Rock and roll with grits

13 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Roots Rock, ROCK: Americana



Details:
Meet yin, the tall, dark, barely-moving brooder at center stage, lit cigarette dangling precariously from his lower lip. To his left is yang: compact, hyperactive, quite possibly the world's first and only optimist-rocker. They are Mike Mayeux and Skeet Hanks, the songwriting hinge of alt-country's beatinpath. Though at first glance it seems an unlikely partnership, after one listen it's clear why they've made fans of some of the most respected names in New Orleans music. Their harmony-driven sound is unmistakable, an irresistible blend of influences-grunge without the garage, gospel without the church, pop without the past 10 years.

Hanks and Mayeux are joined by the ubiquitous, genre-crossing Mike Barras on drums and the equally prolific Craig Legendre on bass, in addition to Brent Moreland, who lends a versatile hand on guitar, keys, slide, and mandolin. Together since 1996, bp has released two records, Ground (1997) and Jezebel (2003), and has opened for acts including Government Mule, Jerry Jeff Walker, Edwin McCain, and Cowboy Mouth. The bp boys have recorded separately and together in the studio with Jim McCormick, Paul Sanchez, Tom's House, and other local favorites. A true band's band, bp tends to draw fellow musicians, several of whom make appearances on the new record. Contributing to various tracks of Jezebel are John Gros (Papa Grows Funk, George Porter), Peter Holsapple (DB's, Continental Drifters, Hootie and the Blowfish, REM), Carlo Nuccio (Continental Drifters, Tori Amos), Mark Walton (Continental Drifters), and producer Tim Sommer.