Philpot sprouted from a flower shop in Dugger, Indiana (pop. 955), a town without a stoplight. In this blink-and-you'll-miss-it rural setting a couple of hours southwest of Indianapolis, Philpot front man Kentz Ward toils by day among the blossoms and, by night, is joined by his five band mates, who grow their, by turns, rocking, bluesy, and emotive music inside the musical laboratory of the shop.
Hard rocking but melodic, Philpot is anchored by Caleb Smith and Josh Kennedy’s deeply layered wall of guitars, AJ Boone's ambient keyboards, and the propulsive rhythm section of Arthur Ready and Tyler Evans. Kentz Ward’s growling vocals -- and brooding, pugilistic (yet hopeful) -- lyrics complete the tapestry.
Philpot first shook up the music scene in late 2004, with a head turning 3 AM set in front of celebs at a ritzy New York City night club owned by the members of Velvet Revolver and Fuel. The show created a buzz in the New York City media. Equal parts eagerness, confidence, naïveté -- and balls -- compelled the band to drive uninvited to Manhattan that night in the pouring rain and demand the owners give them the stage
A great New York story, especially for rocker wannabes from the boroughs, but Philpot (then teens) had come 800 miles from rural Indiana; a place checkered with farms and abandoned coal mines.
Since forming in 2000 on the way home from a concert, Philpot has recorded three albums. The latest, Hate Writes Better Than Love, (Toucan Cove /Universal Records) speaks well to Philpot’s musical evolution. HWBTLis a distinct amalgamation of the band’s roots, influences and unbridled talent, one that unleashes itself full throttle in their epic four hours shows in Indiana.
The story behind the new record fits this homespun American story like a glove. In 2006, a Los Angeles A&R executive from Toucan Cove journeyed the southeastern Indiana back roads to a Philpot show at the Ooodle Inn in Switz City, a gin mill/roadhouse worthy of a Tarantino film. Barely detectable on a GPS, the motto at the Oodle is “Walk In, Waddle Out.” Philpot stumbled out that night with a record deal.
This band has balls, and the musical prowess to back that up. Together they have penned nearly 200 songs in the flower shop. 2007 has seen them perform with Snoop Dogg, Kings of Leon, The Sick Puppies, Days of the New, and Seven Mary Three. Television appearances include CBS News. NBC News, Fox TV, and PBS. Their music is featured on The Speed Channel (Fox/NASCAR). NFL.com, The N (MTV Networks), and ESPN.
Hate Writes Better Than Love, was produced by Bill Klatt (Days of the New, QOTSA, Sneaker Pimps) with Philpot singer Kentz Ward. In late 2007, with typical DIY/Indiana bravado, the band sent an MP3 of “Girls Don’t Know” to the UK, and BBC Bristol threw it on the air immediately.
On its My Space page, Philpot has accumulated more than half a million plays. There the band asks its fans “Are You Ready For The Revolution”. Are you? Listen.
GIRLS DON’T KNOW – GOING FOR ADDS JAN 4th
PRESS:
“Mighty catchy, nicely twangy.”
BBC Bristol Uncovered
"Bizarre punk-blues-raga rock. A band this great in a location that obscure would usually toil in sad obscurity. But this band deserves a shot, especially since the Brian Jonestown massacre dropped the ball."
JR Taylor, New York Press
“Full-bore, no-frills, gut-punch rock, full of snarling guitars and singer Kentz Ward's raspy, classic rock howl.” All Music Guide
"I have jock ear. I feel like I did when I encountered Freddy Mercury or The Beatles." Joey Reynolds, WOR Radio
"These kids play kick ass rock and roll with a technical virtuosity that is nothing short of astounding. Kentz Ward is the most charismatic front man since Axl Rose and Kurt Cobain." Zink Magazine
“Tight chops, fresh and memorable melodies and choruses, never guilty of rehashing their predecessors.”
Illinois Entertainer
“…riffs that check everything from Guns N' Roses to Led Zeppelin in Stooges-styled distortion…Philpot ensures rock isn't dead.”Aversion.com
Caleb Smith and Josh Kennedy of Philpot are sponsored by Mills Acoustics. Arthur Ready plays Ludwig drums.
Management: Bill Klatt 1-201-745-6961 and Jay Boone
Booking/Merch: Kameron 812-589-2021 email: philpotmusic@hotmail.com
http://www.philpotmusic.com
Discography
Bitch Be the World (Applehead Records) 2005
Hate Writes Better Than Love (Toucan Cove Entertainment/Universal Records) June 19, 2007 Street Date
Legal: Peter Rosenthal, Roberts & Ritholtz, New York City, 212-448-1800
www.myspace.com/philpottheband
www.philpotmusic.com
www.myspace.com/philpotofficialstreetteam
www.toucancove.com
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i'd love it if you guys could manage to find your way back to lexington, ky...you are freakin awesome and i love your music...glad i happened to be there when you played at a1a.
Hey guys, Thanks for coming out saterday to play, Ya'll Rocked! I'll be sure to get back with you guys if I do anything again. Take it easy and Rock Loud!
