30-10-2011, 12:32
online listen
thanks to R_burke for pointing this one out
might not have listened without his doing so
first time hearing, and I'm impressed
Avett Brothers style and following the same path with the live albums, this being their second
having given the props, I would probably prefer the studio versions, of which most of these exist
good stuff still
2.0
from the album - Old Number 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fut6zeXtyN0
released Oct 25th, 2011
![[Image: q76985kk40j.jpg]](http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drq700/q769/q76985kk40j.jpg)
from all music
Bio
The Devil Makes Three is kind of a strange band, As a drummerless acoustic trio consisting of two guitarists and a
string bassist, the group is deeply rooted in the blues and country music, while enthusiastically incorporating
elements of bluegrass, ragtime, and jug band traditions, as well. But the group also makes no bones about its punk
rock influences, and despite the lack of a drummer, it always plays with the needs of dancers in mind: "We play
mainly rock venues where it's not seated," says bandleader Pete Bernhard. "It can get pretty crazy, people dancing
and drinking and yelling. And that's the way we like it."
Although the Devil Makes Three consists entirely of New Englanders (two members are from Vermont and one is from
New Hampshire), the group formed in Santa Cruz, California and self-released its eponymous debut in 2002. Its
sophomore effort, Longjohns, Boots and a Belt, was released in 2004, followed by a live album titled A Little Bit
Faster and a Little Bit Worse. The band then signed to Milan Records, which reissued their debut album; in 2009,
Milan released the band's third studio album, Do Wrong Right. The live Stomp and Smash, recorded over a two-night
stand at the Mystic Theater in Petaluma, California, appeared from Milan Records in 2011.
Album Review
This is the second live outing for The Devil Makes Three, a worthy follow up to A Little Bit Faster and a Little
Bit Worse, their ironically titled first live set. The sound quality on Stomp and Smash is a lot crisper than it
was on A Little Bit Faster, probably the result of having some major label bucks to put into the recording and
mastering, but it doesn't take anything away from the band's ragged, free for all performance. The crowd sounds
like it's out of control, and sings along with the band on their favorite songs. The Devil's trademark ragtime
rhythms keep the tunes moving at a blazing pace and all three members take turns dropping concise, propulsive solos
into the mix. The material is taken from all four of their previous albums and includes three tunes they've never
recorded before. Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues" is taken at a galloping tempo with Cooper McBean's clawhammer
banjo adding strong rhythm accents to Pete Bernard's guitar and Lucia Turino's driving acoustic bass. "This Life,"
another tale of the mishaps of a traveling band, features a low-key electric guitar solo from Bernard that keeps
the energy high. The tongue in cheek lyric catalogues a series of disasters, but the vigorous performance makes it
a jubilant romp. "They Call That Religion" features longtime pal Chojo Jacques on fiddle and deals with the sexual
and financial peccadilloes of various religious figures. It's another exuberant tune with a memorable chorus: "They
call that religion, but you he'll go to hell when he dies."
Track Listing
1. For Good Again
2. Statesboro Blues
3. This Life
4. Tow
5. Old Number 7
6. Graveyard
7. Never Learn
8. They Call That Religion
9. Do Wrong Right
10. Black Irish
11. Help Yourself
thanks to R_burke for pointing this one out
might not have listened without his doing so
first time hearing, and I'm impressed
Avett Brothers style and following the same path with the live albums, this being their second
having given the props, I would probably prefer the studio versions, of which most of these exist
good stuff still
2.0
from the album - Old Number 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fut6zeXtyN0
released Oct 25th, 2011
from all music
Bio
The Devil Makes Three is kind of a strange band, As a drummerless acoustic trio consisting of two guitarists and a
string bassist, the group is deeply rooted in the blues and country music, while enthusiastically incorporating
elements of bluegrass, ragtime, and jug band traditions, as well. But the group also makes no bones about its punk
rock influences, and despite the lack of a drummer, it always plays with the needs of dancers in mind: "We play
mainly rock venues where it's not seated," says bandleader Pete Bernhard. "It can get pretty crazy, people dancing
and drinking and yelling. And that's the way we like it."
Although the Devil Makes Three consists entirely of New Englanders (two members are from Vermont and one is from
New Hampshire), the group formed in Santa Cruz, California and self-released its eponymous debut in 2002. Its
sophomore effort, Longjohns, Boots and a Belt, was released in 2004, followed by a live album titled A Little Bit
Faster and a Little Bit Worse. The band then signed to Milan Records, which reissued their debut album; in 2009,
Milan released the band's third studio album, Do Wrong Right. The live Stomp and Smash, recorded over a two-night
stand at the Mystic Theater in Petaluma, California, appeared from Milan Records in 2011.
Album Review
This is the second live outing for The Devil Makes Three, a worthy follow up to A Little Bit Faster and a Little
Bit Worse, their ironically titled first live set. The sound quality on Stomp and Smash is a lot crisper than it
was on A Little Bit Faster, probably the result of having some major label bucks to put into the recording and
mastering, but it doesn't take anything away from the band's ragged, free for all performance. The crowd sounds
like it's out of control, and sings along with the band on their favorite songs. The Devil's trademark ragtime
rhythms keep the tunes moving at a blazing pace and all three members take turns dropping concise, propulsive solos
into the mix. The material is taken from all four of their previous albums and includes three tunes they've never
recorded before. Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues" is taken at a galloping tempo with Cooper McBean's clawhammer
banjo adding strong rhythm accents to Pete Bernard's guitar and Lucia Turino's driving acoustic bass. "This Life,"
another tale of the mishaps of a traveling band, features a low-key electric guitar solo from Bernard that keeps
the energy high. The tongue in cheek lyric catalogues a series of disasters, but the vigorous performance makes it
a jubilant romp. "They Call That Religion" features longtime pal Chojo Jacques on fiddle and deals with the sexual
and financial peccadilloes of various religious figures. It's another exuberant tune with a memorable chorus: "They
call that religion, but you he'll go to hell when he dies."
Track Listing
1. For Good Again
2. Statesboro Blues
3. This Life
4. Tow
5. Old Number 7
6. Graveyard
7. Never Learn
8. They Call That Religion
9. Do Wrong Right
10. Black Irish
11. Help Yourself
I do all his music investigation for him these days.
