Sons of the Never Wrong
Chicago, Illinois, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Somewhere between John Prine and the Roches, you'll find the Sons of the Never Wrong, pulling folk music into the next century by the heart and the funny bone... PERFORMING SONGWRITER MAGAZINE - PERFORMING SONGWRITER MAGAZINE
“SONS offer a fresh perspective on a traditional form. The songs, all originals, are lovingly crafted with catchy hooks and clever verses. An exuberant, optimistic approach to music-making.” The Chicago Tribune - The Chicago Tribune
“Sons have a sound that is so unique that they are in a class by themselves. Only the likes of the Talking Heads could approximate the style, but the precision is sharper; the layers deeper; the texture more lush than anything you’ve experienced in a long time.” New Texas - New Texas
I LOVE THIS BAND. THEIR COMBINATION OF SOARING HARMONIES, SWEET GUITAR STRUMMING AND MANDOLIN-FLECKED MELODIES HAS ALWAYS PROVED IRRESISTIBLE... CLEVER WRITING... WHERE SONGS AS THE OPENING "MADAME BUTTERFLY" COME DARN CLOSE TO PERFECT... AP WIRE SERVICE - AP WIRE SERVICE
“A lead sound in the contemporary folk scene.” Sing Out - Sing Out
“Their onstage demeanor incorporates nearly constant movement, often in the form of stylized dance steps, & a steady flow of shaggy dog stories between songs. However, this Chicago trio sets itself apart from the pack when they step up to the microphones and belt out one of their smart and memorable songs. Although the 3 have very different voices, the blend they create together is one of the most distinctive in folk music.” Dirty Linen - Dirty Linen
“This local trio floats far above the folk-rock competition, it’s like the Roches meet Richard and Linda Thompson.” Chicago Reader - Chicago Reader
Incredible music. I am truly blown away by the beauty and real brilliance of what Sons has created. Rarely do I stumble upon an artist/group who impacts and impresses me to the extent they have. When someone’s songs circle in an endless cycle in my head for days at a time, & when the more I listen to the music, the more I fall in love with it, then I know I’ve found something special.... Martin Anderson - KRVM Oregon - KRVM Oregon
“The Sons are a different breed of musicians, well maybe not a different breed, but certainly at the top of their field. They are introspective, charming storytellers that seem to use their talents to cleanse their souls. They expel a purely natural energy that makes one wonder “how do they do it?” At the least they are natural talent that skips hand in hand with sensational musicianship.” PopMatters Magazine - PopMatters Magazine
I still get the goose-bump factor’ when i play this brilliant group... Steve Jerrett KOPN Columbia, MO. - KOPN Columbia, MO.
Discography
THREE GOOD REASONS (1995) Waterbug Records
CONSEQUENCE OF SPEECH (1997) Waterbug Records
ONE IF BY HAND (2000) Gadfly Records
4 EVER ON (2002) Gadfly Records
NUTHATCH SUITE (2005) Gadfly Records
ON A GOOD DAY... I AM (2009) Waterbug Records
ACCIDENTAL ENGLISH (2011) Waterbug Records
CHURCH OF THE NEVER WRONG (2012) Waterbug Record
KING FISHER KING (2012) Waterbug Records
Photos
Bio
Sons of the Never Wrong are a folk trio from Chicago made up of Bruce Roper, Deborah Lader, and Sue Demel. The band has been creating original "turbo-charged folk music" for 21 years to a cult-like national following. With their different take on three part harmony on top of witty, whimsical songs, Sons’ style springs from a tradition you’d swear you've heard, but this just ain't your grandpop's folk music.
The Son's 9 CD releases have brought them stunning national and international reviews as well as extensive radio-play. It is their live performances though that win the audience's hearts. The group can barely stand still on stage and insty-choreography results in a non-stop show of stories, dancing, and odd-ball humor. Yet it is when the three step up to the mic and belt out one of their many gorgeously- arranged songs, that you know you are in for something extra special.
Sons has performed on dozens of tours over the fifteen years, playing with the likes of Dar Williams, Patti Griffin, Livingston Taylor (who about SONS has said, “I see it all, and Sons is as good as it gets. They’re burnin’, inventive, bright and original”), Odetta, Nancy Griffith, Greg Brown, and Christine Lavin, along with their own tours. Sons have played to sold out venues from coast to coast, and are regular headliners at venues like the Old Town School of Folk Music (IL), the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CA), the Ark (MI) and the Kennedy Center (DC).
All three Sons play, sing and write for the band. Bruce Roper, weaned on the Beatles, John Prine and Dylan, is the primary songwriter, playing acoustic guitar and singing with a sweet, yet heart-broken quality. He's one of the few who can sing about love gone wrong with a dance in his step, and can sing about death with a wink and a nod. Sue Demel sparkles with one of the most expressive female voices heard in folk music today. Her inspired harmonies always delights as she beats on her djembe drums or quietly strums the dulcimer or guitar. And all this while jumping around all over the stage in a dervish manner! Multi-instrumentalist Deborah Lader brings to the band her own clever style of writing, expressive voice and humor. She delights audiences with her flair for banjo, mandolin, guitar, and rich alto harmonies.
This group is decidedly eclectic, combining influences of folk, jazz, pop and rock. Their live show appeals to audiences of all ages. Their energy can power up an entire town, and in this day and age of global warming, we all could use some wattage like the Sons of the Never Wrong.
“The personal glues that hold the group together are a clear joy in performing together, a sense of gratitude to a loyal fan base, and three dry, delightfully skewed senses of humor.”
Chicago Tribune
“Just plain folk? Not here.”
Sun Times
“A pop sound with brains”
WUMB Boston
“Rich in jazzy syncopation, compelling counterpoint, and unanticipated detours.”
U. S. 1 Review
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