An insightful coming of age story; genuine teenage angst from a musician accomplished beyond his years. Sincere and energetic, itâs folk music with a punk attitude. Woody would have been proud.

13 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Anti-Folk, ROCK: Punk



Details:
Guthrie Allen is the only senior at his high school who has discovered the Hendrix chord on his guitar, which is a minor seventh with a major and minor third. Growing up on the Upper Mississippi River, Guthrie has already starred in his school musical, achieved the Life rank in Boy Scouts and caught for the baseball team. He was recently selected to be the guitar player in a regional All Star Jazz Band and doesnât understand why jazz fusion ever died. He is also a clever wordsmith, evident throughout his proudest accomplishment, the recording of a CD of all original songs. The CD, titled The Next Train, was released while he was still sixteen. A folk punk concept album, youâd find it in a record store filed under "emo skiffle". On The Next Train youâll hear Guthrieâs expressive voice, polished by his schoolâs vocal jazz and choir groups. Guthrie played virtually all of the instruments on the album, including acoustic and electric guitars, bass, harmonica and mandolin. The snare tracks used on The Next Train are from the very first night he played the drum. Push him and heâll admit to playing the clarinet in the high school band although he also played electric bass guitar for the marching band in a parade. Wisconsin hasnât seen many marching electric bass players.

Guthrie has already turned from a boy into a man. His childhood love of camping has evolved into the thrill of the multi-day rock festival. Guthrie is sensitive, intuitively aware and true to himself and his values. His musical heroes range from George Harrison to the punk band, Anti-Flag. A Buddhist, Guthrie is as interested in the meaning of life as he is in getting laid. After he graduates from high school in 2008, Guthrie is intent on moving to California and pursuing his musical dreams, both as a player and a technician. First, though, his projects for senior year include applying to an appropriate college and assembling a rock band of like-minded star travelers.

One hopes that band will include better musicians than Guthrie so that he can continue his musical education. Given his abilities, that will be a tough goal to accomplish. If anybody can do it, itâs Guthrie Allen.