Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"Rattletrap plays old-timey music, which sounds kinda like bluegrass, unless you know what bluegrass sounds, like, and then it doesn't, so you say, "That's not bluegrass," which is correct, because it's old-timey music, as I have previously stated. Old-timey music does have banjos and fiddles and a doghouse bass and geetar, but the whole philosophy is different. Old-timey folks actually have fun and don't get all pumped up on testosterone and have to take pee tests to perform at the IBMA... Oh, never mind." -Eric Leighton of The Athens News
- The Athens News
"The Rattletrap Stringband makes those old tunes pick up and fly in the spirit for which they intended, many long years ago. They wheel the songs right along and you may feel as though you are in the presence of a fine fire. These boys know alot more than they let on."
Elwood Snock (aka, Michael Hurley) - none.
Discography
self-released, self-titled Rattletrap Stringband
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Old-time music is a term that was branded to the music of the rural south during the golden age of radio. Rattletrap’s sound is born of that time, the 19th and early 20th century, but lives and breathes today in the hands of a vibrant new generation of musicians. Rattletrap is constantly pushing old-time music to new heights, creating a contagious sound that will make you want to move your feet.
Rattletrap consists of four friends who've found common ground around many a campfire and front porch. Matthew McElroy, on fiddle & vocals, and Tim Peacock, on banjo & vocals, have been making music together for over twelve years. Completing the Rattletrap sound is Thom Hirbe on bass fiddle and, newest member, Woody Pines on the guitar and vocals. McElroy is a devout understudy of the old-time sound and a serious collector of 78 rpm records. He has recorded with the great Irish fiddler Kevin Burke & the band Patrick Street, among others. Woody is a founding member of the widely know New Orleans based band, The Kitchen Syncopators and brings a wide range of hillbilly songs and ragtime blues to the table. Peacock has been a student of the clawhammer banjo since the mid-90's after stumbling into the Appalachian Stringband Festival known as Clifftop. He has studied with the great West Virginia banjo master Dwight Diller. Thom has been a lifelong member of the rhythm section in various bands. He keeps solid time, while driving Rattletrap's infectious sound.
Old-time music is very much alive and well. From street corners and beer joints, to festivals, square dances and theatres, Rattletrap has played them all.
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