Ha Ha Tonka (band): Difference between revisions
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=== ''Buckle in the Bible Belt'' - Re-release (2007) === |
=== ''Buckle in the Bible Belt'' - Re-release (2007) === |
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After signing to Bloodshot Records, ''Buckle in the Bible Belt'' was re-released on September 11, 2007. "St. Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor" released as the first single from that album. |
After signing to [[Bloodshot Records]], ''Buckle in the Bible Belt'' was re-released on September 11, 2007. "St. Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor" released as the first single from that album. |
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The band's website describes how their "dark view of the realities of socio-economic hardship, backwoods prejudices and drug abuse is leavened by wry humor and a deep appreciation for regional storytelling traditions." The lead singer, Brian Roberts, is a [[cancer survivors|cancer survivor]] who criticizes the [[American health care]] system in "This Is Not a Cure for the Common Cold".<ref name=albertoni/> One review states that "Ha Ha Tonka make the kind of roots rock that fits the mood of America in the summer of 2008. Its restless, edgy and increasingly willing to address the dark side of This Land."<ref name=albertoni>{{cite web | url= http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=22731 | title= Ha Ha Tonka channels the national mood | last= Albertoni | first= Rich | publisher= ''[[Isthmus (newspaper)|The Isthmus]]''}}</ref> |
The band's website describes how their "dark view of the realities of socio-economic hardship, backwoods prejudices and drug abuse is leavened by wry humor and a deep appreciation for regional storytelling traditions." The lead singer, Brian Roberts, is a [[cancer survivors|cancer survivor]] who criticizes the [[American health care]] system in "This Is Not a Cure for the Common Cold".<ref name=albertoni/> One review states that "Ha Ha Tonka make the kind of roots rock that fits the mood of America in the summer of 2008. Its restless, edgy and increasingly willing to address the dark side of This Land."<ref name=albertoni>{{cite web | url= http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=22731 | title= Ha Ha Tonka channels the national mood | last= Albertoni | first= Rich | publisher= ''[[Isthmus (newspaper)|The Isthmus]]''}}</ref> |
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In 2008, Ha Ha Tonka toured with [[The Clarks]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2008/04/08/Arts/Ha.Ha.Tonka.Steals.Newport.Stage-3309912.shtml |title=Ha Ha Tonka steals Newport stage |date=2008-04-08 |first=Alexandra |last=Coleman |accessdate=2008-10-16 |publisher=''[[The Lantern]]''}}</ref> as well as Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin and was also a part of the 2008 Lollapalooza line up. |
In 2008, Ha Ha Tonka toured with [[The Clarks]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2008/04/08/Arts/Ha.Ha.Tonka.Steals.Newport.Stage-3309912.shtml |title=Ha Ha Tonka steals Newport stage |date=2008-04-08 |first=Alexandra |last=Coleman |accessdate=2008-10-16 |publisher=''[[The Lantern]]''}}</ref> as well as Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin and was also a part of the 2008 Lollapalooza line up. |
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In 2009, the band performed at the West Plains Civic Center in [[West Plains, MO]], with [[Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin]]. This was the first time they played the song "Caney Mountain" live with the video playing simultaneously. |
In 2009, the band performed at the West Plains Civic Center in [[West Plains, MO]], with [[Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin]]. This was the first time they played the song "Caney Mountain" live with the video playing simultaneously. |
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=== Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South (2009) === |
=== Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South (2009) === |
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Revision as of 21:39, 28 December 2010
Ha Ha Tonka |
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Ha Ha Tonka is a rock band from the Ozark region of Missouri. Their music has been described as a mixing of bluegrass and southern rock and a "marrying of influences as diverse as The Replacements, The Band, and Kings of Leon."[1][2] Josh Timmerman from Popmatters described their 2007 release Buckle in the Bible Belt as "the best rock record I've heard this year."[3]
Biography
Early years - Amsterband
The band formed in late 2001 in Springfield, Missouri, under the name of amsterband. Brian Roberts and Luke Long were childhood friends, having grown up in West Plains, Missouri, together. Adding German drummer Robert Mueller to the band made the then-three piece band complete.
Sit n Bitch (2002)
In 2002, amsterband self-released a 6-track EP entitled Sit n Bitch.
Beatchen (2003)
In 2003, the band recruited Brett Anderson and added him to the line-up. Their live shows now also featured a horn section at times, which is featured on their 2003 release Beatchen. The album was actually recorded twice, once at the studios of Missouri State University and a second time at a downtown rehearsal area in Springfield. In between those two recordings, amsterband signed to local indie label May Apple Records which, after the second recording, released and distributed the album.
In 2004, original drummer Robert Mueller left the band and was replaced by Lennon Bone.
In the next few years, the band toured frequently and started writing for the follow up record.
Buckle in the Bible Belt (2006)
In 2006, the band released their second full length album on May Apple Records entitled Buckle in the Bible Belt. The band took time to write and record Buckle in the Bible Belt in an old church in Union, Missouri.
Name change (2007) - Ha Ha Tonka
In May 2007, the band decided to change their name from amsterband to Ha Ha Tonka. On their blog they explained what the reasons for that decision were:
There are a few reasons for us changing the name... none of which have anything to do with our style, members, label signing, etc. We are the same band moving in the same direction, only now with a new name. The foremost reason is two existing bands - "Amsterdam" (Based out of the UK) and "The New Amsterdams" (Kansas City, MO). Both bands are quite a bit higher on the "ladder-o-rock" at this point, so out of respect for them and some fear of confusion in the Amsterworld we decided it best to put some new letters in front of what we're doing. It had also came to our attention many times that "Amsterband" could and has backed us into the same corner as the "hippie jam band" world. That's a great world, but a far cry from what we're doing, so we couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy about that instant label... especially with the national release coming up, and the hope of some new and vast exposure.
The band is named after or for Ha Ha Tonka State Park, located in Camdenton, MO at 37°59′19″N 92°46′6.16″W / 37.98861°N 92.7683778°W [4]
Buckle in the Bible Belt - Re-release (2007)
After signing to Bloodshot Records, Buckle in the Bible Belt was re-released on September 11, 2007. "St. Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor" released as the first single from that album.
The band's website describes how their "dark view of the realities of socio-economic hardship, backwoods prejudices and drug abuse is leavened by wry humor and a deep appreciation for regional storytelling traditions." The lead singer, Brian Roberts, is a cancer survivor who criticizes the American health care system in "This Is Not a Cure for the Common Cold".[5] One review states that "Ha Ha Tonka make the kind of roots rock that fits the mood of America in the summer of 2008. Its restless, edgy and increasingly willing to address the dark side of This Land."[5]
In 2008, Ha Ha Tonka toured with The Clarks[6] as well as Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin and was also a part of the 2008 Lollapalooza line up.
In 2009, the band performed at the West Plains Civic Center in West Plains, MO, with Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. This was the first time they played the song "Caney Mountain" live with the video playing simultaneously.
Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South (2009)
On June 16, 2009, Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South was released on Bloodshot Records.
Discography
Studio albums
- 2002 Sit n Bitch (self released EP)
- 2003 Beatchen (May Apple Records)
- 2006 Buckle in the Bible Belt (May Apple Records)
- 2007 Buckle in the Bible Belt (Bloodshot Records re-release)
- 2009 Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South (Bloodshot Records)
References
- ^ Holcomb, John. "Ha Ha Tonka Review". Amplifier.
- ^ Pflaum, Matt. "Ha Ha Tonka Rocks Riverview". Lawrence University.
- ^ Timmerman, Josh. "Ha Ha Tonka: Buckle in the Bible Belt". Popmatters.
- ^ "Ha Ha Tonka official bio page".
- ^ a b Albertoni, Rich. "Ha Ha Tonka channels the national mood". The Isthmus.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Coleman, Alexandra (2008-04-08). "Ha Ha Tonka steals Newport stage". The Lantern. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)