Hackensaw Boys turn twenty; tour in July coming up
24-06-2018For almost two decades, the Hackensaw Boys have plowed the asphalt bringing their raw, gritty American vernacular sounds to the music halls and streets across the world. Twenty years later, the group continues their burning hot vision of American roots music into a new age, fueled as much by a rowdy punk spirit as by the traditional masters that first inspired them.
The music began in 1999 when four friends from Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley found their collective ways to the roots music hub of Charlottesville. They didn’t waste time getting going, playing a show on the street the day of their first practice. The group let the good times roll and started adding like-minded people until their ranks reached twelve players for their first US tour. As with the folk and punk traditions which form the foundation of their sound, they’ve always operated more as a collective than a band. All said, twenty-eight members have cycled through the group—you never quite know who might sit in as a guest on any given night.
With their most recent release, a fresh take on Blaze Foley’s “Oval Room,” these roots music stalwarts speak directly to America's political unrest. Written and recorded by Foley in the 1980s, the song recalls his list of grievances with the Reagan presidency: "Everywhere he goes, make the people mad / Makes the poor man beg, and the rich man glad." The band was excited to resurrect this protest gem—which was recorded by their friend Thomas Olivier at Studio Americain in Amsterdam—as the words seem more timely than ever.
Hackensaw Boys have veen fortunate to call so many great people and musicians members of their family over their storied history. Some have put in short stints, some have played with them for years, and yet others have come and gone and come back again (and again!). They've always considered the group a collective and a shining example of “the folk process" - the music passes from person to person and from generation to generation, and once you’re a member, you’re always a member. We’re sad to see our Hackensaw brothers Brian Gorby and Ferd Moyse take a step back from our active touring schedule. We love them dearly, and we’ll miss them on the road. But we’re thrilled to welcome three new Hackensaws to the fold: Beau Dodson on charismo, Caleb Powers on fiddle and banjo, and Chris Stevens on bass (and you never know when you might catch an old friend sitting in at one of our sets)!
Come out and meet the new Hackensaws when they travel through a town near you this next month. This years marks Hackensaw Boys' 20th anniversary of playing music for you all. Here to 20 more - Viva Hackensaws!
06/07: Vlissingen (NL) @ Onderstroom
07/07: Gierle (BE) @ Sjock
08/07: Weert (NL) @ De Bosuil º
09/07: Krefeld (DE) @ Kulturrampe º
10/07: Gent (BE) @ The Cover º
11/07: Groningen (NL) @ Vera º
12/07: Amsterdam (NL) @ Paradiso
13/07: Dordrecht (NL) @ Big Rivers
14/07: Cerexhe (BE) @ Cerexhe Festival
15/07: Nijmegen (NL) @ Valkhof Festival
15/07: Lichtenvoorde (NL) @ Zwarte Cross
º = w/ SUSTO (solo)