Hard Working Americans is an American rock supergroup formed in 2013. The band consists of singer Todd Snider, bassist Dave Schools from Widespread Panic, Chad Staehly of Great American Taxi on keyboards and Duane Trucks, also from Widespread Panic, younger brother to Derek, on drums.[1] Guitarist and vocalist Neal Casal died in 2019.[2]
Hard Working Americans | |
|---|---|
 Vocalist Todd Snider | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | Blues rock, Southern rock |
| Years active | 2013-present |
| Members | Todd Snider Dave Schools Duane Trucks Chad Staehly Jesse Aycock |
| Past members | Neal Casal |
| Website | http://www.thehardworkingamericans.com/ |
Their debut performance was December 20, 2013 at a Boulder, CO benefit for Colorado Flood Relief.[3] They embarked on a US Tour shortly thereafter.
Their self-titled debut album Hard Working Americans was recorded in 2013 at Bob Weir's TRI Studios in San Rafael, CA. It is composed entirely of cover songs from artists ranging from Randy Newman to Drivin N Cryin. The album was produced by Schools and Snider, and was mixed by John Keane. John Popper guests on harmonica. Hard Working Americans was released on January 21, 2014 on Thirty Tigers/Melvin Records [4]
In 2016, the band released their second album, Rest in Chaos, which unlike their previous record, is composed primarily of original songs written by the band themselves.[5] The exception is the track "The High Price of Inspiration," written by Guy Clark for his album My Favorite Picture of You. Clark has a cameo speaking, and also plays guitar on the track. Rest in Chaos was written and recorded live as the band was finishing their first tour; using Snider's poetry to start the lyric, he finished the songs after principle recording was complete.[6] The album was produced by band member Dave Schools, and also featured the addition of Jesse Aycock to the band's lineup. Longtime friend and collaborator Elizabeth Cook sings on the track "Massacre."
In 2019, founding guitarist Neal Casal died.[7]
Members
edit
- Todd Snider
- Dave Schools
- Chad Staehly
- Duane Trucks
- Jesse Aycock
Former members
edit
- Neal Casal (2013 - 2019; his death)
Releases
editStudio albums
edit- 2014 Hard Working Americans - Thirty Tigers / Melvin Records
- 2016 Rest in Chaos - Melvin Records
Singles
edit- 2013 "Down to the Well" - Thirty Tigers / Melvin Records
- 2014 "Stomp and Holler"[8]
- 2016 "Opening Statement"[9]
Live albums
edit- 2014 The First Waltz - Melvin Records
- 2017 We're All In This Together - Melvin/Thirty Tigers
References
edit- ^ "Amazon.com: Hard Working Americans". Amazon. 2014.
- ^ "Neal Casal, Guitarist Who Worked with Willie Nelson, Shooter Jennings, Dead at 50". Rolling Stone. 27 August 2019.
- ^ "Boulder theater: Hard Working Americans". Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
- ^ "Hard Working Americans website". Archived from the original on 2020-11-08. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
- ^ "Hard Working Americans Premiere New Song 'Opening Statement': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
- ^ "Hard Working Americans Announce New Album 'Rest In Chaos'". JamBase. 2016-02-23. Retrieved 2016-05-18.
- ^ "Neal Casal, Guitarist Who Worked with Willie Nelson, Shooter Jennings, Dead at 50". Rolling Stone. 27 August 2019.
- ^ "Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 2014-07-27. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
- ^ "Hard Working Americans: Rest in Chaos". PopMatters. Retrieved 2016-05-18.