Add to the list of festivals I have yet to attend but want to Saint Louis, MO’s 4-day Twangfest (June 4-7, presented by KDHX 88.1 FM .) Twangfest is on it’s 12th year of providing fine alt.country to the lucky folks that live in the area or can make the trek. This years line up is a doozy.

Wednesday, June 4

The Schlafly Tap Room
2100 Locust Street at 21st
St. Louis, MO 63103
314.241.BEER
General admission; doors open at 7:00 PM.

Chuck Prophet
Centro-matic
The Builders & The Butchers

Thursday, June 5

The Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
6504 Delmar
St. Louis, MO 63103
314.727.0880
General admission; doors open at 7:00 PM.
Friday, June 6

The Gourds
Charles Walker & The Dynamites
Deadstring Brothers

The Pageant
6161 Delmar Blvd
St Louis, MO 63112
314.726.6161
General admission; doors open at 7:00 PM.
Saturday, June 7

Old 97’s
Hayes Carll
Miles Of Wire

Off Broadway
3511 Lemp Ave
St Louis, MO 63118
314.773.3363
General admission; doors open at 7:00 PM.

The Waco Brothers
Ha Ha Tonka
the everybodyfields
Caleb Travers

Looks like it’s shaping up to be a sleazy, greasy Fall.  Detroit-based Deadstring Brothers are taking some time
from the road to follow up 2006’s Starving Winter Report (Bloodshot Records) this October with “Silver Mountain”
(Bloodshot Records.)

Produced in the band’s own recording studio,Silver Mountain boasts the tunesmanship of The Faces and the barroom
howl of The Band stewed together in homage to the blues of the American South and dancehalls of the urban factory
North. Music like this formed the genesis of album-oriented FM rock—this record showcases high energy bluesy rave-ups
and hymnal country ballads. Silver Mountain is a coming out party for sultry singer Masha Marjieh. Gritty and seductive,
reminiscent of ‘60s era Tina Turner, Masha steps into the spotlight on eight of the 11 tracks, showcasing her hot-blooded
and lustful voice, leaving no doubt that the biggest heart in the room now belongs to this soulful vocalist. Harmonica
player Mickey Raphael also took a break from his place alongside the great Willie Nelson, contributing to “The Light
Shines Within” and “Slow Down.”

Much of the story behind Silver Mountain is the band’s late nights at the Heavy Load, an underground club night in London’s West End, where they met future Brother Spencer Cullum. Led by Heavy Load Rob and his very lovely wife, Hippy Karen, the Heavy Load debuted in 1999 and celebrates vintage rock music from the 60s to the mid-70s. It’s music that really makes you feel at home, says Heavy Load Rob, and apparently he’s right—Now in its 8th year, the Heavy Load is one of the most popular club nights in London, attracting an enthusiastic crowd, and in turn, defining a scene, much like the dance nights and local bands that played at The Factory eventually became part of rock history. It was only a matter of time before the Heavy Load’s playlists from the past influenced a new breed of bands.

The Deadstring Brothers - New Shit

There was a time in the early-seventies when the first cousins of rock and country music laid together and beget a sleazy offspring that was best exemplified by early 70’s Faces and then followed Ronnie Wood when he took the swaggering sound to The Rolling Stones. It was then officially castrated later in the decade by the Eagles.

If the brits can take country and make this kind of potent mix of sound then why not some Yankees from Detroit, MI.?

The Deadstring Brothers carry the roots-rock flag back into the sleaze with their carefree brand of 70’s fusion that is ready made for the roadhouse or the pub.

Marschke (vocals/guitars) looks, playing style and mannerisms are reminiscent of a hillbilly version of Pete Townsand. He and the sultry songstress Masha Marjieh (backing vocals/percussion) belts backing and sometimes lead vocals provides
loads of passion and energy.

The stomping boom of “I’m not a stealer” to the rousing closer of the slide-guitar laden “Sacred Heart” the band, Marschke, Marjieh and Jeff Cullum (bass/vocals), Pat Kenneally (piano/organ), Spencer Cullum (pedal steel/lap steel/guitar) and E. Travis Harrett (drums/percussion) took it to a fevored level of rock/country hedonism that is rare to see.

One thing about music in the 70’s,it was a lot easier to catch something that blew you away. Something unexpected and wild. People making music just for the shear joy of it. They HAD to do it! They had no choice but to create, to express.

The Deadsting Brothers channel that passion, and the not quite capacity crowd was lucky to be there to witness.