The Kit Hillbillies [Bluegrass, 4 piece]
The Kit Hillbillies: an old-timey, bluegrassy, ragtimey, toe-tappy, good-timey string band. We do acoustic Americana - rootsy, retro and uptempo.Our repertoire includes old-time favourites like Man of Constant Sorrow and In the Jailhouse Now; and the rattling bluegrass drive of Duelling Banjos and Foggy Mountain Breakdown. We place particular emphasis on old-fashioned harmony singing.The music has an infectious swing and syncopation that's easily danceable, with a crisply percussive back-beat woven into it. Occasionally we'll deploy a stomp box, or place a snare drum within reach of Fidel Styx so that he can thwack the occasional beat with his bow. But in the fine retro style of the old-time string bands, we don't use a drummer as such. This means we avoid being too loud. If you catch the Kit Hillbillies in a bar, you can usually talk to the person next to you without screaming. That's the way we like it, anyway. We're fussy about the sound and usually bring our own dedicated sound man.We throw in some original bluesy songs with many a knowing nod to the backwoods and badlands of Devon & Cornwall. These *usually* avoid causing offence (happily people don't always listen to the words!). We always do some 20thC classics by the likes of Johnny Cash & Steve Earle. And like Hayseed Dixie we throw in songs by Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Clash and even Radiohead - all delivered in good-time string band style. In short, it's the makings of a rousing, stomping night of tunes.Our music was once described as the sound of Woody Guthrie chasing Earl Scruggs in a stolen hay lorry. But a simpler summary was provided by the Guardian journalist Tim Dowling, who often writes about music: "The Kit Hillbillies: Excellent. See them soon."
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Band Contact Details
| Band name | The Kit Hillbillies |
| Based in | Calstock, Cornwall |
| Tel | 07873 263396 |
| gordonmartyn@yahoo.co.uk | |
| Send Enquiry | Name: Gordon or Neil |
| Info |
Available for weddings, private parties, corporate events.
Own PA, own lights, equipment PAT tested.
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This band/artist page is jointly maintained by Lemonrock and Gordon. Last updated 27 December 2017.