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The return of the backward kid
Chris Durant/The Times-Standard
Article Launched: 09/20/2007 04:15:30 AM PDT

It's been more than four years since the Sacramento alt-country-folkie-good time band Nevada Backwards has played Humboldt County.
But that drought will sort of be alleviated Saturday with the return of frontman Brian Ballentine at Six Rivers Brewery at 10 p.m.

”I can't wait to get up there,” Ballentine said in a recent phone interview.

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The band is still technically together, but shows are played sparsely, to say the least.
In the last four years two members have died, one by suicide and another in a car accident, and drummer Troy Kimura moved to Japan.

The remaining members are playing when Kimura returns for a month-long visit in October, but other than that the band is pretty much on hiatus.

But not Ballentine.

”I've been writing songs like a

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madman,” Ballentine said.
Ballentine has been playing solo and with a new project, Hail to the Belhamkings.

”Every time I do something I feel like I'm starting over,” Ballentine said.

He has also recently signed to Audio Live Records for a three-record deal, but hasn't decided if it's going to be solo stuff or with the self-described “Pulp Fiction” soundtrack-sounding Belhamkings.

Late last year Ballentine took to the road, the very long road, to


get out of town for a while and reinvent his music.
That road ended in the wine country of Argentina, where he spent more than a month playing parties and barbecues.

”It really opened up the atmosphere for me,” Ballentine said.

Ballentine will be performing with local murder ballad singers Anchorite and Mystic and hip-hop group Republican Duck Hunters.

Brian Ballentine can be heard by logging on to the Times-Standard.com or at www.myspace.com/brianballentine.


Chris Durant is a writer for the Times-Standard. Contact him at cdurant@times-standard.com.

If you Go:
What: Brian Ballentine, Anchorite and Mystic and Republican Duck Hunters

Where: Six Rivers Brewery

When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 p.m.

How much: $5





Print Email Return to Top http://www.redwoodtimes.com/entertainment/ci_6946849 - Chris Durant Times-Standard

All Born to Die

Nevada Backwards look on the sunny side of life

By Bill Forman

THREE lessons you can learn from talking to Nevada Backwards: First, when your thumb breaks on tour, you can tape a fork to your hand and still fret the guitar with it. Second, when getting back onstage a month after a near-fatal head injury, a crash helmet is your best protection against a raucous frontman. And, third, when an axle busts on your tour bus, the brakes stop working.

Twentysomething Nevada Backwards frontman Brian Ballentine has racked up more than his share of tales from the road, the most recent being a near-death incident starring the band's temperamental tour bus. Amazingly, the band just made it back unscathed from a main stage appearance at Burning Man.

Onstage, the Sacramento band is a shambolic mix of revival show and runaway train. High on adrenaline, Ballentine dives from PA stacks, bashes an already-battered guitar and sings his lungs out. Banjo and guitar wielding Mick Stevenson frequently carries Ballentine around on his shoulders, while violinist Nikelle Gessner typically looks on in wry amusement, as she and backup vocalist Rachel Fowler drive home propulsive rhythms laid down by drummer Troy Kimura and bassist Rodg. Somehow, they manage to keep it all from flying off the tracks and, along the way, make some beautiful noise.

Adaven, released this past winter on the group's own Grandma's Phonograph Co. label, captures the band's full fury on record. A critic might place the sound somewhere between the Southern gothic rock of 16 Horsepower and the medicine-show shamanism of Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue.

"I hear 16 Horsepower a lot," says Ballentine of the band's theoretical influences. "And I hear people saying my voice is kinda like, what's that guy ... 'The Boss' ... what's that guy's name?"

Um, Bruce Springsteen.

"Yeah, and Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins. People try to compare us, but I don't pay attention to it," he says.

Ballentine's lyrics tend to be fairly oblique, though they're always grounded in experience. "People come up and tell me that a song totally brings back their ex-girlfriend, and I hate to tell them that it's actually about something completely different. People think I'm singing about a girl, but it's really about my brother dying or the band breaking up."

Not to say that Nevada Backwards doesn't have uplifting songs. Ballentine has a whole arsenal of what he calls "crowd songs"—"Billy Bob," "Drinking a Beer" and the totally infectious "Maybe I'm Not What You Think I Am"—that still haven't found their way onto record.

Of course, Nevada Backwards fans are just as happy to sing along with Adaven tracks like "Bombfire," with its catchy refrain, "Prepare yourself, we're all born to die."

"It's sad, but it's also positive," Ballentine says of the song, which brings us around to lesson four: "We don't live in a perfect world, and there's a lot more shit that's going to happen. And it's true we're all gonna die, so you just live your life while you're here."

Nevada Backwards play Friday, Sept. 16, at the Aptos Club, 7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos.
Send a letter to the editor about this story to letters@metronews.com.
http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/09.14.05/nevada-0537.html
- By bill Forman Santa Cruz Metro

Nevada Backwards are the hellbillys from Sacramento, California. A quartet of acoustic musicians, their sound is an amalgam of alt-punk and jamband bluegrass. Acoustic to Nevada Backwards, however, does not mean quiet. Their tortured sandpaper vocals and driving mandolin/banjo overtones fill each room with primordial savagery.

Brian Ballantine takes care of the vocals and guitar, Keith Lionetti plays upright bass, Troy Kimura bangs a ¾ size drum set, and Mick Stevenson plays mandolin, banjo, and acoustic guitar. "We're totally unplugged," says guitar/singer Brian Ballantine, "That's it. It's the only way that it can be done."

In their spare time the four operate Tortellinni in Sacramento, a printing press and studio where they lease practice space to bands and musicians in the area. They work with each other and they are in a band together. "We have some practice space, and we're releasing a CD on our own label," says Keith. If this is in any way reflective of their personalities, then that to me is an assurance is that they won't break up due to an ego issue.

Many working bands play daytime parties/festivals/weddings between the nightly circuit of hazily smoky bars and venues. Nevada Backwards takes that idea a step further, capitalizing on playing gigs while travelling to their destination. "We will be riding the train when we tour across the West Coast," said Keith, "And we're going to be the dining/bar car entertainment."

This isn't the first time the hellbillys have seen the Midwest. "I was in a band called Mynock that played at O'cayz Corral once [or twice] when we toured," says Keith, "This one should be interesting. We're riding the train until we get to Minnesota, then we will be renting a van for the week in the Midwest, then we take the train back."

The arrangements for Andrew Jackson and Foundation highlight their 2002 album Ignorant. Brian's voice grates like a meat grinder into the soul of his listeners. Tijuana and Materialistic Free from their album Seedy Bars which can only be purchased at live shows. "Keith and I both wrote Tijuana," says Brian. "That place is totally crazy. Keith and I both had two totally different experiences, and we went at different times."

A dust cloud hangs suspended midair in the immediate vicinity a reflective quality, and Destination Unknown trails off in a seemingly endless stream of ideas. As the last of the gear is packed into the hellbillys' shuttle bus the last cigarette is stamped of its orange-red glow. Akin to yet another chemical hangover, they will be leaving another stop behind them as the lowering sunset keeps pace on the long drive back to Sacramento, California.

Nevada Backwards will be train-hopping their way to the Midwest stopping on Wednesday, 5/14 at Vnuk's in Cudahy, Wisconsin, Thursday 5/15, at 324 Live in Lacrosse, Friday, 5/16 at The Anchor Inn in Madison, Saturday, 5/17 at the Terminal Bar in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Wednesday, 5/21 at Club Mutiny in Chicago, Illinois.

- Brett Limke Maxium Ink

earlier this year, has everything—and a bag of chips. Nevada Backwards plays a rockin’ country-blues style like many bands only wish to play. It’s in the band’s blood—no B.S., no filler, just pure, heartfelt music reminiscent of the Band, or 16 Horsepower without the banshee vocals. The excellently played piano, guitar, accordion and various types of mandolins and Brian Ballentine’s incredibly unique vocals—he also blows one of the meanest harmonicas I’ve ever heard—will make you want to let your beer get warm in your hand. The opening song, “Ghostown,” is worthy of Neil Young’s attention; perhaps he should consider recording a cover version. Ignorant is definitely in my top 10 for 2002. - David Kulczyk

earlier this year, has everything—and a bag of chips. Nevada Backwards plays a rockin’ country-blues style like many bands only wish to play. It’s in the band’s blood—no B.S., no filler, just pure, heartfelt music reminiscent of the Band, or 16 Horsepower without the banshee vocals. The excellently played piano, guitar, accordion and various types of mandolins and Brian Ballentine’s incredibly unique vocals—he also blows one of the meanest harmonicas I’ve ever heard—will make you want to let your beer get warm in your hand. The opening song, “Ghostown,” is worthy of Neil Young’s attention; perhaps he should consider recording a cover version. Ignorant is definitely in my top 10 for 2002. - David Kulczyk

earlier this year, has everything—and a bag of chips. Nevada Backwards plays a rockin’ country-blues style like many bands only wish to play. It’s in the band’s blood—no B.S., no filler, just pure, heartfelt music reminiscent of the Band, or 16 Horsepower without the banshee vocals. The excellently played piano, guitar, accordion and various types of mandolins and Brian Ballentine’s incredibly unique vocals—he also blows one of the meanest harmonicas I’ve ever heard—will make you want to let your beer get warm in your hand. The opening song, “Ghostown,” is worthy of Neil Young’s attention; perhaps he should consider recording a cover version. Ignorant is definitely in my top 10 for 2002. - David Kulczyk

Back when I first heard Nevada Backwards, it was a different time in the musical spectrum. Many people were, as they still do, claiming they listened to all different kinds of music. But they’d always be quick to add on “Except country.” Then they’d give you a small sample of country groups that were actually listened to. This usually consisted of Johnny Cash and two older groups and one new solo act. For me, that other choice was The Chitlins, but that’s not important here. It has now been two years and things have changed. With a new wave of alt-country bands (mostly started by people from more popular bands who figured their adoring fans would listen to just about anything they did) sweeping the indie nation and a few other scenes, country has started to come back into vogue. Of course, those bands have to have some extra zing to them. For instance, a member of a prestigious hardcore band. Or…okay, that’s really it.

Anyway, the members of Nevada Backwards don’t actually prefer to call themselves a country band. In fact, they’ve even spoken out about how country isn’t even a preferred genre in their listening. But the facts are there: Nevada Backwards is more a country band than they are a rock band (and a classic rock band moreso than a current rock band). While there are facets of rock in every song and this is definitely country with a biting edge, it’s still country.

To look at Nevada Backwards, you would never assume they would be the type to play country. Banjoist Mick Stevenson would seem more at home in a grinding metal band. And he gets to play some pretty bitchin’ banjo riffs, so I guess that’s what keeps him happy.

Since I first saw Nevada Backwards, they have added a new fiddle player and a back-up vocalist. The only reason I mention this is because there is absolutely no need for Rachel Fowler (backing vocals) to be in this lineup. She is rarely used and, when included, does her damnedest to ruin everything. And she has the least to focus on. It’s quite a depressing addition, but, as stated, a very small one.

Vocalist/songwriter Brian Ballentine has a harsh, raspy voice that sets the listener ill at ease, while the rest of the band tries its best to soothe you over. But there are some eruptions on this disc, in the form of “Get Outta Town” and “Tijuana,” amongst others. But, like most bands, Nevada Backwards does hit a few missteps along the way, such as opener “South Virginia.” But once you’re past that one glaring piece of work, the (self-title?) disc becomes a more incredible journey than that one involving two dogs and a cat.

Gut-wrenching and gut-kicking, Adaven is a country release for people who hate country, but like banjos and whores.

RIYL: Live, Jackie Greene, Charlie Daniels Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tin Hat Trio

-- Ben Rice

- Ben Rice

Back when I first heard Nevada Backwards, it was a different time in the musical spectrum. Many people were, as they still do, claiming they listened to all different kinds of music. But they’d always be quick to add on “Except country.” Then they’d give you a small sample of country groups that were actually listened to. This usually consisted of Johnny Cash and two older groups and one new solo act. For me, that other choice was The Chitlins, but that’s not important here. It has now been two years and things have changed. With a new wave of alt-country bands (mostly started by people from more popular bands who figured their adoring fans would listen to just about anything they did) sweeping the indie nation and a few other scenes, country has started to come back into vogue. Of course, those bands have to have some extra zing to them. For instance, a member of a prestigious hardcore band. Or…okay, that’s really it.

Anyway, the members of Nevada Backwards don’t actually prefer to call themselves a country band. In fact, they’ve even spoken out about how country isn’t even a preferred genre in their listening. But the facts are there: Nevada Backwards is more a country band than they are a rock band (and a classic rock band moreso than a current rock band). While there are facets of rock in every song and this is definitely country with a biting edge, it’s still country.

To look at Nevada Backwards, you would never assume they would be the type to play country. Banjoist Mick Stevenson would seem more at home in a grinding metal band. And he gets to play some pretty bitchin’ banjo riffs, so I guess that’s what keeps him happy.

Since I first saw Nevada Backwards, they have added a new fiddle player and a back-up vocalist. The only reason I mention this is because there is absolutely no need for Rachel Fowler (backing vocals) to be in this lineup. She is rarely used and, when included, does her damnedest to ruin everything. And she has the least to focus on. It’s quite a depressing addition, but, as stated, a very small one.

Vocalist/songwriter Brian Ballentine has a harsh, raspy voice that sets the listener ill at ease, while the rest of the band tries its best to soothe you over. But there are some eruptions on this disc, in the form of “Get Outta Town” and “Tijuana,” amongst others. But, like most bands, Nevada Backwards does hit a few missteps along the way, such as opener “South Virginia.” But once you’re past that one glaring piece of work, the (self-title?) disc becomes a more incredible journey than that one involving two dogs and a cat.

Gut-wrenching and gut-kicking, Adaven is a country release for people who hate country, but like banjos and whores.

RIYL: Live, Jackie Greene, Charlie Daniels Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tin Hat Trio

-- Ben Rice

- Ben Rice