Press
"This Gram Parsons-loving band of weekend warriors knows their country music, and it's not the kind you hear on the radio much anymore. Merle Haggard, George Jones, Buck Owens and the Rolling Stones' forays into twang are the obvious starting points for the group's original tunes, while their history as a classic country and rock n' roll cover band...provides plenty of well-worn and time-tested material for audiences to sing along with."
- From "Sound Bites: Music Reviews" from the Columbia Free Times, July 12-18, 2006
"Devils in Disguise used to be known as a pretty cool little cover band... They've now branched out and are writing some excellent original songs. Like most good bands, they are at their best when they play live."
- Mark Lyvers, aka Uncle Gram, host of WUSCs Red Bank Bar and Grill show
"Columbia, S.C.-based four-piece Devils in Disguise started life in the late '90s as a covers band (offering their take on songs by Zevon, Earle and Reed--Lou, not Jimmy) with the name Gunrack. Coiniciding with the change in moniker, the band started incorporating original country-jam material, positioning them as a cross between spiritual godfather Gram Parsons and Widespread Panic."
- From "Get Out: Music worth leaving the house to hear this week," from the Independent Weekly, February 23, 2005
About the Band/History of
Devils in Disguise takes you back to a point in time where the honky-tonk business was nothing more than a reflection of everyday life, slapback was the preferred reverb and dusty streets led dual-ply tires down new journeys of discovery, heartache, joy and sadness. Chrome seemed to shine a little brighter and folks always threw up a hand to say "howdy" as you passed. In this modern world in which we live, Devils in Disguise want to take you on a journey of heartache and hope for finding that place in life we all can call home. Songs reminiscent of Gram Parsons, the Everly Brothers, George Jones, Merle Haggard, the Rolling Stones early '70's work and a few others pop up on the radar when the band plays shows. Sure, they dont have any problems with the more modern influences and technologies in life -- vacuum tubes and e-lectronic guitars are part of the band's equipment list. Transistors and modern-day technologies may have passed some of these boys by, but they've become quite proficient at communicating via e-lectronic mail, so drop them a message to let them know how much you like old-time honky tonk music, songs about life, love, lost love and the ever-constant battle with one's demons of the past and future.
The band officially formed in 2003 when brothers-in-law David Hane and Julian Cochran picked up the pieces of a former cover band project called Gunrack and decided to start writing their own songs while paying tribute to some of the honky tonk greats along the way. David was new to the gigging scene but Julian had played in and out of many bands for over 10 years, most significantly a 3-year stint with the regional touring act Residew in the early 1990's. The guys continued their trek into outerspace with the addition of Michael Edge on the bass, who himself was a veteran of many bands from the SC music scene who had decided he was ready to take a break from the Charleston, SC music scene and move to Columbia. Michael brought many years of experience including touring and performing all over the South as a solo act and with many different groups. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when the band needed a new drummer and Julian contacted his college friend and former Residew bandmate Randy Danny, VP to provide the South's most solid backbeat. Randy brought a wealth of experience to the band. After he and Julian parted ways in the early 1990's, Randy went on to play and tour for several years with Allgood Music Co. and eventually settled down in Atlanta, GA where he has played with a variety of acts over the last 10 years, including but not limited to the Fred Reese Band and now with the Danny Family. He also serves as vice-president of Atlanta's Foul Country records when he's not holding down the beat for his many music projects.
In the harsh reality of this modern world, Devils in Disguise are nothing more than a group of weekend warriors who love to spread the gospel of country soul in a modern world of rap, remixes and raves. The boys just can't give it up though. It is part of who they are. Country soul doesnt draw much, but it does leave a stamp on the heart. So take my advice and yall come on out to church sometime. Put your ears and dancin' shoes on before you show up and let the boys do the rest.
- Earl Throttlebottom Dantzler, March 2006
