November 23, 2024
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Eric Green’s Choppers ‘raw,’ original

He’s the hardest-working man in show business. Well, in Maine show business, anyway.

Eric Green, a Bangor area mainstay, is back with a new band, and he’s better than ever. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more versatile, consistent lineup than the Frozen Swamp Choppers, the latest incarnation of Green’s blues-fueled musical vision.

Formed in 2004 to support Green’s solo album, “Hot All Day,” the band has turned out to be a permanent gig for the members. After the stripped down blues-folk of Green’s previous band, Green and Bosse, the Choppers offer a more explosive sound, highlighted by Green’s virtuoso guitar skills.

Playing what they deem “raw Americana,” they’re one of the few Maine bands that make a living off playing music, and almost all original music at that. It’s equal parts Delta blues, Muscle Shoals, the Black Crowes and Johnny Cash, with a dash of acoustic alternative like G. Love and Special Sauce, or the softer side of Sublime. Green honed his current sound during a stint in New Orleans, and you can hear the Cajun influence in there as well. It’s gritty, soulful party music – the best kind.

Playing anywhere from four to six gigs a week isn’t an easy task in Maine, but they manage to keep it up. Green, a Penobscot Nation member and longtime Maine resident, knows the territory.

This summer they’ve held down a weekly summer gig at Castaways in Bar Harbor, while often traveling to such exotic locales as Island Falls and Millinocket. For some local bands, venturing north of Orono is akin to playing a gig at the North Pole. Not so for the Choppers – they’re not afraid to break out of established area night spots, and that’s only served them, and their growing fan base, well.

In addition to Green, the band features Josh Small on backing guitar, vocals and organ, and Dingo Starr (you read that right) on percussion. The Choppers actually have two bass players, who switch off – Ezra Rugg and Cassidy Holden.

In between gigs they’re at their homegrown Nightcrawler Studio in Bangor, putting the final touches on a to-be-named full-length album. Local artist Isaac Wright has designed some original posters and T-shirts for the band, which can be purchased at all their shows.

And there are a lot of them. You can check them out at 9 tonight at Boatman’s at the Three Rivers Penobscot Outpost in Millinocket; again at 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, during their weekly gig at Castaways in Bar Harbor; and at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at Woodman’s Bar and Grille in Orono. For more dates, check out www.swampsound.com.

Supporting acts

Magnolia Electric Co., formerly Songs: Ohia, is the creative nom de plume of one Jason Molina. With a high, haunting tenor reminiscent of Neil Young, and a sweet, mournful, country-tinged take on indie rock, he’s kind of like emo for the nonpierced and tattooed set. He’s recently embraced a slightly harder, more classic-rock influenced sound, though his upcoming show in Portland will undoubtedly feature both old and new songs. Magnolia Electric Co. will play at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the Space Gallery in Portland. 18+, $8 tickets available at Bull Moose Music locations.

Emily Burnham is at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.


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