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The Statesboro Revue
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After 2 years, over 600 shows, and 10,000 albums sold, The Statesboro Revue is running on all cylinders. Solidifying a lineup that rivals the best bands of all time and with a brand new, Grammy-winning David Z(Prince, Jonny Lang, Buddy Guy, Govt Mule, etc) produced album set for an official release of October 22nd, they don't appear to be slowing down any time soon. In fact, according to them, they're just getting started. "This record is a lifetime in the making" says the band's primary songwriter and front man Stewart Mann. "Years of focusing on songwriting, musicianship, and the goal of incorporating all my extremely diverse influences have truly been realized with this record. I've always strived to create a sound that didn't reinvent the wheel; merely merge the little idiosyncrasies of all my many influences and shape them in a manner that might someday be looked upon as my own, unique sound. I think this record is as close as I've ever been to accomplishing that goal. I finally realized that you don't have to stick to one genre, or conform to what each individual genre typically calls for in a song. This album is extremely broad in subject matter and style, in musicality and production, and I couldn't be happier about it."
After talking with Mann you get the sense he's thought this "sound" through for quite some time. "We were playing a show in Colorado around the time I started this band, and a light bulb went on. From that point on my mission was to create groove-oriented, old-school rock n roll music, and attempt to bring back a sound that has for the most part been missing for quite some time. There are so many quality rock n roll bands out there, but none have really reached the "mainstream" so to speak in quite some time. The bands that call themselves rock bands now are a joke, and I'm just glad there are some real, authentic rock bands making some underground waves right now. I don't know what we are necessarily, rock, soul, blues, country, Americana, southern rock, take your pick. All I know is every song we put out has substance to it, heart and soul, fire and grit. Call it what you want, all we can do is keep making the music we believe in. A huge part of our sound is the caliber of talent I have behind me, and it's a beautiful thing."
That talent Mann is referring to is a star-studded lineup from a wide array of backgrounds, and their cohesiveness and staying power is frightening. From the top, lead guitar players(that's right they have two) Todd Laningham and Will Knaak would be remarkable on their own, but together the magic they create is something that comes along once in a lifetime. Laningham is the tasty, lick oriented player who can sit back when needed but can also step right up and take over a show when called upon. Knaak, on the other hand, is the driving force behind the wall of incendiary guitar playing that has come to be a Statesboro Revue staple. The two complement each other and work so well with one another you'd think they'd been playing for 10 years together.not even a year, which is also frightening. Their concise use of dual slide guitar parts, lap steel, and dobro truly showcase the depth of talent each player possesses.
On the bass guitar is Berklee graduate Rob Alton, who provides the backbone and foundation while somehow managing to mix in melodic leads and runs that only a player of his caliber could even fathom. His funk and soul background fits perfectly with Mann's groove-laden tunes. Drummer Beau Wadley has grown up quickly over the last two years on the road. His ability to drive the driving tunes and lay down a lazy snare for the slow groovers help further the dancing frenzy that ensues at a Statesboro Revue show. Rounding out the lineup is singer/songwriter Stewart Mann, whose soulful, powerful, and incommensurable voice truly sets The Statesboro Revue apart from other bands. Ranging from Plant-like calls to Van Morrison like precision and beauty, his ability to dive into the emotion of his songs and vary his attack and timbre is something rarely seen or heard. Combined with his knack for hooky, groove-filled songs, Mann is about as diverse as a singer/songwriter comes.
Reminiscent of singers and songwriters of decades back, his voice and soul are both evident and familiar, all the while unique and prodigious. While singing, playing harp, or guitar, Stewart truly wears his heart on his sleeve and is not afraid to showcase that vulnerability and emotion that no doubt go into each and every song he writes. He is a true American poet, and his lyrical ability proves that he has in fact been honing his craft for quite some time. The savvy and prowess of this band is a force to be reckoned with, and if you've seen them you'll realize for yourself why Rolling Stone said they were one of the highlights of SXSW 2009. With the new album, an indie label deal, & sponsorships rolling in, don't stand in their way, just get up & groove with 'em.
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Nicholas Marks
~Indie World
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