta, GA on the Ex-Husbands "The Ex-Husbands are fabulous!!"
- Abby G., Rego Park, NY
"Just a quick note to say that the CD's (Lonesome Brothers, Ex-Husbands,
and Martin's Folly) showed up in record time. Thanks. I want to add that
the reason that I picked up the CD's is because of Angry Johnny and the
Killbillies. I figured that any label that has something as good as Johnny
must have other gold in them thar hills. And Tar Hut does." -Michael S.,
NYC And now to the bands...
THE EX-HUSBANDS Having just returned
from a tour in Mexico, The Ex-Husbands (El Ex Maridos) hold strong on
Gavin Americana's national radio Top 20, wrestling with Dolly Parton and
others to remain in the Top 15. Amazing...they're back up to # 12 from
# 15 last week! Their Top 10 status on the charts won't soon be forgotten
as they're well into their third month at radio for "All Gussied Up."
Our since thanks goes out to Al Moss Promotion in Atlanta, GA (amosspromo)!
Al's firm promotes real country music and real country roots music, and
they're the hardest working promo firm in show business as far as we're
concerned.
If you don't have the Ex's new record, please buy it today and help support
Tar Hut, the band, indie music, and the IRS. In related news, demand for
the band has them making four appearances during
this year's SXSW Music Conference in Austin, TX. With two sanctioned
shows and two additional appearances, catch them while you can if in Austin.
Please also check the schedule below and www.tarhut.com for national tour
updates and news.
KING RADIO Mr. Frank "Radio Radio
Sound Salvation King " Padallero is busy as ever, having just contributed
to the stellar new release "Chappaquiddick Skyline" (aka Joe Pernice/SubPop
Records) which is certain to make most rock critics' top 10 lists this
year. And don't forget about King Radio's brilliant Tar Hut release, "Mr
K Is Dead, Go Home"... Did you realize the record was the Amplifier magazine
"Writers Top Pop Release of 1998!!
THE LONESOME BROTHERS The Brothers
continue to secure heaps of praise from the national and international
press for their recent release, "Diesel Therapy." Featuring local New
England legends Ray Mason on bass and Jim Armenti on guitar and mandolin,
with Bob Grant on drums, Doug Beaurnier on pedal steel and Jim Weeks on
guitar and keyboards. Cheri Knight also stopped by the studio and blessed
the new record with her beautiful vocals.
"The Lonesome Brothers
are the hottest band of brothers not named Allman or Neville. Armenti
and Mason -- brothers in spirit only -- have been rocking audiences up
and down the East Coast for longer than anyone can remember." V-Mag, October,
1999/Dave Biederman
ANGRY
JOHNNY & THE KILLBILLIES
On tour again...mayhem and kisses from the lovable Johnny and his Killbillies.
"The most rip-roarin,'
butt-kickin,' combo yet to bust out of the so-called No Depression ranks.
- Holly George-Warren The Village Voice, January 1, 1999 **** (4 out of
4 stars) "
MARTIN'S
FOLLY
It's a good thing compact discs never wear out...
"Whomever complains
rock is dead should be force-fed the new sophomore release from Martin's
Folly.Nostalgia may be all the rage these days, but here's a Brooklyn-based
quartet that wears a retro heart on its sleeve without giving in to unabashed
imitation" Spin, February 17, 1999/Tom Semioli
Old
News...
February
1 , 2000
This
just in, the Ex-Husbands "All Gussied Up" has jumped another
3 spots and into the Top Ten at #9 on the Gavin Americana chart!!! Just
last week, the record vaulted 7 spots to #12. Our boys have joined some
select company in the Top Ten including Guy Clark, the Derailers, the
Mavericks, Dolly Parton, and Alan Jackson.
Help
us move up in the top ten by calling your local Americana
radio station to request "All Gussied Up."
January
1, 2000 - Jeff Copetas moves to something big...
Hell,
if Bill Gates can step down at Microsoft, then Jeff can certainly leave
Tar Hut. Back in October, Jeff got a great opportunity to join Soundsbig.com,
"an emerging music network on the fast track to becoming the most
comprehensive single source of music services and selection on the Internet."
I see. Well, we hope when Jeff "scoresbig" on the IPO, that
he remembers us at the Hut. Sincerely though, we hope Jeff will always
be proud of the label he started with the roar and mayhem of the Killbillies'
chainsaw on "Hankenstein." We're just thrilled it didn't end that way!
In music news, the Ex-Husbands "All Gussied Up" has cracked
the top 20 of the Gavin Americana chart at #19!!! It would really be a
help to the band and to us if you'd call your local Americana
radio station and request "All Gussied Up." The boys
are ready to continue their "I'm
Just a Honky" tour in 2000, beginning January 27th in
Ashville, NC.
Carrying over into 2000, both the Ex-Husbands "All Gussied Up"
and Lonesome Brothers "Diesel Therapy" have been receiving great
press. In fact, a cool new internet music site, audiogalaxy.com featured
both records and the label in early January. The year 2000 will also bring
the music of Tar Hut Records to television, including songs from King
Radio, Martin's Folly, Angry Johnny, and the Ex-Husbands. We'll let you
know show times and dates when we have them for both ESPN's
X-Games and the Disney Channel's Z-Games!
Twas
was a good holiday season for us and we hope it was for you and yours.
Our new secure
on-line ordering worked flawlessly and produced good sales
of the Ex-Husbands "All Gussied Up" and the Lonesome Brothers
"Diesel Therapy." Jupiter Communications estimated on-line holiday
shopping at a whopping $7B! As you can imagine, Tar Hut grabbed a big,
steaming chunk of that. Just do the math. Internet banner advertising
was also a first for us during December on twangcast.com. The ad generated
quite a few visitors and sales for our site. We're looking to expand our
on-line advertising presence, so if you know of some good sites, drop
us a .
Onward...
Leo and Dave
November
1999 - Brand New Releases and Holiday Cheer!!
Hi.
Welcome to the Hut. You're here because this isn't about Gov. Jessie Ventura
and other shams. You're here because this isn't about Y2K and air traffic
over Three Mile Island on New Year's Eve. You're here because this isn't
about Bill Gates' monopoly or the new nudes of Drew Barrymore, though
we...oh, nevermind. You're here because of the music and for that we cherish
you!
What's news at Tar Hut? Well, the holiday season is upon us and we're
all very excited! It's time to freak! Nah...we're going to sit back, relax
and toast the season! And we suggest you do the same. Legend has it that
it became acceptable to toast without standing in Britain during the reign
of Charles II. The king allowed that this would be acceptable after he'd
risen in response to a toast in his honor while aboard the ship Royal
Charles and bashed his head into a beam. We toasted Jeff once while riding
in his '69 Ford Galaxy. He tried to stand and bashed his head on the floorboard.
We always sit during Tar Hut toasts now. Yes, friends, sit back, relax
and toast the season! Toast the season with our music! Because the simple
fact is that your orders help make for a Bing Crosby Christmas here at
Tar Hut, and what could be better than that?
Speaking of the season, looks like it's shaping up to be a Pokémon
Christmas. If you're a parent your hut has likely been invaded by Pokémon
and now your kids review poison techniques, sudden death and energy strategy,
and you look on like an idiot. Fortunately, this also means you finally
have time to kick back and listen to some new music. If you're not a parent,
or if you don't know about Pokémon, our entire catalog
is waiting for you...
The
Ex-Husbands continue to log nearly as many miles as Santa Claus. Check
out our tour page to see when they'll be pulling
into your town.
That's about it for now. Thanks so much for all of your support. If you
want a catalog just fill out our guestbook
and we'll get one to you pronto. Promise. And here's to your good health...may
you live a thousand years, and we be there to count them. Enjoy the music.
Best to all - Jeff, Dave and Leo
August
18, 1999 - Brand New Fall Releases!
A
recent article from the Nashville Scene
about the state of Country music found Luke Lewis, president of Mercury-Nashville
Records observing that "flagging sales can be traced directly to country's
lack of 'hip' credibility these days", and as a result, the music has
lost a huge portion of its male audience. Mr Lewis notes, "I don't
know that we are making records for men. You look around and wonder where
the outlaws are."
Welp, we have your outlaws right here. The Ex-Husbands return to
stores on November 2nd. Originally hailing from the concrete jungle of
New York City, the Ex-Husbands follow up their Tar Hut Records self-titled
debut with All Gussied Up, a brand new 14-song collection that
compares to nothing. You hear us? Nothing. We're sick of all the other
labels and bands comparing their artists to old legends. We've got new
legends. This recording is as much a message to Luke Lewis and all the
other fat cats in their corner offices down there in Hitsville as it is
a message to all those other bands pretending to play country. It's a
message to all rock music fans and all country music fans - the Ex-Husbands
are ready to bring it home to you. To hell with everything else. Don't
believe us? Put the CD in.
Singer/guitarist/songwriter
Anders Thomsen, the object of so many ladies affections, backs
up the Gussy-ness with an unforgettable, booming country baritone and
a couple of hands which were built specifically for the Telecaster. Michael
Howard Smith bangs the drums and looks perfect, as usual. Mark
Miller, in addition to making his singing debut here ("Flat Broke
in Hoboken," "All Is Fair"), is about a killer a bass player and joker
that you'll find, and every now and then he'll have a beer with you and
let out a yelp.
Look, it's not about us sitting here typing this crap. It's about you
buying this CD, putting this CD in your player and letting this CD's music
do the talking. Strap it on. You'll see. And you'll have close to 200
chances to see them live in the next year - check out our tour
page to see when they'll be pulling into your town.
As
far as Ray, Jim and Bob from the Lonesome Brothers, they, much
like the Ex-Husbands, have crafted an excellent follow-up to their debut
Tar Hut album. Titled Diesel Therapy, this work finds the Lonesome
Brothers providing much of the same quirkiness that made their initial
album such a popular little ditty. Right from the catchy opener by Jim
Armenti, called "Going Blind," you'll find yourself humming right along
with all the songs. They say that good bands have an uncanny ability to
construct songs that are easy to remember - lyrically and musically. The
Lonesome Brothers, together now for 13 years, have that ability and then
some.
The
title track itself is an amazing composition about life in prison, penned
by Armenti. A local favorite for years, "Diesel Therapy" finds Jim at
his lyrical best:
"If
you find you've booked a room in Uncle Sam's hotel,
And you feel your lodging's bad, well keep it to yourself,
Don't you go complaining to the hack's outside your door,
'Cause whatever problems you've got, it's better than the cure,
From Owensville to Danbury, from Marion to Miami,
Morgantown to Lewisburg - pick your penitentary,
You've seen 'em all eventually right on down the line,
You won't be sitting in the bullpen long, 'cause you ain't got the time.
It's diesel therapy, it just goes round and round
Big 'ol armored buses are gonna take you out of town.
Diesel Therapy, Diesel Therapy,
you give 'em shit they'll send you all around."
Of course, Ray Mason, as you all know by now, is no slouch either. Often
compared to Levon Helm, Ray's songs will conjure up images of bands like
NRBQ and The Skeletons. Songs like the chugging rocker "Water Rolling
off a Duck" and "All Jacked Up," simply continue Ray's journey.
Ray
says, "I was born. I started playing music in the mid 60s. I'll keep playing
until I die. That's it. Kind of a simple life. I'm going to go until I
drop, and I'll go down face-forward, hitting one of those big twangy chords."
Yep.
We couldn't have said it any better.
"Diesel
Therapy" will strictly be available through Tar Hut mail order and Miles
of Music beginning in mid-September. Support them. Support us. Hello!
That's
about it for now. Thanks so much for all of your support. If you want
a catalog, just fill out our guestbook, and
we'll get one to you pronto. Promise. In the meantime, it's almost time
for hockey season. And the World Series. And the leaves changing colors,
and quality apple cider, and………autumn. Enjoy the music.
Best to all - Jeff, Dave and Leo
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