Churchwood
Churchwood | |
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![]() Churchwood at the Carousel Lounge Austin, Texas (2019) | |
Background information | |
Origin | Austin, Texas, U.S. |
Genres | Alternative rock, blues rock, experimental rock, post-punk |
Years active | 2007-present |
Labels | Saustex Records |
Members | |
Website | www |
Churchwood is an avant-blues quintet from Austin, Texas known for its poetry-driven lyrics,[1] high-energy performances,[2] and eccentric approach[3] to making blues-based rock and roll.[4] The lineup consists of Bill Anderson (guitar), Joe Doerr (vocals, harmonica), Adam Kahan (bass), Billysteve Korpi (guitar), and Eric Bohlke (drums).[5]
Musical and lyrical style and influence
[edit]Churchwood's musical influences are wide-ranging.[6] The band's self-proclaimed "dystopic blues"[7] style belies its reverence for the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, and other blues masters; however, many critics suggest that musical risk-takers like Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, Tom Waits, and Nick Cave are of equal importance to Churchwood's sound.[8] Much like his published poetry,[9] Doerr's lyrics reflect an interest in French Symbolism, Literary Modernism, Surrealism, and Beat Poetry. His themes are largely existentialist in scope: absurdity, anxiety, alienation, passion, individuality, and authenticity are his primary concerns.[10]
History
[edit]Churchwood formed in 2007 in Austin, Texas and signed with Saustex Records in 2010. Churchwood has released five records on the Saustex label: the eponymous LP Churchwood (2011), an EP Just the Two of Us (2012), the band's sophomore LP Churchwood 2 (2013), 3: Trickgnosis (2014),[11] and most recently Hex City (2016).[12]
In 2016, original drummer Julien Peterson left the band to pursue other interests; he was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Eric Bohlke of Austin's Khali Haat in the spring of 2017.
In 2011, Churchwood placed "Rimbaud Diddley"[13] on Season 4, Episode 4 ("Una Venta") of AMC's "Sons of Anarchy."[14]
Discography
[edit]- Churchwood (Saustex, 2011)
- Just the Two of Us (Saustex, 2012)
- Sample This: Saustex 2012 Sampler (Saustex, 2012)
- 2 (Saustex, 2013)
- The Saustex Variations (Saustex, 2014)
- 3: Trickgnosis (Saustex, 2014)
- Hex City (Saustex, 2016)
- Plenty Wrong To Go Awry (Saustex, 2020)
- The Boule Oui (Saustex, 2022)
- Johns 2:22 (Saustex, 2023)
References
[edit]- ^ Morthland, John. "Churchwood: The Beefheart of the Blues". Wondering Sound. eMusic. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ Kiest, Jim (19 March 2011). "Three Ways to Navigate SXSW". Mysa. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ Toland, Michael. "Churchwood: Churchwood". Blurt. Blurt LLC. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ Smith, William Michael. "Churchwood: Churchwood". Lone Star Music. LSM. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ Corcoran, Michael. "Austin's Churchwood Creates Dark, Dangerous and Satisfying Blues Sound". Austin 360.com. Cox Media Group. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
- ^ Beets, Greg. "Churchwood: Off-Kilter But Still on the Rails". The Austin Post. Trilogy Enterprises. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
- ^ "Churchwood". SXSW Schedule. SXSW LLC. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
- ^ Moser, Margaret. "Reservoir Dogs: Churchwood's Beefheart Blues". The Austin Chronicle. Austin Chronicle Corp. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
- ^ Doerr, Joe. "Joe Francis Doerr Biography". Salt Authors. Salt Publishing. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ Powers, Calvin (24 May 2011). "Churchwood: Bill Anderson and Joe Doerr Deconstruct the Blues and Teach Us Street Latin". Americana Music Show. Taproot Media. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
- ^ Curtin, Kevin. "Song Premiere: Churchwood's "Triptych"". Austin Chronicle. Chronicle Corp. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
- ^ Toland, Michael. "Churchwood's Hex City (Saustex)". Austin Chronicle. Chronicle Corp. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ Bosquez, James. "Churchwood: Churchwood". San Antonio Current. San Antonio Current Co. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "Una Venta: Sons of Anarchy". Sons of Anarchy. FX. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
External links
[edit]- Churchwood at All Music
- Churchwood at Saustex Media
- Churchwood at Reverb Nation
- Churchwood "I Have a Devil in Me"
- Churchwood "Duende (Live at The Hole in the Wall)"