"We Never Close is Red Meat's fourth, and finest, album...a knockout time start to finish." NO DEPRESSION, Sept/Oct 2007
"The group's signature vocal harmonies and devastatingly twangy Telecaster frame the catchy and often funny originals perfectly: The breakdown on "12 Inch 3 Speed Oscillating Fan" blows our skirt way, way up. Must be the Bakersfield in us." SF WEEKLY, 12/5/07
"Red Meat's contribution to the Americana universe is to stoke the legendary fires of that old Bakersfield sound, as once done by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Oakland honky tonkers Red Meat have absorbed a wide spectrum of their predecessors, and their country music is not "all hat"; they go far beyond aping their influences and capture some of that cosmic American soul that Gram Parsons was chasing after on We Never Close. Simply put: this is a great country album that nods to an era when "country" meant something altogether different." ALL MUSIC.COM
"They come hailed as California’s finest honky tonk band...do the claims have musical merit? Yep! Let them claim the title. My take on We Never Close? I loved it. Musically, there’s not a dud in the pack. For an album of honed and lyrically satisfying tunes, this is one band not to miss when they hit your local bar; and this is one album you need for the collection…after all, they are California’s finest." COUNTRY STARS ONLINE
"From the opening twanging of "Honky Tonk Habit" Red Meat firmly establishes their pedigree as a Bakersfield-influenced country group...good material and great arrangements...a great listen that's never boring, and would prove especially fun for those roots-rock fans with an affinity for twang." COUNTRY STANDARD TIME
"This is the best release by the band to date. It represents a perfection of their craft, which is pure, honest and unpretentious country music that can at once evoke laughter and tears." AMAZON.COM
Carrying on the strong West Coast tradition of creating authentic country and western music with a sharp edge, the San Francisco based band Red Meat is dedicated to keeping honky tonk music fresh and alive. Formed in a garage in the Mission District in 1993, Red Meat takes its inspiration from the likes of Bakersfield legend Buck Owens, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Sr. and the Carter Family. They also count Gram Parsons as an influence and visually they recall the salad days of the Modesto, California-based Maddox Brothers and Sister Rose.
The group is comprised of a few misplaced Midwesterners who found a home for their muse in the City by the Bay. Scott Young plays fiddle, guitar and sings like a bird, and he also writes a lot of the songs. Bassist and vocalist Jill Olson is the other main songwriter, and lead guitarist Michael Montalto also contributes original material. Drummer Les James adds to the band's distinctive vocal sound while front man Smelley Kelley is not only the "vocal artist" of the group, but also the on-stage frontman.
Red Meat has won an SF Weekly "Wammy," as well as the SF Bay Guardian's "Best of the Bay" award. The band's songs have appeared in the Lion's Gate film "Monster's Ball," in many independent movies, and in the soundtrack for the cable TV show "Rollergirls."Red Meat has recorded 3 CDs, 2 of which were produced by roots music legend Dave Alvin (The Blasters/X/the Knitters). Their 4th, "We Never Close" was also produced by Dave Alvin, and is out now. Make the trek to your local music store or on-line and get yours today!
