Matt Krahula & the Nightmare River Band

3. Nightmare River Band, Last Goodbye

I liked this album a lot when I first heard it, but this is one that's grown on me more and more with each listen. Here's what I wrote about Last Goodbye in September: "I don't know how you would classify this band -- country? folk? one of these with an alt- modifier? -- but I really don't care. I was a big fan of their 2009 debut, Call The Cops!, and I'm an even bigger fan of Last Goodbye, which takes everything great about the debut and adds a certain maturity to their sound. And nowhere is this more evident than in the anthem "Last Goodbye," a five-minute sing-along about heartbreak."
- Culture Brats

Nightmare River Band played to a minimally crowded room on Thanksgiving Eve Eve at The Delancey. The room provided an appropriate atmosphere for the boozy quartet, and the band wasted no time breaking into the title track from their recently released album, Last Goodbye.

The music started off sweetly with lullaby guitar riffs and soft reflective lyrics, “If I said I won’t miss you, we all know that it would be lies, lies, lies,” and then instantaneously picking up into an eruption of crying la da da da’s and heavy drums. Falling back into the soft opening of the song, the foursome switched back and forth between delicate riffs and desperate cries.

Before starting in on, “Oh Me, Oh My” the guitarist and back-up vocalist, Paul Maddison, screamed out “America!” to the crowd’s delight. NRB has a distinct talent at mixing twangy country guitar with folk/Americana rhythyms. The lead singer, Matt Krahula, emits raspy whines and cries, sounding similar to Conor Oberst with a bit more force. The songs exhibit a genuine heartbreaking quality, which is only amplified by the low-fi and raw nature of the band.

The room began to fill after the third song, and those in attendance held onto one another, swaying to the music. The band’s chemistry was evident as each musician took turns on the microphone and shared amusing band anecdotes, with the sound technician joining in as well.

The 4th song, “Mary,” opened up with heavy country bass lines and guitar licks mimicking a banjo. The drummer tapped on the drum rims and the quartet threw themselves around. The band has been compared to artists like Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers, but there’s a punk element to their music that is reminiscent of Against Me and their disaffected story-telling quality is comparable to that of Bright Eyes.

The band asked that the crowd move closer and all obliged, moving inches from the stage. The 7th song of the night was off of their debut album and is easily one of the bands catchiest songs. “Jeffrey Dahmer” had the audience bumping around the room as the band wailed out “can you tell that I’ve been drinking?” and then quickly transitioning into “Walk On” from their sophomore album. The group ended with the perfect song, a slow desperate ballad entitled “Why Don’t You Love Me,” rolling back into the opening song’s la da da da’s. The audience swayed back and forth in time to the beautifully melancholy song.

Nightmare River Band have fantastic rapport on stage, but they also manage to keep the crowd engaged with comical exchanges, clever lyrics and aggressive instrumentals. But NRB is more than just a bar band. Each player is exceedingly talented on their apparatus, and the lead singer’s ability to convey heartbreak, humor, delight and discontentment in a single song is unparalleled.
- Relix Magazine

With some incredibly interesting album artwork, Last Goodbye, the latest release from The Nightmare River Band, is an eye-catcher. The disc opens up with “Introduction,” which is just softly sung “la da das” for 18 seconds. The 11-track release is full of narratives ranging in twangy country jams, alt rock, and smooth Americana. The quintet has a slight barbershop group feel to it with the various tones and styles of each member’s voice. The narrative, “Oh Me, Oh My” is a bittersweet song despite its catchy, upbeat elements. The Nightmare River Band shows off a slightly geeky side for two tracks; “Robots” and “Walk On.” These two pieces stood out among the rest of the disc for various reasons, including style, sound and content. “Robots” is an off-beat romantic song that bounces its way into one’s heart. The track also features guitar and key tones that resemble futuristic sounds. The latter, “Walk On,” is one pop culture reference after another, including Superman, Lois Lane, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, among others.

Although the band experiments with different sounds, they ultimately revert back to the swanky folky vibe from the beginning. “Home” features barbershop quartet-styled vocals but with an added voice, and is one of the drum heavy cuts out of the Americana-styled songs. Last Goodbye ends with a heart aching downer complete with melancholy keys and even bigger vocals to match.

Last Goodbye is kind of slow moving, but it has charm much like a classic Southern gentleman (despite The Nightmare River Band being from New York). Check it out and you might be swept off your feet by the smooth talkers.

In A Word: Charming - Aquarian Weekly

The Nightmare River Band - Last Goodbye (Magnet North)
I like this resurgence of folk rock that has been building over the last
few years. The Felice Brothers, M. Ward, Alabama Shakes, and even revamped
Neil Young and Crazy Horse have been making waves on the charts and around
the world. One of the newest bands to bring us their take on the
aforementioned genre are The Nightmare River Band. On Last Goodbye, you
can hear their influences and also nods to country rock like the Flying
Burrito Brothers, and even the Eagles (on a good day).
The whole band plays with confidence, but what draws you permanently into
The Nightmare River Band is their lead singers, Matt Krahula and Steh
Faulk. They fill their plaintive voices with confident power, and they
have the ability to covey the haunting spirit of a song (“On Me oh My,”
“Josie”), or the brilliance of a rocking number (“Last Good bye,”
“Robots”). Despite the seemingly closeted genres that the band has chosen,
their music is smooth, accomplished, and is an undated collection of
tuneful styles. The whole album is well-written, and the music is filled
with subtlety rather than eccentricity.-Phil Rainone, JerseyBeat.com - Jersey Beat

When a band describes themselves as performers of “raucous alt-country with anthemic sing-along songs” whose songs are about “love, loss, pain, drinking and healing,” you’ve already got a good idea of what to expect. Do this at the Mag Bar, and I’m seeing St. Patty’s Day without the tourists; perhaps a semi-authentic Dublin-style night at the pub, or maybe more like a good roadside country bar in the middle of nowhere, with the chicken wire keeping the band safe from the bottles being thrown around like Chris Brown running into Drake at the club. The Nightmares have a new album, Last Goodbye, coming out on Aug. 7, so fans can expect some new tunes the band is still excited to play, and newcomers can expect to share that fresh energy. —Peter Berkowitz - Louisville Leo Weekly

The Nightmare River Band makes its home in Brooklyn, which to some might get the "Nightmare" part right but also begs the question of how the group got interested in a sound with such rural overtones.

"That's a good question," the band's guitarist and singer, Matt Krahula, said during a recent phone interview in advance of Summerfest, where the group will play two nights at the Tiki Hut stage, located along the lake walk behind the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage & Pavilion.

"Just growing up, that was the style of music I was raised to," he said. "My parents spoon-fed me a lot of John Denver, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Back then, that was mainstream country, but now I think it would be more in the alt-country realm."

That realm is basically where the Nightmare River Band resides, despite its actual address. Which isn't to say the borough didn't influence the band: Core members Krahula and Seth Faulk (who drums and also sings) knew the need for volume, at least initially.

"I used to force it more into a rock 'n' roll area because I thought it was hipper," Krahula said. "But in the end I decided to go back to the country direction. It became the main influence of my writing, and what Seth and I did together ended up fitting that vibe."

In 2009, the group put out its debut album, tellingly entitled "Call the Cops!!," and was frequently likened to the Avett Brothers, the North Carolina boys who have essentially revived the alt-country subgenre for the masses. While the similarities between the two groups aren't that strong, Krahula found it hard to mind being mentioned in the same sentence.

"It gives people a starting point," he said. "When they hear that, it gives them a chance to know if it's something they might like. It's a huge compliment to us. We're more aggressive, but in general having the comparison to someone as talented as they are can't hurt."

The comparison might continue with "Last Goodbye," the Nightmare River Band's sophomore album, due out in August. One song, "Mary," has been kicking around in demo form since 2010, but its full version is a rollicking hoedown that should get audiences breaking into spontaneous two-steps. The aggression remains, but it has been deliberately tempered.

"We took a step back from the way we had been playing," Krahula said. "We slowed a lot of the songs down, removed a lot of punk beats. We reinvented the sound of our band."

Some tracks on "Last Goodbye," such as "Robots," are closer to angular pop-rock a la They Might Be Giants than to alt-country twang, but overall the songs feel thematic in their approach.

"We tried to make it very cohesive," Krahula said. "We scattered different motifs throughout, a few recurring melodies that would tie it together into one big picture. We knew exactly how we wanted it to sound, so we did it over and over again so the elements were exactly where we wanted them to be."

Performed onstage, however, the songs might tell a different story.

"There's so many things in a live show that are just impossible to catch on a recording," Krahula said. "A bunch of sweaty people drinking and singing along are going to add to the atmosphere. We define our records as separate entities; there's this other level of excitement to seeing us live."
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Infectious sing-along alternative folk”

The Nightmare River Band’s Last Goodbye is a strong follow up to their 2009 debut Call the Cops! The New York based band is quickly pushing their way into the spotlight of the alt-folk/Americana music scene, claiming, “We’re coming to your town whether you like it or not.” But believe me, you’ll like it.


Last Goodbye features catchy, bursting choruses by front man Matt Krahula, coupled with twanging guitars and delightfully simple rhythms. The album has a mixture of sweet lyrics reminiscent of the Avett Brothers and infectious rhythms echoing Mumford and Sons.

Opening tracks like “Mary” and “Oh Me Oh My” set the playful, bouncing mood of the album, with choruses that demand to be sung along to. The sounds of a harmonious quartet of back-up singers powerfully accent Krahula’s strong voice in the choruses and the raucous country beats, which more than likely make for some delightfully rowdy live shows.

As the album progresses, tracks like “Walk On” and “Life Just Stops” successfully bridge a stronger pop-rock sound, trading country sounds for electric guitars and featuring lyrics delivered more forcefully than the lighter, folksy tracks. The album is a gem that combines the pleasantries of folk with the power of alternative rock, all the while serenading you with love and loss, metaphors of robots and Superman, and honest words.

Produced and Mixed by Dan Romer

Mastered by Devin Kerr - Performer Magazine

Menacing as the name might sound, the Nightmare River Band seems a whole lot more concerned with being enjoyed than feared. Then again, if the subtle reference to an obscure Jim Henson movie didn’t go unnoticed, maybe that would have already been obvious. Either way, the irony is definitely not lost on lead singer Matt Krahula, who says that their songs are less about fear than they are about “love, loss, pain, drinking and healing, though not necessarily in that order.”

“We tried to take a step back and let the songs speak for themselves. We rebuilt a lot of our material from the ground up and embraced the fact that we are a country band.”


Krahula, who grew up on John Denver and Bob Dylan, and followed his passion for upright bass through a bachelor’s degree in Classical Music Performance, didn’t always have an affinity for the music scene he’s now a part of. It wasn’t until college that he began branching out musically and listening to the Talking Heads and the Pixies, the latter seeming to have an influence on Call the Cops!, their first album. However, the mindset seems to have changed a bit over the last three years.

“Call the Cops! has a very country punk feel to it. The approach often being loud and fast,” Krahula says, “On our new release, Last Goodbye, we tried to take a step back and let the songs speak for themselves. We rebuilt a lot of our material from the ground up and embraced the fact that we are a country band.” And although calling themselves a country band might be a tad misleading, the influence of country is unmistakable.

As the main songwriter, Krahula acknowledges, “the songs I’m most proud of are usually written in less than five minutes. Writing generally happens alone in my apartment,” and explaining why he favors arranging, he says, “Arranging takes place in a room full of people that you love making music with.”
- Performer Magazine

The Nightmare River Band’s charm lies in how freaking relatable they are. Take those middle school kids across the street jamming out in their garage, give them some Dylan and Neil Young tapes, send them around the country in a pungent van about seven times and voila! You have these guys. Whether headman Matt Krahula is singing about drinking or lamenting unrequited love, the band's music undulates from beginning to end with beardy, feelgood vibes. Expect plenty of loved-up fans letting loose and drinking heavily when this self-proclaimed "country punk" group takes the stage.

- Ryan Ban Unveiled Arts

Music nod to Colonie native
The New York-based Nightmare River Band, fronted by Colonie native Matt Krahula, has been nominated for an Independent Music Award for best alternate country song of the year for the beer-raising riff "Mary."
The 10th Independent Music Awards honors independent bands and fans throughout the world in nearly 70 song, album, music video and design categories.
Fellow nominees include Jake and the Leprechauns, Lera Lynn, Strawfoot and The Knockouts.
Winners will be determined by a panel of 62 influential artist and industry judges including Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Suzanne Vega, Aimee Mann, Pete Wentz, Bettye LaVette, Seal, Adam Duritz, Ozzy Osbourne, Arturo Sandoval and others.
To hear Nightmare River Band's nominated song, visit http://www.independentmusicawards.com.


Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/SCENE-HEARD-1029235.php#ixzz1F6usZ5vc - Albany Times Union

Contact: Jude Folkman
Phone: 973-767-1811
Email: Jude@IndependentMusicAwards.com

NYC's Own Nightmare River Band Joins Ra Ra Riot,? Melissa Auf der Maur, Flying Lotus, ? Jim Campilongo, Jackson Browne and David Lindley?As Nominees for The 10th Independent Music Awards
More Than 300 Self-Released and Independent Label Talent Nominated

For Immediate Release?
February 17th, 2011 – NYC based Nightmare River Band join Ra Ra Riot, Melissa Auf der Maur, Flying Lotus, Hemoptysis, Darrell Scott, Jim Campilongo, Jackson Browne and David Lindley and other self-released and independent label talent as Nominees for The 10th Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans.

Representing the broad spectrum of today’s global independent music scene, the more than 300 Nominees in nearly 70 Song, Album, Music Video and Design categories were culled from submissions from North America, South America, Asia, Australia and Europe.

Known for celebrating artists that follow their own muse, The 10th IMA Nominees are an eclectic mix of rising stars including Strawfoot (Alt. Country Song), Hemoptysis (Metal/Hardcore Song), and Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three (Amerciana Album) and established talent including telecaster virtuoso, Jim Campilongo (Instrumental Album), experimental multi-genre artist, Flying Lotus (Music Video and Dance/Electronica Song), and indie rockers, Ra Ra Riot (Pop/Rock Album). Perhaps better known as major label acts, this year’s Nominees strutting their independence include former Hole bassist, Melissa Auf der Maur (Indie/Alt./Hard Rock Album), and songwriting legend Jackson Browne with David Lindley (Live Performance Album).

Winners will be determined by a panel of 62 influential artist and industry judges including Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Suzanne Vega, Aimee Mann, Pete Wentz, Bettye LaVette, Seal, Adam Duritz, Ozzy Osbourne, Arturo Sandoval, Martin Atkins, Andrew W. K., Shelby Lynne, Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour), Bill Bragin (Lincoln Center), Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone), Pat McGuire (Filter Magazine) and Evan Schlansky (American Songwriter) and will be announced in mid-March 2011. Music fans have until July 11 to cast their votes at The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to determine the fan-selected IMA Winners.

Hear the music of all Nominees at: http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/10th/album??Artistry Has Its Awards?
Celebrating the democracy of creativity and meritocracy of talent, The Independent Music Awards honor exceptional independent artists who are, traditionally ignored by mass media and big box retailers. For the past 10 years, artists and labels from around the world have found new fans and prominence through The Independent Music Awards. Produced by Music Resource Group, publisher of the popular industry networking database The Musician’s AtlasOnline, and producers of the original webTV series, Grooveable Feast, The IMAs use its unrivaled access to performance, promotion & distribution opportunities to connect Winners and Nominees to new audiences and revenue opportunities. Earning IMA honors goes beyond a badge of distinction. Artists credit The IMAs with increasing recognition among music fans and industry gatekeepers.

Past winners and nominees include: And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Cursive, fun., The Flatlanders, Spinerrette, Holly GoLightly & The Brokeoffs, Vienna Teng, The So So Glos, Cephas & Wiggins, The Matches, All That Remains, The Cliks, Oran Etkin, State Radio, Lee “Scratch Perry, The Very Best, Tim Easton, Marco Benevento, Kes The Band, Jamie Lidell, Lacuna Coil, The Trews, Joan As Police Woman; Koko Taylor, Miguel Migs; Speech, God Forbid, Lionel Louekee; Jeff Healey, Johnny Dowd, Chris Whitley, Ike Turner, The Apples in stereo, Mary Gauthier, Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland), The Mooney Suzuki, and Denque Fever among many others. ? - Independent Music Awards

Attention alternative punk junkies!

There’s a new band in town sure to titillate your ear buds. They’re loud and raucous, and they don’t give a f**k. Their music is about life, love, and drinking, and their sound is edgy, yet refined. Who are these mystery artists you ask? Well my friends, they call themselves The Nightmare River Band, and they’re here with one purpose–to rock your face off!

The Nightmare River Band is Brooklyn-based quartet with an indie spirit and a signature punk sound. These self-proclaimed gentlemen have crafted a uniquely bold brand of eclectic punk/pop that–despite the band’s roots–is more backwoods barbecue than NYC loft party. Their latest release, Call The Cops!! is loud, in your face, and super catchy. Standouts include, “To The Sea” and “Picture Frames & Photographs” as well as the more subtle, “Where Do We Go”.

NRB is currently on tour, playing a slew of shows across the south and would love to see you come out and support. You can visit the band’s MySpace for a complete list, but here’s a few to get you excited.

Nov 23 Houston, TX Avant Garden 8pm

Nov 28 Little Rock, AR Juanita’s W/Brother Andy 9pm

Nov 29 Nashville, TN Little Hamilton Collective 10pm

Dec 2 Louisville, KY Skull Alley 8pm

Dec 3 Cleveland, OH The Viking Tavern 9pm

If you’re looking for a little taste of the band before you see them live, check out the video of their Katy Perry cover below, and visit their MySpace to stream their latest releases! - AudioIV.com

Here is a list of the radio stations currently playing our album "Call the Cops!!"

WGSU - SUNY Geneseo
WGTB | Georgetown University Radio
WHRW-FM 90.5 Binghamton :: Radio Free Binghamton
WKDU Philadelphia 91.7FM
WKKL - 90.7 FM West Barnstable, MA - Cape Cod Community College
WHUS - University of Connecticut
WIDR Kalamazoo - 89.1 FM - Western Michigan University
WLOY Loyola Radio - Loyola University - Baltimore, MD
91.3 FM WLVR - Lehigh University
WMEB-FM - 91.9 FM Orono, ME - University of Maine
WMCO - WCPE 90.7 FM New Concord, OH
WLUR :: 91.5 FM :: Lexington, VA
WMHD 90.7 FM Terre Haute - IN
WMLU - 91.3 FM Farmville, VA - Longwood University
WMPG - Greater Portland Community Radio
WMSR - Miami Student Radio - Miami, OH University
WUNH - 91.3 FM University of NH
WUSO 89.1 FM The Berg - Wittenberg University
WVFS - Florida State University
WVMM - The V 90.7 FM Grantham, PA - Widener University
VIC Radio - Ithaca College Radio
WJCU - 88.7fm: Cleveland
WVYC- York College of Pennsylvania's Radio Staton
WWHR - Revolution 91.7 Bowling Green, KY
WITT (91.9 FM) - Chicago, IL
WXJM - 88.7 FM Harrisonburg, VA
KUWS.FM Wisconsin Public Radio 91.3 FM
Weber FM - KWCR-FM - FM 88.1 - Ogden, UT
KWCW 90.5 FM Walla Walla - Whitman College
KWLC - 1240 AM Decorah, IA
KWUR.COM 90.3 FM St. Louis Underground Radio - Washington Univesity
KZMU - Moab Community Radio 90.1 FM and 106.7 FM
Lasell College Radio - Newton, MA
M3radio.com - NY, NY
Radio UTD - Dallas, TX
WARC 90.3 FM - Meadville, PA
Prescott Arizona, , Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College Radio
SCAD Atlanta Radio
WMLV - Purchase College Radio
WUMM - 91.7 FM Machias, ME - University of Maine at Machias
WKWZ 88.5 FM - Syosset High School Radio
WLCA - 89.9 FM Godfrey, IL - Lewis and Clark Community College
WLFR - FM 91.7 - Pomona, NJ, United States - Richard Stockton College - NRB

Concert review: 'The Good Show' gets even better
By Steve Watkins

STEVE WATKINS

Matt Krahula of Nightmare River Band
Nightmare River Band
The Good Show
Nov. 27, Lola's Saloon Sixth
2736 W. Sixth St., Fort Worth
The choice of shows to see last Saturday was a tough one. We had A-hummin' Acoustical Acupuncture, with Katsük, playing at The Grotto, and FM 88.7's The Good Show, co-sponsored by DFW.com, was taking place at Lola's Saloon Sixth.

The AAA show was, well, AAA -- and that is a mind-altering experience and about as rare as a Bigfoot sighting. But The Good Show won out, because who can resist Taylor Craig Mills, Oil Boom and The Quaker City Night Hawks? Thrown into this month's Good Show mix was some weird group of carpetbaggers from New York called the Nightmare River Band that everyone kept telling me I needed to hear. I'm glad I did.

Taylor Craig Mills (with Kris Knight on keyboard) started off the show. His performance was excellent, as always, and the keyboard parts added a nice depth to his act.

Oil Boom, which features Brian Whitten (vocals, kazoo), Ryan Taylor (guitars) and Dugan Connors (drums), followed up with a solid set of some seriously good music that nonetheless could use a little more oomph. I don't know if our circulation extends to the North Pole or not, but if you're reading this, Santa, please bring these guys a bass player.

Closing up the show was the mighty Quaker City Night Hawks, which consists of Buffalo Sam Anderson (guitar, vocals), Dave Matsler (guitar, vocals), Matt Mabe (drums) and Pat Adams (bass). I can't say enough good about these guys; each time I see them, I'm more and more impressed.

What I wasn't expecting was act that came right before them, the Nightmare River Band. NRB consists of Matt Krahula (vocals, guitar, ukulele), Seth Faulk (drums, vocals) "Tall" Andy Tekverk (bass, vocals) and Mike Myers (guitar, vocals). The group has toured the United States, coast to coast, six times this year, playing more than 170 gigs.

"I don't want to be in a band where I sat at home, waiting for something to happen," Krahula told me. "A lot of being on the road is just us going back and seeing good friends that we've met along the way."

The band has found a home away from home in Funkytown. Tekverk even found a girl here he liked, and he took her back home to New York.

Take a large dose of cow punk, mix in a smidge of the Pogues, the Clancy Brothers and maybe even the Dropkick Murphys, and you get close to the sonic effect of this band. Add a bit of an old-fashioned tent revival, and you get even closer. The subject matter of the lyrics (written by Krahula) covers the not-so-broad spectrum of relationships and heavy drinking. We're talking the cultural common ground for country and Celtic folk, smashed to hell with punk rock.

And I promise you, this is every bit as fun as it sounds. That night, I left the band's CD in the player in my car, and when the wife came back from driving the next day, she had a big smile on her face. Who wouldn't smile at songs with titles like If You See Me, Call the Cops?

This was the last Good Show Live Music Series Event of the year, but you can bet that next year Tom Urquart and Tony Diaz will be putting on more superb shows.

The Good Show: www.goodshow.net/

Nightmare River Band: www.facebook.com/nightmareriverband - Fort Worth Weekly - Steve Watkins

New York bands seem to be pouring in to Athens these days. Maybe it fits nicely in their tour route. Maybe they’re starting to see what charm it’s got. Let’s go with the latter, because that happens to be the case for the next band stopping by at Jackie O’s this Thursday night: Nightmare River Band.

This will be the band’s third visit here after two already perfectly successful encounters. Although it’s usually difficult to gather an idea about a town after only a small amount of time there, it was simple for lead singer and acoustic guitarist Matt Krahula, at least in comparison to New York.

"Everything in New York is extremely spread out; when you go to a show, people will go to specifically see you play," said Krahula. "They usually won’t stick around for the rest of the show because they’re so busy and there’s a lot to do. And it just seems like there’s a really great community in Athens. People come out and they stick around and they’re very open to hearing a new band and new music that they haven’t been exposed to before. So it was a really, really awesome surprise when we got to Athens."

Nightmare River Band doesn’t really sound like it comes from New York City. In fact, if one were to travel across the country vertically, that’s probably where you’d find their sound to be most fitting.

"There’s a specific New York sound that’s been happening for a couple years… we’re just trying to make our own sound and I think we’re doing alright," noted Krahula. "I think most people attribute us with like a southern rock band. That’s why we do really well when we go down south and everyone’s usually shocked to hear we’re from New York City."

They’ve got a fine mix of country and wild punk, two seemingly different things entwined to form one fearless sound. This comes from a variety of influences from the past and present along with an open mind to go into the process without any expectations of what will come of it.

"I have my bachelor's degree in performance in upright bass, actually," said Krahula. "When I started writing, most of the stuff was coming out very folky. It was really when I brought it to the band and we started arranging the stuff, it just sort of took that form and had that punk edge to it which I think was a surprise to everybody.

"One of our previous guitar players I think had a big role in that. He had been playing in hardcore bands when he was younger so some of those guitar riffs that came out were coming from a much different background than anything I certainly would have come up with. Just having a few different mindsets coming from different areas ended up shaping it into what it became."

It’s only been right over a year since Nightmare River Band began, though it’s hard to tell. The quartet, also consisting of Wil Farr on electric guitar, Andy Tekverk on bass, and Seth Faulk on drums, had a threshold of chemistry. The kind of a band that’s been around for years.

"The first time we sat down and played as a four-piece it was really exciting because we just sat down and played “Call the Cops” and we played straight through it and it sounded awesome," said Krahula. "Everybody was singing and on top of it. We sounded like we had been playing together for years. It was a unique experience for me and it made me really excited about the people that I was going to be making music with."

Such enticement brings about a live performance full of a collaborative energy. What the band gives off, the people soak in, and back and forth they go so quickly until the rejoicing is swirling around avidly in the air. And no soul can escape it.

“Usually the nights turn into a big sing-along. Everyone’s swinging their beer mugs around,” Krahula said.

Nightmare River Band will be rejoining their wonderful friends Duke Junior and the Smokey Boots this Thursday at Jackie O’s. The night is bound to be full of drunken foolish swing-dancing and wild smiles—a delightful night as your year comes to an end. - Hannah Cook-ACRN-The Rock Lobster

THE NIGHTMARE RIVER BAND – Sunday, Sept. 12 at 7p

Few bands can boast the range of The Nightmare River Band. Blazing through a high-speed punk song, taking a screeching left turn into harmony filled folk-rock, then spinning smoky doughnuts right in the middle of 80’s garage rock, the 4-man group seems to pull it off quite well. The lyrics are fun enough, and the unpolished vocal delivery gives the songs a real honesty. They’ll be playing the Mercury on Sunday, sandwiched between The Jaguar Club, and Field Theory. $8// Mercury Lounge - 217 East Houston Street - The Low Down NY

Remember the last time your ship was docked and you were in a dank hole of a bar, singing along to pirate drinking songs, getting liquored up and wanted to dance rather than punch out the guy across from you (who inadvertently happens to be your sister)? TCM knows it doesn’t happen often, but when it does The Nightmare River Band will be there for you.

4 Scruffy looking guys (1 is actually the Guinness Book of Records recipient for being the tallest bass player in 26 states) playing drunken indie rock sea chanteys. With songs like “To The Sea”, “Call The Cops!!” and “Center Of The Earth” there is no mistaking what these boys are all about. There is even a line in a song where lead singer, Matt Krahula asks, “Would you walk the plank for me?”

This is our kind of band.

They just returned from their first national tour and are playing at the Mercury Lounge in NYC this Saturday, July 25 @ 8PM. Come out and join the Nightmare River Band in a night full of drinking, procreating, alcohol, scurvy, beer, men who don’t shave and liquor. - The Captains Memos

Scratch that. They A Cameth, Saturday night at the Mercury Lounge in New York City (little known fact: NYC is home to the 2nd largest metropolitan pirate area in North America). On a night when I needed to forget about the pressures of real life, corrode my liver and remember what it’s like to have fun – the Nightmare River Band was there for me.

Fresh off their 1st national tour, their welcome home show displayed just what they had picked up on the road. A well oiled versatile machine, they opened with the one, two punch of “To The Sea” and “Jeffrey Dahmer” with enough bone crunching riffs to open up a morgue. Lead singer, Matt Krahula displayed a confidence and wardrobe rarely seen in today’s modern rock scene. Bearded 1st mate, Kris Hayes’ guitar teetered dangerously on the verge of controlled chaos and capsizing, but never reaching total meltdown.

Drummer, Seth Faulk and bassist Andy “Tall” Tekverk helped propel power houses, “Mary” and “Dreamin” to new peaks of excellence…and tallness. The audience was lucky enough to hear the title track of the album, “Call The Cops!!”, TCM’s favorite song about domestic abuse.

The band was augmented by friends, Dan Romer on accordion and Wil Farr on mandolin. You have never seen anyone rape a mandolin with such furry and aggression in your life. This I promise you.

The bottom line is I have never seen a band that made me feel like I was drunk just by listening to their music. It’s a hell of a feeling to be surrounded by hundreds of people with glasses raised, shouting along to choruses about drinking. Even the songs that aren’t about drinking make you want to drink. Mr. Jimmy Buffet you can sit the fuck down, because this is the real deal.

Temporarily sober up and buy the album here! - The Captain's Memos

"Lynyrd Skynyrd Fucked the Pogues. A Fist pumpin' adventure," Ian Early, of the Cherry Poppin' Daddies.

"They're from NYC, but they don't sound like it. And that's a compliment coming from a southerner like me," Ben Nichols, of Lucero.

"The most fun you'll have and not remember," Jenny Owen Youngs.

- Ian Early, Ben Nichols, Jenny Owen Youngs

Thursday, July 2, 2009
Rising Artist - The Nightmare River Band
From the ashes of the Fire Flies break up last summer, we have gotten some incredible bands that have risen from the split. New York's Paper and Sand have been one and The Nightmare River Band have been the other. The Nightmare River band features former Fire Flies drummer Seth Faulk and former Fire Flies guitarist Adam Krahula fronting this band. The groups sound is a cross between blue grass and punk, an odd combo I know, but it works, think Langehorn Slim meets Gogol Bordello. The music is fast and fun and the perfect drinking songs for a long weekend. The Nightmare River Band's debut Call the Cops is out now and they are on tour all summer, a major suggestion is CHECK THEM OUT!
http://salvatorebono.blogspot.com/2009/07/rising-artist-nightmare-river-band.html - Salvatore Bono

There are oh so many blender analogies out there, but these guys take Kings Of Leon, The Killers, and Alkaline Trio and make an awesome album. For me, "Picture Frames" is the standout track, but the band is solid throughout with great riffs, a tight bass & drum performance, and witty, sometimes sarcastic lyrics. Great disc! - Mr. Metalika

“We’re just four guys having a good time. We come in all different shapes and sizes. If you cut us, we bleed. If you don’t cut us, sometimes we bleed anyways. Especially when the weather is dry. We are very susceptible to bloody noses.”

That is basically the only bio we could find on this week’s CRUMBS Café featured band, Nightmare River Band.

They are a relatively new band in the scheme of things. The band started, as do many things, at the end. When lead singer/ songwriter Matt Krahula’s previous band, Fire Flies, decided to part ways, he decided to steel his favorite musicians from other popular NYC bands. He quickly recruited Seth Faulk, the drummer he had worked with in Fire Flies, and they started to piece together the rest of the band. (In Fire Flies, Seth and Matt had scored a top 40 hit in Germany, won first place out of 6,000 bands in an international battle of the bands, and opened for Pink!, Gogol Bordello, Ingrid Michaelson, Mika, Regina Spektor, Langhorne Slim, Kimya Dawson, Robyn Hitchcock, Mondo Daio. They also had several media placements including a commercial for HBO/ Time Warner Cable, a spot in the new SIMS video game, and the theme song to FX’s TV show, Fire House.)

Seth and Matt soon enlisted Kris Hayes, guitarist from NYC alt-country band, The Designated Drivers. With a thumbs up from Kris Hayes they decided that “Tall” Andy Tekverk was the perfect match for this ragged group. Andy had spent the past few years in the NYC band, The Freams (formerly known as The Kelly Project). The Freams have shared the stage with legends such as James Brown, as well as George Clinton and The P Funk Allstars. - Mike Guzzo

Wear Your Life Vest
Born from the ashes of the band Fire Flies, New York City group Nightmare River Band reassembled the pieces—with construction paper and glue—and have gained an obsessive following of fanatics for their Primus-like drinking songs and general rowdy attitude. - Flagstaff Live!

Nightmare River Band - Call The Cops!!
2009, Nightmare River Band

“We are The Nightmare River Band, and we are coming to your town whether you like it or not.” This is the quote that closes the brief bio on Nightmare River Band’s web page, and it is very revealing of the band. Call it moxie, chutzpah, cajones, or what else you might, Nightmare River Band succeeds on musicality, but makes it work by getting your face and turning it up a notch. Former Fire Flies Matt Krahula (vox, acoustic guitar) and Seth Faulk (drums, vox) teamed up with The Designated Drivers alumni Kris Hayes (guitar, vox) and The Freams’ “Tall” Andy Tekverk to form Nightmare River Band. The band’s debut album, Call The Cops!!, takes Celtic, Punk and Folk elements and rolls them into one dynamic ball of fun.

Call the Cops!! opens with Center Of The Earth, an Irish drinking tune with electric guitars with a dark aspect. The instrumentation and vocal harmonies are outstanding, and the exuberance level from the band is off the charts. Jeffrey Dahmer continues in the vein of drinking tunes, but the title is really a lyrical afterthought. Dreamin' is a strong Rock tune with Pogues-like energy. It sounds like Nightmare River Band had a blast recording this tune, and I bet its killer live. To top it off, Matt Krahula is in great voice here with a smooth sound and just a hint of whiskey rasp. Pictures Frames & Photographs continues the strong songwriting; the song is very musical, intelligently written and has impressive vocal harmonies.

To The Sea takes on the age-old practice of burying the dead in the ocean. This dark subject is set against a driving Punk/Celtic tune that will have you running for the pits ready to pogo the night away. Summer Sun Sets takes a disco beat, surf guitar and horns and crafts them into an emotionally tumultuous but enjoyable listen. The song Procreate has a title with significant potential, but the energy just doesn't get it there. It's decent, but the title builds an expectation that just wasn't quite met. Call The Cops!! is a fun song with a huge tableau including horns and vocal harmonies. This is a pure Pub/Bar tune and probably brings the house down live. Nightmare River Band closes with the quiet epilogue, Where Do We Go. It is a radical change from the rest of the album in both style and volume, but reflects the introspective nature of the artist once the music stops. It's a lovely tune worth sticking around for.

Call The Cops!! is a great listen. Nightmare River Band plays with great musicality in a quasi-Lo-Fi environment. The arrangements might sound a bit messy once in a while, but this is more by design than mischance; the core of the sound is the band's exuberance. There isn't a track here where it doesn't come across that Nightmare River Band thoroughly enjoys what they're doing. Even on the last track, the commitment is 100% apparent to the listener. The instrumentation on Call The Cops!! runs a bit light at times, but the gaps are filled in with strong vocal harmonies. Nightmare River Band also has a sense of humor that runs through their songs; when it's subtle and inherent in the song it works wonderfully. There are a couple of times here when it sounds like maybe they're trying to be funny or ironic; such attempts don't work quite as well as the subtle, mischievous spirit that runs through the album. Fans of Captain Tractor will love Nightmare River Band. These guys can play and sing, and they're so exuberant it rubs off on the listener. Nightmare River Band is probably best heard in a pub with a raucous Saturday night crowd, but they do an outstanding job of capturing that energy and sound on Call The Cops!! Make sure you check them out; you won't be disappointed.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5) - Wildy's World (Wildy Haskell)

We are extremely proud to say, we were featured this month in the magazine Under the Radar, along side Death Cab For Cutie and Of Montreal to name a few. Our song, Jeffrey Dahmer is on the digital sampler that comes with the magazine. - Under The Radar Magazine

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010
Live Review - Hurrah! A Bolt of Light / Nightmare River Band @ Crash Mansion
Words by Bill Reese. Photos by Peter Butler.

There were no cowboy hats or bulky belt buckles at Crash Mansion in Nolita last weekend, but Nightmare River Band and Hurrah! A Bolt of Light! put on a rodeo of country-punk and alt-country.

Some people familiar with singer/guitarist Wil Farr’s past ventures might be caught off-guard by Hurrah! A Bolt of Light! Opening with the soft piano introduction to “All Quiet Now,” it was clear that this was a different kind of group, a six-piece unit of complimentary pieces. Farr no longer murders his strings, as he so often did in Paper and Sand. Joined He struck the wires of the Rickenbacker with a graceful ease as the lush arrangements of the surrounding instruments made it unnecessary for the guitar to dominate the group. Even with the new arrangements, Farr remained as fiery and passionate about his craft as he’s ever been. As the band dropped into the bridge of “We Will Always Be,” Farr lost himself in the lyrics. Joined by HABOL secondary vocalist Bridget Buscemi, his eyes widened and his neck veins popped out as he sang. “Take my heart love, you can have my heart love, and we will always be…”

Though they are still a relatively new inception, the band stayed tight throughout, acting as a true ensemble, as opposed to the backup band supporting their leader. Keyboardist Jacob Pleakis played the piano and organ, like a Roy Bittan/Danny Federici doppelganger, especially his “Glory Days”-style licks on the poppy “I Could Be the One.” Their showstopper was the banjo-driven shit-kicker “Devil on My Shoulder,” which got the crowd pogoing and clapping along to the chorus.

Nightmare River Band were up next, kicking off their latest U.S. tour properly by dropping into “To the Sea” as the crowd held their beers aloft to toast the group. Frontman Matt Krahula grasped the mic and bobbed to the bouncing bass line provided by “Tall Andy” Tekverk, howling the chorus’ lyrics before the song broke down, only to rise back moments later with twice the force.

NRB’s set was brisk, energetic and filled with more drinking songs then a Jimmy Buffet gig, minus the Hawaiian shirts. At just about every chorus, dozens of bottles, cans and glasses were lofted high above the crowd, several of which splattered all over those in the front row. Nowhere was this more evident than in the anthemic “Jeffrey Dahmer,” with Krahula turning the lyric “Can you tell that I’ve been drinking?” into a call-and-response chant that sounded less like “Can you,” and more like “How can you not?”

Wil Farr did double duty for the night, leading NRB on eclectic guitar and backing up Krahula on vocals. Still promoting last spring’s Call the Cops!, NRB showcased several new tracks, including the country-rocker “Mary,” the swinging “Coral Aquarium,” and the heartbreaking ballad “Why Don’t You Love Me?”

NRB brought up old friend Dan Romer to play accordion on several tracks, including the story-within-a-song gem “Mrs. Myers,” and the soft, Waits-esque intro to “Call the Cops.” After “Call the Cops” dropped into its punky B-section, Krahula jumped down into the audience with a megaphone and danced with the crowd, somehow managing not to get doused with beer. After the bittersweet ballad “Where Do We Go?” the band closed the set a cover, doing justice to Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold” with a rousing country-punk rendition. - With This I think I'm Officially a Yuppie

The Nightmare River Band
Last Goodbye
BY STEVEN SPOERL
6 August 2012

Americana delivered with punk fury.

The Nightmare River Band’s Last Goodbye comes charging out of the gate with all the restraint of a bull let loose from a pen. The music here is fiery and beer-battered. The Nightmare River band combine the best elements of American music, from punk attitude to pop sensibility. There’s moments where they sound like an Americanized Weakerthans and others where they sound like an epic version of the Violent Femmes. It’s pure exhilaration. All of the songwriting throughout is spectacular and shapes these songs into vibrant slices of life. They feel honest and they feel real. From the open love letter to Mary on “Mary” to the reference-heavy “Walk On” to the cracked and brutal sentiments on the brilliant closer, “Why Don’t You Love Me?”. It all feels timeless. Last Goodbye is one of 2012’s most pleasant surprises and one of 2012’s absolute best.

LAST GOODBYE
Rating: 8/10 - Pop matters.com

The Nightmare River Band
Last Goodbye
BY STEVEN SPOERL
6 August 2012

Americana delivered with punk fury.
cover art

The Nightmare River Band’s Last Goodbye comes charging out of the gate with all the restraint of a bull let loose from a pen. The music here is fiery and beer-battered. The Nightmare River band combine the best elements of American music, from punk attitude to pop sensibility. There’s moments where they sound like an Americanized Weakerthans and others where they sound like an epic version of the Violent Femmes. It’s pure exhilaration. All of the songwriting throughout is spectacular and shapes these songs into vibrant slices of life. They feel honest and they feel real. From the open love letter to Mary on “Mary” to the reference-heavy “Walk On” to the cracked and brutal sentiments on the brilliant closer, “Why Don’t You Love Me?”. It all feels timeless. Last Goodbye is one of 2012’s most pleasant surprises and one of 2012’s absolute best.

LAST GOODBYE
Rating: 8/10 - Popmatters.com