Rough and rowdy....deep and intelligent....If you like Rock-n-Roll, Honky Tonk, Alt-Country or Rock-a-Billy then this is one of those Cd's that you will wear out over and over again.

14 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Country Rock, ROCK: Americana



Details:
The Skeeters are the most promising band to happen on the country music scene in years. Call it what you will; alt-country, redneck rock nâ roll or Americana --The Skeeters play honest, hard driving âcountryâ music.

Together since 1997, they spent the beginning of their career forced into the obscure alt-country underground by their adversity to corporate generated, mainstream country music. It was there they perfected their craft and lived out the lyrics of their songs. Home-based in Fort Payne, the band cut their teeth playing in Alabama honkytonks and roadhouses. âWe have earned our keep the hard way. We chose it and embraced it. We wanted to be real, not the latest thing.â

2002 brought the release of their self-titled debut album, drawing high praise from many music industry critics and publications. âThe Skeetersâ is a rich, colorful and honest project that speaks volumes about the road the band has traveled and those paths theyâve yet to explore. It is roots to the core, while at the same time cutting edge and risk taking. It grabs you by the ears and tells a story, controversial at times, but always raw and honest. The album was produced by music industry icon Johnny Sandlin and recorded near Muscle Shoals, AL. at Duck Tape Studios. An Alabama Music Hall of Famer, Sandlin is credited with many gold and platinum albums from landmark artists and bands such as Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts, and Delbert McClinton.

The fall of 2004 saw the release of the bandâs sophomore album, "Easy For The Takin'", which had them setting foot in the studio once again to team up with Johnny Sandlin. The project is a powerful testament to the bandâs commitment to keeping their music, above all else, real. Showcasing the song-writing and vocal talents of Bert Newton, the album delves head on into the depths of despair, love lost, and personal demons while at the same time it celebrates life and the common man's struggle toward making his mark on the world. The distinct Waylon-esque essence of Newtonâs voice is eerily familiar in its despair-edged soulfulness -- a legacy undoubtedly left behind by those who were branded âoutlawsâ. The band has a deeply rooted respect for tradition and for the artists and songwriters who axed their way through the constrictive landscape of the mainstream country music scene to make their âown kind of musicâ.

The album offers 14 rock solid tracks, 10 of which were penned or co-penned by Newton. Band hero and mentor Billy Joe Shaver offers his legendary vocals on his own "Mother Trucker". The original âhonky tonk heroâ also gave the band the previously unrecorded "Alabama Love Song". The project garnered the band increased support and respect within the roots community and the album climbed into the top twenty of both the Roots Music Report and the AMA chart.

These days the band continues to burn up the highways, touring hard while building a loyal fan base with their energetic live shows on a regular basis. Touring nationwide has brought them opportunities to spread their music to a larger audience as they share the stage with such familiar names as Willie Nelson, Gretchen Wilson, Billy Joe Shaver, Dale Watson, The Drive-By-Truckers, and have recently completed extended tours with Junior Brown and Paul Thorn. Now the band is poised to hit the road as headliners.

The Skeeters evolution continues, as does their musical revolution. Theyâre serious and they are in this for the long haul. They believe in the music they create and have the passion, attitude, heart and drive to take it anywhere it needs to go. The Skeeters have now moved solidly into the national eye.

With their debut album the band served notice they were a musical force to be reckoned with, Easy For The Takinâ delivered on that promise. The Skeeters have no intention of reneging on that self-determined vow as they take their passion and music to the national level.