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Many have heard musicians who claim to be the hardest working bands around, but none are truly as hardworking as the amazing jam band Ghost Farm. Having taken the time to play more charitable events than many bands would normally attempt, you cannot help but wonder why, Ghost farm are not rated the most rightious Jam band out today. Upon your first witness of Ghost Farm, you are struck by their indelible skills and signature melodies, that clearly give the impression of classical training and years of musical study. That first impression might cause you to think, you have just stepped into an aura of greatness and yet, there are no classically trained members here. Just a group of hard working gentlemen, that enjoy giving of themselves and their music, to anyone who wants to enjoy the experience. Amazing melodies and rich lyrics, grab your attention right away and you may find it difficult to leave a Ghost Farm performance, without forever being marked by their endearing music, thought prevoking words and professional sound. Having an opportunity to hear them live, I have witnessed the instant effect their music has on a crowd. It's as if God Himself has just whispered in every patrons ear, "Welcome to a taste of Heaven!" The song My Son My Legacy is definitely one of those Heavenly hits and requires special attention to the powerful emotion poured into the writing and melody of it. 129 is another track that deserves mention. A true powerhouse instrumental that defines what Jamming is all about. Precise picks and licks, backed by some of the finest bass wrap and jazzy percussions to ever arise from the hills of southern Ohio. Ghost Farm should have already made it to the big time. Of this I have no doubts at all. As a writer, one should keep their focus on the subject at hand and not on self, but this writer cannot find a better way to describe the effects that Ghost will have on your soul. My emotion was stirred and shaken by their music and personally, I never thought there could be another Eagles or Grateful Dead, until I heard Ghost Farm for the first time. The Cryb is going to do something here we never have done before; rate them on a scale of 1 to 10 for over-all performance and style. That rating is 10 plus 10, if that is possible. Go out and witness Ghost Farm for yourself and you may see that it has to be possible, because they are just that great, ladies and gentlemen. - FRENDOS CRYB
Discography
Debut Album: Myrt
Available now @
www.myspace.com/ghostfarmband
Photos
Bio
GHOST FARM:
Scott Butterbaugh (Guitar, Vocals)
Paul Viney (Bass, Vocals)
Brian Watts (Drums, vocals)
Roger Downs (percussion and shiny things, vocals)
For Southern Ohio’s very hard working and ever original, ever evolving Ghost Farm, playing music is about artistic freedom. This ever changing sonic landscape created by this unique foursome, is truly a thing to be experienced. They may be able to provide a small glimpse on their Debut CD Myrt, but this is almost like only seeing a few trees at the edge of a grand, dense, beautiful and mysterious forest. A hint of the many wonderful things yet to be seen….or in this case heard. To truly appreciate them, you must take them in live.
The bands live performances can range from four hour sets of which much of the music is original and off the cuff “jams” to truly danceable and entrancing improvisations that these guys fully envelope the audience in. As well as their original works, the band is also known to re-interpret many popular songs from bands like: The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Cars, Tea Leaf Green, Phish, Eagle Eye Cherry, Ben Harper, Snow Patrol and many more, into their very own, almost original compositions. Part of the appeal of these gents is that many of the songs you hear from them, from show to show will have a slightly different twist, a slightly different feel, and an all original Ghost Farm flair. With a blend of many styles and influences, this band truly takes you on a journey through their sound. Part rock, folk, jazz, funk, progressive, soul, blues and alternative…it is very hard to place them in a single category. Just come see for yourself and find your own description. Become a Farmer and reap what they sow…
Ghost Farm was born from three of the members being schoolmates in Chillicothe, Ohio, finally coming together to play after years of playing in bands that competed with each other for gigs in the area. In 1995, Scott and Paul, with Keith Manring and Pat Maxwell first formed Cebone Hunkle and invited Brian to play. Paul was on guitar and vocals at this time, and the band played around the southern and central Ohio area as much as they possibly could. Later the band Fossil formed as a three piece with Paul switching from guitar to bass after the departure of Keith Manring. This in turn, lead to the original lineup of Ghost Farm as we see it now, with the later inclusion of Roger Downs, after the recording of Myrt, on hand percussion and his many amazing “shiny things”.
With the debut CD being out for almost a year now, the band is hard at work playing festivals and shows everywhere they can be booked and working on new material for the next CD that will hopefully start recording time somewhere in 2008.
The jam crowds love the flair for their unique improvisation style, adaptation of covers, and unpredictable trance inspiring moments in their very own musical realm. The band retains control, power, presence, and patience in their performances, yet also manages to make the listener feel on the very edge of something truly daring and out of control…very much themselves becoming part of Ghost Farm and it’s collective spirit.
The members of the group enjoy the white canvas that playing in Ghost Farm affords. The freedom and space that allows each musician to paint their individual sonic colors in creation of their shared art.
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