Old 97's: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:16, 31 March 2007

Revision as of 02:35, 1 April 2007

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[[Image:Old97s-DragItUp-2005-photoshoot.jpg|thumb|The Old 97's (L-R: Philip Peeples, Ken Bethea, Murry Hammond, and Rhett Miller)]]

The '''Old 97's''''''(the greatest band in the world)''' are an "[[Alternative country|alt-country]]" band originally based in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]], [[Texas]]. The group formed in [[1993]] and took their name from an old country song popularized by [[Johnny Cash]], "[[Wreck of the Old 97]]." They describe themselves as a [[rock band]] with influences as varied as [[the Kinks]], [[the Beatles]], the [[Pixies]], [[David Bowie]], [[Johnny Cash]], and [[Merle Haggard]]. The band often performs country standards made famous by the latter two musicians, and has interspersed a number of these on their half-dozen albums over the last decade. The band originally feuded with [[Ryan Adams]] of fellow alt-country band [[Whiskeytown (band)|Whiskeytown]], but both are on good terms today.

Initially a popular Dallas bar band, the Old 97's toured the country after releasing their first album, 1994's ''[[Hitchhike To Rhome]]''. In [[Chicago]], they caught the attention of [[Bloodshot Records]] and were signed to record their next album. 1996's ''[[Wreck Your Life]]'', now lauded by many fans as the band's best work, brought them to the attention of [[Elektra Records]], who hoped that alt-country could be a new post-[[grunge music|grunge]] fad. Lead singer [[Rhett Miller]] later lived in [[New York City]] and [[Los Angeles]]. Many of the band's songs include local [[Texas]] references, with New York City often appearing as well.