Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html Whiskey Haulers: News Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:25:45 -0700 Hot Summer Blues! http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#55 Hope everyone is enjoying the summer. The haulers have been busy in the basement recording and things are starting to sound good. We are a couple of sessions away from finishing the tracks and then on to mixing and mastering. Lots of work but I think you're gonna like it.


We're also putting in some new tunes to freshen things up a bit. We've got a couple of great new originals, some covers pulled from the back of the vault, an 8-bar blues you're really gonna dig, and some rockin' blues featuring Smitty on the vocals!


We've got some shows lined up and hope to see you all out at a show with your summer dancin' shoes shined up!


 

]]> http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#55 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News Happy New Year! http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#54 The Whiskey Haulers proudly closed out 2009 with a fun New Year’s Eve gig at Stumpy’s Pub in Sun Valley. In retrospect, 2009 was a great year for the Whiskey Haulers in terms of musical development and performance. We had one huge setback in April – the loss of our original drummer Nick Klaich – that left us wondering where this band is headed, and if or when we would play another gig. But once we found Smitty, things started to gel really quick. The Whiskey Haulers picked up some great gigs, and rebounded in a matter of months. It turns out that 2009 was our busiest year, and leaves us with many fond memories, including those last few gigs with Nick. The Whiskey Haulers want to give a really big thank you to all of our families and friends for their support. We'll see you soon!

]]> http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#54 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News Great Night at Abbys http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#53 091204d_resized.JPGWhat a great night at Abbys last Friday! Many friends on hand to drink, dance, and enjoy each other and the music. We really appreciate everyone turning out for the show.


The band is playing well right now. I think we have our sound dialed in better than ever. Great tone all around without being too loud. It's not as easy as it sounds, believe me. To the band, everything seams to sound better a little louder. The amps really break up and you get great tone, the cymbals ring and the snare really snaps. Too bad we can't play stadiums every day and turn it up to 11.


Unfortunately, there comes a point where it is just too loud to enjoy as a listener, especially in a small room like Abbys. We gotta face the facts that we aren't kids anymore and the motto "If it's too loud, your too old" doesn't apply. By the way, I used to have a KISS shirt that said exactly that when I was in middle school!


I think, after several years of playing together, that we are approaching that sweet spot of great tone and energy without excessive volume!


Don't get me wrong, we're no lounge band and if you're not paying attention, we may knock the socks right offa' yo' feet!


Check out the new pics from the show in the photo gallery!


 


 

]]> http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#53 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News Playin' for the Music http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#51 We have been fortunate to have had so much energy at our shows. When the dance floor is hoppin' and everyone is having a ball, it's easy for the band to feed off that energy and rock the house! It's easy for the casual observer to think "these guys are great", or for the bandmembers themselves to think they are really something when it's actually the energy of the crowd that carries the show. I think the true measure of a musician or a band is how they perform when the house is empty. It's inevitable that there will be a night when big things are expected but you end up playing to empty seats for one reason or another. Maybe it's the swine flu, baseball playoffs, confilcts with big casino shows, the weather, or a combination of all of these that lead to an empty house. It happens to everyone and it definitely happened to us last weekend.


I must admit that I let the lack of energy get to me a little during the first set. Things usually start slow but pick up as the night goes on. As things didn't pick up and we played some of the "good stuff" to a tiny crowd of family and close friends, I knew we were in for a long, slow night. I knew we were playing well but it just wasn't translating into a full bar and a big dance party. I was discouraged.


Towards the end of the first set however, my attitude began to change. The band was really playing well. Smitty was perfectly on time, Joe was groovin', and Brad was laying down some of his finest lead licks. The "show" wasn't gonna happen but it didn't matter because the music took center stage and carried the night. I believe it was our best show musically. Without the distraction of the show, I could really focus on the vocals and nuances of the guitar. The band in general was less rushed so the cadence of the music was much improved. There was plenty of time to breathe, and the beautiful simplicity of the 12-bar blues ruled the night.


Even though I love the party and puttin' on the high energy show that the Whiskey Haulers are known for, I feel that we grew as musicians and made the blues proud on the night we played for the music!

]]> http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#51 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News Rockin' Show at the Washoe http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#50
Thanks especially to John who waited patiently until the band was all packed up and then gave a great tour of the "haunted" Millionair's Club located directly above the bar. It was a great experience and I recommend his ghost tours to anyone!

We will be back there in September for the Friday Night Street Vibrations party. It's gonna be a rocker, I can guarantee!]]> http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#50 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News Reno Tahoe Blues Festival - 2009 http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#49 For those who missed it.... The Haulers debuted our new drummer Gary "Smitty" Smith at the Reno Tahoe Blues Festival this Sunday. The show was rocking with a good group of dancers and smiles on everyone's faces. We have been rehearsing non-stop with Smitty and all of the hard work really paid off. Thanks everyone for your love and support!

As for the festival, there were some decent acts on the main stage including a show stealer set by Tommy Castro. Larry McCray and Ronnie Baker Brooks also played entertaining sets. The set up was the same as usual, lots of empty chairs and several levels of reserved seating available at extra cost. The general admission people or as I like to call them - MY type of people - were forced to sit on the grass in the scorching sun while the main stage artists played to empty, shaded, seats. As I have said before, I have been to many, many, festivals and this is the only one that doesn't promote love and community.

HOWEVER.... The Reno Blues Society was able to talk the organizers into incorporating a second stage for local bands. We were way in the back and were fighting for every minute of stage time but the local bands definitely stole the show! I saw almost every band and we all played with heart and soul. We all rose to the occasion and turned the festival on it's ear. We've got some increadible local talent and really showcased it. I don't know how many people I ran into that said that the local stage was their favorite part. Even when the headliners were playing, there was always a large group hanging around the locals stage, socializing, laughing, eating, drinking, and just enjoying the day together.

And that, my friends, is what it's all about!

]]> http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#49 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News Blues Diversions - Sonora Blues Festival http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#48 Joe, Judy, and I went to the Sonora Blues Festival last weekend. We've been going to this one for a number of years and it's one of our favorites. Alot like Taylorsville with many more people.


Our good friends, the Mofo Party Band, stole the show as usual both on the big stage and the indoor stage. Other performers included Shane Dwight, Paul Thorne, Jason Ricci, Coco Montoya, Watermelon Slim, and Johnny Winter headlining. Is that a killer lineup or what?


We towed our little trailer down and were glad to have a cool place to take breaks, eat sandwiches and drink cheaper beer than inside the festival. Also camping was fun and saved us the cost of a room!


We're looking forward to playing the Reno  Tahoe Blues Festival this weekend and hope to see you all there.


Geno

]]> http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#48 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News Taylorsville Update - The Show Must Go On! http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#47 The Blackhawk Solar Cookoff is in the books! We have been going up to the show just for the party for years, and this year we were finally invited to perform. Our big chance! Unfortunately, Brad was going to be in Brazil and Nick was in the process of leaving the band so it was up to Joe and I to make the decision. We knew there is only one chance for a show like this and knowing we have the love and support of our friends and fellow musicians, we decided "The Show Must Go On!".


A short but rockin' set was put together and our good friends Mike Thompson and Pad Dodson from Blue Haven helped us out on guitar and drums. A couple nights in the basement and we were somewhat dialed in.


We were on at 11 in the morning and the crowd was just waking up and having coffee and breakfast after dancing all night to Blue Haven. We jumped right into Champange and Reefer and put on the full show with all the moves, kicks, and callbacks that you would expect. Pat and Mike stayed in the background and let Joe and I front the band. It turned out great and had a real Whiskey Haulers groove.


The organizers said they would like us back next year. Hopefully with the full band!

]]> http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#47 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News Goodbye Nick! The Blues Keeps Rollin' On! http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#46 LATEST NEWS: Nick has decided to take an extended leave from the band for personal reasons. He has indicated that he is available to cover a show now and then but will no longer be an active member of the Whiskey Haulers. We are going to miss his signature "Flat Tire" backbeat and general enthusiam. We wish him the best in whatever he does. Bootleggers, don't worry because we aren't going anywhere! We are still charging ahead to provide you with fine boogie blues as only the Whiskey Haulers play it. Keep an eye on the schedule and stop in to see the latest news!

]]> http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#46 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News Taylorsville Here We Come http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#45
We invite all of you to come camping with us!

Check out the website for details.

http://www.plumasarts.org/solar/index.html]]> http://whiskeyhaulers.com/news.html#45 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Bootleggers Paradise - Whiskey Haulers - News