Alternative Tentacles unearths the Woodbox Gang, yet another
avant-Americana gem for our trophy case of stellar American roots acts. The Woodbox Gang sprang from Vulture Valley (we kid you not!) in southern Illinois, a land of swampy forests, coal mines, and festering religious conservatism cradled by the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. They combine the roots music tools of the trade- guitar, mandolin, lap steel and the fiddle- with unconventional
instruments like the didgeridoo, the saw, even a suitcase!
While Drunk as Dragons is a sure bet for fans of Slim Cessna and our other Denver acts, Woodbox Gang sound
has a more desolate, outlaw twist: after all, southern Illinois has a history as a gangster hideout and secessionist threat to Honest Abe.
Drunk as Dragons began as a mini-album to be sold at shows, but it's
been fortified (y'know, like finer wines) with re-recordings of eight classic songs from their seven-album discography to better spread the Woodbox gospel farther and wider.
This touring machine has a string of successful self-released cds available elsewhere on this site, and are a touring behemoth. Check the "Tour Dates" page for their next show near you! With longtime punks forming jug bands and creating fiery takes on traditional sounds, it's time for all of us to be taken out to the toolshed & whipped into shape by the Woodbox Gang.
"...'trashcan Americana,' intertwining Americana, Bluegrass, Delta Blues, outlaw and traditional Country, rockabilly and a little punk...their music is 100 percent original..." - Sky Hi Daily News
"Alternative Tentacles brings you some bizarre Americana music that will appeal to everyone from Mojo Nixon fans to alt country followers. There does not seem to be any electricity involved. This is made strictly with mandolin, dobro, fiddle, and drums. Just a string band with some percussion and, lyrically, along the lines of Tom Waits or Johnny Dowd. If you are a fan of this type of stuff, you will be hard put to find any better than this." - Razorcake