Hillbilly Casino is amazing, please dont review shows that you hate the genre. Its obvious that you are not into punk rock and rockabilly which has absoutly nothing to do with any of these bands. Dont be so bitter becuase you didnt get to review a shearwater show or what ever new hip intelectual indie band that only ass holes are into. Go back to bed room and cry your self to sleep listening to the shins.

Perhaps i am a bit harsh but I do not apprecate all the belittling of punk rock and the disrespect to Hillbilly Casino.

who the hell do you think you're talking to?
punk rock is my fucking life. i play in a punk rock band and have for half my life. show me a single word in this article that belittles it.

also, if i hate punk rock so much, how am i sitting here citing song names and the albums they came from in my my review?

i have no problem with punkabilly in and of itself but i have every right to think that Hillybilly Casino is boring and derivative. they were boring, preictable, and I didn't think their songs were very good. On the whole found them very bland and lacking that all-important "devil music" vibe you get from say Rev. Horton Heat.

I thought the Shack Shakers were awesome for every reason HC was not, and I thought I made it clear here. i did say they were using the same formula as Casino, but without the formula, it really can't be Punkabilly, can it?

i understand you were probably dying to bitch about someone not appreciating punk rock long before you even read this article, but it looks like you jumped the gun a little, my friend. the internet is a big place. surely you can find another blog that's much more conducive to your argument instead of looking like dumbass here for not even reading the whole article before you bitch about its content.

I have to back Nick Barnes up on this one...I've been to hundreds of live shows crossing all kinds of genres and I doubt I could name more than a couple that could match the fire of a Hillbilly Casino show. You're certainly entitled to an opinion in your own column, but lowering your crosshairs on the opening band like that just sounds like you're doing a little ass-kissing, and that you probably don't understand the crossroads between punk and rockabilly. My two cents, gents.

That was a horribly wrong portrayal of Hillbilly Casino.
First of all, without even mentioning their performance and music, the band members are the most down to earth musicians that I have met from nashville.
I met Nic Roulette at a past show and when I had to leave early he personally gave me a hug and almost begged me to stay.

Point One: They appreciate their fans, unlike most of the bands that play regularly at Rocketown.

Performance wise, I think that they are some of the most energetic, lively bands I have ever seen. The first show I went to with them opening up, I was amazed because I was dancing around and just loving the music.

Music wise, they are talented.
If you can write your own music, play a double stand up bass, write lyrics, etc... that's when you are allowed to comment on their "horrible" musical style.

hillbilly casino kicks ass and puts on an incredible show, sorry that you Seth Graves are to incompetent to see that. Maybe you just needed a drink. Through the whole article u acted as though that show was beneath you....you sir are too fuckin cool!

Hillbilly Casino tore it up. I would fuck them all.

But not you.

i have to pile on here, feller. how can you say a band is predictable and then say that the reason you didn't like them is because they weren't like every other band in the genre? lacking the "devil music" vibe, you said. i can vouch for hillbilly casino, i've seen them do a week's worth of shows, and each show was unique and entertaining. nic roulette has to be one of the most clever, entertaining and engaging frontmen i've ever seen. but i wouldn't expect you to know that, blogger. that would only come with familiarity. and i think you're a little sensitive to getting called out. you were pretty quick to say how punkrock you are, which i think is pretty anti-punkrock. just some point-counterpoint.

Why are you not supporting your local music scene? How can you write things like you did and not expect people to be defensive? Hillbilly Casino put on a good show, not once that night, but twice. If you'd seen Rancid in the last 3 or 4 years, you'd know that they put on the exact same show with the exact same song list. I've loved them all my life, but I've been bitterly disappointed in them since I've realized that they're not even trying anymore. I left early because I knew that I'd already seen what was worth seeing.

I'd like to see you try and put a show on like Hillbilly Casino did.

again. i never said anyone was horrible, so please don't "quote" me on that. I never said they weren't talented. never said they were anything less than good at what they do. i never said punkabilly music was bad, and i didn't "trash" them by any means.

in fact, how is this a wrong portrayal? whose ass am i kissing? is anyone here going to deny that they have "revved up train track beats", "clackity clack upright bass", "distorted blues riffs", or that the singer combs his hair on stage? the only commentary i added on this was that it was exactly what i expected. yes, i meant to imply this as predictable. because to me it was. that is an opinion and thus incapable of being "wrong". explain to me the inaccuracy, please.

i'm sure they love their fans. i'm sure they're great guys. but those things don't factor in to what i'm paid to do. my job is to comment on what i see on stage. i didn't say they weren't energetic (they definitely were), but that doesn't change the fact i wasn't impressed. why should i treat the opening band any different than the headliner? what does being able to play music have to do with being a critic? (which by the way, i do write my own music and write lyrics in my own hillbilly-inspired punk band).

anyways. again. don't attack me over things i've written before you've actually read them. no one here has yet to present a valid argument based on anything that actually appears in the above review. i described their sound accurately and objectively commenting only that it's what punkabilly bands pretty much always sound like.

am i wrong? am i lying? seriously. what are you complaining about?

Ok, as a departure from the Hillbilly Casino fanclub firestorm of indignation, I totally agree with Seth Graves. Having seen the band open for the Cramps and Shack Shakers a few times, I fail to see anything at all special about this band. I don't know (or frankly, care) about what a caring gentleman their frontman is offstage, his onstage persona stinks. It gets pretty hard to get actually get your ears around his trite preening and posing and actually judge the music on its own merits without getting bogged down by that cocky eyesore cluttering the stage. There is a fine line between entertaining showmanship and being a witless, hollow jester.....And to those claiming they are the "most energetic, lively band" they've ever seen, well, that's just a shame.

My, oh my son, I was not there, but I can assure you that the boy I raised, who I am sure you do not know is legally blind without his contacts or glasses....does one heck of a show, he even has performed without contacts and know one was the wiser. Showmanship, TALENT, and never giving up his dreams, plus, might I add FAITH, powers Nic. AND, the least of which is combing his hair, be real, were you even watching the show? When you can entertain with song, dance, and working the stage like he does, I guess then you can judge. I also am a columnist, of a different genre, the spiritual kind and I should suggest you not judge any band as rudely as you did The Hillbilly Casino. Every single one of "my boys" (AND I love them all like they were mine) are so talented and genuine in their love of music, their fans and give all to their performances.I find it utterly unbelievable that you considered The Hillbilly Casino less then the Shack Shackers. I see J.D. in a personal vein, not one of him on the stage. I look into the hearts of folks and I feel, perhaps, your heart needs to lighten up a bit when reviewing bands or other's musical style. Yes, I am Nic's Mom, however, I am also privy to many folks' opinions and reviews, and your's young man, needs some apologies to The Hillbilly Casino. You need to think upon, perhaps even pray before you write a review next time, about any band. God bless you and please take to heart my words as a kind rebuke, rather than a harsh one. Chaplain Altalee Stellhorn, Fort Wayne, IN

Seth, i think the general complaint is that your a douche bag. If you are not perceptive enough to realize that the overall theme of your article is one of negativity then im not sure that you are qualified to write for a highschool news paper.

BTW Saves The Day cover bands don’t count as punk bands.

As someone who is very much into many music genres and enjoys writing, I have always wanted to be a music critic. However, after reading this article, I can't help but feel as though the writer has a personal problem with the band itself.

At what point does it seem necessary to bring up the bass players choice of body expression or the lead singers hair? Does that have any impact on the way a person enjoys the music produced by the band?

Not to mention the personal comment posted by the writer riddled with 'choice' words meant only for situations where one could not find words to express ones self.

As an employee of the website and no doubt, the publishing 'Nashville Scene', I'm sure you have some reputation to withhold that does not approve of the way you handled criticism of you're column.

I myself, am not a fan of Rancid. After all, there are simply to many genres out there for one to enjoy all.

However, I respect them as being a 'name' in their genre. I am deeply sorry that your 'Casio inspired' band did not get to open for them. Is this what it's all about???? Oh, God, why didn't I see it sooner????

I apologize!!!! How insensitive of me.
Go back to writing blogs on myspace, please. Because critiques here are meant for music. Your idea of music is clearly pierced by personal choice and is not suitable for music journalism.

Take care,
Kelly

Okay. I get it. Seth Graves didn't like HBC. Fine. Mr Graves, Please give them another look. Give them another listen. They will be playing Layla's on Broadway every Friday night. I am shocked, being a local music critic, that you have not heard of them. I challenge you to give it another listen. Hell, I dare you. Maybe give the band a little something in the tip jar....they need money for more neck tattoos. Man up, SG, and do it.

wow, a performer's actual mother scolding a columnist for a mediocre review. I think a lot of you people need to calm down, or at least try to remain on topic, rather than tossing out accusations of jealousy. That's ridiculous.

Seth-

Clearly, you need to get out of the business and move onto that sales job Daddy is holding for you at the dealership.
If you really think Hillbilly Casino's best move was the lead singer combing his hair - you're probably burnt out from reviewing too many shows.
So - save me a silver Lexus - I want mine with leather seats.

Toodles-
Joe

Thanks! Your article reminded me of why I stopped picking up copies of the Nashville Scene. Say what you want about Hillbilly Casino, but you really shouldn't judge them until you see them at a venue that is more fitting to their style. They played a quick set to a bunch of hipsters at a venue that is my last choice to see good, live music. I'll even admit that their performance was somewhat lacking, but I wouldn't call them boring and derivative based on a 25 minute set you saw at Rocketown.

Before you decide to bash Hillbilly Casino in another "prize winning" article, go and see them at a place like Layla's on Broadway, a place where they really let loose. If you still think their performance is boring and predictable, then you must be as lame as your article makes you seem.

Russ, I am reposting this again, seems not to have gone through. Since the Scene has given very little press to The Hillbilly Casino, I find it rather unfair a poor review was given at this time. As far as tossing out accusations of jealousy, do not know what that is all about. Things went on at the show, least of which was tattos and hair combing. Rather petty, in my eyes to point out tattoos and hair, rather than talent. I just felt I suggested Seth needed to pay more attention to the talent, and afterall, this was suppose to be an all ages show and I know for a fact Nic did not want to play any drinking or smoking songs. So perhaps when the crowd wanted PBR and the boys did not play that, something should be said that THE HILLBILLY CASINO KEPT IT ALL AGES!!!!! By the way Russ, were you there?

i was joking with someone before the show about how punkabilly bands typically always have some big guy with at tattoo on his neck playing the upright bass. it was listed here as one of the things i've come to expect from the punkabilly genre. if you were too blinded with rage to pick up on that, i apologize.

the hair-combing comment was not an insult. i said it was the first time i'd seen it, meaning it was unique. and i really did think it was his best stage move. it was a compliment.

No, I have no personal beef with the band. Unlike many of the people who've posted here tonight, I feel petty name calling and irrelevant personal attacks would only detriment my argument (as it certainly does yours) and are, ironically, more accurately "words meant only for situations where one could not find words to express ones self".

i'm sorry i don't love your favorite band. get over it. what does rallying the fan club together to bully a writer who didn't lavish your friends with adoring praise accomplish? Are you trying to punish me for having an opposing opinion? (very American, btw) It doesn't change anything. I still think Hillbilly Casino is carbon copy of 90% of every other punkabilly act i've seen and I'm afraid you've failed to change my mind.

I don't even know why that's insulting. They're not claiming - as far as i can tell - to be musical innovators.

I suggest you guys invest in a much thicker skin if you're going to involve yourself this closely with anyone in the entertainment biz. If i reacted the way you're reacting right now every time my band got a bad review (btw, the Scene has printed some of the worst criticism ever written about my music) I would have hung it up a long time ago. But this, I assure you, is hardly a bad review. No one got "bashed" here, and even if they were, hassling the press over these sorts of things is about the most futile thing you can do about it.

if this is the worst thing that's ever been written about Hillbilly Casino, they're doing a hell of a lot better than most bands.

yo seth, the cool thing about writing as "the spin" is that you can give accurate and negative (if warranted) concert criticism anonymously! ha. well at least you've drawn the mob off the trail of the real villain in this local music tragicomedy - the nefarious Tracy Moore! so, you wanna go to layla's this weekend and see a predictable rockabilly show and drink some predictable beers?

Wow Seth. Looks like you pissed off the wrong band's message board. And there is nothing I get more annoyed with than comments like, "If you can write your own music, play a double stand up bass, write lyrics, etc... that's when you are allowed to comment on their "horrible" musical style." People don't have to be sexy to be able to tell how sexy I am.

Yea, you obviously have NO CLUE what your talking about. Hillbilly Casino is a great example of that style of music, if you don't like the style you have no right no review them. And Th' Legendary Shack Shakers are one of the most entertaining bands I've seen in a long time, along with being talented as hell. You might want to quit your day job if you get this many people angry with you.

Well Seth, what a fool you are!
Hillbilly Casino is one of the most entertaining groups with the ability to have you toe tappen, singing along and laughing, top of the food chain musictians!
Some one send this guy back to Out and About Mag. so he can write on what he knows...

Seriously Seth...would you be willing to head out to Layla's on a Friday night and really give these guys a chance in a more appropriate venue?

As people have mentioned this repeatedly, you have failed to respond. Several of these guys have played with huge international acts and are, to say the very least, pretty damn good at what they do. So what do you say? Friday night?

I'll be looking for your response.

a-

People, people, people! Don't get your knickers in a twist over this. Since when does a "professional" critic ever give an unbiased review? Get out, see the band, listen to the lp, make up your own mind.
Any twat can write a review. It doesn't make them the voice of authority.

"also, if i hate punk rock so much, how am i sitting here citing song names and the albums they came from in my my review?"

Gotta' Love Wikapedia!

Truth be told, Seth, you're making a decent defense of your opinion and you get your propers for that. Two things, though: 1) Jason is right...you do need to stand on the tracks in front of the HBC train one more time at Layla's some fine Friday. And B) you got your hat handed to you by Nic's mom. Seriously.

"Punk rock is my fucking life" Seriously lol. You pretentious R-tard. Just reading this sentence makes me giggle.

"I play in a punk rock band and have for half my life" Half your life? Are you serious? Wow someone call Guinness we have a world's record here.

"Show me a single word in this article that belittles it." With your wording and demeanor it is inferred that your hubris was keeping you from enjoying the show.

It's rocketown by the way, what did you expect?

I do realize that HBC was what you came to expect out of the genre so here is what I expect out of the blogger genre:

A. Cannot get a real job writing so they vent through the internet (mom wouldn’t listen anymore).

B. Definitely a social mongoloid (I know you stood in the back corner; probably with your hand in your pocket debating if you should have gotten your tribal tattoo on your neck instead of lower back).

C. Thinks what they have to say matters (the only reason I read this article was to see everyone making fun of you, which I am sure you’re used to).

I really hope Nashville Scene does not compensate you for scribbling tripe on the internet.

I did enjoy everyone commenting and making fun of you though, and the pic of you and your friends up at the top was too cute.

Oh and are you sure you don’t listen to emo or have a vag? My buddy and I have a bet going.

The people that are a part of the Nashville music scene: 1

Seth "punk rock is my fucking life" Graves: 0

ownt.

the best part about this post is that no one commented on it for almost a day and a half.

This thread is one giant *facepalm*

wow. it seems things have gotten a bit heated. this is the local scene at work, though. it's actually encouraging. seth, i'm sure you knew this would be the result. hbc have become local darlings in the time they've been in existence. i have no problem with you personally. i've never met you. i didn't know you existed before i read your review. i'm not naive enough to think you have a personal beef with the band, or that you have no clue about music or anything beyond the surface of reviewing a band that just didn't strike your fancy. my main problem with your criticism is that you didn't like them because, based on their style, they fit the criteria that you expected. isn't that kind of the point? i mean, you were there to see rancid. i don't think there's more of a cliche than rancid. and don't even try to sell them as pioneers. the punk flag had been planted long before they took sandpaper to their leather jackets. if tim armstrong hadn't been in op ivy, they wouldn't be near as popular. if a band belongs to a certain genre, it's for a reason. if i was in a punkabilly band, i wouldn't be playing josh groban songs. likewise, if i'm in a shoegazer hipster band, then i'm going to sound and look like radiohead or sunny day or some such band. it's going to be predictable based on the definition of the genre itself. genre's exist for a reason. as a side note, the whole "big guy playing upright bass with a neck tattoo" thing, jeff is probably the reason you expected it. he's one of the originals. if i can offer some advice, it would be to check out this band in a more favorable venue. just don't wear your press badge. blessings.

I have been listening to and seen many Rockabilly/Psychobilly acts over the years and I must say I agree with Seth Graves on this one?This band really doesn't bring anything new to the genre and if people can't listen to other peoples opinions on a forum such as this then maybe they shouldn't read them.If all you want to hear is how awesome your band is then maybe you should go play your music for your Mom.

How many of you people trashing Seth have neck tattoos and/or play stand-up bass? Or at least some finely quaffed pompadours. C'mon now, Greasers... be honest.

This band is good entertainment down at Layla's on Saturday night for drunk tourists but thats about it.

Wow, this thread is the twilight zone.

I dug the review Seth - thought you summed up both opening bands nicely without having more than a sentence apiece to work with. It's funny, I thought you were pretty diplomatic, which is why the commenter tirade seems a little out of place to me. Half the time openers don't even get mentioned in show reviews.

Props on even braving Rocketown - I wouldn't have been able to handle any of that without a few beers.

i've seen more interesting things in my dog's droppings than this review

I agree, why are these people so defensive and ready to attack when he didn't even say anything negative about the band? Wtf?

and Neight,its funny how your putting down blogging while doing it?!!I needed a good laugh and your it buddy,HA HA!!!

People paid real actual money to see Rancid? Seriously? Wow.

You people actually paid money to see Rancid? Seriously? Our education system has failed.

Janet, clearly you've been spending too many Saturday nights drinking beers in East Nashville condos with 40-inch TVs and flea market tables made from doors.

"Neight, its funny how your putting down blogging while doing it?!!"

Luke, is this a question or exclamation?

If you mean I was blogging by adding content to a blog then so be it. There is a difference between posting and maintaining but, I can still see that adding a comment could be considered blogging.

I was mainly commenting on the ridiculous of this post which I find filled with arrogance I just wanted to match it with my own.

By the way it's "you're" I know this is the internet but you should still be able to realize the difference.

Anyway if you got a laugh that is great but I am sure the airplane and giraffe mobile above YOUR head provides you with enough amusement throughout the day.

Please, people. Anyone can see that most of these Seth-hating comments came in really close to one another and that it's obviously the result of this blog. They felt pigeon-holed by the review, BLOGGED about it on their MYSPACE (I guess Neight will have to stop liking them now) and viola, you have a stream of angry comments from the unofficial Hillbilly Casino fanclub.

I'm a pretty big fan of HBC, but seriously, give the dude a break. Encouraging him to check out the band again is one thing (which, I strongly agree that he should) but the personal attack thing is just tacky.

Wow! Roll off of him already!

I agree with Janet... this is one of the strangest threads in Cream history. Jeebus.

Seth didn't even trash HBC, he just didn't rave about them. Fuck, if you guys have ever read some of The Spin's reviews of other opening bands, you'd recognize that what he said qualifies as faint praise by comparison.

I've seen HBC at Layla's. And I enjoyed it. Seth is right that they're not terribly original, but they're good at what they do, and they put on a good show. It's just hard for me to believe that such a mild review has inspired this kinda outrage. Why don't you guys channel that passion into something that actually matters... it is an election year after all.

Steve please dont post til you can wear your big-boy pants until then go get your sippie-cup and watch your teletubbies

Neight,"If you mean I was blogging by adding content to a blog then so be it. There is a difference between posting and maintaining but, I can still see that adding a comment could be considered blogging."
Are you not "maintaining your blog" by posting again? Thnx 4 the gramutical co-erection.

I might as well make another comment since I seem to love hitting the post button again and again...

How was Duane Denison with the Shackshakers?

from their blog:

"bands like us and the shack shakers can be instantly pigeonholed and dismissed because we don't wear faux thrift store t-shirts, girls jeans and don't have the current pitchfork friendly influences on our sleeves. "

this coming from a group of guys who all wear pomade -glued pompadors, crisp new cowboy shirts, and rolled up jeans. it's not really smart to diss on someone's uniform when yours is just as trite and generic.

ps - having your mom defend in blog comments is totally not rock and roll.

No one noticed that Duane Denison is now playing guitar for the touring Shack Shakers.

That seems important. Unless everyone hates everything now. Which I guess they do.

I've seen Seth pray; it's pretty evil.

Ugly Friend: Yeah, I thought that would have been newsworthy, particularly since it was his first show with those guys but perhaps The Spin people don't know who he is. Gee, imagine that. The 'blow after blow of classic hits' part about Rancid was pretty funny though. What a terrible, terrible band, haha...

Luke; this isnt my blog buddy.

PS. Luke "Thnx 4 the gramutical co-erection"

should be, "Thanks for the grammatical correction"

has anyone heard the new Herb Alpert album its swinging

This is the most entertaining blog I've seen on here in a while.I love how Hilly Billy Casino's singer Nick posted the first comment on here and said "Hilly Billy Casino is amazing".He later goes on to talk about what punk rock is about,then his mother gets on here and posts talking about how amazing he is.Also most people who wear contacts or glasses are considered legally blind without them.What in the world is she talking about,and how "Punk rock" are you if your mother gets on here posting to defend?

i know who Denison is, and despite having seen him with Tomahawk and Hank III (i think) many years ago, i don't know what he looks like. I wasn't given the memo he'd be there. my bad. however, if it makes you feel better, i was able to include this in the version i submitted for print. so thanks for the tip.

also, as terrible as Rancid may be, they were the soundtrack to my junior year of high school and for that reason will always be awesome to me.

LOLOLOLOL too bad im not hillbilly casino's singer. We happen to have the same first name and he spells it nic.

i just did not find the review to be informative enough for me. Did you all feel the same way?

Well...that was fun! Huh. Someone told me to check this out, but I truly don't see what all the fuss is about. A writer saw a show and wrote what he thought about it...no real controversy. BTW, I play bass for the ShackShakers. And yes, Duane Denison plays for us full time, and yes he is unreal and yes, we are thrilled to have him on board.

"LOLOLOLOL too bad im not hillbilly casino's singer. We happen to have the same first name and he spells it nic."
I'm sorry Nick,I was totally mistaken then, you must be the president of the fan club,do you think you could get the real Nick to autograph my Elvis Presley post?

Well...that was fun! Huh. Someone told me to check this out, but I truly don't see what all the fuss is about. A writer saw a show and wrote what he thought about it...no real controversy. BTW, I play bass for the ShackShakers. And yes, Duane Denison plays for us full time, and yes he is unreal and yes, we are thrilled to have him on board.

how are you all enjoying my information super-highway i invented. hang 10 d00ds

Why is my comment getting reposted over and over? Huh

So Seth is this your "Punk rock is my life" band. Looks pretty chaotic and evil!!! Im sooo shocked that you would be in a new wave band, WAY COOL! TOOL!!!

http://www.myspace.com/casiocasanova

Duh Duh Duh

Mark: The extra comment posts have been deleted.

But, the real question is - did JD Wilkes get arrested for indecent exposure? It's mentioned in his Wikipedia entry (of all places), but I couldn't find any citation of it online. Anyone?

I never knew a punk band to be so thin skinned. I've seen teenage kids in punk bands take more abuse in stride than these jokers. When Kentucky Fried Children outclasses you, then it's probably time to pack it up.

Attacking a band for nothing more than appearance, i.e.(Geoff's tattoo)just shows poor taste and lack of professionalism. If you can't find something intellectual and somewhat valid to say, just keep your opinion to yourself.

The constant and steady attack of your review should indicate to you that there is a large following of fans across the globe who disagree with you. The fact that the show was at an all ages venue likely led to a more subdued performance than usual, but after following this band for years now, I have no doubt that they still gave it their all.

You owe Hillbilly Casino an apology for your this review. Likely, you are too proud of yourself to give it. Give them a fair assessment or shut up. While you are certaintly entitled to your own opinion, base it on something more valid than this review.

Why don't you join them at a more "Adult" venue, that is, if you are old enough, and listen with an open mind and get to know some of the loyal fans. Then if you decide this band is not for you, at least you have something more concrete on which to base your opinion.

Punk/punkabilly fans are so sensitive! I love it.

yes. that's one of my bands. however, i haven't performed with it since september 07.

my current band (and the one i not only referenced up top, but provided a link to) is Tigers Con Queso. whether or not we are chaotic and evil is irrelevant. i'm posting a link to it right now should you want to judge it for your own amusement. you can say whatever you like about it (and i do mean anything), as that will the opinion you have every right to voice. you can even post a blog ripping it to shreds and i promise my mom isn't going to get online and make fun of you about it.

i've been doing this long enough to know that there's no point in throwing a hissy fit every time someone says they don't like my band. my music isn't for everyone. we don't sell records and nobody comes to our shows. i don't validate its existence by the amount of praise it gets, but rather how much fun i have doing it. i would suggest HBC give this philosophy a shot.

OMG seth your band is amazing!!!!! You really are so fucking punk rock. Your band is so much better than HBC and i bet no young kids show up to your shows because they are serious business. Clearly punk rock is your life. Is it hard ripping off le tigre and joy electric in your moms basement?

wow. Wasn't at the show. Don't have any ties to any of the bands mentioned. But found this post funny.
A band gets reviewed, they didn't like it, so they then post a blog on their myspace whining about it....lame.
Then all their friends and even a mommy comes to defend their honor ( that wasn't even insulted really), and proceed to belittle a writer for doing his job. People are allowed their opinions guys, and personally attacking him for it doesn't help represent your favorite band.
Bands have to expect that not everyone is going to love them.
There are some hardcore Kenny G fans out there, I wonder if they would throw a bitch fit if someone said he wasn't that entertaining? Not that HBC is anything like Kenny G, so don't start another flame war.

Paula,

please read comment #19, as i've already addressed everything you're complaining about.

my goal was to describe their look and sound in a single sentence and that's what i did. appearances should not be important when evaluating a band's music, but it does matter when you're trying to recreate what you saw for the people who weren't there.

ok let's start a letter writing campaign to have Seth Graves Fired.

What philosophy?

A. No one shows up to watch us play
B. We dont sell music
C. We are having fun

Seth's band
A and B should let you know that while you are having fun your music sucks.

Hill Billy Casino
A. People show up
B. They sell music
C. They are having fun

Why change their M.O. It works fine for them

An apology? For what? I had to go back and reread the review just to make sure I didn't miss something... he didn't attack the band, he merely made an observation. He barely stated an opinion at all. And even if he had given them a shitty review, he's a music critic. He's paid to write what his opinion. Do you think every review should be sunshine and flowers? How fucking boring would that be?

You guys are seriously giving punk fans a bad name.

"First on stage were local punkabillies Hillbilly Casino, who gave us pretty much what we expected from a band of this genre: revved up train track beats, clackity-clack upright bass played by a guy with a tattoo on his neck, distorted blues riffs and the first frontman we’ve seen work the act of combing his hair into his best stage move"

Dude you're not describing anything but your own bias. Perhaps that's why everyone hates you.

when did i say we didn't suck? i'm pretty sure that's exactly what i said. besides, how does that make what i do any less valid?

hannah montana sells records too. does that mean she isn't something you've seen a million times before?

and how much fun can you be having if you get your undies in a bunch every time someone calls you something as harmless as "predictable"?

and fired?

this thing has over 80 comments. do you have any idea how many website hits that one sentence garnered for this site? our advertisers are absolutely loving me right now. you probably just got me a promotion.

I think all these posts are from Matt Friction, trying to get us to change the subject. He's pure evil, you know.

I love this thread.

So now seth is proud to be Nashville's very own Rush Limbaugh.

he is more like Nashville's own Bill Oreilly

Rancid doesnt care about black people.

FUCK this gay ass music.

go listen to Kanye West.

maybe all u idiots will have a chance to hear some GOOD music.

Nic Roulette is a ballet dancer. No shit. Ballet dancers are super sensitive. Seth, please go down to Layla's and hear them Friday night. You'll be blown away by all of the hair combing and cover songs. Yawn.

"this thing has over 80 comments. do you have any idea how many website hits that one sentence garnered for this site? our advertisers are absolutely loving me right now. you probably just got me a promotion."

OMG they are excited about 80 comments I have to rofl over this. Perhaps you should thank Nick Barnes for actually making your blog interesting.

I hate to imagine how "hillbilly casino" and their fans will react when they actually do receive a really negative review which is certainly inevitable for this band considering the generic quality of their music.

in all Seriousness there should be a follow up on Hillbilly Casino with more facts than all the fluff we were presented here

Hello Darrin, I did not need my son to tell me to defend him. Get a life, I am 63, he is 33.....I do WHAT I WANT...not what I am told or not told to do, however, I do try and think through...pray,...I am not a Bible Thumper...but I do not like rude remarks being stated about anyone that I know has talent, are great guys and give their heart to their JOB. So, don't tell me "Mom defending son is not rock and roll." I did this on my own, I lived the era....I was there...I know what they really LOOKED LIKE ON STAGE....so no one has it/does it like it was then, NO ONE!!! It may be r&r to all you young'ins, but it is what it is "music of today" with the BASE of all those musicians before. Jazz, country, whatever....they are based on history....life like it was or people thought it was...Enjoy the music of today, it is ITS OWN. GOD Bless, the MOM THAT HAS HER OWN SPIRIT and does not need to borrow of her son's.

ANYBODY THAT LIKES MUSIC IS STUPID. IF YOU WRITE ABOUT IT THAT JUST MAKES YOU RETARDED.

well, maybe this guy isn't sold, but you've converted me. the fact that all punkabilly bands pretty much have to sound the same to be considered "punkabilly" isn't predictable at all.

greasy pompadors, garage/bowling/cowboy/hawaiian shirts, tattoos of flames/8 balls/cherries/birds/pin-up girls, and a fascination with sun records, bettie page, motorcycles, and old cars is a really novel concept. sure, people have been into that stuff since the 50's, but like... it's 2008 now. so it's really like nothing that's ever been done before.

HBC is special because they play shows, they have families, and they love their fans. and no other bands are doing that right now. you guys should really stand up, recognize, and understand that every band who has fans matters and should never have a negative words spoken about them EVER. even if it really isn't all that negative.

This band sucks anyway are they really worth this much attention?Anybody that has seen them live that is not blinded by the small social circle that surrounds them knows this."Worldwide following",give me a freakin break.

"OMG they are excited about 80 comments I have to rofl over this."

What. The. Absolute. Fuck.

Rockabillies aren't "sensitive". They have a gang mentality. A bunch of reform-school types who threaten bloggers for not "supporting the troops".

Heh. You all got pwned by Mom. Love it. I'm gonna go facepalm with the gnome now.

"What. The. Absolute. Fuck."

I think you wrote this wrong; you meant to say, "What an absolute fuck" which goes for me and most of the other people posting here.

What kind of band sics their myspace fans on a reviewer because they got a less than glamorous review? This is completely retarded. Why don't you guys just take it on the fucking chin and move on?

Are you so self-obsessed that you and your fans have to trash someone's opinion of your music? So he didn't like your band, and you know what? Neither do I now. There are a lot of people who don't get write-ups at all around here who are doing something worthy of attention. You get one that doesn't frame you up to be God's Gift To Music, and you bitch about it? And actually have 3 people saying the writer should APOLOGIZE?! Grow the fuck up.

If you didn't agree with it, then find someone who likes what you do and get them to write about it. Your mom seems like a great contender.

Ugh. Shudder. Plotz.

anyone got some lard i slick my hair back and use my plastic comb on.. i need to practice lookin cool so i can tell all my friends about it on some terdy blog the next day

I am not really a fan of HBC. I started posting because the blogger got all defensive from some comment and I just had to stir the pot.(read comment 2 this is where I think he might be crying) I have read many of your other reviews and they are whinny or just creepy(i.e. knitting a sweater for an ugly chick)

you had me up until the sweater knitting. i'm afraid i'm going to need an example of what the hell you're talking about

this string is interesting in that it seems to have tapped into an otherwise dormant group of music fans. i have to say most of the posts lack a certain maturity but nevertheless believe (and more power to them) what they say.

all in all it acts to affirm the description made by the Spin of the show.

i have to wonder though, why, if one person did the review, it's called the Spin. why not just use your real name or use the name "The Spin" while blogging. small matter, i know.

"Speaking of Sera Cahoone, we totally had an innocent kind of I-like-your-music crush on her before the show, but by the time we had finished talking to her at the merch table (she's cool as hell, and looking for some Obama signage to put on the tour van), we wished we knew how to knit, because we would make her a sweater and send it to her with a note that says, "Since you live in cloudy, rainy Seattle, Sera Cahoone, you should wear this sweater to keep you nice and warm when you think of The Spin."

Seriously do you remember what you write?

I haven't posted under any fake names, just to put that out there.

wow you guys are really gonna hurt poor lil Seth's feelings with all this negative feedback have you considered his feelings.

Think the sweater thing was pretty obviously a joke/tongue-in-cheek comment.

In case you were wondering, PFCU, since you don't seem to read this blog very often (except today). The Spin is written by a bunch of different Scene writers. It's usually anonymous, but for some reason Seth chose to defend himself using his real name. Good for him.

Also: who cares?

what's a "shearwater" show anyway?

the whole review is one sentence! two if you count the "nessecary evil" remark. maybe you kids will mellow out when you get a bit older. good luck to any rockabilly-punkabilly etc.(geez any genre) band having to open up for the shack shakers. that's who you folks should be angry with, the bar is pretty high.

Peoples Federal yada yada,

i'm afraid that's not my writing.

As explained above, The Spin is written by a revolving door team of freelance and staff writers, not just me. It is written anonymously because that's how the Scene wants it done. i can't say who wrote that particular passage because i don't know.

Man it is very sad how this seemingly neutral review was blown way out of proportion. This was stated earlier, "I hate to imagine how "hillbilly casino" and their fans will react when they actually do receive a really negative review".What are they going to do when they actually face real criticism,keep crying to their mommy?

i can't wait to see how their mom's react to a negative review.

The sheer fantasticality with which this whole thing flew out of control has been a beautiful thing to watch. Thanks for the sideshow and I'm pleased to have participated. What's next?

1. i, personally, find it absurd how people defending seth graves' freedom of speech, feel as though HBC fans do not also have that very same right. (if you don't like seth graves' musical opinions - don't read his reviews. if you don't like HBC or the genre - don't go to their shows. personal attacks are petty folks.)

2. i don't see HBC fans as "whining" - more so "defending the band's honor." it's what true fans do.

3. oh and, "I hate to imagine how "hillbilly casino" and their fans will react when they actually do receive a really negative review"......
well, maybe someone could ask john rich what happens when you talk shit to the band! ha!
xxx

"Thanks for the sideshow and I'm pleased to have participated. What's next?"

How about who's Pompadour would win in a fight Morrissey's or Little Richard's.

nick barnes has 3 balls. and casio casanova is the best band EVER!!!

i kid i kid....about the second part

weiner in the butt

Nashville Cream 2-year anniversary party at Mercy Lounge Saturday August 23...you all are invited!

I thinks it's sort of uncalled for that so many people commented to defend HBC. I think it's funny when a whole bunch of people are mean to one person. I also don't care much for critics or reporters, so I think being mean to Seth is just Hilarious!

As for the review of the show, I thought it as minutely informative, but in my opinion, I found Seth's writing to be boring and predictable.

Eat a bag of shit, Seth, no one wants you in this town anymore!

Man, seth. The only real mistake you made was responding to all this garbage. Should have just taken the high road, there's no pleasing some people.
Everybody needs their little controversy, and I hope they all feel very accomplished.
Idiots.

if you guys really want to hurt seth just tie a steak around his neck, stuff cookies in his pockets and call for bob, ya tards.

Brandon Jazz
"Everybody needs their little controversy, and I hope they all feel very accomplished.
Idiots."

Worth it!

I read these guys myspace blog about this.Maybe they are just too stupid to realize the article was not really dogging them?They also say that both them and the Shack Shakers were "pigeonholed" by Nashville Cream.I didn't interpret anything negative being said about the Shack Shakers,in fact their bass player posted on here earlier saying that he didn't know what the big deal was and that the show was just reviewed by someone who went?
What the hell are these guys all pissed about.Frankly I'm pissed that they would even lump themselves together with the Shack Shakers, the Shack Shakers kick this bands ass and they have something Hillbilly Casino doesn't and thats an element of originality.What kind of puss band expects every review to be a write up kissing their ass?I suppose the answer is Hillbilly Casino.

Setting aside the fact that Seth is a douche bag, which he doesn't dispute, the review was an even handed, entertaining piece. Where the offended band got one sentence.. which, as its been pointed out, is more than alot of opening bads get. And even though its been said a hundred times, getting your message board groupies to come on here and defend you is a huge ass hat move. To be a more educated, I went and heard the music on HC website. Come on, Ive heard the same and Ive heard it better. You really have no room to be upset:
a.) He really didnt say a whole lot about the band negatively or positively.
b.) Judging solely from the music I heard on the myspace, the live show couldn't have been that great.

PS
Seth, you should really go back to Casio Casanova, it was your masterpiece.

When I left for work this morning it was at 29 comments. I get back and it's over 100. Seth, you pissed off one big casino full of hillbillies!

My props go to the Shack Shakers - keep it up! I have yet to see you with Denison, but knowing your ability to cross boundries and take a listener to some dark places with the music, he is a perfect fit!

Rancid is a greatest hits of the 90s punk scene band and kudos to them for still being able to pull that energy together after so long.

Hillbilly Casino I only know by seeing a few flyers and, just today, listening to all the songs on their MySpace. They do punkabilly well - they got the skills, but nothing sticks, and this is coming from a person who listens to all forms of music (and a handful of 'billies').

Is that such an insult? I don't think so (but then again, this whole thread has stemmed from harsh opinions and miscommunication).

And for the judgment on what constitutes being "punk" or not, I know Tigers Con Queso takes quite a bit of influence from the Violent Femmes, a band that began in the late 70s by throwing out the norms of typical punk (and yes, it's been typical for that long) by playing their punk songs on an acoustic guitar, a mariachi bass and a snare drum on the sides of the street.

Jello Biafra's (in)famous phrase, "Punk's not dead, it just deserves to die" has been around for 22 years now. The fact that it needed to be pointed out even then should point out that trying to define current punk ethos in our current day and age is possibly one of the most pointless "sub-cultural" (not really "sub" anymore, eh?) arguments people can have, especially to get a 1-up on someone.

Cheers.

According to the intrepid reporters at WSMV, J.D. Wilkes exposed himself to the whole crowd during the Shack Shaker's set and now Rocketown is pissed. What's up with that?

This is the most hilarious comment thread ever! I keep rereading the review and I still do not see anything demeaning to HBC other than they were what you'd expect. It's just a little sentence that hardly gives any insight to the band - good or bad. Based on it I would neither seek the band out, nor purposefully try to avoid them. What are you people so mad about? If you ever have any success out of Nashville, you'll have to endure much harsher words then that.
And the comment that Seth should apologize for his opinion is completely ludicrous. How do you think that would make the Scene look - if writers were apologizing for lukewarm sentences just because 10 people disagreed?
Also, whether or not Seth's own band is punk or not, or sucks or not, has absolutely no baring on his ability to critic the music. There are many credible music critics that don't play instruments at all.
Anyway - I, too, grew up with Rancid - so I completely understood when Seth mentioned those "classic" songs - and actually his review made me sad I missed the show.

what a bunch of fucking bitches.

seth,

please write an actual review of the shit music this band makes.

hot damn, this has gotten out of hand. i guess this is just one more thing for obama to fix. what everyone should be pissed off about is that 14 year old kids are wearing nirvana shirts. i had hoped that piss poor band would've died with their lead singer. oh well.

I SAAAAAAAAAAAAAID....................weiner in the butt.

this reminds me of the time i murdered seth's cat after he said that my band's "clean, practiced rock certainly translated well with those in the audience with an ear for radio pop."

Hey, Hellbilly... maybe HBC should play for YOUR mom!

maybe hellbilly didn't quite catch the point of this blog... I'm pretty much certain that HBC, and Th* Legendary Shack Shakers, and any nashville american roots band out there are simply disappointed in the lack of support and coverage that they receive from their local "scenester" paper. when they finally do get some coverage, it's merely a diminutive description of the critic's generic bias. all personal opinions aside, this blog sums up the lack of media support for local bands in the community.
xxx

If you whiny babies are so upset about your coverage, start your own blog. Man you guys are lame. you don't have to read this blog. also, punkabilly is lame and there is no place for it on this blog. THANKS A LOT SETH

"Hey, Hellbilly... maybe HBC should play for YOUR mom!"
Hey Callie,obviously Hillbilly Casino does play their music for their Momma and she stays very involved in every aspect of their musical careers(for some reason their tatoos and elvis hair don't seem as rebellious anymore).I think this band is very very lucky that their performance was written up in such a nuetral way and anyone who doesn't believe that should check out their music on myspace.

This is sad. I mean really sad.

I saw Hillbilly Casino a while back at bluegrass. I thought they were pretty good, actually. I mean I liked them in the "i'm down on broadway slugging beers and watching a rockabilly band" kind of way. Entertaining, but not something that compelled me to go out and buy a CD or become their myspace friend or something.

The comments made here are sad, ultimately, because Hillbilly Casino's reputation is going to take a huge hit for this. There are a lot of people lurking on this blog who go to a lot of shows in town. I'm talking about smart, open minded music fans with wide-ranging tastes in music. Many of them probably haven't seen Hillbilly Casino. Guess what those people probably think about Hillbilly Casino right now?:
Something along the lines of "thats the band sent their myspace fans to gang up on the Scene for a lukewarm two-sentence review.

(Hillbilly Casino fans: don't even try the 'Well its Seth Graves' fault, he started it, he's an idiot that doesn't know anything about talent or rockabilly).

At this point I am truly embarrassed for this band. Posting this review on a myspace blog, along with stale insults about pitchfork hipsters? Sending your posse of fans to bitch and scream on a message board? SENDING YOUR MOM TO BITCH OUT THE WRITER? I mean what is this, rock and roll, or soccer?

This all smacks of two things:

1. Inside the Hillbilly Casino camp, there is some sort of deep-seated jealousy and hatred towards 'hipsters', 'scenesters', and 'bloggers', etc. The comments on their myspace blog, along with the comments here, are full of overtly homophobic insults directed at pitchfork type hipsters. This is sad. And if it were fans of my band making comments like those, I would ASHAMED and EMBARRASSED. Punk rock or NOT.

2. This is an earnestly ambitious band that wants to 'make it' REAL BAD. Hey, thats great, good luck to you guys. You have fans that love you and you're having fun. But you had better get some thicker skin REAL FUCKING FAST. So you and your fans think some 'hipster' 'trashed' you guys. DEAL WITH IT. Go rock the fucking house at your next show and have fun.

If I was somebody working at Chicken Ranch, or Yep Rock, etc, and I saw this amateur hour/bush league message board hissy fit, I would stay FAR AWAY from this band. Seriously, somebody's MOM bitching out a writer for a bad review. I mean, I don't think i've ever heard of that in regards to a 'professional' band.

I don't think it is sad because Hillbilly Casino encouraged this to happen,and I still can't get over the fact that the original article didn't portray them in a negative light?

I still haven't found the bad review. It must've really been scorching.

Hey can some of you folks come on over the the Bites blog and pile on Carrington and Ridley?

The reviews they post often are just as flame worthy.

"I still can't get over the fact that the original article didn't portray them in a negative light?"

Since no one can see this I have to post one more time:

What did the review say about HBC’s music?
“train track beats”
“clackity-clack upright bass”
“distorted blues riffs”
Look at the adjectives used to describe the music (Train track, clackity-clack, and distorted). There is definitely a negative connotation to the whole thing.

What did the review say about HBC?
“First frontman we’ve seen work the act of combing his hair into his best stage move”
“bass played by a guy with a tattoo on his neck “
How the hell is this information not negative? The whole demeanor towards HBC is negative and condescending.

I am not a huge fan of HBC they are ok for their genre. I do have a problem with Seth not owning up to the fact that all he did was make fun of the band (that’s why we make fun of him). This is why I started posting. You shouldn’t have written anything at all; it wasn’t a review it was just a fucking rant (I know he thought he was clever as hell posting it too).

Also I think it is great that the HBC fans stood up for them because when the Scene finally gives them some publicity it turns out to be one of the most asinine things ever.

Oh and if HBC was actually reviewed by a good publication, perhaps they could get some constructive feedback and not just be made fun of by some hipster hack that won’t even smile for pictures.

If you want to make fun of a band; make sure their fans are not located in Nashville.

Neight, you are the most dillusional troll ever.

Train track beats is negative? Distortion is negative? I don't understand people.

this is really the dumbest this site has ever gotten. this just paints hbc in the same light as every other group of rockabilly kids i've ever come across, too much testosterone for one body and the inability to take criticism of what the love. get over yourselfs. its rock and roll for christsake.

Post as many times as you want. Your point STILL doesn't make sense. Train track, clackity clack, and distorted = negative? I'd say the same thing about Johnny Cash and the TN Two, but you think that's negative? Wow.

I can't see one instance in that review of him even making fun of anyone. But now Neight, with your post you admit:

a. you don't even really like HBC all that much,

b. you started posting just to make fun of him,

and

c. say "you shouldn't have written anything at all."

You're not only being an asshole, you have no reason BEHIND being an asshole other than bitching and advocating censorship for a review that HBC even thought was written by some hipster fuck wearing girl jeans blah blah pitchfork blah blah.

So why the fuck do you care? You're making your friends' band, if you guys even are friends, look even worse. No amount of reiterating your half-baked point will change that. You say "no one sees this" but it's clear as day: you're a bully and a hypocrite. That's SO punk rock!

THAT MISS JENNY REBEL SURE DOES HAVE SOME BIG OL' TITTAYS! WHEN HILLBILLY CASINO GETS HER UP ON STAGE TO SWING THOSE BABIES AROUND, I'LL BE THE FIRST SUMBITCH TO WRITE A REVIEW.

Q: what's hillbilly casino's favorite movie?

A: CRY-BABY!

dude. seriously. describing their bass, drums and guitar was the LAST thing i expected you to find negative. that is exactly how i feel they sounded. i'ts not a compliment, it's not a complaint. that's as close to fact as anything i could have written.

distortion is negative? are digitech a bunch of condescending jerkfaces for making "distortion" pedals? and "blues"? shit, i'd be happy if i could even play a blues riff. i sure as hell wouldn't get all bent out of shape if someone accused me of it.

how would personally describe the sound of an upright bass? it clicks, it clacks, it acts as percussion as well as satisfying the lower end of the frequency spectrum. that's how it's supposed to sound.

and what the bloody hell is negative about a train track? do some research, kid. i am the last in a long list of musicians, critics, and fans to describe the rockabilly drum beat as similar to a train (didn't they even say that in Walk the Line?) is it because the japanese built the railroads?
oh.
and you left out "revved up". that was actually the most derogatory way i could come up with to say "fast". you definitely could have nailed me on that one.

but seriously. i would like you, master of the adjective, lord of the good-natured, positive-tipped adverb, to rewrite my review, using only positive, encouraging, congratulating descriptors that evoke only sunshine, rainbows, and the heartfelt congratulations that this precious, special band apparently deserves.

you don't even have to post it. just email it me. though, i may forward it to Matt S. for proof-reading. he's really good with that stuff.

Seth Graves is my fucking Hero.

Pastor Troy?? How dare you talk in those terms. I am a breast cancer survivor and I highly resent, I MEAN HIGHLY RESENT, your remarks and you do, young man, need to apologize to all women!!!! AND I AM MY OWN WOMAN.....NO ONE'S PAWN....NOT MY SON'S, NOT MY HUSBAND'S, NO ONE'S....

We do have free speech and I am thankful for that, however, one truly begins to see how little educated most of us are because we cannot talk/WRITE without using the "f" word or the "b" word, sad. I was taught it was only the uneducated that had to resort to such trite.

If you resent the comments, then stop looking on this blog. I will not apologize for that comment.

Bawston Sean said:
"Neight, you are the most dillusional troll ever."

You are the only one who gets me.

Y'know, if you take the chaplain's comments and read them out loud in the voice of Minnie Pearl, it's kinda cool.

FUCK ANYONE WHO DONT LIKE HILLBILLY, THEY SHIT RULE, ALL THESE FUCKIN GEEKS ON THIS PAGE DONT KNOW REAL ROCKABILITY. CASINO DA BOMB STICK IT IN YOUR PUSS YOU WANNA BE PUNKS YOU JUST PUNKASSES

FUCK YEAH BROTHER, YOU SAID IT. DEM'S ALL CITY SLICKIN RETARDS. THEY DON'T KNOW NO ROCKABILITY.

Seth, it is the connotation in which those terms are used that makes them negative. But I digress (I am arguing semantics over the internet); I want to know one thing where you making fun of the band when you said, "the first frontman we’ve seen work the act of combing his hair into his best stage move." If not what did you mean by this?
Also I would be happy to rewrite your review my address is neightthesecond@gmail.com also send me the e-mail for Matt S (do you have it?)

Do you want me to re-write the whole thing or just the one sentence?

And if I do I will post it.

What exactly did Pastor Troy say that was negative? I think he was trying to make the point that breasts should be celebrated.

In a town known more for generating pop country 'hat acts' and Contemporary Christian music, there is a storm brewing. Small independent bands with no management, booking, record labels or local media support are changing the way people think about Nashville, Tennessee. One of the leaders of this movement is the Hillbilly Casino, the brain child of Nic Roulette, former singer for Indiana rockabilly powerhouse “The Blue Moon Boys." In 2004 Roulette moved to Nashville. After having a rotating cast of characters backing him up, Nic found a solid core of top notch players that were interested in being a band. In the spring of 2005 when Nic hooked up with bassist Geoff Firebaugh (BR5-49), guitarist Ronnie Crutcher (Tabasko Kat, Brian Setzer’s Nashvillians) and drummer Andrew Dickson, things started to come together. What started as nothing more than a revved up rockabilly band playing for tips at Layla's Bluegrass Inn on Nashville's famed Lower Broadway, has turned into a closet industry doing almost 200 shows in 2007 alone. Though you might still find the Casino playing at The Opryland Hotel, or Layla's when they're home, they've taken their show on the road as well. New York City, Chicago, Seattle, Europe, Hollywood, and all manner of theatres, clubs and backwater bars in between have seen the Casino roll in, set up, and lay waste to any and all in attendance. Whether doing corporate events, their own club shows or supporting acts like the Brian Setzer Orchestra, The Reverend Horton Heat, and Southern Culture on the Skids, these boys can play on any stage, in front of any audience, and they will make those people their fans. In December 2006, The Hillbilly Casino opened several dates for the Brian Setzer Orchestra, and every night this virtually unknown (at the time) band received standing ovations, and had new fans lining up to get their debut CD 'Sucker Punched'. Sucker Punched was the Casino's first full length CD and learning experience for the band. Completely DIY, the band bought, begged and borrowed the equipment to self produce, record and release this collection of 14 songs. In late 2007 after having sold a couple thousand copies at shows and from their website the band once again retreated to the garage behind Andrew Dickson's house, lovingly known as "Studio D" and started recording their follow up. Two years of experience playing together really showed as the band laid down tracks for what was to become 'Three Step Windup'. The additional experience that Andrew and Geoff had gained engineering and mixing other projects showed as well. In April 2008 just before leaving on their first European tour the Hillbilly Casino released 'Three Step Windup', 14 songs that encompass everything that the band loves, rockabilly, honky-tonk, punk, jazz, and just plain old American rock and roll. Where you'd find most bands s