Medicine Hat

Artist Information

Biography

Chicago's Medicine Hat combines roots-rock, Americana, and the occasional southern boogie romp, with a gritty attitude emphasizing substance over style. Creating a sound sometimes reminiscent of what could be the love-child of a Rolling Stones – Creedence Clearwater Revival union, while giving a nod and a wink to more recent artists such as The Drive By Truckers and Son Volt, the members of Medicine Hat are slowly carving out their own niche, oblivious to trends or fads that fade away as soon as they appear.

The band members include Demi Buckley (lead vocals, electric/acoustic guitars, banjo, mandolin, lap steel), bassist/vocalist John DiNunzio, Tara Rich on drums/percussion, lead guitarist Todd Hackl, and fiddle/violin prodigy Cathie Van Wert. Buckley tackles the bulk of the songwriting, with occasional help from Mr. DiNunzio. Buckley’s lyrical and song-writing style have elements comparable to Jay Farrar, R.L. Hunter, and even Robbie Robertson—a brew of personal release, thought-provoking protests, and story-telling pieces that always strive for a melding of both melody and heart. The band changes gears often, switching from country-tinged acoustic numbers to roaring electro-southern rockers that would surely please the most rabid Black Crowe or North Mississippi All-Star fanatics. All the while, the songs are driven by the gravelly vocals and versatile guitar-work of Buckley and Hackl, and the relentless veteran rhythm team of DiNunzio and Rich.

Playing legendary Chicago haunts on a consistent basis, as well as a number of other Midwestern cities, the band has shown itself to be an engaging and popular live act, with a sloppy ferocity reminiscent of great ‘70s bands such as The Faces or even Crazy Horse (albeit with a much more talented rhythm section, with all due respect to Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina). Each show is different from the next, with the band following its whims to play entirely unplugged sets, or choosing to rip through a high-energy, high-decibel blowout.

Despite delivering a decidedly ‘American’ sound (and often taking strong social and political stances), the band’s 2004 independently released debut album, "Sundown Road", has been sold in such far away locales as England, Germany, Spain, and Japan. The band’s 2005 sophomore album, "Hymns and Curses From the Heartland", caught the attention of both Chicago and national music critics alike, with its blend of strong songwriting and authentic musicianship. With these two albums already under their collective belts, the outfit released their third record in 2006—"State Of The Union" proved to be a searing blend of political commentary and soul-searching that further solidified this band’s status as a group truly worthy of attention. A band that can’t seem to stop writing and recording, Medicine Hat released their fourth album, "Blood and Bone", during the summer of 2008 to rave reviews throughout Chicago. "The Hat" has plans to forge ahead in '09 as they begin work on tunes targeted for a compilation album to be released by Chicago's Mile Long Records. Stay tuned for more...

Instrumentation

Demi Buckley--guitars, vocals, banjo, mandolin, lap steel
John DiNunzio--bass and vocals
Tara Rich--drums
Todd Hackl--lead guitar and vocals
Cathie Van Wert--fiddle and vocals

Discography

"Blood and Bone" -- Full-length LP (released through the band's privately-owned indie label, DFC Records). www.cdbaby.com/medicineh4

"State Of The Union" -- Full-length LP (released through the band's privately-owned indie label, DFC Records). www.cdbaby.com/medicineh3

"Hymns and Curses From the Heartland"-- Full-length sophomore album (independent release in August, 2005). Available at www.cdbaby.com/medicineh2

"Sundown Road"-- Full-length debut album (independent release in May of 2004). Available at www.cdbaby.com/medicineh

"The United State of Americana, Vol. 3"--compilation disc by Atlanta Georgia's Shut Eye Records features Medicine Hat's "Saint In Tattered Clothes".

"Chicago's Hunt 4 Sound"--compilation disc by Chicago's Hunt 4 Sound Records features The Hat's "Highway Run".

WXRT Radio (93.1 FM) in Chicago has played "The Hat" on their airwaves, and the band has also performed live on the air in the studios of WZRD Radio (88.3 FM) in Chicago.

Official Website

http://www.medicinehatband.net

Audio

• Take the Bait
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• Blood and Bone
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• Saint In Tattered Clothes
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• South 55
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• Downtown Vampires
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• Let The Sun In
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Video

Highway Run/This Town Photo Compilation

Photo Gallery

Press

• Chicago's WXRT Radio votes "Downtown Vampires" amongst best of 2006 [+ Show ]
  

  WXRT Radio in Chicago voted Medicine Hat's song "Downtown Vampires", from their "State Of The Union"...WXRT Radio in Chicago voted Medicine Hat's song "Downtown Vampires", from their "State Of The Union" album, amongst the best songs of the year 2006.

• Indie-Music.com [+ Show ]
  

  More authentic, more rockin', and definitely more deserving of a Rolling Stone cover than Britney Sp...More authentic, more rockin', and definitely more deserving of a Rolling Stone cover than Britney Spears, Medicine Hat reaches back to snatch some seriously solid instrumental inspiration from multiple sources to produce an album as eye-opening as caffeine kickers on a 2am highway. Surprisingly, these Chicago boys are just as capable of Southern booty rock as slow cooked country-blues, and I don't mind saying they put Steve Earle to shame (especially after Earle's sorry last release The Revolution Starts ... Now). Certainly, Medicine Hat has rendered an environment so comfortable on their release, Hymns and Curses From the Heartland, you won't even lock your doors at night.
  
  Unquestionably, Medicine Hat slings sounds as different from song to song as the Florida weather shifts. Hell, guitars as lulling as Mazzy Star instrumentals ("Seven Sundays") are followed by Charlie Daniels-style blues rock. Soulful vocals leave no need to fake a twang, and with back-up harmonies like those, who needs angels? With a sublimely hashed assortment of instruments - Demi Buckley, guitars, mandolin, vocals, banjo, lap steel; Ben Walker, vocals, washboard, percussion; Ryan Marzano, guitar; John DiNunzio, bass; Tara Rich, drums, percussion; and Glen Kelly, keys - Medicine Hat channels the funky side of Georgia to arrive at a heavy-hyper Black Crowes meets North Mississippi Allstars twist that they manage to keep all their own.
  
  As a writer whose skills have been honed on telling tales Clapton-fashion, Buckley swivels from heartbroken to righteous in two teardrops time and still succeeds in penning lines like "swallow silver dollars" - simple, yet hefty with image as well as a weird detached emotion I can't place. After hearing "Saint in Tattered Clothes," I'm not convinced the band could play a bad tune if the pope commanded it. The mildly bluegrass-inclined track has lyrics more sure of themselves than Nancy Grace, in addition to instrumentation that seemingly emulates the love-child of Tom Petty and Blind Boys of Alabama - nice banjo. Check out these whiskey-swigging Northerners for a real good time.

• Shut Eye Records [+ Show ]
  

  "Medicine Hat is perhaps the poor man's Calexico, The Replacements drinking whiskey, or The Magnolia..."Medicine Hat is perhaps the poor man's Calexico, The Replacements drinking whiskey, or The Magnolia Electric Company listening to pop music."
  
  Shut Eye Records' compilation album "The United State of Americana, Vol. 3" features "Saint In Tattered Clothes" by Medicine Hat.

• Loud Orange Webzine [+ Show ]
  

  Alt-country, memorable lyrics and tight musicianship are what stand out on Chicago-based Medicine Ha...Alt-country, memorable lyrics and tight musicianship are what stand out on Chicago-based Medicine Hat's second full-length album, "Hymns and Curses from the Heartland." Borrowing from both 70's classic rock and more modern day roots rockers Son Volt and Uncle Tupelo, their music is an ode to both, while adding their own style to the fray.
  
  From the roaring first song "Dopesick" to the forlorn lyrics of "I Would Pay the Devil For Your Heart", Medicine Hat proves that they are a talented group of musicians. Medicine Hat doesn't break any new ground on this CD--the point of this album isn't to be cutting edge or experimental, but more about telling a good story backed by great music.
  
  Of the standouts is the second song on the album "This Town", which tells the story of the traveling musician and his craving for his home--counting up the miles as he is driving away. Another standout, punctuated by mandolin and banjo, is "Saint in Tattered Clothes.” A haunting number - "I'm the savior, killing strangers, I'm the devil no one knows”. "I Would Pay the Devil For Your Heart" is literally about a man signing his soul away to get back his long lost love.
  
  The rest of the album swerves between alt-country and barn-burning jams that will make any Skynard fan stomp his feet. Their alt-country side, in my opinion, is when they are at their best. And for that this album deserves a thumbs up and a listen.
  

• The Racine Journal Times [+ Show ]
  

  The term 'mongrel rock' was used by the band Brother to describe its music. Maybe kangaroo rock woul...The term 'mongrel rock' was used by the band Brother to describe its music. Maybe kangaroo rock would be better for the Aussie brothers. After listening to the sophomore CD by Chicago's Medicine Hat, I'd say they're the truly adorable mutts on the scene. Their music careens wildly like a runaway semi on a slippery mountain slope, yet always pulls back into the groove at the right moment. Speaking of truck analogies, Medicine Hat's hybrid approach to making music is very much akin to that of one of my favorite acts, the Drive By Truckers. Americana, swamp, country, straight-up rock and guitar torchers all could come up at any given time in a Medicine Hat show.

• Illinois Entertainer review [+ Show ]
  

  "Medicine Hat's tales of violence and life on the road have an authentic rural feel, thanks to Demi ..."Medicine Hat's tales of violence and life on the road have an authentic rural feel, thanks to Demi Buckley's slide guitar, mandolin, and harmonica playing. Buckley writes the bulk of the band's material with occasional help from guitarist Ryan Marzano, and Ben Walker brings the lyrics to life with his rough- hewn vocals. "County Line Girl" is a melodic, midtempo southern rocker, while "Sharecropper" gallops along at a much faster pace. Medicine Hat gets down with some ZZ Top boogie on "Front Porch Swing," and sounds most effective evoking Steve Earle with the energetic roots rock of "Highway Run"."

• "This Town" honored in international songwriting competition. [+ Show ]
  

  "This Town", off the band's forthcoming album "Hymns and Curses From the Heartland", recently receiv..."This Town", off the band's forthcoming album "Hymns and Curses From the Heartland", recently received an honorable mention award in Songprize's international songwriting contest by finishing in the top ten in their worldwide competition. The song was also the top-ranked Americana entry.

• Southbound Beat Magazine Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Sundown Road" is an interesting mix of blues, country, and rock. The first two cuts of Medicine Hat..."Sundown Road" is an interesting mix of blues, country, and rock. The first two cuts of Medicine Hat pay homage to retro/blues-based rock, complete with slide guitar. In fact, both Ryan Marzano and Demi Buckley play slide on the second cut, "Bananaface Jones".
  It might be a bit of a surprise to find that the group hails from Chicago, although that would explain the blues influence. "Sharecropper" is a fast- paced number based on a sped up blues riff. "Headed for Saturn," at nearly eight minutes, is almost a country rock epic, with both acoustic and electric guitars weaving in and out of Ben Walker's vocals. "Stone Pony" has the band overlaying interesting guitar work. "Stray Cat Railroad" ends the CD--this combination of delta blues and rock shows why Medicine Hat is such an interesting band.
  Their web site shows that the members of Medicine Hat are still young. But they have certainly learned both country and blues well. All ten of the songs here are originals that pay homage to the band's influences, while still showing a unique songwriting voice.
  Blues has been stuck in a rut in the last decade, with bands repeating the same riffs and songs over and over. Bands like Medicine Hat are a welcome sign for the future of the blues, mixing indie style with American tradition.

• Listener Station selects "Highway Run" for ad campaign [+ Show ]
  

  Listener Station (www.listenerstation.com), a web-based source of great music from both independent ...Listener Station (www.listenerstation.com), a web-based source of great music from both independent and signed artists alike, selected Medicine Hat's "Highway Run" (off of their debut album, "Sundown Road") to be featured in their spring 2005 advertising spots broadcast on radio stations nationwide. In addition, the band will be doing voice-overs for these commercials, promoting both Medicine Hat and the Listener Station website to radio listeners across the country.
  
  

Setlist

Medicine Hat typically plays sets between 45 minutes to an hour, but the band is fully cabable of playing a much longer set. Originals are drawn from the band's first two indie albums, and in-process third record. In addition, "The Hat" will, on occasion, cover tunes from artists such as The Byrds, Neil Young, The Stones, etc.

ORIGINALS PERFORMED LIVE:
Dopesick, Green Station Shuffle, I Would Pay The Devil For Your Heart, This Town, Hello Again, Bad Dog Blues, Seven Sundays, Dig Me a Grave, Highway Run, Bananaface Jones, Front Porch Swing, County Line Girl, Sharecropper, 14 Bottles, Spinning Wheel, Headed For Saturn, The Hill Kid, Stray Cat Railroad, Stone Pony, Bible Belt, Prayer For The Riverbed, Untitled>Intelligent Design, Downtown Vampires, Chimborazo, Big River, Ticket To Mexico, Let The Sun In, Traitors and Patriots, Saint In Tattered Clothes, Emmett Till, El Dorado Suite, Take the Bait, Mudhen, Old Country Home, Blood and Bone

COVERS PERFORMED LIVE:
Eight Miles High (The Byrds), Lover of the Bayou (The Byrds), Down By The River (Neil Young), Everybody Knows This is Nowhere (Neil Young), Feel So Good (Jefferson Airplane), 100 Years From Now (Gram Parsons), Long Black Veil (Johnny Cash), Inside Looking Out (The Animals), Roadhouse Blues (The Doors), Lucifer Sam (Pink Floyd), Little Red Rooster (Willie Dixon), Afterglow 61 (Son Volt), I Wanna Be Your Dog (The Stooges), Circle Sky (The Monkees), Glad and Sorry (The Faces), Dead Flowers (Rolling Stones), Torn and Frayed (Rolling Stones), Gimme Shelter (Rolling Stones), Jumpin' Jack Flash (Rolling Stones), Rockin' In The Free World (Neil Young), Brown Sugar (Stones), Lazy Day (Flying Burrito Bros.), Outfit (Drive By Truckers), etc.

Basic Requirements

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