The Welfare Liners
Athens, Georgia, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | INDIE
Music
Press
Fans of the twisted Adult Swim 'toon "Squidbillies" know that Early Cuyler don't take no junk from no one. So it's surprising that the little North Georgia cephalopod reacted this kindly to the idea of a bunch of folks reworking the theme song he penned. Above, watch a new commercial calling for folks to do just that—though, as evidenced by the spot, it's something many musicians have already been doing, including Athens' own Welfare Liners.
To see the entire 30-second "Squidbillies" theme as performed by TWL, click over here. It's damn good! Even Early must be proud. - Flagpole Magazine, Athens, GA
The Welfare Liners (straight up bluegrass) play the Melting Point tomorrow night and they've got a new album of banjo-fueled tunes they're itching to let y'all know about. - Athens Banner-Herald, Athens, GA
The Welfare Liners debut, a six song self-titled EP, was released on mandolin player, Russ Hallauer's Ghostmeat Records, and shows the band's appreciation for traditional bluegrass while pushing the boundaries with their more contemporary influences. Their hand-crafted bluegrass stands out on stage as the band's harmonies and instrumental prowess weave and whirl into the spectacle that is The Welfare Liners. - Eddie's Attic, Decatur, GA
Discography
2011 - The Welfare Liners - Self-titled EP (Ghostmeat Records)
2012 - The Welfare Liners - High On A Hilltop (Ghostmeat Records)
2013 - "She's Mine" featured on AthFest 2013 (Ghostmeat Records)
2015 - "Hold Me Up To The Light" b/w "Tonight's My Night To Howl" single (Ghostmeat Records)
2015 - The Welfare Liners - Just Stars For Light (Ghostmeat Records)
Photos
Bio
The Welfare Liners came together from the eclectic Athens, GA music scene in 2010 and combined contemporary and traditional influences to create a brand of bluegrass that has earned praise from young and old.
After releasing a self-titled, six-song EP on Ghostmeat Records in 2011, the band found themselves sharing the stage with the likes of The Del McCoury Band, Dawes and Drew Emmitt (Leftover Salmon). As they continued to perform at bluegrass festivals and local clubs, original compositions made their way in to sets previously dominated by standards from Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and The Stanley Brothers. These new, original songs borrowed heavily from the tradition of brother harmony mastered by Jim & Jesse and The Louvin Brothers, whose songs were also mainstays of early performances by the band.
High On A Hilltop is the debut album from The Welfare Liners. It includes 14 original compositions featuring Rob Keller (Six String Drag, The Drovers Old Time Medicine Show, Workhorses for the Entertainment/Recreational Industry) on vocals and bass fiddle, Wayne Wilson (Athens Grass, The F Holes) on vocals and banjo, Russ Hallauer (Sunbrain, The Lures, founder of Ghostmeat Records) on mandolin, Mark Cunningham (The Burning Angels) on guitar and Adam Poulin (Betsy Frank, Dodd Ferrelle) on fiddle. The album also includes guest appearances by William Tonks (Bloodkin, Barbara Cue) on dobro.
High On A Hilltop was recorded and mixed by Russ Hallauer at Ghostmeat Studio in Watkinsville, GA. It was mastered by Bright Eyes bassist/engineer Andy LeMaster at Chase Park Transduction in Athens, GA. The album cover design is by former Whiskeytown drummer Skillet Gilmore.
In 2015, the band band released the most recent recordings titled Just Stars for Light on Ghostmeat Records. With Just Stars For Light The Welfare Liners build on the bluegrass foundation laid down with their 2012 debut "High On A Hilltop." With their second full-length release, the Athens, Georgia group incorporates a few non-traditional instruments and occasionally expands in to more rock-like song structures to create something that is at once familiar and innovative.
Band Members
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