Formed by Bay Area singer-guitarist Grant Benziger, The Curly Wolf follow 2013’s Both Barrels with another energised shot of what’s been described as “roots-country western, bluegrass, honky-punk and rockabilly/psychobilly”.
Joined by the hell-for-leather rhythm section of bassist Matt Pliskin and drummer Mike Bouchard, Benziger and producer Jason Mater pull in mandolin, pedal steel, trumpet, cello and violin to flesh out their ham-slapping accelerators, including Diesel Blood and Grow American, and garnish heartfelt ballads such as I’ve Won.
It might be somewhat harsh to think that Mumford And Sons have opened music industry doors to roots-driven music in the US, but The Curly Wolf operate with enough of their own hoedown soul to keep their eyes on their roots rather than any latest trend.
