If you are ready to get your honky tonk and boot scootin’ on, then Rafe Hollister’s “Stimulus Package” has got the plan to bail out your desires (eh, too much? Probably). Country boys Sam Brinkley- Lead Vocals/Guitar/Harmonica, Jeff Mendenhall- Fiddle, Brooks Butler- Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals, Joseph Massie- Bass, Vince Seabrook- Drums, and Mark Moser- Mandolin all spawned from the rolling mountains of Maggie Valley, NC which I suspect is the root behind their unique mountain rock sound. The album has all the workings of a good country/rock album: bluegrass, rock, folk, blues, punk and country while Sam’s vocals resonates a southern, classic-rock feel (which I absolutely love). Even the lyrics are genuinely redneck as they tell tales of moonshine, inbreeds, missing teeth, Bigfoot, “coon dogs”, hillbillies, mullets and many other subjects that define the everyday life of rural Appalachia.
Although most of the songs have similar sound qualities, their lyrics and use of traditional bluegrass instruments give them a distinct patriotic feel. From just listening to the album I can only imagine the high energy level performed at their live shows, nor can I deny my intense urge to slap on my cowboy boots and do a hoedown.
Check out a show near you!
