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 Americana, Honky Tonk, or Anti-Mullet Southern Rock, whatever you call it, High or Hellwater was founded on two principles: A Tenet of well-crafted songwriting and the highest grade of unpolished musicianship.
The Duo
Songwriter/guitarist Matt Reasor and singer Dan Coakley met in Los Angeles while both were staying with a mutual friend during the winter of 2001. A natural chemistry between Coakley and Reasor immediately surfaced and the two left for Nashville to record what became their self-titled debut, released the spring of 2002. The record features some of Nashvilleís finest Roots Rock musicians including Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites), Mike McAdam (Steve Earle, Radney Foster), Dean Tomasek and Keith Brogden (Bare Jr.), Teel (Tanya Tucker, Mathew Ryan), Jack Irwin (John Anderson) and others.
Upon their return to Los Angeles, High or Hellwater immediately began playing out as a duo. Regular gigs at the Viper Room, The Malibu Inn and other local clubs helped establish the two within the live music frenzy happening around the city.
During the summer of 2002, the two began sitting in at loose country jam nights around town, with the likes of the Sweet Hearts of the Rodeo and East Bound and Down. These causal sit-ins would eventually lead them back to Nashville as featured artists for the Sweet Hearts of the Rodeo ěNo-Caseî showcase during the Americana Music Association Conference and a headlining appearance at Gramfest (the official Gram Parsons yearly festival) in Joshua Tree, CA. As a result of the growing press coverage reporting the expanding depths of the Los Angeles country-rock scene, High or Hellwater received international exposure via veteran music writer Chris Morris in his Billboard cover story ěCountry Rockers Kickiní Up New Scene In L.A. Clubs.î (Nov. 2, 2002)
HoH went into the studio for the second time toward the close of 2002 to record ěLiving the Good Lieî at Reasorís Cooked In Greasor Studios. The album featured a cast of musicians the duo had met at the LA country jams: Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams), Chris Lawrence (Mike Ness), Lucas Cheadle (Mike Stinson, Randy Weeks), Mitch Marine (Dwight Yoakam, Smashmouth), Gia Ciambotti (Bruce Springsteen), plus friends Shooter Jennings, Athens, GA guitarist Nick Worley, and Brant Kay.
The Band
Within a year of inception, Coakley and Reasor had played nearly 60 shows, mostly within the Los Angeles area. They then directed their focus towards adding full time members, a means of mobility, and expanding their audience beyond the clubs of LA. Pianist and vocalist Brant Kay, steel/lead guitarist Jordan Shapiro, bassist Jeff LaGore, and drummer Jack Loercher instantaneously caught the pace. The means of transport came in the form of a 28-foot, turtle top Church of Christ Shuttle Bus from Hohenwald, Tennessee. After receiving a full on DIY renovation from the band members it was proudly named Krystal Beth.
In the spring of 2003, with two self-released records, a six-piece band in tow and just enough gas money to make it worthwhile, High or Hellwater embarked on expanded weekends throughout not only Southern and Northern California but also the Southern United States. The summer began with a headlining slot at the Sunset Strip House of Blues; afterward, High or Hellwater set out on a full blown cross country tour throughout the Southeast and Eastern seaboard performing for audiences of old friends and new fans.
In addition to college radio and independent stations across the US, their records have been receiving substantial airplay on XM Satellite radio, KCRW in L.A., and considerable adoration from a laundry list of Dutch and Northern European Roots Rock programs.
High or Hellwater will be back on the road throughout the fall and winter of 2003. Check out www.highorhellwater.com to keep up to date on the hits and misadventures of a working band.
Contact: Kyle Wofford - (915) 526-9814 or kwcowboy@myway.com
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