Here are links and brief descriptions of some of the excellent bands that we support and utilize in our videos here at Hillbilly Proud.com. Check them out. More coming soon.
| This Ends Now | ||
 |
This Ends Now was formed in 2007 in a small town in Central PA.
This Ends Now has also had the pleasure of sharing the stage with
national acts such as GWAR, As I Lay Dying, Soilwork, Devildriver,
and Wisdom in Chains and, Sworn Enemy and other local bands. Behind the music that makes and has become This Ends Now stands a group of musicians with the skill and experience to back it. Singer Frank of 969 and At Hopes End has 14 years exp behind the mic, gutarist B. Randon from Texas bands Do I Dare Leave Yet and CloseHandPromise, Justin B bass, ed w. guitar from beatdown locals Enough Said and scotty g. tops off This Ends Now with his dynamic drum skills and solid beats. This Ends Now grows fast popularity from thier emotional rollercoaster of music, many years of commitment to the music and scene and lyrics of self demons, family issues, and close ones falling pray to drugs and disease. An in your face, tell it how it is band. Here to stay, THIS ENDS NOW. |
Downloads: |
| Johnson's Crossroad / Laurel Creek Ramblin Band | Website: http://www.myspace.com/johnsonscrossroad | |
 |
Singer/songwriter Paul Johnson, a native of Greenbrier County, West Virginia, has been developing his craft for quite some time now. Ever since he was a child, music has been a big part of his life. Since then he has found musicians who share his passion and influences. Together with life-long friend Geoff Richards in the former Laurel Creek Ramblin Band, a sound was developed that is as unique and distinctive as Paul's raspy, powerful voice. He writes songs from the same vein as Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Bill Monroe, and John Hartford. Now Johnson's Crossroad mixes old time, country, bluegrass, and punk styles into what they have coined "West Virginia Bent Acoustic Country." Their originals draw from lost love, lost fortune, lost time, and overcoming hardships. The familiar substance of the material has generated a large local fan base, which has expanded outside of Greenbrier County. They choose a minimal approach to their live shows, using a vintage style mic, which give a more dynamic appeal. Johnson's Crossroad can be appreciated by all audiences. | Downloads: |
| One Foot in the Gravy | Website: http://www.myspace.com/onefootinthegravy | |
 |
One Foot in the Gravy has a sound that is somewhere between modern rock and classic rock. The Morgantown, WV trio isn't sure themselves how to describe their music, but they know for sure that they will be quite mad if it is ever confused for the emo music they hate and sing against. | Downloads: |
| The Yetti | Website: http://www.myspace.com/theyetti | |
 |
Adorable/Deplorable...you be the judge. This rag-tag bunch of troublesome troubadours have rocked many a crowd in their seven plus years existence. The tales of elation, woe, conquest, exhaustion, madness, jubilation, booze-benders, dirt rock, ultra-headiness and maximum chachi-ness could go on for hours. The Yetti offer a live show that leaves you feeling like you have been hitting the whitewater of their native Fayettevile, WV all day. They hope your ready for their thrill ride. | Downloads to come. |
| Admiral Browning | Website: http://www.myspace.com/admiralbrowning | |
 |
Sailing comfortably under the aegis of Admiral Browning, these three adventurers have since settled at some 60 ports of call since commencing gigging in early 2005, in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and even Arizona. Along the way the Admiral has had the honor of sharing the stage with established acts such as Stinking Lizaveta, Valkyrie, Earthride, Unorthodox, Abdullah, Tonegrown, Minsk, Christine, Sasquatch, Acid King and the Terminal Lovers, as well as playing multiple festivals including 2006's Stoner Hands of Doom VII+VIII, Cabin Kegger of Doom I-III, and 2007's Doom or Be Doomed. | Downloads: |
| State of The State | Website: http://www.myspace.com/st8ofthest8 | |
 |
State of the State is a mostly acoustic, mostly original group of musicians from Huntington, West Virginia. The music is raw and it has very little in common with most of what's going on out there today. The music isn't recognizable to many listeners, although it has a distinctly antique edge, that's conscious of "the hook" and good lyrics. Jason Little plays the guitar and sings, and Shawn Beckner plays the bass and sings. Between the two of them, they've brought in slide guitars, cigarette lighter percussion, wine glass feedback, washtub basses, etc. "I'd say we are just two songwriters who are trying to write the next "On The Road Again" while still paying homage to Nirvana's "Unplugged" studio album," said Jason Little. | Downloads: |
| Paycheck Game | http://www.myspace.com/paycheckgame | |
 |
A white boy from Webster County, WV in the rap game? Paycheck Game comes at you hard and heavy with no holds barred raps about West Virginia, real life, and anything else you can imagine. Paycheck is currently placing beats for U.S. and International hip hop and R&B artists, as well as releasing a pipeline of projects, including a collaborative effort with underground graff legend Meuwl. Its all about the music. Along with the release of Slaughterhouse Author, Purgatory Production will be hosting a bi-weekly uncensored online radio show, Arkane Radio, AND a urban-inspired clothing line, Millionaire Villains, designed by PSST and Paycheck Game. | Downloads: |
| Lo-Pan | Website: http://www.myspace.com/lopandemic | |
 |
Lo-Pan manages to take the hard rock and psychedelic sounds of classic bands and meld it with a modern roughness to create an awesome sound all their own. The Colombus, OH band will quickly have you hooked and wanting more of their pure hard rock sound. | Downloads: |
| Split Nixon | Website: splitnixon.com | |
 |
Split Nixon
offers no tattoos, piercings or addictions, just a strong commitment
to making the best albums possible. Their debut effort has been
described by TAXI, The A&R Industry Leader, as having "contagious
melodies, solid playing & an overall magical quality to the
performance." Joe Waters, President of the Recording Workshop, Chillocothe, OH, "Over my 30 years as President of one of the most reputable recording schools in the United States, I've never seen the equal of musicianship and talent possessed by this band A best kept secret, about to explode. Two of the tracks have been featured on GarageBand.com and met with a great response. "Momma I Tried" landed at No.17 on their charts and "In My Head" was featured as "Song of the Day". |
Downloads: |
| Wilderkin | Website: http://www.myspace.com/wilderkin | |
 |
Wilderkin represents the hard and crazy side of West Virginia music. Their version of heavy metal has definite roots in their Wheeling, WV hillbilly heritage. The influences of blues and bluegrass can be heard loud and clear on top of their in every song. We can't say much more about this band without loosing our PG rating, but we will say if you ever see them live you will never forget it. | Downloads: |
| 6'6 240 | Website: http://www.myspace.com/mrdubvee | |
 |
6'6 240 has been releasing original raps about his beloved mountain state for years now. His hard work has been paying off landing him on Chuck D.'s list of favorite songs and in interviews for the New York Times. His music shines a light on all aspects of West Virginia life from the nightlife of Morgantown, WV to growing up in a trailer park. His music is a little dirty for our page but we encourage all rap fans to check him out. | |
| The Greens | Website: www.myspace.com/thegreens | |
 |
West Virginia has been a good home to this unique and soulful group for 5 years now. Positive things are finally happening. Even in a small college town like Morgantown (WVU) lots of people are taking notice. Yes, the word is out: The Greens ROCK!!! This experienced professional band plays well over 100 shows every year all through Appalachia and beyond. At all kinds of venues The Greens are steadily growing a solid reputation of GOOD MUSIC. Now, The Greens need YOU, and YOU need The Greens! | Downloads: |
| Hovel | Website: www.myspace.com/hoveledinswine | |
 |
Hovel was formed in the fall of 2002 when long time friends resurfaced and churned-out a set's worth of material. Impatient and frustrated searching for the right vocalist Hovel chose to let their songs stand on their own as instrumentals. Hovel is currently finishing up mixing on their long overdue album and performing brawling-it-out live shows in venues all around the region. | Downloads:
|
| Treasure Cat | Website: http://www.myspace.com/treasurecatwv |
|
 |
Treasure Cat is one of Morgantown's most respected metal bands, churning out some of the meanest instrumental music that you've ever heard. Former Karma to Burn guitarist Will Mecum leads the band through a path of people left aching by their brand of brutal, driving sound.
|
Downloads: |
| Vern's Pot O' Chili | Website: www.vernspotochili.com | |
 |
Verns Pot O' Chili started at 2204 Donald Avenue in Huntington, WV. Starting as a trio, they found themselves traveling back to their hometown of Lewisburg, WV for all of their shows. The project slowly began to snowball and as luck would have it, the sound began to spread. Their hometown shows got a little crazier and gigs around West Virginia and beyond became less few and far between. | Downloads: |
| Law Biting Citizens | Website: http://members.fortunecity.com/omzis/ | |
 |
Law Biting Citizens formed in the fall of 1995 when three junior high kids became friends and realized that they all shared a passion for making music. (If not the talent necessary.) Despite their lack of experience, formal lessons, or working equipment, the three were soon practicing for hours a day in the garage of a house in Morgantown, West Virginia. Noise complaints by the neighbors were common. Compliments weren't. The boys either didn't know, or care and continued playing anyway. | Downloads: |
| Thred | Website: www.thredband.com | |
 |
Thred is the blending of no more than six Morgantown bands that have died, into one firey phoenix of funk, that lives! Creating an interesting blend of rock, soul, funk, and juice, they've been together a little over two years and have already established a firm foothold as one of the most face rocking bands around. Bass driven, upbeat and energetic, they've been dubbed as "having enough soul to ruin a zombie movie." They just released their self titled debut cd. | Downloads: |
| good turn | Website: www.myspace.com/goodturn | |
 |
The
best description of good turn’s music is “footstompin’ hogwash.” The
band blends a unique mix of traditional country, rockabilly, bluegrass,
and rock n’ roll that keeps their fans screaming for more.
Lead vocalist Rita Colistra’s voice ranges from soulful siren
to borderline insanity. This likely comes from her deep West Virginia roots. She also manages to pound on the spoons, twang the jaw harp, or sing through the kazoo on select songs. Meanwhile, Kevin Colistra’s song writing is best described as one part John Prine, one part Shel Silvestein, and three parts of Kevin’s poetic soul. Toss them in the blender on high, and you have got a good turn song. He also manages to sing a few himself—look out for his “talkin’ blues” songs! Kevin’s a mean guitar player who has played so hard during a“ spoon/guitar face-off” that his fingers actually bled (Rita’s leg was bruised for a good week as well). A good turn show is always filled with surprises, so watch out! You might just leave a fan for life. |
Downloads: |
| Grafton | Website: http://www.myspace.com/grafton | |
 |
Grafton started out in West Virginia in 1996, and has since moved to Colombus, Ohio. Their music is a high energy blend of punk, blues, and grunge. Grafton's sound may not be easy to describe, but they will definitely get you moving if you get a chance to catch one of their many live shows across the United States and Europe. | Downloads: |
| Don de Leaumont. | Website:http://www.donontheweb.com | |
 |
Don de Leaumont is a Folksinger/Songwriter from Durham, NC but to call Don merely a folksinger would be putting a label on someone who defies any kind of label. He is a traditional soul in a modern world, always looking for ways to bring the two together in a melting pot of heart, soul, and pure fun. | |
| Billy Goat Gruff | Website:http://www.myspace.com/inthegruff | |
 |
Billy Goat Gruff plays a variety of styles, mixing original music with cover tunes. The unique groove created with the fusion of these traditional instruments and open minds will force you to take notice and hopefully tap your feet. | Downloads: |
| Byzantine | Website:http://www.myspace.com/byzantine | |
 |
Byazntine is West Virginia metal turned up to 12 on the hard and loud meter. Four extremely talented guys who aren't afraid to let their music kick you were it hurts. | Downloads: |
| Dave Longfellow Ensamble | Website:http://www.davelongfellowensemble.com | |
 |
The Dave Longfellow Ensemble is an instrumental quintet focusing on the performance of aggressive/progressive Latin jazz music. The DLE is dedicated to creating new musical expressions involving the steel pans, and to spreading the beauty and versatility of these instruments to new audiences. | Downloads: |
| The Halftime String Band | Website:http://www.thehalftimestringband.com/index.html | |
 |
Since they began performing together in November 2003, The Halftime String Band has continued to diversify their sound, developing original material and borrowing from a variety of musicians and styles. Working from a bluegrass / newgrass foundation, they also like to work the edges of rock and roll, jazz and blues. | Downloads: |
| The Hillbilly Gypsies | Website:http://www.thehillbillygypsies.com/ | |
 |
The Hillbilly Gypsies are a West Virginia native string band who specialize in playing their own homegrown style of Appalachian old time music, mixed with a hard drivin' bluegrass sound. In addition to their original material, The Hillbilly Gypsies play an eclectic mix of traditional and quite often, not-so-traditional bluegrass standards and catchy old fiddle tunes. | Downloads: |
| West By God | Website:http://www.myspace.com/westbygod304 | |
 |
West By God features four guys that take as much pride in their heritage as we do. Their rock sound is as rugged and hard edged as the Appalachian Mountains they call home. Give them a listen and let them take you for a ride up a dark hollow in a large muddy truck. | Downloads: |
