Chris Neumann - voice, guitar

Seth Travens - slide guitar, bass, farfisa organ

Erik Petersen - guitars, mandolin, mandola, bass

Denis Panico - drums and percussion

Robby Baier - harmonica, engineering

(above is the line-up for "American Songs..." CD)

 “The American flag upside down is a symbol of distress in nautical terminology,” the liner notes tell us, preparing us for this album, a musical equivalent of inverted Old Glory. Written and delivered in a folk/country tradition, American Songs of Hope & Distress is to remind us that rebellion in music goes back further than 1977(!). It aims to criticize America by reminding us of the quiet, honest traditions and ideals that lie just beneath the soil.

The music here is simply performed, but often embellished with twangy string instruments or raucous group vocals. Chris Neumann’s vocals are rich and inspired, the product of someone who can scream bloody punk as well as he can sing folk songs–it’s a tough, experienced voice that won’t be ignored. The spirit here is angry (”Oh you Christian warloads hold your hands Heil Hitler high”) and at times dark, but an undeniable energy runs through all these songs. It’s the energy fueled by expression that is turn fueled by conviction, and this energy sustains the album.

The lyrics are simple and direct – very few punches pulled here. Chris Neumann simply sings what’s on his mind, in the rambling narrative tradition of folk. At times his directness can remind me of when I used to play Phil Ochs in my father’s car and my dad would just laugh at this singer who put political diatribes in the middle of his songs. There’s a fine line between directness and over-directness, and although that line lies in different places for different people, Chris’ lyrics can push the limit, especially over the course of fifteen songs. This is undeniably a protest album. Still, there are seeds of poetry in his words – images of pearls and dusty workshops are scattered throughout the album – and if Chris can cultivate those to put more lyricism in his protests, they’ll have all the impact that his swaggering riffs and throaty vocals already pack. Oh, and some fun Woody Guthrie covers, if you’re into the old stuff."

-Artnoise.net

 DISCOGRAPHY:

"American Songs of Hope & Distress" CD (FISTOLO, 2003) BUY IT.

"Transcend" 7" EP (FOE, 1998) BUY IT.

Compilations:

Hudson Music Sampler CD.  Song: "Stagolee"

Artists Fight the System (PACIFICA RADIO) Song: "Overload"

Beyond the Ballot Compilation CD.  Song: "Dirty Overhauls"

Past and Related Projects:

Citizen Band, 2.5 Children Inc., Shay's Rebellion, Texas Criffer