Andrew Wetmore: - Vocals - Guitar - Mandolin -
Don Melas: - Vocals - Guitar -
Sofia Ceja: - Viola - Vocals -
Chris Elam: - Piano - Mandolin -
Ron Kurek: -Drums - Percussion -
Greg Mytych: - Bass - Vocals -
Occasional and Former Members Andy Huelsman: - Drums
Danielle DiBianco: - Piano and Keyboard
Mark St Thomas IV: - Drums
Mark Miller: - Drums
Lyndsey Holgreen: - Percussion - Drums Gary Brennan: - Guitar - Bass
Influences
Whiskeytown-Wilco-Hank Williams-The Band-American Music Club-Woody Gutherie-Richmond Fontaine-The Pogues-I,Rowboat-The Stooges-The Velvet Underground-Leonard Cohen-Guided By Voices-The Palace Brothers-Songs:Ohia-Elliott Smith-Tom Waits-X-The Four Tops-Rolling Stones-Sam Cooke-Big Star-Dock Boggs-The Germs-Fairport Convention
JOIN REVERB NATION AND BECOME A FAN TO HEAR TRACKS FROM OUR NEW ALBUM "ABBOTT HOTEL" AVAILABLE FALL 2009
Sounds Like
Whiskeytown punch drunk after a fist fight with Uncle Tupelo sitting in a busted up car listening to "Music From Big Pink" by the Band until the batteries die...
When Don Melas and Andrew Wetmore met just a little over 3 years ago in a “hole in the wall” dive bar on the south side of Chicago, they never could have anticipated the creative juices that would flow between them. It was an encounter that you couldn’t make up if you wanted to. Bernice’s Tavern(where Don still hosts an open mic 3 times a mounth) is an extremely small bar that is meant mostly for locals. One must ring a doorbell just to get in, though there is no guarantee that you will be let in. One fateful night in early 2006, Wetmore entered the bar to find a handful of people passing about a guitar. It seems that the jukebox had been broken and needless to say, people wanted to hear some music. So when it was Melas’ turn he did a cover of “Winding Wheel” by Ryan Adams. That pretty much sealed their friendship, and Wetmore approached Melas about playing together. But as difficult as timing is, there was just not enough time in either man’s schedule to really get going and they eventually lost touch for about a year.
It was July of 2007 that they ran into each other at Bridgeport Coffee shop and decided to give it another shot, both had other bands under their belt by then and were a bit more seasoned and ready for the massive drinking, avoidance of showers and work it would take to make a successful country band. Melas had previously done some solo work as well as was in the bands Stereo South and Horace Pinker. Wetmore also played in previous bands Sarah Says and The Candy Hearts and had been at work to release his solo album “Dog Roses”. Suddenly in a drunken stupor The Nashville Wreckers were born.
The Nashville Wreckers have deep country influences but also balance their sound with some catchy pop hooks such as in “Come Early Morning” (Wetmore) and “Alleyways” (Melas). The combination of two seasoned songwriters like Melas and Wetmore make the music border in deep drunken sadness and philosophical wondering about the late of us all. The twang of their country is there and is more subtle then is reminiscent of artists like Smog and Will Oldham. The band just recently has become cohesive enough to start touring, for months they had a rotating line-up with members coming and going. Now joined by musicians like Chris Elam of Hello, I’m Victor,Ron Kurek of Manbirdbelly and Greg Mytych of Four Star Alarm , it will be exciting to see this up and coming band grow before our eyes and really become part of the Chicago and Midwest country music scene.
BELMONDOS @ DARKROOM 2210 W Chicago...SUNDAY AUG 9TH...
Doors open at 7pm...We play at 9:30pm...
Lolla After-party...$6 w/ password "Highlife for the Lowlife"
Just shooting you over a reminder about the Horner park concert (2741 w montrose) series this friday june 10th. Ill be hitting the stage with Colin Gilmore and Mike Mangione at 7:00 pm. After party at the Lizard Lounge!
Don and I have done Boots once together...I don't know "Oh, Sister", but I'd love to learn it and sing it with you. And if we're talking wish lists...I'd love to do "If I Am a Stranger" (or any Ryan Adams, really) or maybe some Townes Van Zandt.
