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Formed from the vestiges of the Minneapolis-based Lo-Fi Indy Rock group the Wobblies, Roy Hubbs began their search for Country purity in the late fall of 2000. The name "Roy Hubbs" comes from a pen name that Soley used when writing Country tunes, mainly because he thought the name sounded like the legends he had grown up with (one part Roy Acuff, one part Ernest Tubbs, perhaps?).
After several years, four releases, and three national tours playing Rock a/o Roll, both singer/guitarists Erik Soley and Andy Strom were a bit burnt out on the local rock scene. Since both had been writing Country material for a few years, and because they had listened to it since their youth, it seemed a natural place to turn for inspiration. They had already released an EP with the original Country tune "Right Time of the Night", featuring local steel wizard Joe Savage (Hookers-n-Blow, Ménage-A-Twang), and had a thirst for more.
Enter drummer/guitarist Sean Gilchrist, who actually answered an ad to replace the vacated skins slot in the Wobblies. He had recently acquired a taste for that Classic Country sound, and was very interested to see how things would work out.
Roy Hubbs was ready to put together a recording, and started collecting songs. Originally intending to record a 5 or 6-song EP, the 3 person writing team produced an excess of 20 songs, and were truly obligated to put together a full-length album. The ground was more fertile than expected. Much more.
Off to New Moon Studios in South Minneapolis to record with their old pal Brad Moe. Brad had recently acquired a 2" reel-to-reel machine (affectionately named "Big Bertha"), and had no idea what to do with his vintage 50's ribbon microphones that had collected dust for years. Roy Hubbs was MORE than happy to take advantage of this equipment, and recorded the basic tracks for the album in one day. Searching for that live-sounding, raw quality that many of their favorite artists had achieved, most of the album, later named "Essential", was recorded in less than 5 takes with few effects, and fewer overdubs.
Recently, Roy Hubbs recorded their second full-length album with local recording veteran Rich Mattson (Minnesota Music Awards' "Producer of the Year") at his Sparta Studios location. Mostly recorded over a two-day eruption, this long overdue record features original songs from all three of the original members, and Clay Williams on lead and steel guitar. A release is expected in Spring of 2007. In the fall of 2006 Roy Hubbs was added to the roster of the legendary Minnesota indie-label, SMA Records.
Since their inception, Roy Hubbs has played many shows in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, including shows with local heavyweights Bellwether, The Front Porch Swingin' Liquor Pigs, The White Iron Band, Ol' Yeller, and The Copperheads, as well as playing shows at legendary local venues, such as the 400 Bar, 7th Street Entry, The Uptown, The Terminal, The Turf Club, Mayslacks, and headlining Lee's Liquor Lounge. Their rather eclectic Hard Country sound is very unique to the area, and spurned enough interest for Minnesota Public Radio to produce a story about the band and Fox 9 to invite them in studio to play on their morning show. They are also featured on the local stations KFAI, "The Current," and Cities 97, along with a growing number of international radio stations with a thirst for independent American country.
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