Odlaw

OdLaW are doing their best to avoid labels by producing pure and minimal three-piece rock with a variety of seemingly conflicting influences that include California punk, alt-rock, country, and jazz. Giving themselves complete stylistic freedom and describing themselves as “eclectic alternative americana rock 'n' soul,” their debut album 1 shows hints of Johnny Cash and Frank Black backed with punchy beats, simplified melodies and deep grooves. - Dispatch Magazine March/April 2012

EXCERPTS, Click on link for the full article


“The band recorded “Odlaw 1” last summer and fall, at home in Waldo County. It’s a tight, clean recording, with standout tracks like “Wilted Flowers” and “Self Medicate” weaving between rock, punk and country with seemingly little effort. It’s accessible, fun stuff, and an immediately enjoyable album. The distinct songwriting voices keep everything interesting, merging two mindsets and styles into one cohesive whole.”

“The dual songwriting of Ladd and Weaver adds depth to the album. Ladd’s gravelly voice and country inflections play well against Weaver’s sense of melody and funk-punk bass-lines. Weaver’s songs bring to mind the Cars, punk band X and the Talking Heads, while Ladd brings a vibe that’s very much akin to Steve Earle and Wilco.”

“And yes, there’s a little alt-country, a little blues and rock in their sound, which is divided evenly between Ladd’s more country and blues-influenced songs and Weaver’s punk and indie leanings, all balanced out by drummer Gary Grant’s solid foundation.” - Bangor Daily News

OdLaW…Kind of an odd name, with an odd spelling. But look a little closer and you’ll notice that if you reverse the letters, it spells Waldo. As in Waldo County—which is where this band calls home.

“We honestly don’t know how to categorize our music,” says Jerry Weaver, the band’s bass player. “Others have called it things like progressive country rock, alternative blues, eclectic rock ’n’ soul, even new old wave. We just like to call it good music. One of the joys of playing in this band is that we don’t place any constraints on ourselves. It’s kind of like going back to the 60s. Everything is on the table.”

OdLaW is a trio of musicians that formed in the fall of 2008. Each of the members brings a unique background and sound into the mix.

Sam Ladd is the band’s lead guitarist and also handles the vocals. He’s a local boy, who was born and raised in Belfast. He’s been playing guitar since he was 10 years old.

“My sister’s boyfriend had a Harmony Archtop electric guitar,” Ladd says. “It had a crack in it, so he sold it to me for $5. From that day on, I was hooked. It was the best five bucks I ever spent.”

At 15, Ladd began writing his own songs and bought an acoustic guitar, since it was an easier instrument to compose with. Ladd would later become attracted to spiritual music, but he never lost his passion for blues, rock, and soul. As Ladd would say, “It’s all music.”

Gary Grant is the band’s drummer. His steady beat provides the foundation for the band’s tight sound. “I’ve been playing drums ever since I can remember,” Grant says. “It was something that I picked up really easily, and people kept encouraging me to keep playing. As it turns out, I never stopped.”

Grant is a veteran of many local bands, and is also the recipient of a prestigious award for drumming from the American Country Music Association.

Jerry Weaver, the band’s bass player, also sings. He’s a transplant from the West Coast, who made Maine his home in 1998. Weaver is also married to the band’s energetic manager, liaison, and cheerleader, Melinda Weaver.

Weaver’s diverse musical odyssey includes appearances at prominent Los Angeles venues, such as the Roxy and the Whiskey A Go Go (made famous by the Doors.) Weaver’s original songs also received radio airplay in the Los Angeles and Orange County markets.

You might say that Weaver is the straw that stirs the drink in this band. Drawing on his varied musical background, he’s constantly invigorating the band’s sound.

“I love introducing new ideas to the band,” Weaver says. “And Gary and Sam have been really receptive. But I also continue to learn from them. It’s a great collaboration.”

And that collaboration has produced a CD with music as diverse as the musicians themselves called OdLaW 1. It harkens back to a much more impulsive, free-spirited time in music. From muscular, pulsating rock songs like “Wilted Flowers” and the Hendrix-tinged “Thinking ’Bout Me,” to country/folk “Learn to Love,” the music pulls you right along.

Clearly, this album defies easy description or typecasting. And that’s just fine with the band. As Ladd concurred, “We just write songs.”
This is the type of CD that would drive today’s major record label executives crazy. It harkens back to a much more impulsive, free-spirited time in music.

From muscular, pulsating rock songs like “Wilted Flowers” and the Hendrix-tinged, “Thinking ‘Bout Me” to the deeply personal ballads like “Arizona” and the country/folk “Learn to Love,” this CD just pulls you right along. You might even find yourself cutting a rug to danceable tunes like “If You See Kay” and “Self Medicate.” There’s even the reggae- flavored, “Hey Now.”

Clearly, this album defies easy description or typecasting. And that’s just fine with the band. As Sam concurred, “We just write songs.” - Bangor Metro, March 2011