Flatbed
Buffalo, New York, United States
Music
Press
The Buffalo News: GUSTO May 11th, 2007
Since emerging three years back as an acoustic trio anchored around the vocals of Joelle Labert, fleshed out by the guitars of Derek Bassett and the engine-room rumblings of bassist Michael Tinsmon, Buffalo's Flatbed has evolved into a full-blown celebration of Americana and roots-rock. The band's self-titled debut reveals an instantly likable, home-brewed, country-based collection of songs splitting the difference between the 'Cosmic American Music' of Gram Parsons and New Riders of the Purple Sage and the folk-based country of Emmylou Harris.
In mandolin/dobro man John F. Brady, drummer Ted Chubbuck Jr. and Telecaster 'chicken-picker' Daniel Smith, the Bassett-Labert-Tinsmon core has found an eminently talented tribe of like-minded players to solidify the Flatbed sound. The result is the finest roots-rock collective to emerge from our neck of the woods since the wonderful Steam Donkeys first started kicking in the stalls.
Check out Flatbed's sounds at www.myspace.com/flatbedmusic. -- Jeff Miers - The Buffalo News
Discography
Flatbed -- Self-titled debut. Released in Spring 2007
Live in Allen Hall -- Released in January 2009
Photos
Bio
The Ballad of Flatbed 2009
There is some debate as to the exact historical moment when Rock and Roll was born in America, but most agree it was conceived at the crossroads of Blues and Country music in the years following World War II. Buffalo, New York, original Americana band Flatbed taps deep into these early influences and augments their style further by including highlights from the last sixty years of popular music to form a unique yet approachable roots rock sound.
From humble beginnings as an acoustic song writing trio, Joelle Labert (vocals), Michael Tinsmon (bass), and Derek Bassett (vocals & guitars) received accolades from a local music scene generally inhabited by cover bands and tribute shows. After successful opening sets for such national acts as Carbon Leaf, Al and the Transamericans, Quick Sand, Grady and Bobby Bare, Jr., the group decided to continue embracing the historical path of American music by adding drums and electric instruments to the mix. Working under the name Flatbed, the project expanded on their existing song writing with more energetic live performances, which helped bolster their audiences and earn multiple Buffalo Music Award nominations in the last four years.
With the 2007 release of their eponymously titled studio recording, Flatbed "revealed an instantly likable, home-brewed, country-based collection of songs splitting the difference between the Cosmic American Music of Gram Parsons and New Riders of the Purple Sage and the folk-based country of Emmylou Harris" - Jeff Miers, The Buffalo News. That first studio release was followed by a collection of songs recorded in 2008 at The University of Buffalo's Allen Hall Theatre for a live broadcast on National Public Radio's affiliate WBFO. Simply titled "Live in Allen Hall", the recording captures more of the band's live stage energy and is currently available for download at CdBaby.com. Meanwhile Flatbed is currently working on a second studio project slated for a late 2009/early 2010 release.
After the departure of a few early band members, Flatbed settled into its current, more streamlined roster in the fall of 2008 and continues to gain more fans with every live performance. With the addition of seasoned drummer Ian Belknap and long-time friend Nathan Montague on harmonica and acoustic guitar, Flatbed continues to move toward the future by reinterpreting their influences and entertaining growing audiences with their original take on American music.
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