Eric Erdman - Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vox--
Dale Drinkard, Jr. - Lead Guitars, Vox--
Timothy Stanton - Drums and Perc.
Quintin Berry - Bass Guitars, Vox--
Influences
To try to nail down direct influences would take a great deal of time......
Eric is influenced by G Love, James Taylor, David Wilcox, Jack Johnson. etc.
Dale has varied influences from Ella Fitzgerald to Merle Haggard, Pantera and Allison Krauss and the Union Station. Tim is the residential metalhead, Dark new Day, Sevendust, Killswitch Engage, Atreyu but also influenced by Sade, Peter Gabriel and Depeche Mode. Quintin is influenced by Kings X, GCS, Cameo,P Funk, Marvin Gaye and Audioslave.
Sounds Like
If the Red Hot Chili Peppers had three part harmony, and added acoustic guitar.
Formed in 2000, the timing of The Ugli Stick couldn't have been more prophetic: a new millennium to usher in this band's fresh way of making music. A way in which they let a variety of styles, such as pop, singer/songwriter, funk and hip-hop, inspire their music without defining their sound.
With their 2001 debut album, "Beatdown", the band let each song take a life of its own. From traditional rock to quirky, acoustic-inspired songs, the eclectic mix reflected each member's need for, and respect of, creative exploration. Equally accepting was their diverse fan base....who bought up more than 5,000 copies of the independently released CD.
Intent on riding this wave of success to the next level, the band stayed focused on getting their music heard. Non-stop touring of clubs and festivals throughout the Southeast kept The Ugli Stick name spreading and the live shows growing. By 2002, the band was playing 150 shows a year and long lines of eager fans waiting to hear them play was the norm. But on a trip to Houston, Texas, for a run of gigs that was to help propel them up, four harsh words scribbled on a cocktail napkin by an audience member almost sent them spiraling down. "Up until that night", said lead singer Eric Erdman, "we had been really fortunate. We had won people over right away in cities like Mobile, Birmingham, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge and more. This was the first time our will and determination as a band had ever really been tested. But we didn't give up on our music or ourselves and we're a better, stronger band because of it." In fact, those four words didnt just help pull the band closer together, they also became the title to the bands successful sophomore release Stop Please! Please Stop!
Now playing almost 200 shows a year throughout six states, The Ugli Stick is one of the most popular touring bands in the Southeast. When not on the road, theyre working on their third album at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, with producer Jimmy Nutt (Drive-By Truckers, Jimmy Buffett). Its one of the few places where legendary music was made and the main focus, even today, is still on the music .and not the music industry says lead guitarist, Dale Drinkard. The Muscle Shoals Sound, made famous by artists like Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, The Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, Dwayne Allmaneven Paul Simon. is a blend of music. Its blues, soul, country, rock.even gospel.and it crosses cultures, genres and races. Thats what The Ugli Sticks music is all about and thats why were here.
The Ugli Stick is led by frontman Eric Erdman, an acoustic guitar player with magnetic stage presence and undeniable charisma. Backing him with melodious harmonies is lead guitarist and fellow songwriter, Dale Drinkard. Drummer, Tim Stanton, is the heartbeat of the band. And the groove that binds it all together is the phenomenal Quintin Berry, a one-of-a-kind bass player that is as much fun to hear as he is to watch.
So look out! The band, armed with great music and a style thats all its own, is on a mission to make sure everyone gets hit by The Ugli Stick!
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