Old Bull

Well a good start...'Manifesto'...great title for an album with a sense of purpose. It kicks off with GROWERMAN (1), on the good foot with a catchy banjo and mandolin driven up-tempo number that's a paean to the benefits of medical marijuana, with a biting commentary on how the gov't treats patients. The groove takes you nicely thru this beautifully played 'lil outlaw tale.
As the album unfolds you realize this is put together with a lot of taste and genuine love for this brand of American Roots music. The sounds are authentic and played with a great deal of skill and sparkle, production duties falling to the great Steve McCormick as well as the band.
The playing throughout is excellent with Old Bull players Eric Rasmussen, Scott Grusin, Dylan Wilkerson, Peter Sheffer and Steve Seifert ...(as well as a host of) guest musicians (including) Rand Anderson (pedal steel), Michael Starr (fiddle), and Eric Lynn (organ, piano).
This is a GREAT record, a really good representation of this genre made with balls, taste, a spirit of abandon and some good old fashioned musicianship...No Bull...don't miss it. - Topanga Magazine

Old Bull — Manifesto

Recorded by Steve McCormick in Mar Vista, CA

Mixed by Eric Lynn and Steve McCormick in Topanga, CA

Mastered by Ron Bousted at Precision Mastering in Hollywood, CA

Produced by Steve McCormick and Old Bull

L.A.’s Old Bull has its roots squarely in the old-time country and bluegrass sounds of the southeastern U.S. of A. Brisk banjo picking, a lovely fiddle, and a solid backbeat drive many of these songs, including Manifesto‘s strong opener “Growerman.” But the lyrics announce loud and clear that this is truly a California band. “I even got a permit for my California grow,” sings Eric Rasmussen, while lamenting cancer patients who are raided by the feds for possessing medical marijuana. This is the new outlaw country sound, with a new cause; where the government has the guns and the growers are trying to save lives, and a righteous Charlie Daniels Band resonance is updated with extra banjo and extra power in the drums.

Old Bull explores more legal agricultural concerns on “Monsanto,” this time speaking out against the biotech company that has its hands in everything from genetically engineered seeds to creepy dairy hormones. But then, we’re back to a tale of a boy who found religion, started a straight edge zine, and smoked the green recreationally in the waltz-time tale “Tattoo of Jesus.” They also tell tales of failed relationships in “Lost Highway” and “The Hard Part,” and turn the rock down a bit to play the most traditional sounding bluegrass tune of the bunch, “Miracles.”

There’s a strong musical and thematic purpose in these 12 songs. Old Bull clearly stands for Californa-infused Southern rock and bluegrass (“Southern California Slamgrass,” as they call it in their press release). Personal hardships are tempered with a positive outlook and the slow songs are earnest and sincere while still retaining some toughness. Couple all that with the band’s passionate mastery of the Southern sounds it plays and you have a strong debut that lives up to its title. (Big Bender Records)

www.oldbull.net

-Michael Fortes - Performer Magazine