Wednesday 13 September 2006
It may be a surprise to hear the wistful Americana sounds of Detroit’s Deadstring Brothers coming from a city better known for loud rock, but disillusionment can take many channels. Desolation, frustration and regret have always been present where great country music was played, and from its bombed-out inner city to its sterile suburbs, Detroit has its share.
Deadstring Brothers began in fall 2001. Since then, the band has worked to develop their own take on Americana, drawing influences from a variety of sources. “It’s all in there somehow,” declares Marschke, “but blues and country music just feel the most natural.”
Not unlike Exile-era Stones, the Deadstring Brothers deliver a menacing sound that draws equally on the melancholy of country ballads and the abandon of rock and blues. The band’s music is deeply rooted in the storytelling and instrumental traditions of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and the “Outlaw Movement,” but is also informed by the song structure and understated aggression commonly associated with Detroit bands. Their haunting melodies reveal the influence of early ‘70s rock icons like The Band and Gram Parsons, while Marschke’s vocals betray the more modern influence of outré singer/songwriters like Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, and Nick Cave. Deadstring Brothers’ live performances have the energy of lo-fi guitar rock, but sophisticated arrangements and a focus on traditional American music separate them from many of their Detroit contemporaries.
The band has been touring steadily since the 2003 release of their eponymous debut and have shared the stage with acts ranging from Cat Power and Jesse Sykes to Giant Sand, My Morning Jacket, Drive by Truckers and the Mekons. Look for for their latest release, Starving Winter Report, available on Bloodshot Records!