Hard Working Americans

Last updated

Hard Working Americans
ToddSnider.jpg
Vocalist Todd Snider
Background information
Origin United States
Genres Blues rock, Southern rock
Years active2013–present
Spinoff of Widespread Panic
Members Todd Snider
Dave Schools
Duane Trucks
Chad Staehly
Jesse Aycock
Past members Neal Casal
Website http://www.thehardworkingamericans.com/

Hard Working Americans is an American rock supergroup formed in 2013. The band consists of singer Todd Snider, bassist Dave Schools from Widespread Panic, Chad Staehly of Great American Taxi on keyboards and Duane Trucks, also from Widespread Panic, younger brother to Derek, on drums. [1] Guitarist and vocalist Neal Casal died in 2019. [2]

Contents

History

Their debut performance was December 20, 2013 at a Boulder, Colorado benefit for Colorado Flood Relief. [3] They embarked on a US Tour shortly thereafter.

Their self-titled debut album Hard Working Americans was recorded in 2013 at Bob Weir's TRI Studios in San Rafael, California. It is composed entirely of cover songs from artists ranging from Randy Newman to Drivin N Cryin. The album was produced by Schools and Snider, and was mixed by John Keane. John Popper guests on harmonica. Hard Working Americans was released on January 21, 2014, on Thirty Tigers/Melvin Records. [4]

In 2016, the band released their second album, Rest in Chaos, which, unlike their previous record, is composed primarily of original songs written by the band themselves. [5] The exception is the track "The High Price of Inspiration", written by Guy Clark for his album My Favorite Picture of You. Clark has a cameo speaking, and also plays guitar on the track. Rest in Chaos was written and recorded live as the band was finishing their first tour; using Snider's poetry to start the lyric, he finished the songs after principle recording was complete. [6] The album was produced by band member Dave Schools, and also featured the addition of Jesse Aycock to the band's lineup. Longtime friend and collaborator Elizabeth Cook sings on the track "Massacre".

In 2019, founding guitarist Neal Casal died. [7]

Members

Current members

Bass guitarist Dave Schools. Dave Schools.jpg
Bass guitarist Dave Schools.

Former members

Guitarist Neal Casal died in 2019. NealCasal.jpg
Guitarist Neal Casal died in 2019.

Releases

Studio albums

Live albums

Singles

References

  1. "Amazon.com: Hard Working Americans". Amazon. 2014.
  2. "Neal Casal, Guitarist Who Worked with Willie Nelson, Shooter Jennings, Dead at 50". Rolling Stone . August 27, 2019.
  3. "Boulder theater: Hard Working Americans". Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  4. "Hard Working Americans website". Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  5. "Hard Working Americans Premiere New Song 'Opening Statement': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  6. "Hard Working Americans Announce New Album 'Rest In Chaos'". JamBase. February 23, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  7. "Neal Casal, Guitarist Who Worked with Willie Nelson, Shooter Jennings, Dead at 50". Rolling Stone . August 27, 2019.
  8. "Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  9. "Hard Working Americans: Rest in Chaos". PopMatters. Retrieved May 18, 2016.