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Husky - Circle the Wagons
Review by John Pegoraro (StonerRock.com)
Self released
Release date: March 2006
With a name like Husky and an album called Circle the Wagons, my first thought was that I was in store for 45 minutes of traditional Southern hard rock - the sort of blustery, riff-heavy affairs, accented by a boisterous “Yeah!” or two (or 200), that are good for pounding canned domestic beer and raising hell and not thinking all that much.
The truth is decidedly different. If this Charlotte, NC instrumental band has anything in common with the aforementioned type of group, it’s that it draws from the same classic rock influences. However, Husky offers much more interesting interpretation than your standard issue lunkheaded act.
They’re more of a psychedelic jam band type of deal, one that takes the Southern style playing and filters it through a prism of Krautrock. Their bio states that they rarely play the same show twice, and based on the loose and fluid playing on Circle the Wagons, I can see why. I’ve listened to this album a number of times and each time have discovered a new facet to their songs, whether it’s in the pulsating drive of “Patriarch,” the banjo picking in the title track, the low-end groove of “Under the Frisco Sun,” or the subtle Hammond on “The New Husky Dawn.” Like all good jam bands, there’s a natural, organic fluidity to what Husky does.
There are a couple of weak spots on Circle the Wagons - the Indian-style chanting at the end of the first track seems forced, and while “Chasing the Dragon” isn’t that bad as an all out rock track, it seems out of place amidst the other ten songs. If you’re into Pharaoh Overlord, Slacks!, Queens of the Stone Age, Clutch, Clearlight, or the Allman Brothers, you’re certain to dig this as much as I did. - StonerRock.com
Husky - Circle the Wagons
Review by John Pegoraro (StonerRock.com)
Self released
Release date: March 2006
With a name like Husky and an album called Circle the Wagons, my first thought was that I was in store for 45 minutes of traditional Southern hard rock - the sort of blustery, riff-heavy affairs, accented by a boisterous “Yeah!” or two (or 200), that are good for pounding canned domestic beer and raising hell and not thinking all that much.
The truth is decidedly different. If this Charlotte, NC instrumental band has anything in common with the aforementioned type of group, it’s that it draws from the same classic rock influences. However, Husky offers much more interesting interpretation than your standard issue lunkheaded act.
They’re more of a psychedelic jam band type of deal, one that takes the Southern style playing and filters it through a prism of Krautrock. Their bio states that they rarely play the same show twice, and based on the loose and fluid playing on Circle the Wagons, I can see why. I’ve listened to this album a number of times and each time have discovered a new facet to their songs, whether it’s in the pulsating drive of “Patriarch,” the banjo picking in the title track, the low-end groove of “Under the Frisco Sun,” or the subtle Hammond on “The New Husky Dawn.” Like all good jam bands, there’s a natural, organic fluidity to what Husky does.
There are a couple of weak spots on Circle the Wagons - the Indian-style chanting at the end of the first track seems forced, and while “Chasing the Dragon” isn’t that bad as an all out rock track, it seems out of place amidst the other ten songs. If you’re into Pharaoh Overlord, Slacks!, Queens of the Stone Age, Clutch, Clearlight, or the Allman Brothers, you’re certain to dig this as much as I did. - StonerRock.com
August 2006
Husky-Circle the Wagons CD
Damn, I really dug this one. Husky are an instrumental trio from Charlotte, North Carolina who absolutely hit the nail on the head with this full-length that is chock full of soul, groove, pure rock n' roll and deep psychedelic influences. This is absolutely timeless stuff that definitely nods to a variety of influences (both classic and modern) but doesn't sound like any other instrumental act going out there. I mean this stuff rocks but unlike a majority of the instrumental bands out there, Husky makes careful use of pacing and restraint by letting the distortion rip in places where it really needs to but oftentimes they create these huge, atmospheric jams that explore so many areas that you wouldn't even expect them to go. "Stroll through the Holler" is a perfect example of the point I'm trying to illustrate. This track just continues to build up as it grooves along, getting louder and a bit distorted at times but always maintaining this huge groove and laid-back quality that make it an absolutely infectious listen while never turning the amps up to 11. They so carefully pace tracks like this that you just can't get them out of your head or even attempt to get bored with where they are going next.
They follow suite with other deep and thought provoking jams like the electrifying opener "Steam Engine" which is soaked in deep bluesy bass and dreamy psychedelic atmospheres before exploding at the end with some huge distortion and fuzzed out insanity and the title track is absolutely mesmerizing with it's beautiful and mellow stoner rock vibe that sounds straight out of an old-western film. These guys also know how to rock straight-up too when they aren't exploring their sound deep into the stratosphere. They have tight control of groove and good old fashioned rock n' roll rhythms with the all out jamming of "Patriach", "Chasing the Dragon" and "Under the Frisco Sun" (which still gets pretty spacey and jammed out) which all ebb and flow nicely, filled to the brim with hard rocking riffs that recall to mind everything from Clutch to blues to old school classic rock.
This whole record manages to not contain a single boring moment in a set of songs that are not afraid to space out and not just constantly hit you like a hammer in the face. The production is thick and clear but still has a live quality to it that really makes things go over that much better. I really don't think there is much touching up to the sound here as this is the kind of band that I could definitely imagine to not pull any punches live and just give you the meat and potatoes that you so righteously deserve, free and clear of any modern rock studio gloss just the way this sound should be. If you are in the mood for some seriously killer instrumental rock then definitely give Husky a listen. This record completely took me by surprise and has me on the edge to hear these guys live. They really don't sound like anyone off the top of my head but do you really need me comparing good tunes to other good music all the time? Get off your ass and get yourself some Husky!
Rating: 7 out of 7
JS
- Daredevil Online Magazine
August 2006
Husky-Circle the Wagons CD
Damn, I really dug this one. Husky are an instrumental trio from Charlotte, North Carolina who absolutely hit the nail on the head with this full-length that is chock full of soul, groove, pure rock n' roll and deep psychedelic influences. This is absolutely timeless stuff that definitely nods to a variety of influences (both classic and modern) but doesn't sound like any other instrumental act going out there. I mean this stuff rocks but unlike a majority of the instrumental bands out there, Husky makes careful use of pacing and restraint by letting the distortion rip in places where it really needs to but oftentimes they create these huge, atmospheric jams that explore so many areas that you wouldn't even expect them to go. "Stroll through the Holler" is a perfect example of the point I'm trying to illustrate. This track just continues to build up as it grooves along, getting louder and a bit distorted at times but always maintaining this huge groove and laid-back quality that make it an absolutely infectious listen while never turning the amps up to 11. They so carefully pace tracks like this that you just can't get them out of your head or even attempt to get bored with where they are going next.
They follow suite with other deep and thought provoking jams like the electrifying opener "Steam Engine" which is soaked in deep bluesy bass and dreamy psychedelic atmospheres before exploding at the end with some huge distortion and fuzzed out insanity and the title track is absolutely mesmerizing with it's beautiful and mellow stoner rock vibe that sounds straight out of an old-western film. These guys also know how to rock straight-up too when they aren't exploring their sound deep into the stratosphere. They have tight control of groove and good old fashioned rock n' roll rhythms with the all out jamming of "Patriach", "Chasing the Dragon" and "Under the Frisco Sun" (which still gets pretty spacey and jammed out) which all ebb and flow nicely, filled to the brim with hard rocking riffs that recall to mind everything from Clutch to blues to old school classic rock.
This whole record manages to not contain a single boring moment in a set of songs that are not afraid to space out and not just constantly hit you like a hammer in the face. The production is thick and clear but still has a live quality to it that really makes things go over that much better. I really don't think there is much touching up to the sound here as this is the kind of band that I could definitely imagine to not pull any punches live and just give you the meat and potatoes that you so righteously deserve, free and clear of any modern rock studio gloss just the way this sound should be. If you are in the mood for some seriously killer instrumental rock then definitely give Husky a listen. This record completely took me by surprise and has me on the edge to hear these guys live. They really don't sound like anyone off the top of my head but do you really need me comparing good tunes to other good music all the time? Get off your ass and get yourself some Husky!
Rating: 7 out of 7
JS
- Daredevil Online Magazine
HUSKY : “Circle The Wagons” (Self Release)
Husky are an independent 3 piece band from Charlotte, NC formed around the nucleus of Mark Hadden (bass), Phil Strickland (guitar, keys) and Nate Wilkinson (drums). The band has been together for about 6 years playing and their debut serves up 11 songs of instrumental lazily groovy rock. While their sound may lean more towards “Jalamanta” (Brant Bjork) and their meditative repetitive flowing towards Pharaoh Overlord, I hear a bit of a southern rock and chunky stoner influence as well, similar in nature to ZZ Top and Karma To Burn.
Fave tracks : “Steam engine” which opens the album at a 5.26 minutes, an comparatively smooth bass line rails away, but instead of the usual explosion of sound one’s come to expect, the music actually drifts into a rather minimalist shamanic groove backed by a cherokee chanting tribe, “Dalton” which retains a southern inducing marching rhythm.and “Indian” which is a 12.46 min tantric piece that presents a slightly variety of meditative environments.
The mostly instrumental album is superb from start to finish, creating a wonderful mood taking you on a hypnotic trip through North Carolina. If your taste in music leans towards some of the bands I’ve mentioned in this review then my feeling is Husky will fit nicely into your collection.
“Circle the wagons” is at its best while watching ‘Deliverance’ (J. Boorman) and ‘Dead Man’ (J. Jarmush) at the same time.
89/100
cosmicmasseur
- Concrete Web
HUSKY : “Circle The Wagons” (Self Release)
Husky are an independent 3 piece band from Charlotte, NC formed around the nucleus of Mark Hadden (bass), Phil Strickland (guitar, keys) and Nate Wilkinson (drums). The band has been together for about 6 years playing and their debut serves up 11 songs of instrumental lazily groovy rock. While their sound may lean more towards “Jalamanta” (Brant Bjork) and their meditative repetitive flowing towards Pharaoh Overlord, I hear a bit of a southern rock and chunky stoner influence as well, similar in nature to ZZ Top and Karma To Burn.
Fave tracks : “Steam engine” which opens the album at a 5.26 minutes, an comparatively smooth bass line rails away, but instead of the usual explosion of sound one’s come to expect, the music actually drifts into a rather minimalist shamanic groove backed by a cherokee chanting tribe, “Dalton” which retains a southern inducing marching rhythm.and “Indian” which is a 12.46 min tantric piece that presents a slightly variety of meditative environments.
The mostly instrumental album is superb from start to finish, creating a wonderful mood taking you on a hypnotic trip through North Carolina. If your taste in music leans towards some of the bands I’ve mentioned in this review then my feeling is Husky will fit nicely into your collection.
“Circle the wagons” is at its best while watching ‘Deliverance’ (J. Boorman) and ‘Dead Man’ (J. Jarmush) at the same time.
89/100
cosmicmasseur
- Concrete Web
Discography
Circle the Wagons LP - 2006. Self release.
Available from several online retailers. 3 tracks in regular rotation with internet radio stations.
3 tracks available for streaming and download at www.huskyrock.com.
All tracks available for streaming on CDBaby at http://cdbaby.com/cd/huskyrock, and available for download from iTunes, eMusic, and several other digital music providers.
The Sea King LP - April 4th, 2008. Self release. 3 tracks in rotation on internet radio.
Untitled 10" EP - scheduled for late 2008 release from Sleeping Village Records.
Photos
Bio
Based in Charlotte, NC, Husky is made up of Mark Hadden (bass), Phil Strickland (guitar), and Nate Wilkinson (drums). Hadden and Strickland began playing together as high school sophomores in 1991. After various band experiences, they recruited Wilkinson and in early 2000 Husky was born. They spent many evenings zeroing in on a single musical idea that might gather steam and float on for a good 20 minutes before winding to a slow, bluesy finale. Nourished by Miller High Life, the trio rocked for rock’s sake, playing the occasional, sometimes completely improvised, show.
Jamming birthed songs and those songs flourished into the bluesy shakedowns, psychedelic slow burners, and racing boogie that make up the band's first full-length LP, “Circle the Wagons”, released in March 2006. A love of the Patrick Swayze, late ‘80s ass kicker, “Roadhouse,” cowboys and Indians, ‘70s classic guitar rock, the bands Clutch and Kyuss, American history, professional wrestling, fast cars, loose women, High Life, and an ongoing debate about Star Wars, old and new, fueled the “Wagon’s” inception.
In the past six years, the instrumental trio has grown from spinning improvised epic rock jams to firing off focused, intelligent yet simple tunes. Ranging from thick, head nodding groove-rock to echoing bluesy twang and swirling psychedelia to driving Southern grit, Husky’s masculine punch has been embraced by fans of blues and classic rock to modern and stoner rock aficionados. Their improv skills often come into play during live shows. They rarely play the same show twice and have recently played with Atomic Bitchwax, Weedeater, Gods of Mars, and Pearls and Brass. Full length debut "Circle the Wagons" was released in March 2006. Follow up full length LP "The Sea King" will be released in April 2008.
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