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BIO:

The sound of Haywood Yards is nothing less than the sound of America's mongrel nature itself. Each member of the group brings an insider's knowledge of the heart-core of American music - from the dustbowl folk ballads of Steinbeck's west to the post-punk of modern Williamsburg and other indie milieus - and stirs it into the Haywood Yards cauldron; the resulting stew sounds like almost no other music, while simultaneously conjuring the beloved ghosts of giants like Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, Gang of Four, Guided By Voices, the Waterboys, Gram Parsons, XTC, Camper Van Beethoven, and Johnny Cash.

The members of Haywood Yards came from, and have lived, all over the country. Singer/guitarist/songwriter Mike Semrad and violinist/keyboardist/vocalist Adrienne Gregg hail from Nebraska; The rhythm section of Nate Brown (on bass) and Austin J. Hall (on drums) are from hearty New England stock; and banjo/mandolin wizard Shankar comes from everywhere and nowhere, otherwise known as the Pacific Northwest. However, they've all been around the world and have lived everywhere else before moving to Chicago, from the swamps of the Deep South to the cold climes of Canada. When the band first met in Chicago 2003, it was obvious that those disparate, localized influences and elements came together to form a uniquely American sound. It was a sound that was as steeped in traditional folk, country, and bluegrass as it was in indie rock, funk and punk. In this way, Haywood Yards' hybridized sound symbolizes the push-and-pull of American culture: many voices, many genres, coming together as ONE.

Haywood Yards are a tremendous live act; audiences across the country respond to Shankar's banjo-driven rhythms and Mike Semrad's generous stage presence with frenzied hooting and dancing, aided and abetted by alcohol consumption and the tight human bond of togetherness. The galvanizing Haywood Yards live experience is an inclusive one. The band has seen crowds of hostile strangers undergo mass conversions under the power of their live show.

Mike Semrad's lyrics describe the trials and joys of working-class existence and the heartbreak of homesickness. Some songs acquire a political cast while others are strictly personal; in either vein there is evocative plain-spokenness and honesty as well as earned wisdom. Meanwhile, the band behind him jams reckless and tight, their danceable bluegrass-disco just about forcing you to move your feet and hoist your fist(and beer) aloft.

Reviews and articles:

"Haywood Yards has unique but accessible sound-like new sound, Disco, Folk, and bluegrass all rolled into one. Banjo, fiddle, and a rhythm section: everything is tight. Great album if you like....The Waterboys, The Byrds, XTC, Hot Water Music, or just like good rock n' roll, you'll dig these cats." Review by itunes Music, 2007

"Haywood Yards, which takes many of its musical cues from early Americana (tunes like "Captain Jack" and "Record Song,"... find the quintet layering on everything from banjo to mandolin to subtle washes of violin), gives the frontman a chance to channel these inner-vibrations into song, many of which have a decidedly political slant. This is especially true of the most-recent material, much of which was written as Semrad followed the marathon Democratic primary."Andy Downing, The Chicago Tribune June 20th, 2008

"In an industry filled with visual aesthetics and disingenuous modesty, Haywood Yards provides a band to root for; I give it four stars. Good album, plain and simple."-Drew@ www.punkbands.com 2007

"Haywood Yards delivered a richly infused sound which stands independent from their heroes such as The Good Life and Howlin’ Wolf. Melodies similar to The Corrs and gentle vocals which may as well be signature to this project solely, Haywood Yards has an Irish meets bluegrass feel and draw everyday people without itinerated images. If Jim Croce wanted to join a rock band full time, he wouldn’t leave these guys alone." Lisa Menzel, Lumino Magazine

"Semrad has written an exciting and diverse line up of songs that is sure to be a sparkling debut for any music lover. "-Gapers Block Chicago

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