Homegrown Americana
Mark Howlin' Lord Legassick and Case Hardin double bill at Ace Space next Friday
Coming to town centre venue Ace Space on Friday, February 18, is an exciting double-bill of home-grown country and Americana music, featuring up-and-coming Bristol outfit Howlin' Lord, supported by Berkshire's very own Case Hardin (acoustic).
Howlin' Lord's influences range from the Mountain Gospel music of Hank Williams and the Carter family to the Velvet Underground through Black Flag and Neil Young. Electrified and backed by his rhythm section of Mark Furnevall (bass) and Thomas Elgie (drums), Mark ‘Howlin' Lord' Legassick delivers heartworn country folk-rock as if Laurel Canyon was hidden somewhere in the English West Country. Live, the band turn on a dime from haunting, atmospheric, balladry to blistering rock 'n' roll hurricanes; imagine a backwoods Ritchie Valens with Black Flag tearing through a Morricone soundtrack and you'll get the idea.
Having spent the last year touring the sold out (now re-pressed) Blackheart Sessions EP (still available on iTunes) – including well received trips to Ireland, appearances at Dot to Dot Festival, the Camden Crawl, Supernormal Festival and Barn on The Farm plus support slots for acts from the late Jay Reatard (RIP), Johnny Flynn, The Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir and The Duke And The King – the band have now finished work on their first full length LP Gold Fury with Luke Cawthra of Phantom Limb on production duties and guest vocals from Beth Rowley.
Gold Fury is due for release on March 18 and pre-orders are available now from www.littleparadiserecords.co.uk
Case Hardin play in support of Ugly Nephew label release, Some Tunes For Charlie Spencer, an album praised by critics that has allowed them to share a stage with key names from the Americana scene such as The Duke & The King, Steve Forbert and Justin Townes Earle.
Formed in 1999, Case Hardin is the outlet for songwriter Pete Gow, who Bucketful of Brains magazine described as a singular talent. The latest incarnation of the band, including Newbury-based musician and actor Adam Kotz has just completed a new album of material, Every Dirty Mirror, due for release very soon.
Compositions from this record, alongside highlights from Some Tunes For Charlie Spencer will be performed in a rare acoustic setting at Ace Space; a unique chance to hear Case Hardin songs in a stripped-back, pure setting and an opportunity to see their intense, visceral live show.
Doors open at 7.30pm for 8pm. Tickets are priced £8 on the night (£6 concessions) or £7 (£5) in advance from Jacqui's shop, Hogan's Music or by telephoning Alex Hall on 07905 590214. Real ale bar.
www.myspace.com/howlinlord
www.myspace.com/casehardin
