Hayseed Dixie are a bit of an enigma, I talk to friends and most don't seem to have heard of them, but speak to someone who has and they will wax lyrical for eons about the genre busting superband. I am in the second category and constanly searching out new converts. This band clearly enjoy their spin on the classic music they obviously love.
To introduce the band concept they re-work classic rock tracks that the entire world knows into the hillbilly style they call Rockgrass. Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Journey, KISS, Blue Oyster Cult & The Rolling Stones have all had the Hayseed treatment at some point.
This latest album see's the band foray into 80's hair metal including stadium standards from Europe, Survivior, Def Leppard and Aerosmith - Even Pink Floyd get a treatment of Comfortably Numb. If you read the press quotes that are out there most bands see a Hayseed cover as a badge of honour. The band was even guests on the latest Jools Holland Hootennanny.
So, if you like the idea of a hillbilly festival drinking moonshine and catching the latest gator wrestling contest, you are definealty gonna want this dungaree clad orchestra topping the bill.
Hayseed Dixie most certainly put the fun back into rock without compromising on their musicianship, they are a talented bunch of guys who have found their niche, in a world where bands are compared and accused of not being unique, these guys stand out loud and proud.
The album is out now and is supported by a huge European tour, check it out and get yourself along to a live date, you won't regret it and then you will have great time converting your friends after.
11/11
Iain @docswallow
Hayseed Dixie are:
John Wheeler aka Barley Scotch - guitar, fiddle and singing
Jake Bakesnake Byers - bass and harmonising
Hippy Joe Hymas - mandolin and harmonising
Johnny Butten - banjo and harmonising
The band have already kicked off their tour, remaining UK dates are below;
January 21 - Brighton , England - Concorde 2
January 22 - Bristol , England - The Fleece
January 23 - Port Talbot, Wales - Princess Royal Theatre
January 24 - Poole , England - Mister Kyps
January 25 - Totnes , England - Totnes Arts Centre
January 27 - Derby , England - The Flowerpot
January 28 - Liverpool , England - Academy
January 29 - Stockton , England - ARC
January 30 - Glasgow , Scotland - ABC
January 31 - Newcastle Upon Tyne , England - Academy
February 1 - Uppermill , England - Civic Hall
February 2 - Sheffield , England - The Leadmill
February 3 - Blackburn , England - King George’s Hall
February 5 - Stroud , England - Subscription Rooms
February 6 - London , England - Brooklyn Bowl at the O2
February 7 - Wolverhampton , England - Slade Rooms
Full Euro dates are on the band's website