Whiskey Basterds’ debut album Redemption on Main St., was written in California by Michael Shonafelt, Jon B. Wilder, with Ken Eros. It was produced by Ken Eros and April Theriault, recorded and mixed at Eros Creative and Sound, and mastered by Eric Boulanger at The Bakery. The album photography is by Anna Webber and the artwork is by WebberSites. The core of the album is Michael Shonafelt on vocals, acoustic and rhythm guitar, and banjo; with Mario Calire (the Wallflowers, Ozomatli) on drums.
With sinister vocal distortion, the Whiskey Basterds are at the heavy end of the Americana rock spectrum. “Caxton Gibbet” tells twisted tales of folks hanged and gruesomely caged — likely very wrongfully– at the famous site outside London. This song features the support of wondrous embellishments by April Theriault on flute and Bob Corritore on harmonica.
“Last Shot” continues the dark tales, this time of barstool attempts to slay personal demons. With Jimmy Calire on hammond B3 and David Palmer on synthesizers and piano, the music winds up the path to redemption.
“Sweet Kathleen” is a soaring tribute of hope and youthful romance with the entwining backing vocal harmonies of April Theriault and Perla Batalla. “Old Crow” takes a slower tempo with a still-potent energy and the addition of Jason Roller on fiddle. And “It’s Gonna Happen” grooves in Southern rock style with strings and dancing harnonies.
This entire album is an electric rock ‘n roll trip through the dark side. You’re going up want to stick with it all the way through. Discover more here: https://whiskeybasterds.com/