Sometimes I think we forget what rock and roll music is all about, or even worse we place far too many expectations on it, expecting it to deliver something it's not meant to do. This is not highbrow music folks. It's supposed to be about the simple things in life and a lot of fun, but the performers are now called artists and everyone takes themselves oh so seriously.
Have you tried listening to some of the lyrics out there? Some of them are so obscure I don't even think the guy who wrote them knows what they mean. Everybody is trying to be so damn meaningful they've forgotten how to have fun. It almost seems like they've forgotten who they are supposed to be writing for, the people who listen to the music, and are only trying to feed their over inflated egos.
Thankfully there are still bands who remember rock and roll is good time music to be listened too on a Saturday night when you're trying to get as far away from your troubles as possible. There is a fine tradition of roadhouse music in the United States that seems to fall in and out of fashion in the big urban centres, but continues to thrive out in the rest of the world. It's where Graham Parsons and his Grievous Angels, Commander Cody and his Airmen, and countless others used to play and keep people happy.
Carrying on the tradition is a band out of Pennsylvania, the PovertyNeck Hillbillies. These guys may have all grown up physically in southwestern Pennsylvania, but musically they sound like they grew up in the juke joints and honkytonks a lot further south and west. They play a rollicking version of what a friend of mine used to call "foot stompin', beer drinkin' music." It has no pretense other than to show you a good time.
While the PovertyNeck Hillbillies are being billed as a country band they owe a greater debt to Elvis than Conway Twitty. Sure they make great use of pedal steel guitar in their self titled album PovertyNeck Hillbillies but a lot of the great roadhouse bands before them have done the same. I don't know, maybe I'm just old, but when people say country band to me I think of the Sons Of The Pioneers not what these guys play.
So what do they play? After the first song on there new release, "The Night That Changed My Life", I was prepared to say they were like Hank Williams Jr., but more interesting. The further into the disc I got I realized that was a disservice to them (no offence Hank) as their sound shifted gears into the melodic country rock feel perfected by Blue Rodeo.
Article comments
1 - Kayla T
Thank you so much for your review on the PovertyNeck Hillbillies' self titles CD. I've known this band for 3 years. They are a great group of guys and musicians. You described their CD perfectly. And yes, the people that go out and see them night after night are NEVER disappointed, trust me! They are so much more than a "normal country band" and that is what draws more and more people to them as they perform. Thanks again for seeing what people here near Pittsburgh have seen all along.
2 - Connie Phillips
Congratulations, this article is an Editor's Pick!
3 - LMZ
Haven't seen them in concert? Make sure you bring sugar and caffein. You're going to need the energy boost. Trust me on this one. ;)
4 - LMZ
I should add, your energy (comment above) is needed to keep up with them! These guys will drain you from their powerhouse performance. Just wanted to clear that up! ;)
5 - Becky
I have seen these guys perform since they started out. I rarely missed a show except for the last 2 yrs(moved to Florida). These guys are awesome and put on a show of the same. I am so excited to see them make it big.
6 - Tia & Allie
They are so good and so hot!!
7 - Heidi
I have seen these guys 5 times since August and I have tickets for 2 more shows in November! Always a good show! The band is a great group of guys that interact with the fans at any age. I took my daughters ages 16, 11 and 8 and also attend with an aunt who is 59. It doesn't matter what the age, everyone seems to love the Hillbillies!
8 - Marla
Hi David Guthrie,
You have very good Thanksgiving
9 - DL
These guys used to be down to earth and nice. Now, they are trying so hard to make it big, and they are stepping on the feet of the people who made them popular. The shows are now commercial, and the image is generic. They have lost their flare and fan support.
10 - DL
These guys used to be down to earth and nice. Now, they are trying so hard to make it big, and they are stepping on the feet of the people who made them popular. The shows are now commercial, and the image is generic. They have lost their flare and fan support.
11 - sarah
there the best band i pittsburgh!!
i have been seening them for a long time and i never get sick of them. i hope they become big and successful. they have a specail talent. the band member are too funny and are so sweet! i love talking to them. every concert keeps on getting better and better.i never get dissappointed at a concert;; they make it so energtic and exciting.
wow there is soo much to say about this band.