
A gang of unapologetic rockers, American Drag is a kicking live
band from the San Francisco Bay Area with songs to match. The band
drops classic rock attitude on a modern sound, electrifying audiences
with tried and true song craft and fearless performances since forming
the group in 2004.
The band's self-titled debut (2005) tracks the human spirit’s
struggle in Americana— the “American Dream” turned
“American Drag.” In a modern-classic landscape of hard-edged
roots rock and electronic textures, front man Will Evankovich casts
his bittersweet narrations with a timber reminiscent of Chris Robinson
(Black Crowes). Lead guitarist Jason Thwaites walks on the fragile
edge of lyricism and anti-technical dissonance while bassist Joseph
Shaughnessy locks in the bottom end foundation to compliment the
melody of the music to which Monroe Grisman’s subtle harmony
vocals are set against his crunchy rhythm guitar.
2006 saw American Drag incorporate their newest members: nationally
renowned trench-cutting drummer Alan Hertz and extraordinary piano/keyboardist
Eric Levy both of whom come from the critically acclaimed jam band
Garaj Mahal. Bassist Joe Shaughnessy explains, “Will and I
had toured with Hertz before. He just kills it. And Levy’s
a super deep player. It’s a great hang and it just clicked
right from the get-go. During our first show together the audience
started singing so loud that Will just stopped and let them take
over. That was a really good sign to us!”
2007 has the band with its newest members, in the studio recording
15 brand new tracks for their 2nd album now tentatively titled “Out
of the Sky”. In between the sessions Alan has completed tours
in Europe and South America with fusion rock guitar hero Scott Henderson’s
blues band, while Will has recently been recruited to perform in
a trio with rock veterans Jack Blades (Night Ranger/Damn Yankees)
and Tommy Shaw (Styx/Damn Yankees) on their national acoustic “Influences”
tour backing them on guitar, mandolin, bass and vocals.
American Drag’s members have all performed together in various
combinations over several years: making records, playing clubs and
theatres, climbing in and out of vans across the US and in Europe.
American Drag continues to gain new fans via online, radio and with
their explosive live show.
Now with the band firmly established on the local SF scene, AD
will embark to launch their new music on national and international
stages with their next album.
It’s music with substance:
"And today, Marin's great musical tradition continues with
a dynamic local band called American Drag... I suggest you catch
their live show now, because they're about to rocket through the
stratosphere." -- Rodger Cambria/ Spin (writing for The News
Marin)
"These boys rock steady, in a way that's been forgotten by
most of today's so-called alt-rock bands." -- R.V. Scheide/
North Bay Bohemian
"Background in prog, power pop, and grunge translates to big
melodic riffs that turn on a dime, and when they bring it out to
the edge of the cliff, it’s clear: These guys can fucking
play." -- Richard B. Simon / Relix Magazine
2007 North Bay Bohemian readers poll award recipients for “Best
Local Rock Band”
Web site: http://www.americandrag.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/americandrag
Email: info@americandrag.net
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