Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
The Third Annual Tater New Year’s Eve show at Joe’s Grill and Pub in Shelby, North Carolina offered everything a live music enthusiast could possibly wish for. Lots of happy faces, food, liquid libations and the best high-test hillbilly rock this side of heaven...
The band Tater began their journey together in 1998, and three CD’s and many days on the road have honed them to a fine, free flowing unit capable of reaching a crowd at the emotional level. Their music is un-classifiable, but the appeal is broad and wide. Tater's style of new-grass hillbilly country metal rock encompasses influences from these genres and more. Their originals speak of fine times with friends, fishing, loving, dying, sex and the universe in all it’s perversity.
Luke Edwards, lead singer and acoustic guitarist, and Roger Padgett, lead guitarist, have a bond born of musical diversity. Luke was lead singer with theearly 90's band Animal Bag, and Padgett played with Acoustic Syndicate on their second release “Tributaries”. They are unafraid to blaze new musical trails with their style, and both were in high spirits and in fine six string form Friday night. Drummer Kelly Hull and bassist Philip Simmons kept up their end of the deal, providing not only a backbeat but adding texture and fullness to the foursome’s butt-kicking songs. The crowd was treated to some of Tater’s early material, including “The South Mountain Rag”, “Shake a Leg” and “The Last Bandito” plus some untypical cover tunes and a few newer releases. A special treat was provided by DJ Dutchmaster, aka Rush Padgett, with some DJ scratching and sampling, adding new flavor to the already tasty mix of Tater's unique sound.
The almost capacity crowd was whipped into a dancing, screaming, hey man it's New Year's Eve frenzy, and with midnight there were few ready to leave, hollering for more Tater and as always, Tater delivered. No butter, no sour cream, please. Just hot Tater, served with New Year's bubbly and new grass style like no other.
If you missed this show, make a note. Tater plays somewhere in the Southeast darn near every weekend. Saturday, January 15 Tater is at a favorite stomping ground, The Town Pump in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Catch'em at The Olde Hickory Taproom in downtown Hickory, North Carolina on Thursday, January 20. Tater records on The Little King record label, and go to www.tatertime.com for more info and samples of Tater's music. Watch for a new live release in 2005.
- Bluegrassjam.net
Ever since Daddy Bill brought bluegrass down from the mountain, the music has been constantly changing and evolving. Shelby's Tater is looking to expand it even farther by boldly going where no man has gone before"... - ESP Magazine
"Tater hit the stage wide open and tight. This group of musicians absolutely took over the hearts and dancing feet of all in attendance. Wonderful instrumentaion and soaring vocals make their original show shine. If you haven't see Tater yet, better jump on the Tater-wagon, 'cause they have two CD's out now and they're headed for bigger and better things." - FOCUS Magazine
Discography
Studio releases:
Tater - Tater (self-titled) - Little King Records
Tater - Fat Sack - Little King Records
Live releases:
Tater - Live at Campbell's - Little King Records
Tater - Jake's Alive - Little King Records
Streaming audio available at www.tatertime.com
(Tunraround.mp3 & Shake A Leg.mp3)
Tater has received radio airplay on 88.7 WNCW Spindale, NC, 91.7 WSGE Gastonia, NC, 88.3 WGWG Boiling Springs, NC, 89.5 WETS Johnson City, TN
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Tater was formed in 1998, however, the musical journey of Tater’s individual members have been going on for decades, with some surprising twists along the way.
Lead vocalist, Luke Edwards, once served as frontman for the 90’s progressive rock band, “Animal Bag.” With Animal Bag, Luke released two CD’s on Mercury/Polygram Records and toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. He has been interviewed on MTV and also appeared in the ABC television series, “My So-Called Life,” and the movie “Lake Consequence” for Cinemax.
Lead guitarist, Roger Padgett, has been recognized as a guitar prodigy since the age of five! His work has been featured in “Acoustic Guitar Magazine,” “Bluegrass Unlimited” and others. Roger recorded and toured with Sugar Hill recording artist, “Acoustic Syndicate” on their second release, “Tributaries.”
Bassist, Philip Simmons, began an earnest study of the bass while in college. Since then, Philip has developed a passion for playing music and has cultivated a sound of his own by blending styles and techniques not typically associated with one another. Philip’s ability to play around the obvious is a major contribution to the Tater sound.
Drummer and percussionist, Kelly Hull, has been regarded as one of the best and most versatile drummers in western North Carolina since before he was even old enough to play the bar scene! Kelly and Roger have played together for years and gained huge regional notoriety in the early 90’s with their band “Medicine Man.”
Links
