It is hardly a secret that some people in the music industry are obsessed with labels. They want to neatly classify everything, putting all of it in little, organized folders somewhere on a musical shelf. This sort of musical obsessive compulsiveness has recently infected many modern bands. They spend more time trying to define their band than they do perfecting their craft. There is one band, however, that would drive all of these label-crazed people up the wall. The members of Oregon's The Deep Woods Band see absolutely no need to worry about titles. They are determined to be known as a rock n' roll band that can make people dance, enjoy themselves, and think about the world in which they live.The Deep Woods Band is currently doing something that is both ambitious and intriguing. The band is led by the blues-tinged vocals and guitar stylings of Bob Shade. The guitar pyrotechnics of Matt Royston, from shimmering slide work to
pounding blues the Mattbroiler keeps it cooking. The Rev. A. J. Studly adds to the sound with his howling harmonica, while Don Cruse shines on his keyboard. The very solid rhythm section is composed of drummer B.G. Shade and bassist Isaac Jones. With influences as diverse as The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, and Ray Charles, they are difficult to pidgeonhole. It is this eclectic range of inspirations which makes the band nothing short of an experience to see and hear. In the spirit of many of the successful bands of these eras, The Deep Woods Band stands out because they consistently put their own appealing spin on everything they do, be it their carefully chosen cover songs or their infectiously energetic original material.The band has recently been heading in the direction of jam bands such as The Dead, String Cheese Incident, and Widespread Panic. The setlist is always in flux, and on any given night audiences may hear a psychedelic version of Jim Reeves' 'Room Full Of Roses', followed by the band's latest original song, 'Baby We Got Nothin'. This song keeps with the band's tendency to write social commentaries that are both catchy and thought-provoking. The band is also known for its extended Coltrane-inspired versions of old favorites, such as Donovan's 'Season Of The Witch' and Disney's 'Zip A Dee Doo Da'. This ability to draw creative inspiration from the music that has preceded them has caused The Deep Woods Band to connect with the thousands of people in the Pacific Northwest who have seen them live.Every once in a while, a band arrives with the nerve, ambition, and confidence to do something different. Often this attempt is marked by a unique sound or a defining look that separates them from other bands. Other times, a group stands out because they simply do not care what other bands are doing. The guys in The Deep Woods Band have made it abundantly clear that their main reason for working together is their love of music. The band is intent on positively affecting people via their entertaining live show. They are confident that passion for one's craft tends to transcend genres and titles. By bringing this attitude to their project, The Deep Woods Band is simultaneously winning over fans and reeking havoc on modern music's tendency to label and sort. For more information on The Deep Woods Band, visit www.deepwoodsband.com.
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