Our Hospitality
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Our Hospitality

Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF

Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF
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"Hatfield McCoy - Our Hospitality"

Holy crap in a hat I couldn’t dig Hatfield McCoy any more if Our Hospitality’d let me write the lyrics, be their live show go-go dancer, and promised me free cocktails. And that’s saying a lot because I write, I dance and I drink. It’s kind of my thing. And the highest compliment I can give is that Hatfield McCoy will heighten each of those things. Well maybe not the
writing, ‘cause that’s a solitary pursuit, but the dancing and drinking? Hell yes.

Hatfield McCoy rocks. Truly rocks. And it’s smart. Yes, that’s kind of an rock music oxymoron (like military intelligence) but whenever I hear guitars start to grind and then harmonies kick in like these I can’t help but think about John Doe and Exene. And that’s about as raw rocking smart as you can get without bursting into that negative bizzarro alternate music universe where bands sing about magic ducks and play the flute-o-phone. Plus, X is one of the greatest bands to ever exist so to even mention them in an article about a debut album means I’m very very very serious about how happy HM makes me.

Hatfield McCoy is 10 incredibly cool guitar, bass and drums songs with solid and sometimes surprising arrangements, two voices that blend like butter frosting and a great drummer. (You know what I say, a band is only as good as its drummer). And Our Hospitality doesn’t complicate things, they just do them right. I don’t hear this kind of music regularly in this world of clone-y, overwrought and over-thought popular music so it’s hard not to sound like your 13-year-old sister while she’s watching “Idol.”

So you get it… I like this and now I’ve let it play completely through three times which is a good sign for my flea darting mind. On a scale of Rod Stewart (I took Camouflage off after 30 seconds… never to be heard from again) to Chris Whitley (I played Rocket House for three months without taking it off repeat), I give it a… Charlie Sexton Under the Wishing Tree. Which means I’ll be playing Hatfield McCoy regularly for quite awhile. I’ve used Wishing Tree to remove the bad taste of hundreds of horrible albums I’ve had to review… I think Hatfield McCoy will fit in quite nicely with WT.

Here’s links to three songs I think are exceptional…

GRINDSTONE

“I’ve been working here for so long I don’t know the night from day no more, I been fighting with my own arms, I don’t have the words to say, I get off at any stop I choose.”

If you’ve worked at a job that seemed like it was the end of your existence you know what it’s like to want to get off the bus early.

RUNNING OFF

I think this song is genius. (But I’ll only say that once).

MATERIAL MAN

I love the way “Material Man” comes busting out like an early ‘70s glam rock radio monster and doesn’t let go. Imagine if you will, The Sweet without the annoyingly high vocals or T. Rex playing a song that actually had changes.

So Hatfield McCoy is divided into a Hatfield side and a McCoy side (five songs each) which means they should be a feudin’. But these songs all fit, the running time is perfect (meaning Our Hospitality didn’t load it up with everything they’ve ever done because a CD will fit 70 overly long minutes) and it leaves you wanting more music.

Dash Hawkins (guitars & vox), Libby Wells (bass & vox) and Phil Hanson (drums) have got to be really happy with what they’ve created here. I am. Holy Crap in a Hat! Good rock music! - Spin Bridge


Discography

Hatfield McCoy: 10 track LP - released October 4, 2011.

1923: 5 Track EP - released June 7, 2010.

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Bio

Rumored to be extinct, high energy rock 'n' roll makes a roaring return in the form of Our Hospitality. Hailing from Hollywood, the trio forgoes gimmicks and in-ear monitors for chops and sweat-drenched performances that leave audiences begging for more. In a genre that has become stale and saturated with tired personalities and dull music, Our Hospitality stands out as a welcome reprieve for the rock connoisseur.

Composed of Dash Hawkins (Fender crunch), Libby Wells (four-string chainsaw) and Phil Hanson (skins-pounder), Our Hospitality has crafted a unique sound defined by hummable hooks and sweet vocal harmonies. Dash's brash attack juxtaposed with Libby's angelic serenading combine to form a sound unlike any other band. But their sound doesn't fit neatly into a box, ranging from laid-back acoustic musings to spacey sonic-scapes, and all the way to aggressive fist pumping. Fans of all rock genres from classic to indie, from grunge to folk will find something to love in Our Hospitality.

Having built a loyal fan base from their intense shows and freshman EP (1923), Our Hospitality is poised to break out with their first full-length album, Hatfield McCoy. More than a group of individuals, Our Hospitality is a family. Thus, for the new record the band decided to capture that synergy by recording all together in one room. This faithful recreation of their live sound is available on vinyl and digitally.

Beyond the music and outside of the studio, all three members continue dynamic, art-filled lifestyles. Dash is a film & TV writer/producer, Libby is a film director and visual artist, while Phil is a multifaceted craftsman best known for brewing the band's "Gummy Berry Juice" - Phil's very own homemade mead. This honey-wine mastery has led to the band's tradition of sharing a glass (or two) before shows, which undoubtedly fuels Our Hospitality's on-stage fire and energy.

With love and passion for art and one another, Our Hospitality attacks every moment in the studio and on stage with one goal in mind: to rock your world.