The Wild Snohomians
Seattle, Washington, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Hailing from an area north of Seattle called Snohomish, the Wild Snohomians demonstrate their formidable bar band chops on their first release, "Imperfect Crime", a rockin' collection of 19 original compositions that draw inspiration from rockabilly, blues, zydeco, Bob Dyan, Chuck Berry and many other familiar influences. What sets the Snohomians apart from other Americana bands is their irreverence--songwriter Van Ramsey, a Florida transplant, wrote the bulk of the material with a laugh and a good time in mind. Tunes like "Big Fat Cadillac 4x4", "Cuban Cigars" and "Old Guys" signal that "Imperfect Crime" is about having fun as much as rockin' your socks off, which you can and will do. Garvie Cooper contributes four standout songs: ""Tattoo", "Real Hot Rod", "Tits and Tires" and "Wave to Ride." The production on "Imperfect Crime" is excellent, featuring Ramsey on keyboards, Cooper on guitar, Jim Freeman on bass, James Riley Cooper on guitar, and Steve Lykken on drums. Although this is not at all tropical music, Jimmy Buffett keeps coming to mind in terms of the style and substance of "Imperfect Crime." Maybe it's Ramsey's Florida roots showing. You wanna rock? Your wanna roll? You want a good time? Get "Imperfect Crime" and help these Snohomians stay on the wild side. - Steve Ward of KSER 90.7 FM Everett WA
Hailing from an area north of Seattle called Snohomish, the Wild Snohomians demonstrate their formidable bar band chops on their first release, "Imperfect Crime", a rockin' collection of 19 original compositions that draw inspiration from rockabilly, blues, zydeco, Bob Dyan, Chuck Berry and many other familiar influences. What sets the Snohomians apart from other Americana bands is their irreverence--songwriter Van Ramsey, a Florida transplant, wrote the bulk of the material with a laugh and a good time in mind. Tunes like "Big Fat Cadillac 4x4", "Cuban Cigars" and "Old Guys" signal that "Imperfect Crime" is about having fun as much as rockin' your socks off, which you can and will do. Garvie Cooper contributes four standout songs: ""Tattoo", "Real Hot Rod", "Tits and Tires" and "Wave to Ride." The production on "Imperfect Crime" is excellent, featuring Ramsey on keyboards, Cooper on guitar, Jim Freeman on bass, James Riley Cooper on guitar, and Steve Lykken on drums. Although this is not at all tropical music, Jimmy Buffett keeps coming to mind in terms of the style and substance of "Imperfect Crime." Maybe it's Ramsey's Florida roots showing. You wanna rock? Your wanna roll? You want a good time? Get "Imperfect Crime" and help these Snohomians stay on the wild side. - Steve Ward of KSER 90.7 FM Everett WA
Discography
The Wild Snohomians are extremely proud to announce the release of our debut album entitled: "Imperfect Crime" featuring 19 original songs. Available everywhere music is sold.
According to Steve Ward of KSER 90.7 FM, Everett WA:
"The Wild Snohomians demonstrate their formidable bar band chops on their first release, "Imperfect Crime", a rockin' collection of 19 original compositions that draw inspiration from rockabilly, blues, zydeco, Bob Dyan, Chuck Berry and many other familiar influences. What sets the Snohomians apart from other Americana bands is their irreverence--songwriter Van Ramsey, a Florida transplant, wrote the bulk of the material with a laugh and a good time in mind."
Photos
Bio
Welcome to the original Americana/roots rock experience of The Wild Snohomians. Heavily influenced by the legendary giants of Sun Records, like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, as well as critically acclaimed songwriters, such as Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle and Dave Alvin, The Wild Snohomians are a little bit alt-country and a little bit rock & roll with a taste of rockabilly and swing. Lead by front man Van Ramsey on organ, we deliver upbeat toe tapping material often flavored with a touch of wry humor guaranteed to get crowds dancing and smiling at the same time. Not surprisingly, one way or another, a lot of our tunes seem to end up being about our favorite things - cars, women and, of course, women who love cars. You know what we're talking about: love gone bad... love gone good... heck, sometimes love's just plain gone. Collectively, we have decades of experience under our belts. Members have performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Caribean and beyond. Some of us have been blessed enough to have had the chance to sit in with the likes of Randy Bachman, Al Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Boots Randolph and Art Blakely. The Wild Snohomians are currently working on our first album featuring the single "Who I Am."
Van Ramsey - Organ
Front man Van Ramsey handles the lion's share of the lead vocal duties and writes most of the band's material. Somehow, Van's sardonic wit has a way of finding its way in almost everything we do. Van started off his musical journey as a trumpet player earning a degree in jazz at the university of Miami before hooking up as a horn player and arranger with Royal Caribean cruise lines. After knocking around new York's jazz scene for awhile Van took a fateful vacation to the Northwest, fell in love with the area, made the move and switched his musical energies to keyboards and writing lyrics. His organ work adds color and excitement to The Wild Snohomians, and you may recognize his voice from KSER, 90.7 FM in Everett, where he's been hosting Pull The String for 8 years.
James Riley and Garvie Cooper - Guitars
Our gun slingers got their rock & roll chops playing the church dance hall circuit all over the pacific NW in the 70's. Born and bred in Snohomish County, the "coops" have been playing local bars and taverns for decades. Garv's original songs and
gritty vocals really connect with listeners. His versatile
guitar soloing contrasts nicely with the darker sometimes moody tones laid down his brother Riley. Together, the coops are the backbone of The Wild Snohomian sound.
Jim Freeman - Bass
Jim brings his own special energy and excitement to the band keeping things moving on the low end and helping out with vocals. His bass lines don't just walk - they strut! Jim's background includes being one of the Founding members and guitar players in the Seattle surf band "The Seamonkees" before picking up the bass to join the critically acclaimed instro rock outfit known as '63 Burnout. Jim currently works full time as a musician and producer with his indie label Sound Vision NW also performing with his Cars tribute/80's band All Mixed Up.
Steve Lykken - Drums
Steve hails from Bremerton where he started off as a jazz drummer before hooking up with highschool chums to form the psychobilly sensation "Seasons of Nightmares." There's no doubt about it - Steve makes every song we play sound better. His creativity, versatility and rock-solid time, gives the band the ability to move in any musical direction and make it cook.
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