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Nashville, TN – What do you get when you take a batch of incredible songs, five veteran players who have never played together, with an arsenal of five musical minds working in unison to reinvent them? You get Hard Working Americans. Hard Working Americans is the self-titled debut from this new musicians’ collective, scheduled for a January 21 release on Melvin Records/Thirty Tigers. Genres meld seamlessly with the birth of this group, featuring artists from the Americana, singer/songwriter, experimental, jam and rock communities. Hard Working Americans is: Todd Snider (vox), Dave Schools of Widespread Panic (bass), Neal Casal of The Chris Robinson Brotherhood (guitars/vox), Chad Staehly of Great American Taxi (keys) and Duane Trucks (Col. Bruce Hampton) and of the Trucks family lineage (drums). See how Hard Working Americans came to be in this short in-studio EPK: http://vimeo.com/74119257.
Hard Working Americans features 11 tracks written by a range of artists that include Randy Newman, Kevin Gordon, Hayes Carll, Kevn Kinney (Drivin’ ‘N Cryin’), Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Brian Henneman (The Bottle Rockets), Will Kimbrough, Tommy Womack, Kieran Kane, Chuck Mead (BR5-49), Don Herron and Frankie Miller (Elizabeth Cook). As the five band members came together, they had no idea what to expect. Snider, known more as a songwriter than interpreter of songs, would just start singing and clapping, which then set the creative ideas in motion with his new band mates. This was uncharted territory as the players had not worked together previously, but it became an uninhibited, creative and fruitful environment as their chemistry was almost instant, a very pleasant surprise. In the end, the group created fresh and uniquely original arrangements of great songs, led by Snider’s intrepid vocals and backed by a band of virtuosos. The songs were then sequenced in an order that tells a story of the everyday person, the blue-collar worker, the frustrated, the struggling, the Hard Working American.
Hard Working Americans was produced by Dave Schools and Todd Snider. Special guests include John Popper and John Keane. The album was recorded at Bob Weir’s TRI Studios is San Rafael, CA, mastered by Bob Ludwig and mixed by John Keane.
While the Hard Working Americans are a fine rock band, it's hard to blend their music with Todd Snider the troubadour. We left halfway through the show, disappointed not to get our fix of any of Todd's music.
I knew they were going to be very good but they exceeded that. They don't try to be cool, they just are...Neal Casal is an incredible guitar player. Too bad the crowd was too small for music of this quality but HWA did not care they played like they this was their last show smiling all the while. I hope they keep writing music together because "Rest in Chaos" is an excellent album. Go See Them and bring all your friends they will be indebted to you forever.
Best touring band out there mixed crowd of good people who aporeciate the goid vibes of wholesome awesomeness. The kinda music you get all iver your face and hands just big gobs of groovy that you need to wear a bib. Hipsters jammers pist hippys and folkies classic rawkers and alt rockers of all agrs gathered around to feast
Heartfelt, beautifully written and delivered songs for the hard working men and mama's out there...don't miss a chance to see these guys...they are good!!!
As a fan of several of the musicians in this band, I was looking forward to the show. Any trepidation regarding whether the ensemble would "work" was quickly quashed when the concert began. Todd Snyder sang and moved as if possessed by the combined energy and enthusiasm of Joe Cocker, Steven Tyler, Mick Jagger, AND Todd Snyder! Dave Schools, celebrating his 50th birthday, and Duane Trucks laid down incredible rhythm. Neal Casal's guitar was crisp and ever present throughout the show. Chad Staehly (keys) and Jesse Aycock (guitar and lap steel) were both featured consistently and impressively. There wasn't a boring moment, and I left satisfied and wanting more!
Hat's off to the hardest working band in the industry! It was especially cool to experience Dave's Birthday with the band. H.W.A. got Knoxville BACK ON THEIR FEET AND WORKING Thank You Bijou for bringing quality entertainment in our community. As always, respect and blessings to H.W.A.
Todd's voice was very ragged and used up . It was almost ( from our seats ) impossible to make out his lyrics except for the most familiar choruses . I don't know if it was illness or what . The other musicians although very talented completely drowned out the singer . They were mixed way too loud for such a small room . Todd is a great songwriter . We did not get even a taste of that side . Overall a very disappointing performance .
Outstanding band. Great venue. Fun show. Highly recommend.
This band is so much fun to see and just keeps getting better!
The Hard Working Americans rocked the Variety Playhouse! This ain't no toe tapping show...its foot stomping and knee shaking.
Great venue, awesome band can't wait to see them again!
There is no better, rocking, jam, dance band around. Todd Schaefer opening was a bonus. He played a selection of RRE songs, his solo songs, and a bit of Dead thrown in. He got me dancing from the beginning. Too bad the music people in DC missed this great show. It meant more room, no crowding or pushy people, but the usual amount of talkers still showed up. I can't imagine a more fun show.
...to see the Hard Working Americans if you are lucky enough to live in an area they are playing. Enough said. You'll see what I mean. In terms of the TLA - ah?? Wish they would have played Union Transfer again. The TLA has made some improvements, since I was there lase and it's a good room, but not my favorite venue in Philly.
todd snider with a super group of jam band musicians. how can you go wrong? missing were snider's antics of telling stories instead of playing songs. but that was fine. instead there were times when snider had to sit down and just watch the band flesh-out a few songs. the band was tighter than i expected, with more planned, controlled instrumental segments than you might expect considering their normal bands. if you're a fan of any of their day-time jobs - widespread panic, chris robinson brotherhood, great american taxi - then take the time an check these guys out live. they may seem like a 'covers' band, but what they do with the songs is amazing.
The level of musical interplay was professionally solid and at times enlightened.
I love Todd Snider's music and rambling stories; had seen him with Hard Working Americans and enjoyed that presentation too. So I had high hopes for this show Thursday night, even brought my sis visiting from out of town, wanting to introduce her to Todd's delightful stories and pithy lyrics. The band was tight and Todd seemed relaxed and in his zone. But the music was TOO LOUD, only occasionally could we actually hear the lyrics. Even knowing the songs, I couldn't make out the words most of the time, and my poor sis was left clueless. Sound balance would have fixed everything.
One of the best shows I've seen so far this year, and leading candidate for favorite new band of 2014. Simply amazing. Neal Casal vastly exceed any past performances I've seen from him, while Dave Schools and Todd Snider delivered all one could ask for and then some.
Super Great Deluxe. This band should be huge. Buy the album if you missed the show.
THIS WAS A VERY POWERFUL PERFORMANCE OUT OF DOZENS OF SHOWS. THE WAY THE BAND REWORKED OLD FAVORITES TO MAKE THEM SOAR WAS PRETTY INCREDIBLE. THE BAND GELLED AS IF THEY HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOREVER.
Todd was great and the band is the best group he has been with so far. There is not a bad song on the album. "Straight to Hell" is the best of the lot but love them all
