The Coal Porters
- Genre
- Europe | Americana
- Country
- USA/England
biography
Bluegrass at its very best! The Coal Porters were formed a decade ago in Los Angeles by ex Long Ryder Sid Griffin, author of the hit single "Looking For Lewis And Clark`. The UK based band have enjoyed indie chart success in the UK and Europe and toured frequently, including the States. Their albums "Land Of Hope And Crosby` and "Los London` received grand reviews in Mojo, Q, UnCut, LA Weekly, the Village Voice (NYC) and their last electric album "The Gram Parsons Tribute Concert` got a fine review in Rolling Stone both here and in the USA. Acknowledged as a fine songwriter, a number of artistes including Billy Bragg have covered Griffin`s songs. In 1999 Griffin produced Lindisfarne's "Here Comes The Neighbourhood` album and found himself both drawn to and inspired by the band's acoustic instrumentation- particularly mandolin which Griffin took to learning. With Griffin on mandolin, Neil Robert Herd on flatpickin' guitar plus banjo, double bass and fiddle the new acoustic Coal Porters were born. Their new album 'Durango' has been released to rave reviews from 'Q' and 'Uncut' among others calling it "...bluegrass with a slyly authentic feel, but with the flinty rockisms of Crazy Horse or, indeed, Griffin's other band, the Long Ryders." However it is the live show which shows this group at their best, and they are now firmly established on the UK touring circuit as one of the best acts around - the "Clash of Bluegrass" are an acoustic act with attitude!
""Great harmony singing and memorable songs that often recall a British Buritto Brothers or a back porch Ronnie Laine ` Mojo Magazine
"A sumptious bluegrass spread impeccably served` Uncut Magazine
"Swell picking, sweet vocals, strong tunes...a bucketful of tradition` Time Out
'A fine set of rousing bluegrass......always a joy to see and hear` Americana UK
forthcoming dates
| date | venue/website link | venue phone no |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Mar '11 | STAMFORD Arts Centre 27 St Mary?s St PE9 2DL | 01780 763203 |
| 16 Mar '11 | NOTTINGHAM Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts Centre, Universtity Park, New Lenton, NG7 2RD | 0115 846 7777 |
| 18 Mar '11 | COCKERMOUTH The Kirkgate Centre, CA13 9PJ | 01900 826448 |
| 13 May '11 | DARVEL Town Hall 10-12 West Main St KA17 0DA | n/a |
| 17 Sep '11 | ISLE OF MAN The Centenary Centre, Atholl Street, Peel, IM5 1HQ |