earworm- (îr'wûrm'): a song or tune that gets stuck in one's mind and repeats as if on a tape; also written ear-worm, ear worm; also called cognitive itch, sticky tune.
More than a few bands from the New Brunswick area can be accused of attempting to emulate the sound of other successful groups who have left this little corner of Jersey for bigger and better record deals and tours.
But if The Roadside Graves are not an organic creation, I don't know what is. Their current label Kill Buffalo Records provides the following amazing story about the band's origins:
That being said, The Roadside Graves are certainly evocative of the West, sounding country and folky at the same time but avoiding the hokeyness associated with both genres. Twangy melodic guitars (courtesy of John, Jeremy, and Rich) do their thing over complimentary percussion (performed by Colin and Andrew.) Songs like "Lot Lizards Ain't Lip Kissers" have a great piano line (courtesy of Mike) and groovy maracas; with the vocals over those two instruments, I swear I see visions of Don McLean and "American Pie" in my head.
Long time friends John Gleason (vocals) and Jeremy Benson (guitar) needed to clear their heads. Both had broken up with their girlfriends and were looking to get out of New Jersey. Embarking upon an extended road trip across America, they found inspiration in a small town in a dry state.
Salina, Utah is not exactly dry. State-owned liquor stores sell packaged liquors and fine wines. While in a bar purchasing said “package booze” to help them through another rainy night sleeping in tents, the friends met a beautiful bartender and her sister-in-law. The decision was made to spend the night in Salina. The Jersey boys drank with Utah cowboys and took turns dancing with the girls. Everyone fell in love with the bartender, but her story was tragic. At twenty she had already suffered the death of her first husband, and with two young children she seemed stuck. John and Jeremy fantasized about rescuing her. "In retrospect, she actually seemed rather content,” says Benson. "I think we were projecting our own doom and gloom onto her." Gleason began work on a song immediately. “I remember hearing John working on it,” Benson says. “He would sneak away to the bathroom for privacy.” The resulting “Song for a Dry State” tells the story of that tumultuous road trip and the beautiful young woman from Salina. It would become the Graves’ first song.
My favorite song from their MySpace, however, is the live recording of "Far and Wide" from the Iota in Arlington, VA. It has everything you could wish for in an indie/folk/country hybrid- lovely guitar, delicious-sounding bass (performed by Dave), fantastic harmonizing, a sparkly piano line, the maracas, and what sounds like a tambourine! What's not to like?
Visiting The Roadside Graves' MySpace or website will give you a list of their upcoming tour dates. They are playing quite a few venues in the area over the next couple of weeks, so get out there and support!
You can purchase their newest LP No One Will Know Where You've Been here.
Their EP What Happened to Him Could Happen to You can be purchased here.
Happy listening, everybody!
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