Keith Benzie - songs n geetar
Ross Taylor - songs n geetar
Ali Campbell - M.I.A.
Keith Jones - hits things n sings
Simon Ritson - plucks n fixes things
Sounds Like
Neil Young,
The Band,
Smog,
Uncle Tupelo,
Teenage Fanclub,
the Zephyrs,
The Jayhawks,
The Byrds.
The Sundowns are taking a long term sabatical. Check out what the various members are up to here:
www.myspace.com/thewynntownmarshals
www.myspace.com/roywtaylor
www.myspace.com/dropkickmusic
THE SUNDOWNS were formed in June 2001 – Keith B, Ali and Ross grew up in Aberdeenshire and played together in various high school bands. Here's some info on one of the best alt country bands currently in Scotland.
Keith J hails from Dalgety Bay and the band met through a scribbled down ad in a music store by a “Drummer looking for likeminded songsmith/ band to tumble across dusty musical trails”. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when Simon Ritson (originally from Moffat) joined, after the band advertised for their very own ‘Bass Idol’. Keith J had enjoyed previous success with NME darlings Joyriders and Hut signings Marc Pilley and Hobotalk, and Keith B and Ross had been writing and playing together for several years. The band met, played together for a few weeks, and then recorded a 4 track demo.
It was clear from the start that the band members all had an affinity with the growing alternative country scene, and ploughed the same furrow as alt. country pioneers The Jayhawks and the harmony driven power pop of The Byrds and Teenage Fanclub.
The band released their debut album ‘The Merchant House Tapes’ in July 2001 on their own label Charger Records. Recorded and produced by Al Denholm, who handled production duties for Hobotalk. The album launch received rave reviews in the local press, and two tracks from the album received the ‘Demo of the Month’ award in the musicians’ bible ‘Making Music’ magazine. The Sundowns have received radio airplay on Beat 106 and Forth 1, and have performed sold out shows in some of Central Scotland’s most popular venues, including support slots with established names such as the Cosmic Rough Riders, Marah, Roddy Frame, Runrig, The Delgados and even the kings of the 12 bar blues, Status Quo. Last summer the band took the trip south west to join the pagan horde at the Wickerman Festival, and this summer sees the debut of the band at the Belladrum Festival near Inverness.
The Sundowns’ sophomore release, ‘Calabasas’, was initially released at the start of February ’05, and was recorded and mixed at the Substation in Fife. Michael Brennan, sound engineer for Super Furry Animals and producer for acclaimed bands such The Zephyrs, Mogwai and The Pernice Brothers produced the album. The recent album launch went down well, with strong reviews of the show in Edinburgh’s Evening News and The List magazine. The Sundowns are currently expanding their sound through the introduction of pedal steel guitar, and the quest to bring their own brand of Americana to the live music scene in Scotland continues. And of course, they are making sure they have as much fun as possible while doing it.
CALABASAS REVIEWS:
*10/10 in www.americana-uk.com
*ALBUM OF THE MONTH! at www.the-medicineshow.co.uk
*4/5 in The List (Scots magazine)
*4.5/5 and ALBUM OF THE MONTH! at www.altcountry.nl
"CALABASAS" IS NOW AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD RECORD SHOPS AND ONLINE SUPERMARKETS/ MUSIC STORES.
CountryHome Forum have more than 5,000 members. Each news you submit to CountryHome Forum will released to my weekly Newsletter with more than 50,000 readers.
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I know that many artists from North America don't have their music videos uploaded to German video websites. The most popular websites are MyVideo.de and ClipFish.de. That means your European audience does not have the chance to find them.
I understand that most of you don't speak German and are not able to upload videos because of the language barrier. If you would like me to upload your videos to the German video websites, please let me know.
Thanks
Christian
Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 171 6903352 Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Info@CountryMusic-Magazin.de
The place when you like to support handicapped children: Please visit the blog of HelpCharity, http://Blog.MySpace.com/HelpCharity , where you will find a list of all donations in kind from many artists. Each CD without autograph 8,- EURO, each CD with autograph 16,- EURO. For all other donations in kind please please request the price at Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de . You can find many photos of the donations in kind at HelpCharity MySpace, www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity
North Atlantic Oscillation's "Hollywood Has Ended", from the forthcoming album Grappling Hooks, is featured in this month's Police Box compilation from TenTracks. It's here:
In case you haven't heard, TenTracks is a new music delivery service where you can buy exclusive 10-track compilations for £1, i.e. a mere 10p per track.
This month NAO are in the illustrious company of the excellent Found, Orkestra Del Sol, Fence Collective luminaries James Yorkston and King Creosote and exactly 5 others. Once again, that's £1 for ALL TEN TRACKS. Not bad, really.
Please don't forget to publish your country music news and events to CountryHome Forum. Each news and event published to CountryHome Forum will go to my weekly newsletter with more than 30,000 readers.
Warm regards
Christian
CountryHome Magazine Editor Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany
Hey! How's the weather over there? I just want to let you know that i'm coming to the UK in late May/early June to play bass with Kevin Montgomery and Tommy Allsup. Tommy played guitar with Buddy Holly, and is THE guy that flipped the coin with Ritchie Valens. I figured that with you being a musician that you would really be able to appreciate this show.
We play a series of shows in Scotland....St. Andrews, Edinburgh, and Irvine (near Glasgow). I hope you can make one of those.
We won't be doing my material, but it is a really special show, and Tommy is a true rock'n'roll legend.
Anyway, take care and hope to see you there.
DW
Howdy, The Scuffers will be playing our first gig of 2008 on Saturday 15th March @ Ivory Blacks. The gig is for Kidney Research and there will also be RocketFox, Mick Drain, Mindset and Page6 on the bill. The evening will lead in to an aftershow party hosted by Steg G (sunny govan radio) and the excellent Corduroy Jack. The tickets are £5 and are available from the bands or on the door. Its a great charity and every penny from the night goes to Kidney Research. Hope to see you there. Cheers The Scuffers
All profits from the sale of this CD go to Meningitis Research Foundation.
Two year old Sofia Crockatt was suddenly struck down with Meningococcal Septicaemia in February 2007. Thankfully, after several months in hospital she managed to pull through. This little girl's strength and determination has been the inspiration for our fundraising. We chose Meningitis Research Foundation as they not only put money towards research but their mission is also to raise awareness of the symptoms of both meningitis and septicaemia. Sofia still has long road to travel, but is making amazing progress.
WONDERLAND, BROWN & BRANSTON, FERGIE MACDONALD, DAVID SHARPE, JOHN COLETTA, PAULA MACASKILL, GARY INNES, BRANDO, THE CACHMHOR CEILIDH BAND, DAVE FLEMING, ROBERT MACMILLAN and SEEING RED
All profits from the sale of this CD go to Meningitis Research Foundation
I just stopped by to tell you that my new album "Shortcut to Nashville" has just been released and I've uploaded 5 tracks from the album to my MySpace page for you to listen to. Also, you can listen to all of the tracks, download, or buy the CD from my website. Just click the link below. I really hope you enjoy the music. .. All the best Bob Chambers.
Hope you are having a good Christmas season. I wanted to let you know that i'm coming to Scotland on Dec. 27th. We play Pitlochry on the 27th, Glasgow on the 28th, and then come back to Inverness, Glenfarg, and Edinburgh in mid-January.
I hope to see you at one of the shows!
Until then.......Happy Trails,
AP
