B.U.B: Press

THE BRASS UNCLE BAND
Three Mobtown Gallons (self-released)

The sound conjured by this Baltimore trio virtually embodies the city's geographic locale. Equal parts northern garage rock and southern blues/boogie, Brass Uncle Band straddles the Mason-Dixon with gusto and bemused delight. But where a lesser group might veer toward jam band noodling, B.U.B. anchors its material with measured country twang and a healthy dose of punk attitude. Its version of "Moonshiner" initially evokes Ry Cooder but quickly distances itself from the Americana legend thanks to a muscular and nimble rhythm section. A number of other cuts play out similarly, by faintly echoing the Allmans ("You Should Know Better") or early Wilco ("Not Coming Back") before distinguishing themselves. With infectious abandon, "Hit and Run" serves as a reminder that straight rock and roll can still be pulse-quickening if infused with enough slashing guitar and swaggering vocals --- and if the lyrics seem swiped from mid-1970's Aerosmith, all the better. The Hammond B-3 on a couple of cuts and the horn section that lights up the disc's final tune, "Sugar," hint that B.U.B. may be leaning toward southern soul in the future. But, for now, the inherent north/south tension in these songs gives the group a distinctive edge.

"The Brass Uncle Band's whiskey-soaked tales of trouble and desperation with a rootsy, punky edge invite the listener in for a story that singer John Petr seems like he's just dying to get out. His raw, honest, emotional lyrics, along with the band's jagged-edged barroom growl, ignore any notion of music needing a pretty little ribbon tied around it. They'll hand you an old cardboard box full of loose nails, broken bottles, and blood money instead, and you somehow believe that you should take it."

"Just when you think southern rock has devolved to nothing but self-parody, along comes the Brass Uncle Band with their new CD Three Mobtown Gallons to bring back the days when loud, hard, rock songs about outlaws, drinking, and chasing women was, you know, a helluva lot of fun. This Maryland based trio plus assorted supporting musicians can do the smoky middle of the night anthems, acoustic odes, and edgy blues numbers but they are at their best with with the crank-it-up-loud tunes. Highlights include “Hey Hey”, “See Her Again,” and “Hit and Run”.

"The Brass Uncle Band delivers rock like it was meant to be delivered - unerringly honest and unerringly loud. They are not trying to be catchy or hard or cool. They seem incapable of trying to be anything, which makes them my favorite sort of band, whatever the genre. They are making music they have to make with an earnestness that speaks to you at the root level. Add to that print-worthy lyrics and you truly have a new band to watch."