Combining classic country jangle with soaring, open-road rock 'n' roll, Holidaysburg wants nothing more than to be the quintessential bar band: the group in the corner of your favorite watering hole, keeping you company with whiskey-soaked songs of heartbreak, travel, regret, and good times.
Since 2004, they have been that band in a multitude of bars throughout their home state of Florida, often times playing to crowds of five as though they were playing to crowds of five thousand -- with the same heartfelt intensity that attracted them to music in the first place.
They could be on their way to becoming Orlando's premier country rock band.
- Bao Le-Huu, Orlando City Beat
These days, the band plays two different sets: the blisteringly loud, bombastic Southern rock set and the quieter, drinking-beer-with-friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon alt-country set. Either set is a terrifyingly good thing, but their louder set leaves audiences crippled yet somehow desperate to hang out with them on their front porch.
- Nicole Prezioso, Orlando Weekly
At first, the band didn't seem to have much in common with the vaguely countryish sound of the other bands. Its first song was straight-ahead rock, though the singer had that roots-rock growl so many alt-country bands adopt. But after a few songs, Holidaysburg strayed into more-countrified territory with a slower, crying-in-your-beer number titled "A Better November," which is also the title of the band's 2005 debut album. The band concluded with a kick-ass, foot-stomping version of Kenny Rogers' "Coward of the County." I feared our local boys might not measure up to the out-of-town hired guns.
- Dan Sweeney, City Link
Despite the modest uprising of young alt-country acts that has sprouted in the past couple years, this band's profile remains mysteriously low. But maybe it's because these guys are the very picture of their music: no glamour, no bullshit, just straight-shooting. Despite the famously unforgiving acoustics of the space — brick walls, stone bar, terrazzo floors — their broad, soaring country-rock sound, given extra flight by singer Rob Weddle's powerfully agile voice, came as close as anyone to sounding remotely warm in this room.
- Bao Le-Huu, Orlando Weekly
Being far less concerned with fashion than other young twangsters has these no-bullshit locals relegated to underdog status on the city's y'allternative scene. Maybe it's their lower irony quotient, or maybe it's the soulful muscle of singer Rob Weddle's turbo-charged voice, but they're unquestionably one of the best country-rock outfits in these parts. Nothin' fancy, just heartfelt, straightforward and tuneful.
- Orlando Weekly
A Better November, our debut, 10-song CD, can be purchased at any of our shows, or online from our secure CDBaby.com store!
Album
