Curbside Saints

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The Curbside Saints, in short, are a band that never fails to energize with their brand of Irish-influenced punk rock. Influenced by stand-out bands in the genre such as Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, their music begs to be accompanied by an ice-cold beer and group of friends. The group really shines in live performances and have played well-renowned venues such as The Muse and The End in Nashville, TN. Having only been together as a complete band for a total of six months, the Curbside Saints recorded their self-titled debut album in Knoxville this past July.



Originating as an acoustic duo in 2005, Curbside Saints co-founders Nick Weiten (harmonica, mandolin, vocals) and John Gilliam (guitar and vocals) decided to add two more members to the group in order to become a full band. They soon recruited James Caruthers (drums) after meeting through mutual friends. Soon after, Steve Nee (bass guitar) was then chosen after having previously played with the pair in a ska group called The Orange Tactics. Now complete, the Curbside Saints were born.



"Ah… The Pub "



The name “Curbside Saints” seems a natural choice for a band with the backstory of this group. Before the band came together, Nick Weiten and John Gilliam wanted an escape from the small town that they had seen trap those around them into a life of daily routine. They left their Tennessee homes and embarked on a journey to New Jersey. “Curbside Saints” refers directly to the time that Nick and John spent playing acoustic songs on the city streets.



"So sick of these days!"



Though their new lives in the Garden State did not give them the fulfillment they sought, their experiences there provided a wealth of inspiration that is evident in their music. Many tracks on the debut album explicitly reference this period in their lives, and others are assuredly influenced by it. For example, the song entitled “The Pub Below” paints a vivid picture of the apartment in which they lived.



In the exact words of Nick Weiten:



“To understand the Curbside Saints you have to start with the pub. Ah the pub. for six long, agonizing months we lived above the most ridiculously loud pub in all of New Jersey. Broke and most of the time jobless, there was absolutely nothing to do. Every night, seven days a week from 8pm to 2:30am, the floor rumbled and shook with "the best" 1983 to 1987 hair metal music. Mullets, White Snake shirts, shaved heads with red suspenders- this place was hell! Every time we stepped out of our apartment we were met with anger and hatred. From this oppressive environment our music was forged, and now since you know the story we give you the results. THE CURBSIDE SAINTS!"



"Drink! Drink! Till we hit the floor!"



The Curbside Saints Debut Album

An abundance of youthful zest and an intriguing backstory mean nothing in the music industry without the final product of a strong debut album. Almost as important as the strength of support generated from live shows to the financial success or failure of a band is the first album because it serves as the introduction into the music industry. Lucky for this group, their album not only reflects an energy that is sure to carry over into their performances, but also displays a knack for delivering meaningful lyrical content over tracks with a varied range of tempi.



".and we'll ask for more till they show us the door!"



With a total time of just under thirty minutes, the Curbside Saints’ debut keeps a delicate balance between heart-pounding pace and sultry ballad. The very first full song, “Never Back Down”, sets the tone for former with a pounding drumline that keeps you on edge while the uplifting lyrics whisk by in toe. The mild tempoed “Tennessee” exemplifies the type of ballad that the Saints are capable of producing. A catchy chorus, sure to ring true to any of you from the state, holds together this musical tale of their search for betterment. Keeping with the drinking theme commonly found in the Celtic punk genre, “Hit The Floor” offers what could become a bar anthem worthy of the culture that inspired this musical style. You’ll find yourself singing along with the simple yet effective chorus almost immediately whether or not you frequent the bar scene.



Aside from the other nine tracks on the album, the conclusion of this debut, entitled “Fair Warning”, does just what its title suggests and foreworns any audience of a musical potential that is barely beginning to be recognized. The resolve of this band is more than evident from the dialogue hidden at the foot of the final track. Hopefully, the strength of this album and the passion inherent in each song will translate into more than just a pat on the back for this band. The Curbside Saints are surely a force to be reckoned with.