Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Collective Soul, Sound Garden, Alan Parsons Project, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, Allman Brothers, The Doors, Van Halen, Thin lizzy, Pat Travers band, Robin Trower, Blizzard of Ozz, Jeff Beck, Rush, Peter Green, Aerosmith, The James Gang, Cheap Trick, Steely Dan, Muddy Waters, The Band, ZZ Top, Reo Speedwagon, Srv, David Bowie, The Beatles, Bad Company, Cream, Black Sabbath, Queen, Adrian Belew, Deep Purple, Fleetwood Mac
PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE BAND.
PURCHASE FREEDOM AND WHISKEY CDs OR MP3s AT THE CDBABY LINKS BELOW
From the opening moments of “Super Real”, it is evident that Freedom and Whiskey has come to rock. The title track features the whiskey soaked growl of new vocalist Mark Hoeskstra and the psychedelic guitar stylings of ex- Days of the New guitarist Chuck Mingis. This is serious business: but what fun it is! “Super Real” kicks in with a sense of urgency. A southern fried 70’s styled anthem, “Super Real” goes straight for the balls in the tradition of classics like “Mississippi Queen” and “Kick Out The Jams.”
They keep on ripping into “For No Good Reason.” Hoeskstra at times sounds a little like the great Danny Joe Brown on this track. Hoeskstra is a smoking’ harmonica player as well and he is on fire in “For No Good Reason”. The third cd from the Kentucky southern rockers features the traditional southern sound they forged on their first two offerings but the new cd also offers a trip back into the majestic blues-tinged seventies.
“Comin’ Down Heavy” is the next rocker on the album but also perfectly describes the changes Freedom and Whiskey has gone through. The harmonica is sharp again and the band warns “Better get ready/ change is comin’/ comin’ down heavy like a hurricane comin’ straight for you.”
“Whiskey State Of Mind” finds the band leaning more toward Allman Brothers styled blues southern rock and the song comes across as an instant southern classic. Definitely a must hear for blues rock fans as Hoeskstra’s vocals are dead on for this style.
Songs like “Running Blind” ,“Slow Suicide”, and “Too Far Gone” offer a slower bluesier side of traditional southern rock that was dominant in the first two Freedom and Whiskey cds. This style gives the cd more range and depth. “August” has shades of Procal Harem’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale” melodically and is a powerful, emotional tune that mentions the tragedies we’ve endured as a nation such as 911 and Hurricane Katrina.
“Super Real” by Freedom and Whiskey is a classic southern rock release in this gator’s opinion. “Sellavision Blues” closes out the cd with Led Zep styled slow blues rocker. The band plays tribute to the influences of Led Zep, Cream, Allman Brothers, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and even borrow a little from more modern blues rockers like Blues Traveler and Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies: but do not mistake this: They bring their own style and flavor into this cd. Freedom and Whiskey has always blended traditional influences with modern rock and originality and this cd uses that formula to near perfection. A stunning collection of southern fried blues rock!
The creation of Freedom and Whiskey occurred around August of 2001. Bill was writing and learning the art of digital recording and production work in his home studio in southern Indiana. Mike was recording and touring with another popular band from Louisville, Kentucky called Days of the New. Several years earlier Bill and Mike had been playing together in another Louisville based band with long time friend Griffin Torrance on bass guitar. After a few years of not playing, Mike and Bill got back together and decided it was time to record an album. Tina Goins (Bill’s wife) gave Freedom and Whiskey their name and co-wrote "The Stranger" and "Kettlebottom Blues". Mark Hoekstra, Chicago blues man, played harmonica. Griffin played bass on a few of the tracks and co-wrote the song "You and I". Todd Smith (formerly with the band "EdenStreet") played keys and also co-produced the album. Todd had worked with Mike and the band “Days of the New” in the production of some of their previous material. The band booked a Studio in Nashville, Tennessee to record their self-titled first album. Since then the song "Freedom" from this album was featured in a documentary film called "The Making of Deadbeat Dads".
The album "FREEDOM AND WHISKEY" includes other musicians like Rob Edwards, who added the percussion tracks and Debbra Belt and Joyce Greens soulful style of backing vocals.
THE NEXT PHASE
The band spent the next couple of years promoting their first album and started writing and recording some new songs for their second album. In mid 2006 after gaining some popularity in both the United States and Europe, Freedom and Whiskey released their 2nd album titled "THE ROAD". On this album, Bill and Mike spent more time in the studio and combined the sound and style of classic, southern and modern rock to give their music a harder edge. Many of the song lyrics on this album express the hardships of trying to make it in the music business and the seemingly never ending up hill climb of life.
Mike sings lead vocals on several tracks of this album and Mark sings lead on the song "End of My Rope" to make his vocal debut.
Music from “The Road” has been featured on Internet radio and digital download sites all over the web and the title track, “The Road”, received an award from The Viking Radio in Placerville, California for: best Southern Rock song of 2007.
Freedom and Whiskey, would like to thank everyone for your on going help and support. We hope you continue to enjoy our music.
THEN AND NOW!
In 2007 Freedom and Whiskey was rehearsing to start touring. The band went through a member change and added Mark as a new vocal front man. Mark is a veteran musician who has played harmonica for the band since 2003. Up until this point Bill and Mike had been doing most of the writing, singing and guitar work, but the chemistry worked better with Mark up front. Mike changed his focus to full time drummer and Bill moved to the bass and vocals after the addition of Chuck as lead guitarist. Chuck is an excellent guitarist. The band started writing and recording new material together to have a good representation of the new line up. The music evolved and the band has just completed their third album titled “Super Real”. The style of this album is Kick Ass, In Your Face, 100% Pure American Rock. Many of the reviews say it’s the best yet. The band’s 3rd album was released November of 2007.
In 2007 Freedom and Whiskey also released their first video for the song “Whiskey State of Mind” from their third album. The band would like to thank Alan Manias and the crew that made this possible at Videobred in Louisville, Kentucky. Check it out while you’re here!
Special thanks to Tina Goins for the 2007 Freedom and Whiskey band promol photos and miscellaneous images.
Freedom and Whiskey is on the prowl. Please contact us if you are interested in booking the band.
ROCK ON!
Freedom and Whiskey
Hi, Thanks so much for the friendship! Please visit my site and check out all the photos, videos and text information! There is a blog message to all local musicians I want you and all musicians to read! Chuck Belloise www.myspace.com/chuckbelloise
Hey, we appreciate you taking the time to check us out...Stop by anytime...We look forward to hearing from you!!! Have a great one and as always, keep it ROCKIN!!!
Aktarum (TROLL METAL FROM BELGIUM) would maybe play at PAGAN FEST in Dortmund Germany with bands like Moonsorrow, Korpiklaani or Unleashed if you could vote for us. Thanks a lot for your support and your help. (Just vote on this link and confirm via email).Aktarum team.
FIREWATER - LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS! Last shows until October!
Jun 26 : Larz, GERMANY : Fusion Festival Jun 27 : Audincourt, FRANCE : Rencontres & Racines Jun 28 : Istanbul, TURKEY : Balkan Soundz Festival July 02 : Dornbirn, AUSTRIA : Speilboden July 03 : Bulle, SWITZERLAND : Gibloux Festival July 04 : Jena, GERMANY : JG Stadtmitte July 05 : Hradec Kralove, CZECH R.: Rock For People July 06 : Vienna, AUSTRIA : Szene Wein July 08 : Linz, AUSTRIA : Posthof July 10 : Steyr, AUSTRIA : Röda July 11 : Bologna, ITALY : Mondiali Antirazzisti July 12 : Milano, ITALY : Magnolia Festival July 13 : Colmar, FRANCE : Hiero July 15 : Paris, FRANCE : Batofar July 17 : Pozega, CROATIA : Dirty Old Empire Festival July 18 : Veszprem, HUNGARY : Utcazene Fesztivál July 24 : Riberac, FRANCE : Le Grand Souk Festival July 25 : Gdynia, POLAND : Globaltica Festival July 31 : Namur, BELGIUM : Esperanzha Festival Aug 01 : Habere-Poche, FRANCE : Rock'n'Poche Festival Aug 02 : Bladel, NETHERLANDS : Bladelse Zomerfeesten
> Bellydancers in costume get in free at all club shows!
> More shows are still being added, so check the Firewater MySpace page for updates.
> This message was sent by an evil robot. So if you are somewhere other than Europe and can't escape, we're sorry. We'll be back again someday soon.
I could sure use your vote at Hoss the Boss Radio for the JUNE SONG OF THE MONTH CONTEST. You don't have to register, just place a check beside MIKE PARRISH - BLUE JEAN BABY & click VOTE! that's ALL there is to it! THANK YOU!
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