Green Corn Revival
Weatherford, Oklahoma, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
Music
Press
A multitude of Oklahoma musicians have taken their shows on the road south this week for the South By Southwest festivities down in Austin, Texas.
An event created and run by the Oklahoma Film and Music Office, the Buffalo Lounge will be a big drawn but by no means the only one, with the Oklahoma Film + Interactive + Music event beginning at 4 p.m. today. Theone-of-kind event will be hosted by the OKPOP Museum and the Woody Guthrie Center and Archive, and will allow all three industries to come together to network. The event will feature three musical groups: Modern Rock Diaries, Desi and Cody, and Wink Burcham with Jesse Aycock.
The music portion of SXSW officially begins this evening, and a staggering number of Oklahoma musicians will be representing our fair state.
The Okie Soundcheck presented by CNGnow.com is 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and performing will be O Fidelis, Black Canyon, Mont Lyons, Pretty Black Chains, Deerpeople, Josh Sallee, Daniel(s), and Chrome Pony.
The Fourth Annual Sax, Clogs, & Rock-N-Roll music event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday This event will feature music by The Damn Quails, Scales of Motion, the Panda Resistance, BrotherBear, Feathered Rabbit, S/Awesome, and Denver Duncan with Jabee.
The ACM@UCO music day event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday. Performing will be Painted Wolfe, Fos, Day One, Brianna Gaither, Gum, paperscissor, The Rockettops, and Of the Tower.
The ACM@UCO showcase will be from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 2 a.m. Thursday and will feature Defining Times, The Boom Bang, The Non, Horse Thief, Broncho, and Stardeath & White Dwarfs.
From 8 p.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday, the Oklahoma Showcase will feature Green Corn Revival, JuneBug Spade, Fiawna Forte, Jacob Abello, JD McPherson and OK Sweetheart.
Oklahoma’s Buffalo Lounge will once again feature a pop-up retail store stocked with Oklahoma merchandise provided by Mary Beth Babcock of Tulsa’s Dwelling Spaces. Other features include space for filmmakers and musicians to sell their DVDs and CDs. The venue also will feature free wifi, and for the first time, Matthew Kenney OKC will provide a juice bar for attendees.
This year’s events will be taken to the next level with the help of volunteers and in-kind donations. A PR Committee has been formed for outreach to both Oklahoma and Austin-based media allowing for performing artists to gain maximum exposure in both markets. A Swag Committee is gathering iconic Oklahoma materials for artists and guests. A Street Team Committee will be on the ground in Austin to distribute flyers and network with the crowd to drive attendance to the Buffalo Lounge.
In addition to the venue and the Oklahoma booth at the SXSW tradeshow, CNGnow.com will present “The Park at 2nd and Congress,” an outdoor event space in downtown Austin. This will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Thursdya. This is an opportunity for festival-goers to relax, recharge, and enjoy free snacks and beverages in the shadow of Big Blue, their natural gas-powered RV.
In conjunction with The Buffalo Lounge, “The Park” also will host the CNGnow Backyard Bash from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. The mixer will feature free food, and an acoustic set by Graham Colton. This event is open to all Buffalo Lounge badge holders and performing musicians.
For more information, go to www.thebuffalolounge.com. or www.facebook.com/sxswBuffalo.
-BAM
- NewsOK, Brandy McDonnell
The Oklahoma Film & Music Office, along with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and the Idea Collective, has announced its plans for an Oklahoma presence at the 2012 South By Southwest Conference and Festival, which is set for March 9-18 in Austin, Texas.
As a part of its mission to promote and support Oklahoma’s film and music industries, OF&MO and its partners last year launched its SXSW endeavor, dubbed Oklahoma’s Buffalo Lounge, to provide the state with its own venue. This year, the Buffalo Lounge will host four days of film, interactive and music events, including an Oklahoma booth at the SXSW trade show, which is March 12-15, to provide exposure for participating Oklahoma companies and talent to a global audience.
“Last year’s effort at SXSW provided tangible evidence of the growth and momentum in Oklahoma’s film, interactive, and music industries,” OF&MO Director Jill Simpson said in the announcement. “It was impressive to see so many Oklahoma professionals from these sectors come together to promote our state as a great place to do business to an audience numbering in the tens of thousands. This year is sure to be bigger and better.”
“We are thrilled to return to Austin, Texas this year in an even bigger way,” said Josh O’Brien, director of entrepreneurial development for Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and i2E, in the release. “More companies are involved, and we are adding the element of an Oklahoma booth at the SXSW trade show. With more than 65,000 people attending the trade show, this will be great exposure for Oklahoma.”
More than 45,000 top business professionals attended SXSW in 2011. The 10-day event brings people together to enhance knowledge of their respective field and promote their products. OF&MO will program multiple day and night Buffalo Lounge events across all three sectors throughout the four-day schedule at Friends, 208 E Sixth Street in the heart of downtown Austin, and in the midst of the conference and festival events.
The Oklahoma film party, “The Red Dirt Reel,” will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 12 and will feature participating sponsors representing their companies that support the Oklahoma film industry. The goal of this event is to showcase to SXSW film attendees that Oklahoma has everything for independent filmmakers: locations, nationally renowned film festivals, production and post-production facilities, and art house and indie exhibitors.
Following the film event on March 12 will be Oklahoma’s interactive event from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event will feature participating sponsors speaking about their products and companies to attendees. This will be an opportunity for people to network with interactive companies and learn more about the industry in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Film + Interactive + Music event will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 13. This one-of-kind event will be hosted by the OKPOP Museum and the Woody Guthrie Center and Archive, and will allow all three industries to come together to network. The event will feature three musical groups: Modern Rock Diaries, Desi and Cody, and Wink Burcham with Jesse Aycock.
The music portion of SXSW officially begins on Tuesday evening, March 13.
“In 2011, there were 60 Oklahoma bands that applied to SXSW. This year that number rose to an unprecedented 130 bands. Because of this Oklahoma was able to secure two official SXSW showcases with festival officials selecting another 12 bands to perform. In total, we are excited to say that over 35 Oklahoma bands will be featured at SXSW this year,” said Abby Kurin, Development Coordinator for OF&MO, in the announcement.
The Okie Soundcheck presented by CNGnow.com is 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and performing will be O Fidelis, Black Canyon, Mont Lyons, Pretty Black Chains, Deerpeople, Josh Sallee, Daniel(s), and Chrome Pony. The Fourth Annual Sax, Clogs, & Rock-N-Roll music event will take place Wednesday, March 14 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. This event will feature music by Damn Quails, Scales of Motion, the Panda Resistance, BrotherBear, Feathered Rabbit, S/Awesome, and Denver Duncan with Jabee.
The ACM@UCO music day event will take place Thursday, March 15 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Performing will be Painted Wolfe, Fos, Day One, Brianna Gaither, Gum, paperscissor, The Rockettops, and Of the Tower.
The ACM@UCO showcase will be Wednesday, March 14 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and will feature Defining Times, The Boom Bang, The Non, Horse Thief, Broncho, and Stardeath & White Dwarfs. On Thursday, March 15 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. the Oklahoma Showcase will feature Green Corn Revival, JuneBug Spade, Fiawna Forte, Jacob Abello, JD McPherson, and OK Sweetheart.
Oklahoma’s Buffalo Lounge will once again feature a pop-up retail store stocked with Oklahoma merchandise provided by Mary Beth Babcock of Tulsa’s Dwelling Spaces. Other features include space for filmmakers and musicians to sell their DVDs and CDs. The venue also will feature free wifi, and for the first ti - NewsOK
The Oklahoma Film & Music Office, along with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and the Idea Collective, has announced its plans for an Oklahoma presence at the 2012 South By Southwest Conference and Festival, which is set for March 9-18 in Austin, Texas.
As a part of its mission to promote and support Oklahoma’s film and music industries, OF&MO and its partners last year launched its SXSW endeavor, dubbed Oklahoma’s Buffalo Lounge, to provide the state with its own venue. This year, the Buffalo Lounge will host four days of film, interactive and music events, including an Oklahoma booth at the SXSW trade show, which is March 12-15, to provide exposure for participating Oklahoma companies and talent to a global audience.
“Last year’s effort at SXSW provided tangible evidence of the growth and momentum in Oklahoma’s film, interactive, and music industries,” OF&MO Director Jill Simpson said in the announcement. “It was impressive to see so many Oklahoma professionals from these sectors come together to promote our state as a great place to do business to an audience numbering in the tens of thousands. This year is sure to be bigger and better.”
“We are thrilled to return to Austin, Texas this year in an even bigger way,” said Josh O’Brien, director of entrepreneurial development for Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and i2E, in the release. “More companies are involved, and we are adding the element of an Oklahoma booth at the SXSW trade show. With more than 65,000 people attending the trade show, this will be great exposure for Oklahoma.”
More than 45,000 top business professionals attended SXSW in 2011. The 10-day event brings people together to enhance knowledge of their respective field and promote their products. OF&MO will program multiple day and night Buffalo Lounge events across all three sectors throughout the four-day schedule at Friends, 208 E Sixth Street in the heart of downtown Austin, and in the midst of the conference and festival events.
The Oklahoma film party, “The Red Dirt Reel,” will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 12 and will feature participating sponsors representing their companies that support the Oklahoma film industry. The goal of this event is to showcase to SXSW film attendees that Oklahoma has everything for independent filmmakers: locations, nationally renowned film festivals, production and post-production facilities, and art house and indie exhibitors.
Following the film event on March 12 will be Oklahoma’s interactive event from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event will feature participating sponsors speaking about their products and companies to attendees. This will be an opportunity for people to network with interactive companies and learn more about the industry in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Film + Interactive + Music event will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 13. This one-of-kind event will be hosted by the OKPOP Museum and the Woody Guthrie Center and Archive, and will allow all three industries to come together to network. The event will feature three musical groups: Modern Rock Diaries, Desi and Cody, and Wink Burcham with Jesse Aycock.
The music portion of SXSW officially begins on Tuesday evening, March 13.
“In 2011, there were 60 Oklahoma bands that applied to SXSW. This year that number rose to an unprecedented 130 bands. Because of this Oklahoma was able to secure two official SXSW showcases with festival officials selecting another 12 bands to perform. In total, we are excited to say that over 35 Oklahoma bands will be featured at SXSW this year,” said Abby Kurin, Development Coordinator for OF&MO, in the announcement.
The Okie Soundcheck presented by CNGnow.com is 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and performing will be O Fidelis, Black Canyon, Mont Lyons, Pretty Black Chains, Deerpeople, Josh Sallee, Daniel(s), and Chrome Pony. The Fourth Annual Sax, Clogs, & Rock-N-Roll music event will take place Wednesday, March 14 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. This event will feature music by Damn Quails, Scales of Motion, the Panda Resistance, BrotherBear, Feathered Rabbit, S/Awesome, and Denver Duncan with Jabee.
The ACM@UCO music day event will take place Thursday, March 15 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Performing will be Painted Wolfe, Fos, Day One, Brianna Gaither, Gum, paperscissor, The Rockettops, and Of the Tower.
The ACM@UCO showcase will be Wednesday, March 14 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and will feature Defining Times, The Boom Bang, The Non, Horse Thief, Broncho, and Stardeath & White Dwarfs. On Thursday, March 15 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. the Oklahoma Showcase will feature Green Corn Revival, JuneBug Spade, Fiawna Forte, Jacob Abello, JD McPherson, and OK Sweetheart.
Oklahoma’s Buffalo Lounge will once again feature a pop-up retail store stocked with Oklahoma merchandise provided by Mary Beth Babcock of Tulsa’s Dwelling Spaces. Other features include space for filmmakers and musicians to sell their DVDs and CDs. The venue also will feature free wifi, and for the first ti - NewsOK
As autumn approaches, Green Corn Revival is again cropping up all around Oklahoma.
The Weatherford-based alt-country band is opening Saturday for Dallas country-rockers Somebody's Darling at Oklahoma City's Blue Door and will play a hometown show Thursday at The Cup in Weatherford.
The group will play at the Tulsa Underground Festival, Wormy Dog Saloon and Myriad Gardens Water Stage before heading to Sun Studios in Memphis, Tenn., to work on the follow-up to its acclaimed 2010 debut album “Say You're a Sinner.”
“We're actually pretty excited to be getting back into our fall schedule because we kind of took it easy this summer. We did some recording, and Jared and Jacy got married, so we didn't gig as hard as we usually do,” said co-lead singer and percussionist Natalie Houck in a phone interview from the band's studio, which the group moved into this summer from North Broadway in Hydro to the Tech Theatre in downtown Weatherford.
When co-lead singer and guitarist Jared Deck and keyboardist Jacy Black Deck tied the knot July 9, it was a special occasion for their bandmates — Natalie, lead guitarist/pedal steel player Ryan Houck, bassist Miles Johnson and drummer Tyler Paul — and brought a second married couple into the band.
“It works out pretty well actually, since Ryan and Natalie are also married. So, it's not our first go-round with that whole deal,” Jared said. “I would say we really don't have a lot of intermarital spats. And when we do, I think everybody else just kind of lets that couple deal with their thing and then we get over it. And you move on.”
“Of course, you're talking to two of the married people, so we think it's fine,” Natalie added, laughing. “Ryan and I have been together a long time. We were together before the band started ... and all the music I've done has been with him. So I don't know anything any different. But it's kind of fun having another couple now.”
Despite a few lineup changes, Green Corn Revival has been ripening nicely since forming in 2009.
The band has performed at the South by Southwest and Norman Music Festivals and shared bills with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Wanda Jackson, The Watson Twins, Cotton Jones, Heartless Bastards and Greg Ginn of Black Flag.
The indie band self-released “Say You're a Sinner” last September, and it made my list of top 10 albums of 2010. The album took a sweeping, cinematic musical trek through Custer County, invoking spaghetti Western themes, classic country and 1950s pop along the way.
“We didn't expect to get as many reviews as we got, and it was nice that we never really saw anything negative. ‘Cause you keep expecting to see that first negative review, but we've been pretty happy with what people have said,” Natalie said.
Jared and pal Kyle Burrows, the group's original guitarist, planted the seeds for the distinctive sound before Green Corn Revival even existed.
“I had a new batch of songs that I never really considered them country songs, but I felt like they had a country feel to them,” Jared said. “We sat down at his house one night, and he just started doing what we might call chicken pickin' country stuff along with it. ... There was something about it that just worked, and we started putting together this idea that indie music doesn't have to be defined by a certain sound.”
Although the music conjures up the western plains of Oklahoma, the band members, with one exception, grew up in small hamlets spread across the area. Coming of age in those tiny hometowns — Miles hails from Weatherford, Jacy from Hydro, Jared from Thomas, Natalie from Atoka, Ryan from Crescent, and Tyler from White Deer, Texas — influenced the musicians they have become. They all grew up listening to “actual country radio and everything else,” Natalie said.
“Where we live, there's a wind-sweeping attitude just in general, and we like living out here,” Jared said. “We all grew up around agricultural economies ... and we don't really consider ourselves to be a country band, which is kind of what most people expect when they hear about a band from western Oklahoma. But that's definitely in our blood.”
Read more: http://newsok.com/green-corn-revival-ripening-alt-country-sound/article/3595722#ixzz1VWDRJBPC - NewsOK, Brandy McDonnell
As autumn approaches, Green Corn Revival is again cropping up all around Oklahoma.
The Weatherford-based alt-country band is opening Saturday for Dallas country-rockers Somebody's Darling at Oklahoma City's Blue Door and will play a hometown show Thursday at The Cup in Weatherford.
The group will play at the Tulsa Underground Festival, Wormy Dog Saloon and Myriad Gardens Water Stage before heading to Sun Studios in Memphis, Tenn., to work on the follow-up to its acclaimed 2010 debut album “Say You're a Sinner.”
“We're actually pretty excited to be getting back into our fall schedule because we kind of took it easy this summer. We did some recording, and Jared and Jacy got married, so we didn't gig as hard as we usually do,” said co-lead singer and percussionist Natalie Houck in a phone interview from the band's studio, which the group moved into this summer from North Broadway in Hydro to the Tech Theatre in downtown Weatherford.
When co-lead singer and guitarist Jared Deck and keyboardist Jacy Black Deck tied the knot July 9, it was a special occasion for their bandmates — Natalie, lead guitarist/pedal steel player Ryan Houck, bassist Miles Johnson and drummer Tyler Paul — and brought a second married couple into the band.
“It works out pretty well actually, since Ryan and Natalie are also married. So, it's not our first go-round with that whole deal,” Jared said. “I would say we really don't have a lot of intermarital spats. And when we do, I think everybody else just kind of lets that couple deal with their thing and then we get over it. And you move on.”
“Of course, you're talking to two of the married people, so we think it's fine,” Natalie added, laughing. “Ryan and I have been together a long time. We were together before the band started ... and all the music I've done has been with him. So I don't know anything any different. But it's kind of fun having another couple now.”
Despite a few lineup changes, Green Corn Revival has been ripening nicely since forming in 2009.
The band has performed at the South by Southwest and Norman Music Festivals and shared bills with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Wanda Jackson, The Watson Twins, Cotton Jones, Heartless Bastards and Greg Ginn of Black Flag.
The indie band self-released “Say You're a Sinner” last September, and it made my list of top 10 albums of 2010. The album took a sweeping, cinematic musical trek through Custer County, invoking spaghetti Western themes, classic country and 1950s pop along the way.
“We didn't expect to get as many reviews as we got, and it was nice that we never really saw anything negative. ‘Cause you keep expecting to see that first negative review, but we've been pretty happy with what people have said,” Natalie said.
Jared and pal Kyle Burrows, the group's original guitarist, planted the seeds for the distinctive sound before Green Corn Revival even existed.
“I had a new batch of songs that I never really considered them country songs, but I felt like they had a country feel to them,” Jared said. “We sat down at his house one night, and he just started doing what we might call chicken pickin' country stuff along with it. ... There was something about it that just worked, and we started putting together this idea that indie music doesn't have to be defined by a certain sound.”
Although the music conjures up the western plains of Oklahoma, the band members, with one exception, grew up in small hamlets spread across the area. Coming of age in those tiny hometowns — Miles hails from Weatherford, Jacy from Hydro, Jared from Thomas, Natalie from Atoka, Ryan from Crescent, and Tyler from White Deer, Texas — influenced the musicians they have become. They all grew up listening to “actual country radio and everything else,” Natalie said.
“Where we live, there's a wind-sweeping attitude just in general, and we like living out here,” Jared said. “We all grew up around agricultural economies ... and we don't really consider ourselves to be a country band, which is kind of what most people expect when they hear about a band from western Oklahoma. But that's definitely in our blood.”
Read more: http://newsok.com/green-corn-revival-ripening-alt-country-sound/article/3595722#ixzz1VWDRJBPC - NewsOK, Brandy McDonnell
In 1922, fiddlers “Uncle Henry” Gilliland, of Altus, and Alexander “Eck” Robertson, of Borger, Texas, traveled to New York City and recorded four duets for the Victor Talking Machine Co.
Erick-bred singer-songwriter Roger Miller, who penned and recorded "King of the Road," "Dang Me" and "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd," will be posthumously inducted in November into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Photo provided Provided
They played “Arkansas Traveler” and “Turkey in the Straw” and in the process made what has become widely regarded as the first country music record.
Oklahoma and country music have a long, broad and deep history, and Ryan LaCroix has spent the past several weeks delving into it.
The intrepid founder/owner/editor of OklahomaRock.com has compiled a list of the top 100 Oklahoma country songs. He unveiled the first entries — Nos. 100 to 96 — Thursday on his website. He will divulge five songs from the list every weekday through Aug. 31, when the top five will be revealed.
“I thought it would be kind of interesting to do another countdown,” LaCroix said. “But it's a tough process for sure.”
The sheer number of country greats with Oklahoma ties makes such list-building daunting. But LaCroix is experienced: For the 2007 centennial, he ranked the top 100 state musicians, and in 2010, he counted down the top 100 Oklahoma albums of the 2000s.
To determine the top 100 Oklahoma country songs, LaCroix consulted with state experts such as disc jockeys, musicians and journalists, including yours truly; polled the public on Twitter and Facebook; and consulted chart rankings and non-Oklahoma-specific greatest country songs lists.
At LaCroix's request, I developed a list of my 21 favorite Oklahoma country songs. Here are Nos. 11 to 21; I'll unveil my top 10 next week:
21. “Thank God and Greyhound,” recorded by Roy Clark, written by Larry Kingston and Earl Nix.
I had to add one more to my top 20 list after my recent interview with the charming Clark. This hilarious hit perfectly matches the longtime Tulsa resident's wily sense of humor.
20. “Pt. 1/Never That Easy,” written and recorded by Green Corn Revival.
One could argue that the opening tracks of the Weatherford band's 2010 debut album, “Say You're a Sinner,” aren't really country. But I maintain that any musical number that so effectively invokes spaghetti Westerns and the plains of Custer County qualifies.
19. “Back in the Saddle Again,” recorded by Gene Autry, written by Autry and Ray Whitley.
“Back in the Saddle Again” is like “Happy Birthday to You” or “Home on the Range” in that we sort of assume that it always existed. Like Autry's other venerable hit “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” it's one of those tunes that's become so iconic that it's hard to comprehend that someone actually wrote it and initially recorded it. But the legendary singing cowboy did just that, and it became his signature song.
18. “John Deere Green,” recorded by Joe Diffie, written by Dennis Linde.
As a sophomore at Lindsay High School in 1993, this funny story song seemed so true to life, like something that could happen any day if one of my schoolmates got their hands on enough beer and tractor paint.
17. “New San Antonio Rose,” written and recorded by Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys.
You can't have a decent Oklahoma country music list without some Western swing on it. This classic enchants no matter who is doing the singing, and the list of stars who have sung it is pretty impressive.
16. “Brand New Man,” recorded by Brooks & Dunn, written by Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks and Don Cook.
Former Tulsan Dunn and Louisiana native Brooks, who became the best-selling duo in country music history, made an auspicious 1991 chart-topping debut with this earnest, up-tempo ballad.
15. “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man,” recorded by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, written by Becki Bluefield and Jim Owen.
Oklahoma City resident Twitty did some of his best work with Kentucky native Lynn, and this Canjun-flavored duet has become a country classic.
14. “She's in Love with the Boy,” recorded by Trisha Yearwood, written by Jon Ims.
The future Mrs. Garth Brooks broke out with this 1991 ballad that captures the resilience of young love.
13. “A Little Rain Will Do,” written and recorded by Greg Jacobs.
Maybe it's just the weather getting to me, but this modern-day Dust Bowl anthem just rings true.
12. “You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd,” written and recorded by Roger Miller.
Yes, it's one of those novelty songs that tend to overshadow the Erick-bred artist's true songwriting ability. But I really loved it as a kid, and it actually boasts a deeper message than it may seem on a casual listen.
11. “All-American Girl,” recorded by Carrie Underwood, written by Underwood, Ashley Gorley and Kelley Lovelace.
As an all-American daddy's girl, I can't resist this anthem, which highlights the big voice of C - NewsOK
Catch the best if you make the drive to Norman Music Fest
BY G.K. HIZER AND GARRETT WEINDORF
Last week, we got the lowdown on Dfest not returning and the Free Tulsa's promise to reprise its role from last year on an even larger scale. For those who can't wait to kick off the festival season, however, this weekend's Norman Music Festival is likely to be the best showcase of Oklahoma talent all year long.
Although Norman Music Fest is also bringing in national headliners like The Walkmen, Peelander-Z and Keller Williams -- all of which are known for putting on a great show -- the real draw in Norman is the collection of Oklahoma bands. In the past, NMF has been indie-rock heavy and although that's still a strong component this year, the lineup is even more diverse than it has been in the past.
Festi-full. Oklahoma City rockers Brothers Gruesome perform 9pm Thursday on the opening night of the Norman Music Festival. Come for the rock, stay for the dancing animal shadows they'll project on the wall.
The festival kicks off this Thursday, April 28, and runs through Saturday, we've compiled just a few picks to get you started as some of the potential standouts of the weekend.
Mind you, this is just to get you started. As a general rule, if you hear of someone creating a huge buzz, follow the crowd to check it out -- if they suck, you can always cut out after a couple of songs and bounce around to check out the other bands. With over 200 acts playing over three nights, you're sure to find something to get excited about.
If you need a little bit of a head start, however, here are our recommendations:
Thursday, April 28
• 9pm - Brother Gruesome - Blackwatch Stage - Saw these guys at Soundpony the other night. Knew nothing about them, but enjoyed the music and the dancing animal shadows they projected onto the wall. (GW)
• 10pm -- Sherree Chamberlain -- Blackwatch Stage -- As one of the best female singer/songwriters in the state, I'm still let down that Chamberlain doesn't play Tulsa more often. With new material in the works, any time I can check this girl out, I consider it a can't miss show. (GKH)
• 11pm -- Green Corn Revival -- Brewhouse Stage -- This band gets my vote for most underrated band in the state. What started out as more of an Americana/country project has developed into an amazing blend of ambient indie pop and Americana that can't be described? It just needs to be heard. (GKH)
Friday, April 29
• 7pm - Tony Romanello and the Black Jackets - Brewhouse Stage - Tony's a nice guy who plays nice music. If you like well-crafted pop songs like I do, you're in for a treat. (GW)
• 9pm -- John Moreland -- Brewhouse Stage -- If you haven't heard Moreland yet, you haven't heard the true sound of Oklahoma rock. Some people call him Oklahoma's Springsteen, but that's short sighted. This guy has a punk rock pedigree and brings that intensity to a Midwestern Americana type sound that encompasses a little Springteen, a little Steve Earle and whole lot of everything else. (GKH)
• 11pm PM -- Pretty Black Chains -- Blackwatch Stage -- Get used to it, because I'll be banging this drum until the bitter end. Pretty Black Chains have found their niche and are the best flat out rock band around. Two parts Zeppelin, one part Cult, one part Doors, a dash of Rage against the Machine, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Queens of the Stone Age -- if you don't like this, you don't like rock & roll. (GKH)
Saturday, April 30
• 1pm - Klipspringer - Bill and Dees Stage - I saw these guys open for Ween like 15 years ago. They were dressed like Cap'n Crunch and gave the headliners a run for their money. They're still together and still awesome. (GW)
• 1:20pm -- The Non -- Main Stage -- Another Norman band that doesn't play Tulsa nearly enough, The Non gets my nod as best jam band around, outside of Tulsa's Moai Broadcast. There's a reason these guys are on the main stage. (GKH)
• 4pm - And There Stand Empires - Bill and Dees Stage - These guys (and girl) are a sometimes dreamy, sometimes jazzy -always interesting- instrumental group. You've gotta love anybody with a xylophone. I know I do. (GW)
• 5:15pm -- Ryan Lindsey -- Opolis Stage (indoor/unplugged) -- Ryan has been rocking out with Broncho for over a year now, but pop music is what he's best at and this is a chance to see him stripped down and at his most vulnerable. As a songwriter, this guy is amazing. (GKH)
• 6:00 PM -- Colour Revolt -- Sooner Theater Stage -- I may be prejudiced toward this band because Paddy Ryan is one of my favorite local drummers and an all around great guy, but Colour Revolt is an indie rock band that I can really get into. Ambient and dynamic, the band is all about substance over style. The best of the best. (GKH)
• 7:00 PM - MONTU - Jägermeister Stage - Tulsa "jamtronica" group draws big crowds by keeping it funky. Lots of improv, but not too "jam-bandy." Great if you like to dance. ( - Urban Tulsa Weekly - G.Hizer
Green Corn Revival
“Say You’re a Sinner”
(independent) 2010
“Say You’re a Sinner” starts off with the spaghetti-western-esque opener “Pt.1,” giving us a taste of what Weatherford-based Green Corn Revival is all about, followed by the galloping Western rock of “Never That Easy,” which evokes images of big skies and open roads. “New Way Back” has an ’80s alt-country style that brings to mind Maria McKee and Lone Justice.
Just when you think they are going to cruise into a certain style, they throw you off, offering up the 50’s-styled rock ballad “Only Love.”
There’s a dreamy, ’70s feel on “Going Back to Austin” while disc closer “Blue Water” has more of a late ’60s, Jefferson Airplane sound.
Vocalists Natalie Houck and Jared Deck — the Grace Slick and Marty Balin of GCR — lead this septet, but GCR is definitely a group effort. Feel the romantic groove of “Forget About It” — great production quality on that one.
I cannot emphasize how good this album is. It’s amazing to think it was recorded in a studio over in Hydro. I see more great things coming from this Oklahoma alt-country band in the future. In the meantime, enjoy the heck out of “Say You’re A Sinner.”
Grade — A
- Norman Transcript
To bid adieu to 2010, Oklahoma Gazette made nine lists for you about our local music scene. Only one might get us punched.
It’s the end of the year, and that means lists. I’ve actually been making a list of the best best-of lists (1. Paste Magazine, 2. MySpace, 3. Rhapsody), which means that I’ve officially gone overboard.
But this means nothing but good things for you, dear reader. Here are a ton o’ lists that chronicle the year in Oklahoma City music, because I’m in that kind of mood.
10 RELEASES WE LOVED, IN ABC ORDER
1. “Bummer Camp” by The Boom Bang: “A messy, disastrous delight.”
2. “Diamonds & Gasoline” by Turnpike Troubadours: “Roots-rock gem that shines with bright songwriting and masterful musicianship.”
3. “Feel Spectres” by Feel Spectres: “37 minutes of purist indie-rock goodness.”
4. “No Bees, No Honey” by Ali Harter: “Buzz-worthy for sure.”
5. “Say You’re a Sinner” by Green Corn Revival: “An earthy, tribal quality that fuses gospel with rural retro charm.”
6. “Stay Gold” by Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey: “As solid as they come.”
7. “Taddy Porter” by Taddy Porter:
“Riffing that will stick in your mind for days.”
8. “Taking Over the World” by Skating Polly: “Skating Polly could very well make good on the album’s titular promise.”
9. “The Samson Mammoth” by Tony Brown’s Happy Hour: “Marks an excellent hello … to the metro music scene.”
10. “You (Understood)” by Samantha Crain: “It’s unexpected in almost every way.”
4 BANDS POISED FOR AN ENORMOUS 2011
1. O Fidelis
2. The Non
3. The Boom Bang
4. Skating Polly
1 ALBUM AT 37 ON BILLBOARD’S ALBUM CHART
1. “All American Nightmare” by Hinder
4 ENTERTAINING VIDEO PROJECTS ON LOCAL MUSIC
1. Acoustic Oklahoma: youtube.com/InnerStateStudio
2. The VDub Sessions: vdubsessions.wordpress.com
3. The Chevy Bricktown Showcase: youtube.com/ChevyBricktown
4. The O Fidelis YouTube Channel: youtube.com/ofidelisTV
5 REASONS NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL 3 WAS AWESOME
1. The Non played a max-capacity set with an orchestra at Sooner Theatre. (Someone please put the group on the main stage next year!)
2. The Latin stage was all sorts of cool.
3. The festival was large enough to have stages that may or may not have been official, like the Studio 360 stage, which was headlined by the incredible American Glamstand.
4. Hip-hop and metal had a much larger presence, ushering in an admirable diversity.
5. It was (still!) free.
3 GONE BANDS WE WILL MISS
1. The Uglysuit
2. El Paso Hot Button
3. The City Lives (OK, almost gone)
3 GONE BANDS THAT RETURNED
1. Little League Hero
2. The Hex
3. American Boyfriends
1 MUSIC DVD THAT RULED
1. “Drugs: The Videos” by Dustin Prinz
5 NATIONAL RELEASES WITH ONLY A TANGENTIAL RELATION TO OKLAHOMA
1. “Sigh No More” by Mumford and Sons: Track 11 is “Dust Bowl Dance.”
2. “The Suburbs” by Arcade Fire: Edmond, represent!
3. “This Is Happening” by LCD Soundsystem: Oklahoma is, in fact, also happening. We exist.
4. “The Age of Adz” by Sufjan Stevens: Which was proof that his ‘50 states’ project most likely will not encompass Oklahoma.
5. “The Monitor” by Titus Andronicus: This concept album about the Civil War sadly does not cover the Battle of Honey Springs or the Battle of Chustenahlah, which happened in our fair state.
- The Oklahoma Gazette/ Stephen Carradini
To bid adieu to 2010, Oklahoma Gazette made nine lists for you about our local music scene. Only one might get us punched.
It’s the end of the year, and that means lists. I’ve actually been making a list of the best best-of lists (1. Paste Magazine, 2. MySpace, 3. Rhapsody), which means that I’ve officially gone overboard.
But this means nothing but good things for you, dear reader. Here are a ton o’ lists that chronicle the year in Oklahoma City music, because I’m in that kind of mood.
10 RELEASES WE LOVED, IN ABC ORDER
1. “Bummer Camp” by The Boom Bang: “A messy, disastrous delight.”
2. “Diamonds & Gasoline” by Turnpike Troubadours: “Roots-rock gem that shines with bright songwriting and masterful musicianship.”
3. “Feel Spectres” by Feel Spectres: “37 minutes of purist indie-rock goodness.”
4. “No Bees, No Honey” by Ali Harter: “Buzz-worthy for sure.”
5. “Say You’re a Sinner” by Green Corn Revival: “An earthy, tribal quality that fuses gospel with rural retro charm.”
6. “Stay Gold” by Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey: “As solid as they come.”
7. “Taddy Porter” by Taddy Porter:
“Riffing that will stick in your mind for days.”
8. “Taking Over the World” by Skating Polly: “Skating Polly could very well make good on the album’s titular promise.”
9. “The Samson Mammoth” by Tony Brown’s Happy Hour: “Marks an excellent hello … to the metro music scene.”
10. “You (Understood)” by Samantha Crain: “It’s unexpected in almost every way.”
4 BANDS POISED FOR AN ENORMOUS 2011
1. O Fidelis
2. The Non
3. The Boom Bang
4. Skating Polly
1 ALBUM AT 37 ON BILLBOARD’S ALBUM CHART
1. “All American Nightmare” by Hinder
4 ENTERTAINING VIDEO PROJECTS ON LOCAL MUSIC
1. Acoustic Oklahoma: youtube.com/InnerStateStudio
2. The VDub Sessions: vdubsessions.wordpress.com
3. The Chevy Bricktown Showcase: youtube.com/ChevyBricktown
4. The O Fidelis YouTube Channel: youtube.com/ofidelisTV
5 REASONS NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL 3 WAS AWESOME
1. The Non played a max-capacity set with an orchestra at Sooner Theatre. (Someone please put the group on the main stage next year!)
2. The Latin stage was all sorts of cool.
3. The festival was large enough to have stages that may or may not have been official, like the Studio 360 stage, which was headlined by the incredible American Glamstand.
4. Hip-hop and metal had a much larger presence, ushering in an admirable diversity.
5. It was (still!) free.
3 GONE BANDS WE WILL MISS
1. The Uglysuit
2. El Paso Hot Button
3. The City Lives (OK, almost gone)
3 GONE BANDS THAT RETURNED
1. Little League Hero
2. The Hex
3. American Boyfriends
1 MUSIC DVD THAT RULED
1. “Drugs: The Videos” by Dustin Prinz
5 NATIONAL RELEASES WITH ONLY A TANGENTIAL RELATION TO OKLAHOMA
1. “Sigh No More” by Mumford and Sons: Track 11 is “Dust Bowl Dance.”
2. “The Suburbs” by Arcade Fire: Edmond, represent!
3. “This Is Happening” by LCD Soundsystem: Oklahoma is, in fact, also happening. We exist.
4. “The Age of Adz” by Sufjan Stevens: Which was proof that his ‘50 states’ project most likely will not encompass Oklahoma.
5. “The Monitor” by Titus Andronicus: This concept album about the Civil War sadly does not cover the Battle of Honey Springs or the Battle of Chustenahlah, which happened in our fair state.
- The Oklahoma Gazette/ Stephen Carradini
the Best of 2010 Countdown:
as voted on by us, local musicians and our fans!
DEERPEOPLE comes in at No.1!
Taddy Porter - Big Enough
The Non - Pigeon Force
Bulletproof Tiger - Pick It Up
Pretty Black Chains - Amanda
Ben Kilgore - The Other Side
The Boom Bang - Run Way Away
Rainbows are Free - Slow Train
Native Lights - Blackwater
OK Sweetheart - Home
Gum - Ohh Lala
Gang Starr Museum - Dance In the Ocean
Ali Harter - Close Up The House
Feel Spectres - Blow Up The Moon
Green Corn Revival - Many Worlds
Kings of Leon - Radioactive
Smallwolf - Her Majesty
Samantha Crain - Santa Fe
Brother Gruesome - Room for Rent
Horse Thief - Warrior (405)
Daniel Walcher - Dishes in Her Dress
Crocodile - All You Have To Do
Broncho - Pick a Fight
Denver Duncan feat. Sherree Chamberlain - Beg Me
DEERPEOPLE - New Dance
- Oklahoma Rock/ The Spy 105.3
the Best of 2010 Countdown:
as voted on by us, local musicians and our fans!
DEERPEOPLE comes in at No.1!
Taddy Porter - Big Enough
The Non - Pigeon Force
Bulletproof Tiger - Pick It Up
Pretty Black Chains - Amanda
Ben Kilgore - The Other Side
The Boom Bang - Run Way Away
Rainbows are Free - Slow Train
Native Lights - Blackwater
OK Sweetheart - Home
Gum - Ohh Lala
Gang Starr Museum - Dance In the Ocean
Ali Harter - Close Up The House
Feel Spectres - Blow Up The Moon
Green Corn Revival - Many Worlds
Kings of Leon - Radioactive
Smallwolf - Her Majesty
Samantha Crain - Santa Fe
Brother Gruesome - Room for Rent
Horse Thief - Warrior (405)
Daniel Walcher - Dishes in Her Dress
Crocodile - All You Have To Do
Broncho - Pick a Fight
Denver Duncan feat. Sherree Chamberlain - Beg Me
DEERPEOPLE - New Dance
- Oklahoma Rock/ The Spy 105.3
Green Corn
Revival
SAY YOU’RE A
SINNER
Self-released
???
Full length debut
from a new and
currently (although not for long)
unsigned Okie music collective....
Green Corn Revival are seven
musicians from Oklahoma who have
appeared on a number of Midwestern
stages with the likes of Hot Club Of
Cowtown and the Watson Twins as well
as being Wanda Jackson’s backing band
at SXSW2010. Written, produced and
recorded at their own North Broadway
Studio in Hydro Oklahoma, SAY YOU’RE A
SINNER is a follow up to the August 2009
release of their THE OKLAHOMA EP.
This album opens with an
instrumental intro eerily reminiscent
of one of those classic westerns you
watched on a Sunday afternoon. Swirling
trumpets and Spanish guitars conjure up
images of Yul Bryner and Steve McQueen
riding into that dusty Mexican village.
The intro smoothly gives way to a good
old-fashioned gospel country song
featuring the warm smooth vocals of
Jared Decks intertwined with restrained
backing from Natalie Houck. As the
first part of the album (yes...it is a ‘two
part’ CD) opens with Never That Easy
confident vocals, harmonies and the
backing of a tight musical unit are this
album’s strengths, as demonstrated
on the 1950s influenced Only Love. The
second brief instrumental Part Two leads
off with some more gorgeous border
trumpets as it takes us into the final
reel. The remaining five songs including
Many Worlds and Forget About It are
more soulful with some soaring vocals
once again from Jared and the honeyed
voice of Natalie, backed by some tasteful
Dobro guitar from Ryan Houck and solid
drumming throughout by Tyler Paul.
Stand out track is the wistful Going Back
To Austin with its elegant understated
pedal steel, once again courtesy of Ryan,
plus those gorgeous harmony vocals.
Finishing this solid set is some real old
timey ‘down by the river’ preaching in
Blue Water.
All in all a solid debut from a band
who I feel will go down a storm live. John
Jobling
http://www.myspace.com/greencornrevival - Maverick Magazine, Feb 2011, John Jobling
From seasoned stars putting the mainstream back on notice to talented upstarts making promising debuts, the past year was rife not only with sonically stellar music but also with feel-good storylines to amp up the songs.
In 2010, my 10 favorite albums took me on a showy ride through “The Suburbs,” on a sweeping journey to Western Oklahoma and on tuneful treks to the roots of rock ‘n’ roll and country music.
1. Arcade Fire, “The Suburbs” (Merge). Thought-provoking and theatrical, the third album from the Montreal-based indie rockers draws from frontman Win Butler’s upbringing on the well-heeled outskirts of Houston. With arena-filling orchestral rock swirling around them, Butler and wife Régine Chassagne warble intimately about the fears, hopes and human drama going on behind the neatly painted doors of cookie-cutter houses arranged in cannily planned bedroom communities.
2. Robert Plant, “Band of Joy” (Rounder). For Led Zeppelin fans, 2010 brought good news and bad news. Singer Robert Plant follows up “Raising Sand,” his 2007 multi-platinum, Grammy-winning Americana expedition with Alison Krauss, with another rich exploration of roots music and his own personal roots in music. Band of Joy was the name of the psychedelic folk band Plant fronted before joining Zeppelin, and he brings a trippy flair to the album’s bluesy covers of country great Townes Van Zandt, slowcore band Low and Chicano rockers Los Lobos. And if he isn’t going to have Krauss crooning with him, Patty Griffin makes a sublime second choice as his harmony vocalist.
While Plant’s latest solo effort was worth rejoicing over, Zeppelin devotees like myself can’t help but notice that he isn’t getting noticeably closer to the rocking reunion tour of our dreams.
3. Dierks Bentley, “Up on the Ridge” (Capitol Nashville). After dropping his most mainstream and least appealing album with 2009’s “Feel That Fire,” country singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley made a spectacular turnaround with an inspired foray into progressive bluegrass. From the haunting title track, Bentley’s outing “Up on the Ridge” is landmarked by spirited musicianship, guest star power and surprising covers of U2, Bob Dylan and Kris Kristofferson. “Bad Angel,” his bluesy honky-tonk collaboration with Tishomingo’s Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson, two-stepped its way to the top of my list of favorite country songs of 2010.
4. Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, “Pardon Me” (F-Stop/ Atlantic Records). The Dallas-based band, which includes Oklahoma transplants in drummer Jordan Cain and bassist Nick Jay, electrified a genre with an unabashed throwback album that blasts through the soulless miasma of modern rock like a lightning bolt from the rock gods. “Maybe it’s been too long since rock ‘n’ roll turned you on/So pardon me, just let it set you free,” yowls Jonathan Tyler on the title track for his band’s major-label debut. Please don’t let it be the last time he extends such a sizzling offer.
5. Janelle Monae, “The ArchAndroid” (Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy). It’s a shame that the word “epic” has become so overused because it perfectly describes the fantastical full-length debut of Janelle Monae, a pompadoured science-fiction fanatic who mashes up funky R&B, prog-rock, synth pop and classical music to bring to stunning life her alter ego, a time-traveling android messiah tasked with saving an alternate universe based on Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent film “Metropolis.” After crafting a concept album as classy as her beloved tuxedoes, the Outkast protégé seems to have plenty of otherworldly charisma, impressive vocal prowess and boundless imagination left over, which is great news for those of us eager to hear the continuing adventures of ArchAndroid Cindi Mayweather.
6. Hanson, “Shout It Out” (3CG). The gifted Tulsa trio deserves props for finally finding a way to get the mainstream music world “Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’” beside their 1997 pubescent-pop smash “MMMBop.” With its ridiculously infectious Motown groove, plus a clever video riffing on “The Blues Brothers,” “Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’” once again brought Hanson into the cultural consciousness, though the Oklahoma brothers never ceased making music even after radio stations stopped playing their breakout hit. With “Shout It Out,” Issac, Zac and Taylor Hanson restated their love of oldies, crafting an ideal summer soundtrack of vibrant pop-rock brightened with soulful horns and brotherly harmonizing.
7. Elton John and Leon Russell, “The Union” (Decca/Rocket). British pop superstar Elton John’s mission to bring his idol, Lawton native Leon Russell, back into the rock ‘n’ roll limelight has been an unmitigated success: Their duet album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, earned a Grammy nomination for best pop collaboration with vocals for their indelible piano ode “If It Wasn’t for Bad” and propelled Uncle Leon into the Rock and Roll Hall Fame’s 2011 class. More importantly, their rootsy - The Daily OKLAHOMAN
Sin to Get Saved
If you haven't heard Green Corn Revival or its latest CD, Say You're a Sinner, you can't be faulted. The band hails from Weatherford and rarely plays Tulsa, but that needs to change. To call the group a country band is deceiving because it encompasses so much in its sound: a little country, some rockabilly, indie rock and orchestral pop. On paper, it sounds like an utter train wreck. On disc, however, it's utterly captivating.
In all honesty, there's too much going on with the disc to capture it all in words. The music is ethereal, yet twangy; the vocals are soulful yet down-home country. In one moment, you can imagine the band coming from Austin, yet there's a toughness the next moment that suggests Lubbock. The instrumental overtures, however, are as vivid as an Oklahoma sunset, rich with deep hues of red, blue and purple.
How the band glides so effortlessly from southern countrified blues on "Going Back to Austin" to a bizarre blend of Snow Patrol, Ben Folds and the Derailers on "Hang On" is beyond me, but it works. If there's only one agenda for 2011 for club owners, it should be to get Green Corn Revival back to Tulsa. The band could fit in at the Mercury Lounge, Crystal Pistol, the Colony, the Treehouse or Fassler Hall. I saw the band in November, and if Green Corn Revival woulud play here more often, it could win over Tulsa in a heartbeat. In the meantime, you've got to find this CD.
- Urban Tulsa Weekly - G.K. Hizer
Great alt. country, indie rock fused debut.
‘Say You’re A Sinner’ is the debut full length record from Oklahoma’s seven piece Green Corn Revival. This dust-bowl collective bring together their indie rock and alt. country influences and have produced an album with some intensity about it.
The album opens up with ‘Part 1’ a bridging vibrant volley instrumental of mandolins and organs then bursts in with nice rattling snare and horns. It bounces along in a spaghetti western fashion and drifts straight into the second track ‘Never That Easy’ with a good pace picking up, suddenly dropping down into an indie Hold Steady jive and catchy choruses. There are the slow, laid back songs like ‘Only Love’ which has a huge air of 50’s America about it gently swinging and the subtle howl of a pedal steel giving it an edge. All the tracks are captivating, it’s feels like a pleasant stroll through a fusion of country and rock ‘n’ roll, excellent musicianship throughout the entire record, classic licks, harmonies, occasional bursts of spooky trumpets and beautifully toned guitars. Of course there is a Drive By Truckers vibe about ‘Say You’re A Sinner’ but not as dirty, this is a lot slicker. A damn good debut!
- Americana.UK
Great alt. country, indie rock fused debut.
‘Say You’re A Sinner’ is the debut full length record from Oklahoma’s seven piece Green Corn Revival. This dust-bowl collective bring together their indie rock and alt. country influences and have produced an album with some intensity about it.
The album opens up with ‘Part 1’ a bridging vibrant volley instrumental of mandolins and organs then bursts in with nice rattling snare and horns. It bounces along in a spaghetti western fashion and drifts straight into the second track ‘Never That Easy’ with a good pace picking up, suddenly dropping down into an indie Hold Steady jive and catchy choruses. There are the slow, laid back songs like ‘Only Love’ which has a huge air of 50’s America about it gently swinging and the subtle howl of a pedal steel giving it an edge. All the tracks are captivating, it’s feels like a pleasant stroll through a fusion of country and rock ‘n’ roll, excellent musicianship throughout the entire record, classic licks, harmonies, occasional bursts of spooky trumpets and beautifully toned guitars. Of course there is a Drive By Truckers vibe about ‘Say You’re A Sinner’ but not as dirty, this is a lot slicker. A damn good debut!
- Americana.UK
Great alt. country, indie rock fused debut.
‘Say You’re A Sinner’ is the debut full length record from Oklahoma’s seven piece Green Corn Revival. This dust-bowl collective bring together their indie rock and alt. country influences and have produced an album with some intensity about it.
The album opens up with ‘Part 1’ a bridging vibrant volley instrumental of mandolins and organs then bursts in with nice rattling snare and horns. It bounces along in a spaghetti western fashion and drifts straight into the second track ‘Never That Easy’ with a good pace picking up, suddenly dropping down into an indie Hold Steady jive and catchy choruses. There are the slow, laid back songs like ‘Only Love’ which has a huge air of 50’s America about it gently swinging and the subtle howl of a pedal steel giving it an edge. All the tracks are captivating, it’s feels like a pleasant stroll through a fusion of country and rock ‘n’ roll, excellent musicianship throughout the entire record, classic licks, harmonies, occasional bursts of spooky trumpets and beautifully toned guitars. Of course there is a Drive By Truckers vibe about ‘Say You’re A Sinner’ but not as dirty, this is a lot slicker. A damn good debut!
- Americana.UK
watch George Lang's interview with Green Corn Revival and three performances of songs from "Say You're a Sinner"... original airdate 10/26/2010
http://blog.newsok.com/staticblog/2010/10/26/static-episode-38-green-corn-revival/ - George Lang/NewsOK
Green Corn Revival “Say You're a Sinner” (self-released)
Weatherford band Green Corn Revival's debut album doesn't sound like anything on terrestrial radio, and for music fans exhausted with slick country and soulless pop, "Say You're a Sinner" offers tuneful balm for the ears.
CD Review: Green Corn Revival "Say You're a Sinner" The seven-piece outfit has only been making music together about a year but already has backed Oklahoma legend Wanda Jackson at the South by Southwest Music Festival and earned fans and acclaim across the region. With "Say You're a Sinner," the band makes a mighty argument for listening local and buying indie.
Evocative opening track "Pt. 1" and companion piece "Pt. 2" feature guest musician James South on trumpet and play out like modern-day spaghetti Western anthems. As "Pt. 1" seamlessly shifts to the galloping dance number "Never That Easy," the album gives the impression that it's the long-lost soundtrack to a Quentin Tarantino film set against the vast plains and big skies of western Oklahoma.
On the ballad "Only Love," a mournful pedal steel sashays with a classical piano, while co-lead singers Natalie Houck and Jared Deck perform a perfect vocal two-step. "Watching Over Me" pairs dark lyrics with a classic '50s pop beat.
"Say You're a Sinner" has a markedly cinematic scope. Richly textured and tonally eclectic, the album dabbles in varied genres, from countrypolitan to rockabilly. But it never feels as if Green Corn Revival is ripping off other artists or merely paying homage. The songwriting is simply too strong, the musicianship too impressive and the band's stamp too distinctive.
- The Daily Oklahoman/ Brandy McDonnell
Green Corn Revival never set out to be a country band, but while much of the group’s sound reflects the landscapes around its hometown of Weatherford: big horizons and endless expanses, the seven-piece’s debut, “Say You’re a Sinner,” has a distinct “countrypolitan” feel, with horns and echoing drums making time with the steel guitar.
“You know, we felt like the album was going to mirror or really flesh out what our show was all along,” said Natalie Houck, who shares vocals with lead singer Jared Deck. “People have used the word ‘cinematic’ a lot, and it does create a words-and-music picture of Western Oklahoma.”
Green Corn Revival, which also features Natalie’s husband, Ryan Houck, on steel guitar, dobro and banjo, along with Miles Johnson, Stephen Rozzell, Tyler Paul and Jacy Charlton, will perform songs from “Say You’re a Sinner” at a CD release party Sept. 24 at Opolis, 113 Crawford in Norman, with guests Siren, Ali Harter and Little League Hero.
The band has only been together a little over a year, but Green Corn Revival has risen quickly in that short period, working as Wanda Jackson’s backing band at South By Southwest in April and playing tirelessly at Oklahoma City area venues.
While Houck describes the line-up as being a free-flowing collective, the core commitment to Green Corn Revival’s sound does not change.
“I think there was always a chemistry there — we were all on the same page, we were all listening to the same music: alt-country and indie rock that a lot of our friends and family weren’t listening to,” she said. “So we kind of had that ‘band of brothers’ — or, in my case, ‘sisters’ — thing going on.”
So far, critics have praised “Say You’re a Sinner” as a sure-footed, accomplished debut, and Houck said the band will continue to expand and refine its sound through its constant gigging.
“We’d like to be a name people recognize when the second album comes out,” she said.
- George Lang/NewsOK
It doesn't seem that long ago when oldies radio stations played Patsy Cline, Sam Cooke, Roy Orbison, the Righteous Brothers and Jackie Wilson. Something tells me that members of Oklahoma's Green Corn Revival also miss hearing hits by those artists on terrestrial radio. The band's cinematic sound is steeped in Americana; their songs resonate with remarkable depth. The Western-tinged material on the excellently-titled Say You're a Sinner splits the difference between Marty Robbins and the Meat Puppets. Adding to the cool quotient- the band backed Wanda Jackson at this year's SXSW. Here's proof. I unreservedly recommend Green Corn Revival to fans of Calexico, Dead Rock West and X.
- There Stands the Glass
As the first night of SXSW 2010 got underway a pall came over the crowd, at least from those who had been glued to their smart phones by the news of the passing of Big Star lead singer Alex Chilton in New Orleans. The influential power-pop band was due to close out the festival on Saturday night at Antone's. (No official word has come down, but everyone expects some sort of Chilton tribute to take Big Star's place.)
We started our night out at Palm Door, a new offshoot of hipster ground zero Beauty Bar. If the glittered BB is an American Apparel dance mecca, then Palm Door is cowboy-booted honky-tonk. The Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson headlined the night at the venue with her new backing band, Green Corn Revival.
? She was spry and energized, even if half the time she was covered by an obstinate pole in the middle of the stage. Seeing her backed by a younger group was an echo of the set Roky Erickson had with Okkervil River just hours before. Fresh blood breeds new life in older artists. We're looking at you, Mick and Keith.
Next up for us was Mariachi El Bronx, punk band turned mariachis from Los Angeles. We hung with them earlier in the day for a video shoot and followed them to Emo's Main Room around ten. They may now don extravagant charro suits, but they can wail with the best of the trads of their new genre. It's fun stuff, especially "Cellmates." - Houston Press/ Craig Hlavaty
A year ago, Green Corn Revival was relatively unknown, having played a few shows around its Weatherford home base and recorded a three-track EP.
Fast-forward to the present: The alt-country group has performed across the Southwest, opened for acts like Cotton Jones and The Watson Twins, recorded a full-length album, and acted as Wanda Jackson’s backing band at South by Southwest.
Not a bad year, huh?
Working with Jackson proved to be an especially big spark to the group, both in notoriety and preparation.
“It helped us step up our game as performers,” front man Jared Deck said. “We had to get our act together in a short amount of time. There was a firestorm of practices leading up to that experience.”
Not that the band had been taking things easy before then. After gaining steam since late 2009, members of Green Corn Revival largely handled all the work that goes into being a successful, working band.
“We do everything ourselves,” Deck added. “We do promotions, booking, publicity, recording, producing … the list goes on.”
That DIY approach has proven fruitful for the group, and added hands help move things along. The act started with a core of five that expanded into a rotating cast with six to seven players on stage at any time.
“We’ve had 10 members a part of this ‘collective,’” Deck said with a laugh. “It’s a give and take. You teach (the new members) your songs, but you allow them to influence your music while you teach them, and just see where it goes.”
Aided by a surprising lack of alt-country bands in the area, Green Corn Revival found a niche supporting touring acts in that vein and received overwhelming support for its blend of alt-country and cowpunk. Now it has risen to headlining status with a slate of top-billed performances across the metro. Singer Natalie Houck believes these opportunities are the result of strong networking and making new friends.
“It’s just about making connections and forming relationships,” Houck said. “That’s how we have been able to do what we’ve done this past year.”
Having a sound that suits the area so well only helps. Although influenced by a range of bands like Arcade Fire, Neko Case and Wilco, the songs settle in on a vibe that is purely Oklahoman. Its full-length album, “Say You’re a Sinner,” holds that prairie vibe near and dear to its heart.
“I wouldn’t call it driving music, but if you listen to it while you are driving out in Western Oklahoma, it’s a nice fit,” Deck said. “We tried to create a landscape with the album, and we hope people understand that when they give it a listen.”
And Green Corn Revival has the full intention of getting everyone to listen. The rest of the year will be devoted to supporting that disc around the area, as well as on a national tour. With the group meeting all its previous year’s goals, all signs point to it being successful in this quest.
“We’re not really looking for a record deal, just a means of getting music out to people,” Deck said. “We are willing to put this album out there and stand behind it. We just hope people will give it a chance.” - OK Gazette, J. Boydston
Never underestimate the imagery a good audio track can create. Fifteen seconds into the opening song of Green Corn Revival’s first full length effort, Say You’re A Sinner, all I could think about were Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. Part One, as the track is called, is an avant garde country number with soaring background harmonies and a solid blast of trumpets. In fact, the whole effort seems like it was conceived with a retro spirit and vinyl in mind. The songs in the first half feel very 50's-ish. Then a similar song to the opener, this time called Part Two, comes on and the second half has its own separate feel.
The two main protagonists for the album are vocalists Natalie Houck and Jared Deck. Although either of them could probably carry the group with no problem, their concerted effort provides some great moments. On Never That Easy there’s just the slightest delay between the two voices singing the same lyrics making for a distinct sound. Only Love starts with some nice piano and pedal steel and with Natalie’s vocals could easily be a Patsy Cline number. The Ryan’s vocals come in and add a fullness Owen Marshall couldn’t achieve with Cline using 50's technology. Although it’s just him singing on Watching Over Me, there’s a similar effect except it’s Roy Orbison they’re idolizing.
Side 2, er, I mean the second half of the record, moves more into a 70's feel. Going Back To Austin has a bit of art rock to it, but even better there’s some Duane Allman style tasty guitar licks. Hang On evokes Roxy Music, and should be called the husband’s song for the chorus of “you were right, dear”. The album finishes with Blue Water and the passionate, angst-filled wailing of Marty Balin and Grace Slick, circa 1967 Jefferson Airplane.
I mentioned a lot of artists Say You’re a Sinner brought to mind. In no way are Green Corn Revival a thinly disguised cover band, though. They’re starting from the idea that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and then they’re building their own style and sound on top of it. The result is a thematic journey that weaves its way through the sound of some great Americana artists, but is a solid effort even if you’ve never heard the pioneers that inspired it.
- Country Music Matters
Never underestimate the imagery a good audio track can create. Fifteen seconds into the opening song of Green Corn Revival’s first full length effort, Say You’re A Sinner, all I could think about were Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. Part One, as the track is called, is an avant garde country number with soaring background harmonies and a solid blast of trumpets. In fact, the whole effort seems like it was conceived with a retro spirit and vinyl in mind. The songs in the first half feel very 50's-ish. Then a similar song to the opener, this time called Part Two, comes on and the second half has its own separate feel.
The two main protagonists for the album are vocalists Natalie Houck and Jared Deck. Although either of them could probably carry the group with no problem, their concerted effort provides some great moments. On Never That Easy there’s just the slightest delay between the two voices singing the same lyrics making for a distinct sound. Only Love starts with some nice piano and pedal steel and with Natalie’s vocals could easily be a Patsy Cline number. The Ryan’s vocals come in and add a fullness Owen Marshall couldn’t achieve with Cline using 50's technology. Although it’s just him singing on Watching Over Me, there’s a similar effect except it’s Roy Orbison they’re idolizing.
Side 2, er, I mean the second half of the record, moves more into a 70's feel. Going Back To Austin has a bit of art rock to it, but even better there’s some Duane Allman style tasty guitar licks. Hang On evokes Roxy Music, and should be called the husband’s song for the chorus of “you were right, dear”. The album finishes with Blue Water and the passionate, angst-filled wailing of Marty Balin and Grace Slick, circa 1967 Jefferson Airplane.
I mentioned a lot of artists Say You’re a Sinner brought to mind. In no way are Green Corn Revival a thinly disguised cover band, though. They’re starting from the idea that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and then they’re building their own style and sound on top of it. The result is a thematic journey that weaves its way through the sound of some great Americana artists, but is a solid effort even if you’ve never heard the pioneers that inspired it.
- TWANGVILLE - S.Underwood
If you haven’t heard of Green Corn Revival, you’re about to — and not just from me. The band came together just last year and started playing shows in and around the Weatherford, Oklahoma, where the group is based. Green Corn released a three-song EP and got to work booking bigger, better shows.
The seven members have come quite a way in only a year. They’ve gone from the relative musical Siberia of Western Oklahoma to stages throughout the Southwest. The band has opened for well-known acts like Cotton Jones and the Watson Twins and at Austin’s South by Southwest Music Festival last year, they served as the backing band for the queen of rockabilly herself, Oklahoma’s own Wanda Jackson.
Green Corn Revival has even made its way onto the airwaves on featured act on the Friday Night Live Headliner Showcase concert series. In late September, the band will release its full-length debut, the 11-song Say You’re a Sinner album.
I managed to snag an early copy of the album, and it’s impressive. Green Corn Revival works because they are a revival, of all kinds.
It’s country — but not the rowdy, beer-swilling kind. It’s a lot more meadows and clapboard churches than muddy trucks and honkeytonks. Green Corn Revival also has a beautiful gospel tinge to their sound, which comes through in their layers of vocal melodies and harmonies.
There’s a bit of Arcade Fire and Neko Case in there for sure, but you also hear a little Uncle Tupelo, and occasionally the band takes instrumental cues from ambient electronic acts like Explosions in the Sky.
Because the most exciting thing about Green Corn Revival is when they mix drowsy slide guitar and their Western Oklahoma landscape with shimmering, atmospheric soundscapes.
The band performs 10 p.m. tonight at The Deli in Norman.
There’s a definite vintage current that electrifies the new album. It’s rural and retro, with elements of 50's pop and soul.
In fact, Green Corn Revival would make a perfect soundtrack addition for a Quentin Tarantino film. Close your eyes and imagine a dusty scene from some off-the-beaten-path bar or truck stop in the middle of nowhere.
Uma Thurman jumps in an old car, looks at the horizon in her rearview mirror and peels out onto an empty road…
For the Oklahoma Gazette, Central Oklahoma's independent weekly, I'm Joe Wertz.
- J.Wertz, The Oklahoma Gazette for NPR-KGOU
No matter what they’re calling it these days — roots, alt country, Americana, whatever — there’s a fair amount of it at this year’s SXSW. With nearly 2000 acts playing, there’s going to be some stinkers. To help you steer clear of those, we offer you this short list of must-see country-flavored fare.
Who: Wanda Jackson and Green Corn Revival
When/Where: March 17th at Beauty Bar/Palm Door, 401 Sabine St. Doors at 8:30 p.m. 21+
Reasons to Go: Dylan and Springsteen successfully lobbied to have her inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. She dated Elvis!
Who: Jim Lauderdale (pictured)
When/Where: March 18th at Antone’s, 213 W. 5th St. All ages. 8:00 p.m.
Reasons to Go: He’s written huge Nashville hits for the likes of George Strait, Patty Loveless, and the Dixie Chicks. His album, Lost in the Lonesome Pines, a collaboration with legendary Ralph Stanley, won the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2002.
Who: Chatham County Line
Where/when: March 19th at Continental Club on South Congress. 1:00 a.m.
Reasons to Go: These bluegrass upstarts have shared the stage with many bluegrass legends including Del McCoury and Doc Watson.
Who: Dash Rip Rock
Where/when: March 20th at Amsterdam Cafe, 121 W 8th St. 10:00 p.m. 21+
Reasons to Go: Guaranteed to be a whiskey-fueled rowdy time. They take their name from the Beverly Hillbillies — Dash Riprock was Ellie Mae’s beau.
- LimeWire Music Blog
Every year we wait with baited breath for summer to arrive and although -- for most of the country -- Memorial Day marks the eve of summer, as pools open and everyone makes their first trek to the lake, we get a glimpse a few weeks early.
Mayfest arrives this weekend. With it comes a glimpse of what we all look forward to in the summer: warm weather (hopefully), the smell of grilled food in the air, and for the music fans out there, tunes flowing freely in the streets.
Now, I know there's more to Mayfest than that. I'm fully aware of all that our annual spring festival entails -- after all, I was a volunteer on staff for a few years. Arts, crafts, public involvement and awareness in the local arts and humanities -- it's all a part. For the casual observer, however, it's also a great street party and reason to look forward to summer.
From a casual viewpoint, most onlookers will see two distinct personalities to Mayfest: during the day and early evening, it's an arts festival. Once the sun goes down and the vendors start packing up, however, it's a small music festival. Hand in hand, the two go together to celebrate the artists, both visual and performing, that are developing in Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma.
Granted, there are some arguments that Mayfest doesn't necessarily represent all segments of the music community. When considering the budget and demographic that Mayfest is working within as a public, family-oriented festival, however, the organization does a pretty good job of representing the local music scene and giving a few new artists some much needed exposure.
Personally, I know what kind of effort goes on behind the scenes, and just because your favorite band isn't playing Mayfest doesn't mean it wasn't considered. Sometimes outside circumstances and politics come into play.
Overall, however, the festival usually does an admirable job, and I think this year's entertainment lineup is incredibly strong with a mix of old favorites and new up and comers.
If you're looking for a quick sneak peek at what's going on locally, a trip downtown to walk the streets can give you free preview of who you should be watching for the rest of the summer. Variety is the rule, and all you've got to do is walk a few short blocks to get a glimpse of it all.
The festival kicks off Thursday, May 13, and although opening night is usually fairly slow, organizers have stacked the talent enough to make it worth coming out on a weeknight.
The Bartlett Square stage at Fifth and Main offers up a nice mix with blues stalwart Scott Ellison at 5pm, singer/songwriter Ali Harter at 6:30pm, funk band Groovement at 8pm and one of Tulsa's best pop/rock acts in RadioRadio at 9:30pm.
Over on the David Cameron Community Stage at Fourth and Boston, the vibe is a little more relaxed, mixing pop, country, Latin jazz and blues with Steve Lidell Band, Tas Cru, Latin American Rhythm Ensemble and Uptown Blues Band at 5pm, 6:45pm, 8pm and 9:30pm, respectively.
Most of the night's attention will undoubtedly turn to the Williams Green Stage, located in the courtyard between the Performing Arts Center and Crowne Plaza Hotel, and for good reason.
Commonly considered the "Main Stage," this is generally where the evening's biggest acts will play. Thursday night is no exception, as the Green kicks off the festival with a decidedly country and Red Dirt vibe. Tulsa tradition is held in high standing with the country swing of The Round Up Boys opening the evening at 7pm, followed by South 40 at 7:15pm and the return of perennial favorite and Sand Springs native, Brandon Jenkins at 9:30pm.
Friday evening carries a decidedly pop and jazz theme as the Williams Green Stage features Lee Tomas Mason at 7pm, followed by Annie Ellicott and Earl Clark at 8pm and 9:30pm, respectively.
Pop and rock are the rule for Friday night on the other stages as Mayfest turns up the party vibe for the weekend with Alex & the Anders, Admiral Twin, The Lowdown Fancy and Stars Go Dim at Fourth and Boston and Bill Holden, Trust Tree, Philip Zoellner Band and Tulsa Rock Ensemble taking over Bartlett Square. With all of the stages within a short walk, you can easily make a quick circuit of the festival grounds and catch a little of each band without too much effort.
On Saturday evening, May 15, the Bartlett Square stage offers a mix of old favorites and new acts with Susan Herndon at 5pm, followed by the blues and reggae of Sheer Kahn and The Space Case at 6:30pm, Tony Romanello and the Black Jackets at 8:15pm and Bradio at 9:45pm. A walk over to the Community Stage at Fourth and Boston gives a more mellow, country and American vibe with Not Easily Broken, Green Corn Revival and Jack Rowdy at 7pm, 8pm and 9:30pm, respectively. If you're a country and American fan and haven't seen Green Corn Revival yet, you need to make sure and stop by to catch this band. The group hasn't been able to play Tulsa very often, but each time I've come across t - Urban Tulsa Weekly - G.K. Hizer
NX35 Music Conferette in Denton, Texas (March 11-14) released a preliminary list of showcasing bands this week.
Eight Oklahoma bands will take part in the festival:
• The Flaming Lips (headliner)
• Colourmusic
• Green Corn Revival
• Native Lights
• OK Sweetheart (Erin Austin)
• Paul Benjaman Band
• Stardeath and White Dwarfs
• Unwed Sailor
More than 20,000 fans are expected to attend the four-day music conference, which will include performances by the Lips (FREE outdoor performance), Midlake, The Black Angels and Neon Indian. Other big attractions include a discussion with producer / musician / journalist Steve Albini and the grand opening of a museum honoring the history of the 8-track tape.
Tickets are available for $20 (all-night, one night) or $65 (all-access)
We will post a full list of dates and times of Oklahoman bands playing at NX35 closer to the event dates.
Videos of some of the artists listed above after the jump!
- Oklahoma Rock NewsBlog
Norman — Lead singer and songwriter Jared Deck said the songs that Green Corn Revival sing are mainly based on everyone’s experience growing up in a small town.
“Reconciling things like faith, love, regular adolescence… what you thought when you were a kid to what you think now,” Deck said.
Coming from various small Oklahoma places such as Carnegie, Atoka and Thomas, the six band members came together at college in Weatherford almost a year ago to put together the band. Since then, they have been touring across Oklahoma and Kansas. They released their EP with three songs in August 2009 and are well on their way to releasing their debut album within the next couple months.
The upcoming album, titled “Say You’re a Sinner,” will contain 11 songs.
The group, with their rootsy, upbeat sound, are commonly seen at various places on the Norman music scene. Natalie Houck harmonizes with Deck and also supplies percussions such as cymbals. Ryan Houck plays guitar, dobro, banjo and pedal steel. Caleb Creed plays piano, organ and trumpet as well as supplying vocals. Miles Johnson plays bass. Stephen Rozzell plays guitar while Kenny Holloway plays drums.
The instrumentalists and vocalists blend together smoothly, creating a scene where listeners can’t help but secretly tap their toes and find themselves swaying to the music.
So far, they credit their best gig as one they played at Cain’s Ballroom. They also will be appearing in the Paseo Music Festival in May.
As for their dream show, the group joked that late night was their goal, with one band member relinquishing his hopes of playing to Conan O’ Brien.
“I think everybody wants to play big shows to a lot of people,” said Rozzell.
To hear Green Corn Revival, visit their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/greencornrevival.
- Norman Transcript/POP - Aaron Wright
Norman — Lead singer and songwriter Jared Deck said the songs that Green Corn Revival sing are mainly based on everyone’s experience growing up in a small town.
“Reconciling things like faith, love, regular adolescence… what you thought when you were a kid to what you think now,” Deck said.
Coming from various small Oklahoma places such as Carnegie, Atoka and Thomas, the six band members came together at college in Weatherford almost a year ago to put together the band. Since then, they have been touring across Oklahoma and Kansas. They released their EP with three songs in August 2009 and are well on their way to releasing their debut album within the next couple months.
The upcoming album, titled “Say You’re a Sinner,” will contain 11 songs.
The group, with their rootsy, upbeat sound, are commonly seen at various places on the Norman music scene. Natalie Houck harmonizes with Deck and also supplies percussions such as cymbals. Ryan Houck plays guitar, dobro, banjo and pedal steel. Caleb Creed plays piano, organ and trumpet as well as supplying vocals. Miles Johnson plays bass. Stephen Rozzell plays guitar while Kenny Holloway plays drums.
The instrumentalists and vocalists blend together smoothly, creating a scene where listeners can’t help but secretly tap their toes and find themselves swaying to the music.
So far, they credit their best gig as one they played at Cain’s Ballroom. They also will be appearing in the Paseo Music Festival in May.
As for their dream show, the group joked that late night was their goal, with one band member relinquishing his hopes of playing to Conan O’ Brien.
“I think everybody wants to play big shows to a lot of people,” said Rozzell.
To hear Green Corn Revival, visit their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/greencornrevival.
- Norman Transcript/POP - Aaron Wright
SXSW is geared towards pushing what's up-and-coming, but it also provides exciting chances to see legends in intimate settings. When the MC strolled out onto the Palm Door stage to announce Wanda Jackson - "The newest member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The first lady of rock and roll! The queen of rockabilly!" - a gal that had roses tattooed from her wrist to her shoulder screeched in excitement and a dude with a pretty fierce wedge haircut and checkered jacket pumped his fists in the air. "I love singing to a pole!" she declared with a laugh, eyeing the rather unfortunately placed pillar smack dab in the center of the stage, before launching into "Mean Mean Man." As Green Corn Revival laid down rough-and-ready country, with slinky steel guitars and the occasional peppy trumpet, she wailed in her high, hundred proof voice. Armed with yodels, a kick ass pink guitar and stories about dating Elvis, at 72, Jackson is one feisty firecracker in a red fringe blouse. With classics such as "I Gotta Know," one of the first rockabilly songs ever recorded from 1956, and a killer version of "Heartbreak Hotel," she oozed timeless rock and roll attitude. But this was no nostalgia set. With a new album produced by Jack White, Jackson is still a force to be reckoned with. During her fantastic take on Amy Winehouse's "Trouble," she leaned suggestively against the pole, posing and pointing to folks in the audience as she drew out the lines, "I told ya I was trouble/ You know I'm no good." I overhead someone behind me declare, "Yeah, she's still trouble." I would suggest to anyone that comes to SXSW to try and catch at least one such show to realize, even in the midst of flash in the pan culture, there are artists who endure, and even stay fresh, after decades in the music industry. - JamBase
"I tell you, Jack White pushed me and pushed me on these songs," rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson said at the Beauty Bar Palm Door annex on Wednesday night, "until he pushed me right into the 21st century."
SXSW isn't just for start-up bands trying to raise their profiles. It's also about older acts who are rebooting. (And there as nowhere more appropriate for the 72 year old Jackson to reboot, since they sell cowgirl footwear at the Palm Door, right in the place where the merch stand should be.)
Jaqckson, who Bob Dylan once called "an atomic bomb with lipstick," was the greatest of the '50s red-hot rockabilly mamas, and as she reminded the early evening crowd on Wednesday, she dated Elvis Presley when she was a teenager. "I was a bigger name in the business than him for that long," she said with a grin, snapping her fingers.
Jackson's in the studio recording an album with White, and she gave the old heads and hipsters a sampling, in a more credible than kitschy cover of Amy Winehouse's fabulous "You Know I'm No Good," acting out the lyrics with relish. Backed by Oklahoma youngsters Green Corn Revival, she was spry and sassy, and if her vocals were a bit wobbly, she can still growl like nobody's business, as she demonstrated on "Mean Mean Man" and "Let's Have A Party." It was easy to hear why White was attracted to hand picking songs and producing her, in the style of 2004's Loretta Lynn project, Van Lear Rose. Plus, they share a black-and-red fashion sense.
- Philly.com
I honestly thought I was prepared for SXSW. I've been to other festivals around the country; I even worked at one for several years.
I set up a schedule, planned my meals around the parties that served food and made sure I had a small, must-see-no-matter-what list of bands (She & Him, Wanda Jackson, Nneka). However, once we found Sixth Street, those well thought-out plans went straight to Hades. I felt like Dug the Dog from the movie Up; every new sight or sound would cause me to jerk my head around, point and yell "Look!" -- like Dug would yell "Squirrel!" -- just didn't seem to fit the situation.
The sheer number of interesting and (mostly) good sounds pouring out of every bar and restaurant along with the many busking musicians on the street led me to become somewhat of a Nancy Drew. I now had a personal mission to discover each and every one of them.
Once we checked into our amazing room at the Doubletree Hotel, I immediately opened the curtains to check out the view. What I saw made me gag. Our hotel room directly overlooks the Darrel K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. Yep -- that's the University of Texas, the other Texas stadium.
Now, I fully appreciate being able to book a room within walking distance of Sixth Street -- unofficially the "Music Capitol of the World" -- but knowing Bevo and the rest of the Longhorns are within viewing distance let alone smelling distance was almost enough to make me turn around and go home. Almost. So I gave it the Sooner Stink Eye, and shut the curtain.
Arriving at SXSW is overwhelming to say the least. As we walked toward the Austin Convention Center (ACC), every pole and wall were covered by promotions: posters, postcards, business cards, even CDs littered every signpost and door. Apparently the City of Austin expected this, since every pole was pre-wrapped with a kind of saran wrap -- I'm guessing the wrapping makes everything easier to remove after the festival ends.
After registering and getting the first of several bags of (mostly unnecessary) swag, we headed off to the Music Conference.
Every turn of a corner brought another four or five people handing us flyers and postcards about parties, bands, showcases and just about anything related to a band or business.
This incessant marketing brought to mind my honeymoon in Las Vegas, where underage teens would constantly hand out flyers about nudie bars and "escort" services. We were bombarded with so many CDs, magazines and other random things (including breath mints, earplugs and condoms) that we would have to make at least one trip a day to the car to unload everything.
Wednesday, our first day, was spent learning the venues, the surrounding restaurants and the locations of any secret shows (Broken Bells played in a parking garage at 1pm on Wednesday; the show info was sent to Twitter followers only hours before).
Wednesday night was all metal, all the time.
After seeing an interview with Lemmy (Kilmister, of Motorhead), we decided to walk a mile (uphill, both ways, in bare feet -- no snow) to the Austin Music Hall for Motorhead. This venue is out there; I believe it even serves as the unofficial border of SXSW.
We arrived just in time to catch the full set of Michael Monroe, the former lead singer of Hanoi Rocks. I've never been a huge '80s glam band/hair metal fan, but Monroe hasn't performed in Texas in more than 20 years! Michael Monroe and his band were a lot of big-haired fun, and I can definitely appreciate a history-making performance when I see one.
Before we made the long trek to Motorhead we had to catch Wanda Jackson and the Green Corn Revival. Not only is she an Oklahoma native but a living legend in her own right. Heck, she's the Queen of Rockabilly! Performing her ex-boyfriend's "Heartbreak Hotel" (yep, Elvis Presley) to such a small, intimate crowd was simply amazing. Jack White hit the nail on the head when he described Jackson's voice as a growl unlike any he'd ever heard before.
I feel like I'm leaving so much out -- and this is just Wednesday! At the trade show, I collected some 30 CDs and five (actually wearable in public) T-shirts. Our feet are already covered in almost-blisters. Smokey Robinson is speaking Thursday. People are genuinely friendly in Austin, and they truly believe everyone should move here.
If Wednesday is any indication of the fun we're gonna have throughout the next four days, give me a Monster energy drink and a shot of B12. SXSW, here I come!
- Urban Tulsa Weekly - Keline Pallez
Green Corn Revival, a band previously featured in the Daily, will be the debut act of the re-opened Brewhouse venue at Coach's Brewhouse on Main St.
The renovated venue includes a new stage, sound and lighting systems, and more seating.
The show begins at 8 p.m Tuesday.
It's sure to be a good one; the Americana style of GCR is a pleasant surprise, especially considering the ironic lack of bands in that genre in Oklahoma.
- The OU Daily
Friday, April 30, 2010 – Midnight-1:30am
Friday Night Live Headliner Showcase ~ Green Corn Revival
Green Corn Revival is a roots rockin', alt-country amalgam of like-minded musicians who are beginning to make a name for themselves. Just over a year after being formed, they’ve just recently performed with Rock’n'Roll Hall-of-Famer Wanda Jackson at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. Join KGOU as we hear a recent performance captured live on the band’s home turf, featuring some old and new original material.
- KGOU
You would never think that alt-country would be in need of revitalization here in the Mecca of Western music.
But with a shortage of true Americana bands, cowpunkers Green Corn Revival are doing their part in putting the ‘y’all’ into “y’allternative.”
The group came together less than a year ago, hoping to fill the void in alternative country left by recently deceased acts like The Rounders. Vocalist and guitarist Jared Deck, bassist Ryan Houck and drummer Kenny Holloway formed the core of Green Corn Revival after a disbanded project (Voice Of).
They recruited Houck’s wife, Natalie, to add vocals, as well as Caleb Creed for keys and Kyle Burrows for lead guitar.
Being the lone local band in the genre has afforded them some great breaks despite their short existence, and it was an opportunity they had been looking to take advantage of from the start.
“There’s not a lot of alt-country in Oklahoma, so we were wanting to get to the point where we could be the local opening band when really cool, national, alt-country acts come through the OKC/Tulsa area,” Natalie Houck said.
The band has already made big strides in that direction, opening for the likes of Cotton Jones, Two Tons of Steel and Greg Ginn (Black Flag).
The latter act seems especially fitting. Ginn is a punk icon, and despite the prairie coating over GCR’s tunes, the punk influence runs deep in them as well.
But in Green Corn Revival’s case, the rebellion comes from a much more profound place than a lot of punk acts can boast.
Based out of Weatherford, Okla., the band’s rural roots consisted of small town culture filled with football, church services and vintage country music.
The band honed their musical talents in the forums that were available, often in music classes and church hymns.
“We all grew up singing choral arrangements, and that has really added a lot to what we can do vocally and arrangement-wise as a group,” Houck said.
Each member grew out of that small town environment and continued on their various paths, and over that path they were forced to struggle with their rural roots and new conflicting ideals.
“Our songwriting is about reconciling your ideas growing up with the ideas you have when you get older, whether dealing with faith or love, education or music,” Deck said. “It’s a matter of learning how to appreciate how you were raised and still be able to live the life you want to live as an adult.”
Going from listening to traditional country music and melding that with new found love for acts like Wilco, Arcade Fire and Neko Case, as well as transforming from country kids to grown adults, has culminated in a sound marrying rebellion with luscious melodies that the band actively coins as “cowpunk.”
Its recently released “Oklahoma EP” reveals the term to be more than fitting. The brisk “Hang On” breezes through twangy guitar pangs into full, gorgeous melodies before deconstructing itself into riled, punchy bridges. “Never That Easy” sinks from vivacious, dazzling wafts into vintage banjo shakes and breakneck drumline. You can clearly hear the fits of revolt flare up only to be subdued and settled by each song’s end.
You will be able to witness the bouts with rebellion at 7 p.m. Saturday at Othello’s, 434 Buchanan Ave.
So come on out, join the revival. Get your own taste of “cowpunk” and remind the rest that Oklahoma does it best.
- The Oklahoma Daily/ J. Boydston/ 11-09
I should really read the South by Southwest promotional materials a little more closely. Skimming through the materials, I saw that Green Corn Revival was an Oklahoma roots band doing Western Swing and Red Dirt, which was more than enough to grab my interest. I thought the fact that they had lead singer named Wanda Jackson was a cute, quirky coincidence.
No, indeed, this was THE Wanda Jackson: the Queen of Rockabilly and First Lady of Rock and Roll (as well as recent inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) who, over the course of a 50 year career, has made incalculable contributions to rockabilly, country and rock and roll – and is now being backed by Green Corn Revival.
Primarily known as a rockabilly and rock and roll artist, Jackson should still be of interest to CMP readers. She has more than a few country numbers on her discography. More importantly, she hails from an era when it was very clear (clearer than it is today) that country and rock are just two sides of the same coin: the era of Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, and … Wanda Jackson.
Jackson emerged onto stage in full rockabilly/country glory: striking red dress, massive amounts of jewelry (that, at this stage in her career, are probably the real thing, not rhinestones), and enough hair and makeup to put an entire Republican Women’s Club to shame.
She launched into a powerful and energetic performance of one of her classic songs “Mean, Mean Man,” a rockabilly number with strong Sun Record-esque sound (Though it was not a Sun production). This morning, I listened to my 45 rpm of Jackson’s original recording of “Mean, Mean Man” just to confirm my impression that the intensity and the quality of her sound hasn’t changed since she first recorded the song in 1958!
She followed with another of her best known songs, “I Got to Know.” The tempo of “I Got to Know” swings back and forth between slow ballad-style country and up-tempo rockabilly, capturing a moment in the history of American popular music when those styles had begun to emerge as distinct genres but the separation was far from complete.
In addition to singing, Jackson also plays a very respectable country guitar. Her personal guitar is a fitting scepter for the Queen of Rockabilly: with a glossy, pastel pink lacquer.
In addition to playing music, Jackson also shared stories from her life — fascinating anecdotes providing insight into the history of American music. She talked at length about her relationship with Elvis, who Jackson briefly dated during a 1955 tour. Elvis encouraged Jackson in her move into rockabilly and she retains fond memories of The King. Her affection is embodied in a tribute album, entitled simply, “I Remember Elvis”
Her reflections on The King were capped by a down tempo but punchy rendition of “Heart Break Hotel.” The normally chatty SxSW crowd was utterly silent in appreciation during the performance and exploded into applause afterwards.
Jackson also performed her new single, a cover of Johnny Kidd’s “Shakin’ All Over.” She says that this recording, “Pushed her into the 21st Century.” And, indeed, she does a very credible alt-country recording of “Shakin’.” Of course, this is Wanda Jackson and she remembers her roots – the single is also available on 45 rpm.
She clearly enjoyed interacting with the diverse and eclectic SxSW crowd, teasing one young man by asking him, “Is that a hat or hairdo?” and promising to sport a mohawk for SxSW 2011. Jackson, who has toured widely in Europe and was instrumental in the European Rockabilly revival, also welcomed all the foreigners to SxSW – adding that by “foreigners” she meant “Everyone not from Texas” (Jackson herself is a native of Oklahoma).
Green Corn Revival, hailing from Weatherford, Oklahoma, performed admirably as Jackson’s backing band, with the talent and sound to support her energetic rockabilly without ever overpowering the legend who was the main attraction. However, Green Corn Revival is a noteworthy act in its own right. Performing one song on their own before Jackson took the stage, they revealed a talent for relaxed, melodic Western swing. Both in their solo song and in backing Jackson, their guitar player (who belted out some excellent rockabilly licks) and piano player (equally at home with rollicking barrelhouse and Jerry Lew Lewis style rockabilly) especially distinguished themselves.
- Country Music Pride - Jon Black
“Back then it was a singer’s world,” Jared Deck said of the 1950s and 1960s. “She dictated everything that happened. When you listen to those old recordings you can hear tempo fluctuations based on what the singer wanted.”
As most are aware, it’s 2010. Elvis and Chuck Berry records are antiques, as is the industry that once peddled them. Deck is the lead singer and guitarist for freshly-formed Oklahoma alt-country band Green Corn Revival, who recently undertook an incredible opportunity to experience a bit of history that affected almost every aspect of their lives, both musical and otherwise.
“I’ve listened to her stuff and played her material for a long time,” he said of the First Lady of Rockabilly, Oklahoma’s proudest daughter and red dirt enthusiast Wanda Jackson. “Wanda’s a hero for Natalie [Houck, Deck’s GCR bandmate] and I. We were floored when we were asked to play for her at South By Southwest.”
And play they did. Green Corn Revival took the stage three times at the festival, once backing Jackson on her own show bill, another behind her at the Oklahoma Showcase and a third time with their own act and material.
“The place was packed; people were screaming for her,” Deck said of the first show. "That first night was a different type of atmosphere — it felt like an incredible concert.”
Fourteen songs constituted their set, which spanned the breadth of Jackson’s illustrious career and gifted range from hillbilly rock star to country crooner and gospel singer. It was an eerie privilege for the band — who all hail from rural Oklahoma — to enjoy. Deck was particularly honored to play Jackson’s cover of “Heartbreak Hotel,” a touching nod to a former romance — the King himself, Elvis Presley.
“The way we did it was really slow and really bluesy,” he said. “It was a cool tribute.”
When asked whether or not Jackson’s got a diva mentality stereotypical of many stars, Deck insists that she’s a humble Oklahoma girl, albeit one with expectations consistent with her decades in the music industry.
“She is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, so she has standards and you’ve got to meet them, but she was very polite about it,” he said. “If she didn’t like the way the drummer was swinging the beat, we’d fix it. She was incredibly nice to work with."
Jackson also mentioned working with Jack White of the White Stripes, who produced her most recent album, Deck said.
“He’s such a nice young man, and very creative,” Jackson said of the famed Detroit guitarist.
Green Corn Revival is set to release “Say You’re a Sinner,” its debut album, soon.
- Matt Carney/The Oklahoma Daily
I should really read the South by Southwest promotional materials a little more closely. Skimming through the materials, I saw that Green Corn Revival was an Oklahoma roots band doing Western Swing and Red Dirt, which was more than enough to grab my interest. I thought the fact that they had lead singer named Wanda Jackson was a cute, quirky coincidence.
No, indeed, this was THE Wanda Jackson: the Queen of Rockabilly and First Lady of Rock and Roll (as well as recent inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) who, over the course of a 50 year career, has made incalculable contributions to rockabilly, country and rock and roll – and is now being backed by Green Corn Revival.
Primarily known as a rockabilly and rock and roll artist, Jackson should still be of interest to CMP readers. She has more than a few country numbers on her discography. More importantly, she hails from an era when it was very clear (clearer than it is today) that country and rock are just two sides of the same coin: the era of Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, and … Wanda Jackson.
Jackson emerged onto stage in full rockabilly/country glory: striking red dress, massive amounts of jewelry (that, at this stage in her career, are probably the real thing, not rhinestones), and enough hair and makeup to put an entire Republican Women’s Club to shame.
She launched into a powerful and energetic performance of one of her classic songs “Mean, Mean Man,” a rockabilly number with strong Sun Record-esque sound (Though it was not a Sun production). This morning, I listened to my 45 rpm of Jackson’s original recording of “Mean, Mean Man” just to confirm my impression that the intensity and the quality of her sound hasn’t changed since she first recorded the song in 1958!
She followed with another of her best known songs, “I Got to Know.” The tempo of “I Got to Know” swings back and forth between slow ballad-style country and up-tempo rockabilly, capturing a moment in the history of American popular music when those styles had begun to emerge as distinct genres but the separation was far from complete.
In addition to singing, Jackson also plays a very respectable country guitar. Her personal guitar is a fitting scepter for the Queen of Rockabilly: with a glossy, pastel pink lacquer.
In addition to playing music, Jackson also shared stories from her life — fascinating anecdotes providing insight into the history of American music. She talked at length about her relationship with Elvis, who Jackson briefly dated during a 1955 tour. Elvis encouraged Jackson in her move into rockabilly and she retains fond memories of The King. Her affection is embodied in a tribute album, entitled simply, “I Remember Elvis”
Her reflections on The King were capped by a down tempo but punchy rendition of “Heart Break Hotel.” The normally chatty SxSW crowd was utterly silent in appreciation during the performance and exploded into applause afterwards.
Jackson also performed her new single, a cover of Johnny Kidd’s “Shakin’ All Over.” She says that this recording, “Pushed her into the 21st Century.” And, indeed, she does a very credible alt-country recording of “Shakin’.” Of course, this is Wanda Jackson and she remembers her roots – the single is also available on 45 rpm.
She clearly enjoyed interacting with the diverse and eclectic SxSW crowd, teasing one young man by asking him, “Is that a hat or hairdo?” and promising to sport a mohawk for SxSW 2011. Jackson, who has toured widely in Europe and was instrumental in the European Rockabilly revival, also welcomed all the foreigners to SxSW – adding that by “foreigners” she meant “Everyone not from Texas” (Jackson herself is a native of Oklahoma).
Green Corn Revival, hailing from Weatherford, Oklahoma, performed admirably as Jackson’s backing band, with the talent and sound to support her energetic rockabilly without ever overpowering the legend who was the main attraction. However, Green Corn Revival is a noteworthy act in its own right. Performing one song on their own before Jackson took the stage, they revealed a talent for relaxed, melodic Western swing. Both in their solo song and in backing Jackson, their guitar player (who belted out some excellent rockabilly licks) and piano player (equally at home with rollicking barrelhouse and Jerry Lew Lewis style rockabilly) especially distinguished themselves.
- Country Music Pride - Jon Black
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Green Corn Revival, the 'dark horse' of Country music, is set to release Bound for Glory on November 5, 2013. The 11 song album takes listeners on a captivating journey of perseverance, forgiveness and promisein classic Cowpunk fashion. The bands second full-length release is heavily inspired by images of Post-war Reconstruction and Westward Expansion.
In small Oklahoma farm towns, these Dust Bowl descendants were raised in church pews through oil booms and busts. The scope of never-ending red dirt roads has had a huge impact on the groups desire to express their Okie roots with pride. With country and punk influences, Green Corn Revival provides both a musical tribute and counterpoint to western culture.
Jared Deck (songwriter, lead singer) and his wife, Jacy (keyboards, vocals), are the core of the band. Cora Gutel (vocals), Brandon Cink (lead guitar, bass on the album), Drew Simmons (drums), and a revolving cast of players collaborate to create a sound they call a subversively dark amalgam of cinematic retro-rock, gospel-like harmonies, pure punk beats, and heartland angst.
While the bands last album, Say Youre A Sinner, was an upbeat, whimsical record, Bound for Glory is darker, harsher, and more diverse. The first single, Hard Timin Monopolizin Blues, is filled with masterful guitar twang, big beats and crisp vocals -- loosely inspired by Country music legend Merle Haggard. The song tells a story of one who can't be happy, no matter how good life may seem. The title track, Bound for Glory, summarizes the theme of the album and is reminiscent of Woody Guthrie's song by the same title. Other standout tracks include the shadowy rockabilly Im Alive, red-dirt murder ballad Hoorah At The Hi De Ho, and the acoustic sunset ride of Endless Sky.
Green Corn Revival has been influenced by iconic artists like Roy Orbison, The Clash and The Beatles, which shows in this vocally driven and diverse collection of songwriting. They have played multiple festivals, such as SXSW Official, NX35, Norman Music Fest, Tulsa Mayfest, and Access Film Music Fest at Sundance. Also, they have shared the stage with national acts such as Gordon Gano, Heartless Bastards, Ha Ha Tonka, Hot Club of Cowtown, Red Dirt Rangers, The Low Lows, Cotton Jones, and with the legendary Wanda Jackson as her backing band. Theres no doubt that fans of current favorites Blitzen Trapper, Deer Tick, and Calexico will appreciate this album.
The debut video for Hard Timin Monopolizin' Blues depicts the plot of a clichd 1980s teen movie, set in reverse. Instead of a teen boy fantasizing about an adult woman, its the story of a careless mother who has everything tangible one could ask for, but isnt satisfied. She hides in an artificial, suburban lifestyle, but dreams of being the life of the party. She doesnt realize it, but everyone can see right through her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpv7Us2f6Vw
Bound for Glory was engineered by Chris Harris of Hook Echo Sound (Flaming Lips, Skating Polly, Chainsaw Kittens) and features Daniel Foulks (fiddle player for Samantha Crain) on violin, and Kevin Webb (former guitarist for Stoney LaRue and Burtschi Brothers) on pedal steel.
Set to perform in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri over the next several months, Green Corn Revival hopes that fans will hold on to the message that the dream of the American West is not merely a fairytale of the past and - through perseverance - nothing can stop you from attaining your Manifest Destiny.
Band Members
Links
