Spring Break
Packway Handle Band: smokin' hot bluegrass
Joseph Mallonee
Issue date: 9/15/08 Section: Entertainment
Put on a pair of your finest overalls, snag a jug of moonshine, and pack your Skoal, cuz it's time for a hoe-down! At least that's the vibe Packway Handle Band brings to the table every time I hear their smokin' hot bluegrass tunes.
Athens' own Packway Handle Band consists of Josh Erwin (guitar and vocals), Zach McCoy (bass), Andrew Heaton (fiddle and vocals), Michael Paynter (mandolin and vocals) and Tom Baker (banjo and vocals).
Packway's ability to blend traditional bluegrass with utterly inappropriate covers is truly one of my favorite aspects about them. I am also a big fan of their four-part harmonies and the way they dance around two tightly "packed" condenser microphones, it is a wonderful sight.
Packway mixes their sets with some traditional bluegrass songs like "Sinner," a Monroe Brothers tune, as well as some not so traditional bluegrass numbers like "American Music" by the Violent Femmes, and "Like a Prayer" by Madonna. Not to mention some of their own, fun and borderline ridiculous songs like a sexually confused duck called "Earl the duck," and whiskey drinking songs like "Until I get caught (whiskey song)".
Packways's ability to connect with its audience members, while making us feel like they are a part of the song, makes for an amazing concert experience. Imagine fiddle player Andrew Heaton standing on stage stomping his feat and pointing his fiddle bow towards the audience labeling each of us as a damned sinner. "Watch out sinner cuz you're facing your end," growls Heaton. "Oh sinner you better get REH-a-dee, time's a commin when the sinner must die." I sometimes fee like I might be standing in a 1930's southern Baptist church ready to walk up to the pulpit and kneel before the lord.
Packway Handle Band might be one of the best kept secrets left in the Athens music scene, but the word is out and it travels fast around this town. These guys play their music with fire and brimstone, and it won't be long before you're standing next to me singing about Earl the duck and her sexual identity crisis and at the same time ready to repent all your woeful sins before the lord. Hallelujah!
Athens' own Packway Handle Band consists of Josh Erwin (guitar and vocals), Zach McCoy (bass), Andrew Heaton (fiddle and vocals), Michael Paynter (mandolin and vocals) and Tom Baker (banjo and vocals).
Packway's ability to blend traditional bluegrass with utterly inappropriate covers is truly one of my favorite aspects about them. I am also a big fan of their four-part harmonies and the way they dance around two tightly "packed" condenser microphones, it is a wonderful sight.
Packway mixes their sets with some traditional bluegrass songs like "Sinner," a Monroe Brothers tune, as well as some not so traditional bluegrass numbers like "American Music" by the Violent Femmes, and "Like a Prayer" by Madonna. Not to mention some of their own, fun and borderline ridiculous songs like a sexually confused duck called "Earl the duck," and whiskey drinking songs like "Until I get caught (whiskey song)".
Packways's ability to connect with its audience members, while making us feel like they are a part of the song, makes for an amazing concert experience. Imagine fiddle player Andrew Heaton standing on stage stomping his feat and pointing his fiddle bow towards the audience labeling each of us as a damned sinner. "Watch out sinner cuz you're facing your end," growls Heaton. "Oh sinner you better get REH-a-dee, time's a commin when the sinner must die." I sometimes fee like I might be standing in a 1930's southern Baptist church ready to walk up to the pulpit and kneel before the lord.
Packway Handle Band might be one of the best kept secrets left in the Athens music scene, but the word is out and it travels fast around this town. These guys play their music with fire and brimstone, and it won't be long before you're standing next to me singing about Earl the duck and her sexual identity crisis and at the same time ready to repent all your woeful sins before the lord. Hallelujah!
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
Wilma Walker
posted 3/12/09 @ 3:30 AM EST
Thanks to author! I like articles like this about , very interesting.
Wanda Tremaine
posted 3/12/09 @ 12:09 PM EST
wow, this brings back some great memories! it seems like just yesterday i was watching all of these great shows, and more great shows. this homecoming theme has been so much fun!
Maria Schellden
posted 3/13/09 @ 3:50 AM EST
I like articles like this. Great Article! Thanks!
Andrea Godolphin
posted 3/16/09 @ 4:36 AM EST
I thank you for the opportunity to share a portion of my moments in time with future generations.
A RussiAn Girlfriend
posted 3/24/09 @ 6:17 AM EST
I have read all your article. They good.
Stange Orwig
posted 6/20/09 @ 6:37 PM EST
Hello! I am glad that I'v joined your community! See ya!
Ahles Geurin
posted 6/21/09 @ 4:50 AM EST
This sounds like a great program and a great way to improve education in our schools!
Dick Pearson
posted 7/28/09 @ 5:07 PM EST
Rode on the Estes Park shuttle with girlfriend of the group's guitar player, she dropped off in Lyons Co. where the band was playing at a bluegrass festival. (Continued…)
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