Woodbox Gang

Artist Information

Biography

From the village of Makanda in extreme southern Illinois, in a little hollow called Vulture Valley, comes a "caustic acoustic cacophony" known as the Woodbox Gang. They have skillfully combined the roots music styles of Americana, bluegrass, delta blues, outlaw country, & rockabilly with the aggressive delivery of punk rock to create their own style of music to which they have given the name "Trashcan Americana". The band is known for their dark poetic lyrics and their use of various conventional and non-conventional instrumentation to create sonic landscapes specifically tailored to the mood and theme of each composition. The songwriting team of Hugh DeNeal and Alex Kirt have lead the Woodbox Gang through many musical transformations, while remaining true to their one of a kind sound. The group has performed nationwide since the year 2000. Highlights include performances at the JFK Center for Performing Arts, Wakarusa, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Appalachain Uprising, and countless festivals, theaters, and other venues across the country. Alternative country icon Jason Ringenberg (Jason and the Scorchers) has been quoted in several interviews citing the Woodbox Gang as one of his favorite new bands. The Gang joined forces with Mr. Ringenberg for a track on his latest album "Best Tracks and Side Tracks". The band composed a new arrangement for Ringenberg's classic hit "Broken Whiskey Glass".
The Woodbox Gang's influences are as diverse as the music which they perform. The group admires those artists who "do their own thing, regardless of what anyone else may or may not be doing." This idea can be heard on any one of the group's 5 albums on which they've used traditional instruments such as guitar, mandolin, lap steel, banjo, fiddle, and bass combined with didjeridoos, kazoos, sawblades, gutbuckets, crowbars, ashtrays, and rusty gasoline cans to add brilliant audio hues their musical palette.

Instrumentation

Hugh DeNeal-Vocals, acoustic guitar
Alex Kirt-Vocals, mandolin, washboard, suitcase drum, banjo, slide guitar, harmonica, kazoo, didgeridoo, musical saw
Dan Goett- Vocals, Banjo, Mandolin, Dobro, guitar, slide guitar
Greg Edwards-Bass, baritone horn

Discography

Trashcan Americana- Released 2001
Wormwood- Released 2002
Showdown (live)- Released 2002
Born With A Tail- Released 2003
I've Killed Men (film soundtrack)- Released 2003
Live at Hangar 9- Released 2005
Drunk As Dragons - Released 2006
Drunk As Dragons "Fortified Edition" Released June 2008 on Alternative Tentacles

Audio

• The Hanging of Charlie Birger
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• Born With A Tail
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• Never Kissed A Girl
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• Togey Water
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• Godbox Wagon
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• Family Night
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Lyrics

• Born With A Tail
• Togey Water
• Let Em Break Your Bones
• Oh Woman
• Soap in my Mouth
• Confidence Man

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Woodbox Gang - Above Their Raising [+ Show ]
  

  ...the Woodbox Gang remains lurking in the hollows of Southern Illinois, a rare find among the ruins......the Woodbox Gang remains lurking in the hollows of Southern Illinois, a rare find among the ruins of rural America.
  -Jeff Biggers, No Depression

• Trashcan Americana - The Woodbox Gang [+ Show ]
  

  From the wilds of Southern Illinois stomps the grinning mess of wails, clangs, pokes, and downhome h...From the wilds of Southern Illinois stomps the grinning mess of wails, clangs, pokes, and downhome harmonies known as the Woodbox Gang.
  --Joe Collier, Lumpen

• Wormwood - Woodbox Gang [+ Show ]
  

  Their lyrics are dark, and the music toe tapping and happy, almost like a Dios de los Muertos, or, D...Their lyrics are dark, and the music toe tapping and happy, almost like a Dios de los Muertos, or, Day of the Dead celebration.
  --beerbytch.com

• Meet the Woodbox Gang [+ Show ]
  

  Throw folk and rock in a blender along with bluegrass and punk, then spit in it. This is the Woodbox...Throw folk and rock in a blender along with bluegrass and punk, then spit in it. This is the Woodbox Gang's sound -- beautiful and vile.
  -- Jim Chesters, Nightlife

• Woodbox in Review [+ Show ]
  

  This is one of the most original CDs I've heard in years. -- James Richard Oliver, Illbilly Records...This is one of the most original CDs I've heard in years.
  -- James Richard Oliver, Illbilly Records, review of Trashcan Americana

• Woodbox Gang's Born with a Tail [+ Show ]
  

  They may be controversial, but they have an impact and energy that's impossible to ignore and that s...They may be controversial, but they have an impact and energy that's impossible to ignore and that should be experienced both live and on disc.
  -- Jerry Bradley, Flipside

• Woodbox Gang - Best Local Artists [+ Show ]
  

  They remain one of the most raw, entertaining, shocking, prolific, and strange bands in the area. -...They remain one of the most raw, entertaining, shocking, prolific, and strange bands in the area.
  -- Chris Wissman, Nightlife

• Woodbox Gang Returns [+ Show ]
  

  When the side-splitting humor wears off and you're stuck with the acute awareness that this band is ...When the side-splitting humor wears off and you're stuck with the acute awareness that this band is tottering on the verge of genius, then you won't think it's so funny.
  -- Tom Irwin, Illinois Times

• Woodbox Gang- Wormwood CD review [+ Show ]
  

  (Literal Translation from Japanese) It is the jug flat tire band whose power is good as though it is...(Literal Translation from Japanese) It is the jug flat tire band whose power is good as though it is the mischievous raging horse!
  -- Hi Fi Record Store, Japan

Setlist

The Woodbox Gang exclusively performs their own all original music.

Basic Requirements

Calendar