Cory Seznec (guitar, banjos, harmonica, freedom boot, vocals)
Michael Ward-Bergeman (accordion, shackles, freedom boot, vocals)
Paul Clifford (calabash, yew tree, percussion, freedom boot, vocals)
Influences
Gritty and funky folk music from around the world.
Sounds Like
Nothing you have ever heard before.
"Gran Bwa" Official Worldwide Release January 2009
"Best of Groanbox" Videos from Northern Roots Festival 2009, Scotland and Le Poisson Rouge, NYC with Metropolis Ensemble. Use arrow keys to scroll through vids.
Groanbox, the North American trio of Michael Ward-Bergeman, Cory Seznec and Paul Clifford, are a musical hybrid of ideas and ideals. They are at first glance a roots band, soaked in the traditions of American music, with all the guts of rock and roll and all the soul of the wandering troubadour. But somewhere along the way, that troubadour turned off the trusted road and, from the melting pot of New Orleans, began a new journey that would take the Groanbox sound to new and unexplored places...
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
I love your music so much! Please let us somehow book some shows with the Coal Porters here in the UK or on Europe. Check out the VERY FIRST VIDEO at MySpace Coal Porters as it is only 12 days old and you will see our act from France just a while ago. best always, keep it goin', Sid
