|
SLAM & HOWIE and the reserve men The aftermath of Johnny Cash Who claimes that Country music has to be conformative and proper? For the last four years Slam & Howie have proved that this is not the case: The self-styled „Bastard Speed Country“ of the Bernese-four has rough edges, rocks hard and is well received all over Europe. With their third album „A Fistful of Songs“ the band completes a milestone filled with a mix of their own and cover songs, snotty country-rock and groovy rockabilly tunes. Why does Slam & Howie and the reserve men exist? Blame Johnny Cash! Without the man in black Slam would have never turned towards Country music. „I have a rock background but eventually heard the Cash-songs produced by Rick Rubin“. Slam was captivated immediately. Four years ago via the internet he found the drummer Howie, the pair then formed the base of Slam & Howie. Out of necessity for bigger gigs the reserve men are called upon. The reserve men are comprised of Ringo (guitar, mandolin) and Django on the bass. Who knew this hobby band would grow to become serious. Since its start as a fun project it has become competitive in the glamour world of the MusicStars. Even though the band has played 120 concerts in 2008 in Switzerland as well as in Italy, Spain and Germany, fun is still the focus of the band. This year they were honoured to play at the renowned „Zwarte Cross“-Festival (Holland) in a 9000 capacity tent, not bad for a band that had its first mockup performance at a friend's birthday party. With their third album „A Fistful of
Songs“ that was recorded at Soma Studios in Zofingen SLAM & HOWIE
And the Reserve Men close a chapter in the band's history. The album was
recorded out of pure joy and where possible live, the song „Hillibilly
Boys“is recorded live with only two microphones. The album is a
thrilling mix of their own and cover songs in „their own“ Bastard Speed
Country style. The cover songs on the album were chosen to capture the
mood of the album. No worries, Rihanna's „umbrella“ has not been „country-ized“.
As honest musicians with rock pasts the guys count on classics of their
youth such as „Bedside Radio“ by Krokus as well as „Highway to Hell“ by
AC/DC and „La Grange“ by ZZ Top, which they merge into one song.
|
|||
 |
|||
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
||
