THE ATKINSONS - Roots Rock from Richmond, VA
The Atkinsons first set foot on Richmond, VA stages in the fall of 2003. What started out as a small acoustic outfit turned into a band that took on a life of its own. The Atkinsons meld roots, country, mountain and rock music into their own style of rambling swing rock & roll. Heartfelt story-telling is at the core of The Atkinsons, and it is complemented with three-part harmonies layered over mandolin, fiddle, drums, bass and electric guitars. With influences ranging from Old 97s to Green Day to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to Drive By Truckers, the sound ends up being quite a musical stew.
The first record "American Gothic" was basically a novel set to music. It followed the misfortunes of a troubled character from his early youth until his untimely death. The upbeat musical style balances out the dark undertone of the lyrics, and together makes for a record that's easy to listen to yet hard to describe.
The Atkinsons follow up "American Gothic" with their second release "Mile Marker", which takes the band on a journey through new territories of swampy roots and country swing to Texas Cajun and straight-up rock. Though cut from the same cloth, the new record doesn't pick up where the first album left off. It follows its own path from the back roads to the highways that inevitably lead you back home. "Mile Marker" was released in April 2011 and celebrates where the band has been and where it's headed.
The Atkinsons have been performing regularly each month in the Richmond area since 2003 and have enjoyed a great following of ATK fans. Along with playing their originals, The Atkinsons aim to please by adding many fun, toe-tapping cover songs to their set list. Audiences love their versions of select songs from Old Crow Medicine Show, Old 97's, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, AC/DC, The Beatles, REM, Social Distortion, The Waterboys and the Rolling Stones.
The band has played many venues in and around Richmond including The National, The Hat Factory, Capital Ale House, Ashland Coffee & Tea, Cafe Diem and many more. They've also played at many festivals and events including Floydfest, Camp Barefoot, World Beer Festival, St. Patrick's Church Irish Festival, Crozet Music Festival, Ashland Strawberry Faire, the annual Carytown Watermelon Festival and many more.
They have been honored to share the stage with many great bands such as The Departed, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Scott Miller and the Commonwealth, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Horsehead, Wrinkle Neck Mules, Sons of Bill, Jackass Flats, and many others.
