centralia massacre
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centralia massacre

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"Good Folks"

"With the warm-and-fuzzy lyrics and two -part harmonies, it's impossible not to fall for its (the song 'Couch') charms." -Chris Buckner - Metro Pulse


"Centralia Massacre has sweeter notes, despite name"

"The instrumentation is subdued and intricate, weaving a blanket of warmth and familiarity beneath the harmonies that turns the band into a more rough-and-tumble version of The Everybodyfields, or Over the Rhine if that band had grown up in an Appalachian holler instead of Ohio. "
-Steve Wildsmith - Maryville Daily Times


"Not A Swedish Metal Band"

"Centralia Massacre makes pleasant, temperate music belying its name."
-Lisa Slade - Knoxville Voice


Discography

Right at Home LP, February 2008
Sidejar Records 4 Way Split LP, October 2008
Good Folk Fest compilation LP, Novermber 2008
Untitled New Album LP, July 2009
Chestnut Tree Records compilation LP, Fall 2009

Photos

Bio

Centralia Massacre is a folk group from Knoxville, TN. Members include Laura Bost on ukulele and guitar, James Maples on electric banjo and guitar, Johnny Walker on bass, Steve Corrigan on drums, and Leslie Terry on violin. Centralia Massacre is on Chestnut Tree Records (Bloomington,IN).

James and Laura formed Centralia Massacre in Knoxville in July 2007. They initially met in February of that year following a freak list of band cancellations at the Pilot Light, which left them sharing the stage. The unexpected pair’s influences melded well: Laura’s trained jazz voice and smooth guitar playing rounded the craggy corners of James’ experimental Appalachian folk style. Finding common ground in “old country” musicians like Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, and Patsy Cline, the two began to swap influences, christened their new band “Centralia Massacre” and hit the sidewalks around Knoxville, TN.

After a few months of duet gigs with only a guitar and a banjo, Laura brought in Johnny Walker on bass. Johnny, a jazz bassist from the UT School of Music, motivated the band’s sound with syncopation and swing. Together, the trio expanded their shows to Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, and Kentucky, piling into radio stations and folk festivals with their snuggly mixture of jazz and folk music. They released their first album “Right at Home” in early 2008, and received the coveted title of ‘sleeper hit” from Knoxville’s Metro Pulse later that year. Somewhere along the way, they added an electric ukulele, and James refined his homemade electric banjo into a completely unique instrument.

Ever the experimental band, Centralia Massacre added Steve Corrigan on drums in late 2008. Steve, also a graduate of the UT School of Music, helped the band prove that folk musicians can rock it out. The band recently added the final piece to the puzzle with their new violin soloist, Leslie Terry. The end product? Moving, suggly music that keeps you slow dancing with the stranger beside you; songs with the sentiment and lyrical treasures of folk music, but with a gypsy/bluesy rock buzz that will have you grinding as the night goes on. And if dancing ain't yer thing, we sound just as good from the bar. Together, Centralia Massacre plays venues of all sizes and variety across the Southeast and Midwest (and soon beyond!), changing its sets and lineup to meet the needs and desires of the venue. Drop us a line!

James and Laura formed Centralia Massacre in Knoxville in July 2007. They initially met in February of that year following a freak list of band cancellations at the Pilot Light, which left them sharing the stage. The unexpected pair’s influences melded well: Laura’s trained jazz voice and smooth guitar playing rounded the craggy corners of James’ experimental Appalachian folk style. Finding common ground in “old country” musicians like Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, and Patsy Cline, the two began to swap influences, christened their new band “Centralia Massacre” and hit the sidewalks around Knoxville, TN.

After a few months of duet gigs with only a guitar and a banjo, Laura brought in Johnny Walker on bass. Johnny, a jazz bassist from the UT School of Music, motivated the band’s sound with syncopation and swing. Together, the trio expanded their shows to Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, and Kentucky, piling into radio stations and folk festivals with their snuggly mixture of jazz and folk music. They released their first album “Right at Home” in early 2008, and received the coveted title of ‘sleeper hit” from Knoxville’s Metro Pulse later that year. Somewhere along the way, they added an electric ukulele, and James refined his homemade electric banjo into a completely unique instrument.

Ever the experimental band, Centralia Massacre added Steve Corrigan on drums in late 2008. Steve, also a graduate of the UT School of Music, helped the band prove that folk musicians can rock it out. The band recently added the final piece to the puzzle with their new violin soloist, Leslie Terry. Together, Centralia Massacre plays venues of all sizes and kith across the Southeast and Midwest (and soon beyond!), changing its sets and lineup to meet the needs and desires of the venue.