ditchweed diesel

Like a finely crafted American quilt, ditchweed diesel has stitched together a rich fabric of collective experiences -- drawn from a lifetime of personal keepsakes and selected memories creating something bigger that will touch your heart, comfort your mind and warm your soul.

They have woven a seamless blend of homespun originals and well-chosen covers that take you on a trip home through the heartland twisting and turning along the alt-country, americana and roots-rock highway.

This is a special place indeed, where mandolins, fiddles and keys interplay with both electric and acoustic guitars laid against a backdrop of pulsating bass and drums where alternating lead vocalists soar above three-part harmonies.

This creates a rich sonic texture that elevates ditchweed diesel beyond the typical bar band or festival act. From the darkest dives to the grandest stages, they continually attract a broad audience from hipsters and hippies to soccer moms and baby boomers because their music is genuine, their message is sincere and their appeal is universal.

ditchweed diesel was formed in early 2007, after a series of fortuitous musical encounters at the fabled Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago by the trio of Jack Hojnar, Jeff Teppema, and Dave Thompson. The group coalesced after John Monaghan and Steve Johnson rounded out the line-up in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

On paper, this shouldnt work. These are five individuals who come together from all over the map and from the most unlikely of backgrounds ranging from traditional celtic to outlaw country, from 80s LA punk to current indie-rock, and from musical theater to jam-band improvisation. This is a story of East Coast meets West Coast, settling in the Midwest, and fusing together an eclectic union of talented musicianship. But its their ability to harness their differences and fashion them into something new that makes them stand apart.

VENUES PLAYED:
ditchweed diesel has lit up the finest stages throughout the Chicago area ... from the city (Martyrs', Abbey Pub, Bottom Lounge, Elbo Room, Horseshoe, Cubby Bear, etc.) ... to the suburbs (Ballydoyle Pub, Chicago City Limits, The Kerry Piper, The Lodge, etc.) ... plus festivals and events (Taste of Chicago, International Pop Overthrow, Arlington Park, University of Chicago).

WEBSITES TO REVIEW:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ditchweeddiesel
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/ditchweeddiesel
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ditchweeddiesel
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/ditchweeddiesel
Sonic Bids: http://www.sonicbids.com/ditchweeddiesel

INSTRUMENTATION
Jack Hojnar - guitars, vocals
Steven Johnson - keyboards
John Monaghan - drums
Jeff Teppema - guitars, mandolin, fiddle, vocals
Dave Thompson - bass, vocals

CONTACT INFORMATION:
email: info@ditchweeddiesel.com
cell: 708-473-6504 (jack)

WHAT DO THEY SOUND LIKE?
"Whiskeytown buying shots for the Jayhawks while Wilco nurses an REM hangover."

MUSICAL STYLE
Americana, Alt-Country, Roots-Rock Originals from the Heartland

HOW CAN I HEAR THEM?
The group self-released their debut EP titled, ditchweed diesel: the ep, in November 2009. The EP is available on iTunes and other online music sites.

CDs are available upon request.