Through the years Poor Man's Whiskey has developed a sound that is
eclectic and engaging. It is a musical tapestry influenced by
American music. From bluegrass and folk to rock, funk, pop, blues, and
even disco, their songs invite the audience to dance, laugh, sing, and
occasionally even to slow down to ponder and reflect. At the core
they are story tellers, weaving tales of everyday life that is easily
accessible and will have you singing and dancing right along. Not
bound by the rules of bluegrass tradition, PMW uses all the tools
available to engage the crowd and themselves (from banjos and
mandolins to screaming electric guitars and drums, from everyday
casual wear to flashy and elaborate costumes).
Poor Man's Whiskey has released two full length studio cd's, Train To
California (2003) and Roadside Attraction (2005). In 2007 they also
released a limited run DVD of their critically acclaimed performance
of "Dark Side of the Moonshine, a bluegrass interpretation of the Pink
Floyd classic album", shot live to a sold out crowd at the Mystic
Theater.
PMW has supported such acts as the Eagles, Phil Lesh and Friends, John
Mayer, Hot Buttered Rum, New Monsoon, the Duhks, the Waybacks, Blue Turltle Seduction, etc.,
as well as playing such festivals as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass,
Strawberry Music Festival, 4 Peaks Music Festival, Sugar Bowl Music
Festival, (as well as qualifying for the finals of the Telluride Music
Festival band competition).
The band consists of members Jason Beard on mandolin and guitar, Josh
Brough on banjo and keyboards, Eli Jebidiah on dobro, guitar and
duct tape, Chris Rovetti on fiddle, George Smeltz on drums, and Aspen Stevenson on acoustic and electric bass.
The name of the band comes from a fable regarding the late blues
legend Mississippi John Hurt. During the 60's, when a folk revival
made him a prominent act to a newly-appreciative and younger audience,
he was offered some marijuana, to which he replied: "That ain't nothin
but poor man's whiskey."
Get the new CD Roadside Attraction here!
or Buy it on iTunes here
And Buy Train to California (Album No.2) on iTunes here!