Andy Allen- Saxophones
Russ Flynn- Electric Guitar/Synth
Peter Krag- Fender Rhodes/Organ
Pete Negroponte- Drums
Hannah Pitkin- Voice
Influences
Jim Black, Joy Division, The Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, Andrew D'Angelo's Gay Disco, Radiohead, John Zorn, Broken Social Scene, Q and Not U, Polvo, Pete Robbins, Chris Speed, The Clash, Steve Lehman, Tortoise, Hilmar Jensen, At The Drive-In, The Books, Elliot Smith, Kneebody, Slint, Thursday, The Mars Volta, The Smiths, The Lounge Lizards, Dinosaur Jr, Tim Berne, Zwan
Right now you can pick the debut record up at CDBABY, Downtown Music Gallery (New York), Soundtracks Records (Huntington, Long Island), Itunes or from one of us. We're very happy with the product and would like to extend thanks out to Steve Rossiter and Mikographics for all their help.
Rail is four musicians, with four distinct musical voices, coming together to create a product that is equal to more than the sum of its parts. The result is a fusion of sorts, but not the typical rock-fusion associated with the 1970's and later. Instead, Rail is a departure from this convention in that the band draws on influences from 80's punk and 90's grunge genres. The "fusion" lies in the integration of these influences with avant-garde jazz vocabulary and a contemporary harmonic sensibility. The material is comprised mostly of compositions written by guitarist Russ Flynn who cites groups such as the Jim Black's Alasnoaxis, the Smashing Pumpkins, My Bloody Valentine and At The Drive-In as major inspirations. Rail also features dynamic reedman Andy Allen and volatile drummer Pete Negroponte. The group is rounded out with Peter Krag, who does double duty by covering bass lines in addition to establishing a chordal foundation throughout the material.
"Excellent Brooklyn-based rock/jazz quartet led by guitarist, Russ Flynn and admittedly influenced by Jim Black's Alasnoaxis. Russ Flynn is a new musician in town and just left us with this fine new disc from his quartet. Although there is no bassist on this disc, the quartet sounds fine just the way it is. "Ana Crusis" has a great groove and a most memorable melody. There is a most hypnotic bassline at the center, perhaps played by the guitar or keyboard. Drummer, Peter Negroponte, is powerful and propulsive, odd that I haven't heard of until now. Russ has written some wonderful jazz/rockin' songs that occasionally sound like Radiohead, a major influence on Jim Black's Alasnoaxis. Solos are spirited but often short so that the songs themselves shine through. Mr. Krag mostly plays fuzzy electric piano or organ and always sounds great playing his rambunctious and intricate parts. There is something joyful about this music that makes me smile and want to dance around. One of the things that I dig about this disc is that even without taking too many solos, Russ Flynn, always comes up a variety of interesting ways to play his guitar, his tone is always changing to play the different parts of each song. He does take a couple of great solos, but this is not what this disc is about. Quite a crafty disc without any of those show-off-your-chops type of jazz wanking." - BLG (Downtown Music Gallery, NYC)
Gulu Gulu huh. That's like 10 minutes from where I grew up, I'll probably be able to get some of my townie friends to come out to the show. Remind me when its coming up.
Hello Vermont!...Just letting you know I'll be playing 3 dates in your lovely state with my band this weekend. Hope you can make it.
love, Miss Tess
*Thursday, Jan. 22 @ The Hooker-Dunham Theater, Brattleboro *Friday, Jan. 23 @ Langdon St. Cafe, Montpelier *Saturday, Jan. 24 @ The Red Fox Inn, Bondsville
"Can We Go Back Where We Began?" CD Release Extravaganza! We cordially invite you. Freddy's Bar and Back Room 485 Dean St. @ 6th Ave., Brooklyn 8:45 PM Thursday, October 23, 2008
If you like Andy Allen then you will LOVE "Beyond Human Aid" which features him on Harp, Drums, Sax (of course), French Stick, Mississippi Clock and Trombone!
