The Highballers - New Album and CD Release Party at IOTA

I've been falling The Highballers for a couple years now - completely enjoying their old school country sound and chuckling over entertaining lyrics and song titles. The Washington DC based band is back again with a new self titled CD and plenty more songs of drinkin', unruliness, and remorse plus great guitar work and vocal harmonies. This CD helped me through two long plane rides and a couple of stern looks as I laughed and sung the melodies to hushed passengers. I mean, who can't sing and laugh to I Need My Ass Kicked or Can't Stop Drinkin'.  Then listen to the beautiful vocals of Lula's Gone and the more serious songs such as  King of the Plains or Love Will Find You - classic country and harmonies.  Here's a pretty cool animated video of the former that should entice you to attend their CD Release Party at IOTA Club in Arlington, VA next Saturday January 11th. Pair with Catoctin Creek Distilling Company Roundstone Rye Whiskey.

Album Review: The Highballers - Soft Music and Hard Liquor

Do you like songs about drinkin' and then apologizing afterwards. Does that happen to you often? Well, our favorite local old school country band, The Highballers, are sitting on a brand spankin' new album of original songs that pretty much reflect that lifestyle. Soft Music and Hard Liquor is a collection of classic honky tonk, rippin' guitar, and subtle harmonies that work as much today as in the past. No need to go past the opening track, Juneen, to hear what I mean. Sean Lally (Lead Guitar), Drake Sorey (Drums), and Michael Barrientos (Bass) provide the framework to frontman Kendall Jackson and backing vocalist Victoria Patchen country vocals.  Lally takes charge in I Didn't Mean to Get Drunk Last Night, Doing Time in Pennsylvania, and I Take Pride in My Drinkin' - notice a trend? Live to Let You Down is a classic country duet - showcasing the chemistry between Jackson and Patchen. But my favorite tracks are those with the more laid back melodies: The Price You Pay, Virginia, and Better Man. These are songs where the band's cohesiveness really shines with no one member overshadowing the others. The album will be officially released January 12, 2013 at IOTA Club & Cafe in Arlington, so make sure you put that date on your calendar.

The Highballers cover the greats in "Under Covers"

We were recently introduced to a roots rocking Americana band, based out of the D.C. area: The Highballers. This month the band releases an EP "Under Covers" which feature their versions of several classic old school country hits. And this month they play two shows around D.C.; at the Rock & Roll Hotel on Friday January 13th and at Jammin' Java on Saturday January 28th. Already looking forward to their full album of originals due out in June 2012.


"Under Covers"
Blistered - Billy Ed Wheeler's song made famous by Johnny Cash
Upstair in the Bedroom - Bobby Wright
Mental Revenge - Written by Mel Tillis for Waylon Jennings
California Cottonfields - Merle Haggard
Buckaroo - Buck Owens