T.C. Boyle, E.L. Doctorow, A.S. Byatt, Martin Amis, Philip Roth, Thomas Pynchon, Barbara Ehrenreich, Cormac McCarthy, Charles Bukowski, Robertson Davies, Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Mike Davis, Graham Swift, Carl Hiaasen, E. Annie Proulx, John Steinbeck, Charlie Chaplin, Franklin W. Dixon, Eugene V. Debs
Seattle's SUGARCANE MUTINY takes two shots of single-malt rock and adds a dash of twang. The band's lyric-driven songwriting and power-pop beats blend the dark humor and storytelling of a Cracker or Wilco with the loud jangly pop of the Smithereens and Fastball. SM's 7-song CD "Your Town" is now available at Easy Street, Sonic Boom and Silver Platters around the Seattle area, or online at CD Baby through the link below:
Whatever you call it, it's all-original Seattle rock -- loud, wet and quirky. The band took 2nd place in Roy's Battle of the Bands last year and their song Your Town won "best bass in pop rock" at Garageband.com in November. The band is quickly becoming a Festival Favorite -- SUGARCANE MUTINY has played at Hempfest and Tacoma's First Night Celebration, and will appear at the International Pop Overthrow in Portland this August.
Singer-songwriter Jess Grant has migrated northward ever since fleeing his hometown of Los Angeles, where his early inspirations included LA acts like X, The Doors and The Runaways. While a rocker at heart, his acoustic music has been heard on NPR and at the NW Folklife Festival. Jess also fronts the world's only tribute to Joan Jett, Seattle's Jett City.
Bassist Casey Allen has played with The Life, a Seattle pop-rock band that released two records on Green Monkey Records and made three Bumbershoot appearances. Next up was Jimm and the Boxes, a local band signed to Blue Rose, where they released a CD on Ptarmigan Records. His most recent project was Cats On Holiday, Cleveland Ohio's Favorite Mardi Gras Party Band.
Lead guitarist Travis Hartnett spent ten years in Austin TX, playing with Britt Daniels in his pre-Spoon band, composing soundtracks, working with dance and theatre companies, and performing at SXSW three times. He has studied with Robert Fripp and is a former member of Seattle Guitar Circle. His local bands have included David Bavas and the Down Comforter, Electrochakra, Tableland, and the Steve Ball Roadshow.
Joshua Wheeler is a drum set artist specializing in rock, funk, pop, reggae and blues. For the past several years Joshua has performed around New York City with Joy Zipper, The Niagaras, Sonavagun, Paul Mark and the Van Doren's, Rats With Wings, Spielerfrau, Red Light District and Lyza Wilson. Josh recently relocated to Seattle.
"Each time I've seen Sugarcane Mutiny they've reminded me of the Smithereens if Pat DiNizio and crew ran a dilapidated gas station with a black and white TV in the office. This Seattle quartet plays rootsy, jangly pop with an emphasis on songs as opposed to the requisite instruments and haircuts...Tarantino-like stories with five fingers on the bible and two crossed behind, baby. Yeah, they’re cool. These seasoned cats found a common thread — smart songwriting, stringent, catchy melodies and a dose of twang — on their four-song, self-titled CD that is spinning right now next to my black and white TV."
Brad Allen of the Weekly Volcano (Tacoma)
Update: That 4-song demo has been upgraded to a 7-song EP with 3 new songs, more vocal, guitar and keyboard tracks, fresh mixes, and full-court graphics, thanks to the photographic contributions of Ian Weintraub, Christopher Allen and Laurie Pearman. Thanks also to vocalist Corinna Johnson, co-producer Mark Hopkins, RFI Mastering and Candace and Amineh over at Fastrax audio production. "Your Town" now available in stores around Seattle and on the world wide web at CDBaby.
Man you guys were awesome last night! Everytime I hear "As the door slammed" it gets stuck in my head for days. :) Looking forward to playing with you again on May 30th at the Redline!
I couldn't agree more about Hejira. Required listening for anyone obsessed with love, music and travel, especially if they're making that dreaded hairpin turn into their thirties.
Hey JG and the Band! I am loving the new mixes! I really love the organ/keys you added. Now if only you could get an organ/piano/keyboard player to join the band...also limiting the backing vocals in "Detective Novel" works much better. Sincerely, Mama Corinna Diva
Thanks. I am really excited at this chance to warp a young mind. Congrats on all the gigs. I noticed you have a new drummer. How is that working out? Maybe we can get together sometime before the baby arrives and chat. Sincerely, Corinna Diva
