PRESS QUOTES:

“Listening is like running down a mountain on a switchback trail, the sound of surprise generating its own momentum. There's a punk glee inside the bluegrass craft--and a punk vehemence inside the bluegrass smile.” --Greil Marcus

“For a band of Brooklynites, the Jones Street Boys kick up a pretty good hillbilly stomp on Overcome (Smith Street). They play their catchy originals with virtuosic mandolin jams and honky-tonk piano fillers, and top them with off-kilter, good-time harmonies.” --Time Out New York

"The Jones Street Boys impressed us with a spotless performance at our unofficial CMJ party - in particular when they all together sang a song a cappella displaying their perfect pitch. No doubt: these guys can all play and sing - and their lifting mix of country and pop makes them the perfect Deli band for the month of December. " --The Deli Magazine - December's NY Artist of the Month

"The Jones Street Boys will be a new found treat for any fan of the modern Americana movement and fit beside any of that genres best. For others that like diversity in their playlist, Overcome is a great balance and won’t disappoint because The Jones Street Boys could be your new favorite. " --The Fire Note Blog

"When you think of Brooklyn, the first thing to come to mind probably isn’t bluegrass-infused americana - but maybe it should be. On Overcome, The Jones Street Boys meld elements of folk, country, and bluegrass with pavement-pounding urban flare to yield a sound that is distinctly American." --Mixtapes/Heartbreaks Blog

"Hey, I can’t top Greil Marcus, but I will add that I can’t resist a song that starts out with mandolin, then adds harmonica, then stand up bass, and then a chorus of “Last cigarette, last beer, last call, last year. Last time I swore I was over you.”" --Songs:Illinois Blog

"If “Grand Canyon” suggests Erker’s true métier might be the novelty song, “Oh Night” demonstrates a gift for the killer Southern-rock riff that The Marshall Tucker Band might have envied. Overcome is uncompromising in its commercial purism, but if the band’s sly embrace of heartland values can sound contrived, Erker’s songs possess a unique ease, and his melodies stick with you." --Nashville Scene - Critics' Pick December 07'

"The happy-go-lucky vibe of The Jones Street Boys will have you tapping your feet and snapping your fingers in no time." --Rhapsody

BIO:

Self-taught and exploring more every day, Midwest transplants Danny Erker and Jonathan Hull met in New York City in 2001. Shortly after, they both joined The Cobble Hillbillies, a Brooklyn bluegrass collective, with whom they played the 2006 Merlefest Midnight Jam, alongside Nickel Creek, Gillian Welch, Peter Rowan, among others.

After The Cobble Hillbillies’ amicable dissolution, Jon and Danny struck out on their own. Two members and six instruments (banjo, dobro, harmonica, mandolin, guitar and accordion) seemed reasonable: The Jones Street Boys were born. Two folks were fun, they thought, but more might be a damn good time. It didn’t take long to find talented musicians with interests similar to theirs: a focus on songwriting, storytelling, harmony-singing, and musicianship.

The two-man show quickly became a solid quintet. Princeton native Jonathan “JB” Benedict, a former co-worker of Jon’s, came on board, tearing it up on anything with keys, and Walt Wells—who, fresh off the bus from Bloomington, IN, met Jon their freshman year at Indiana University—joined up for thumpin’ and strummin’. Robbie Jones, the final addition, spiced the beat up with the Cajon, an Afro-Peruvian drum with a distinct metallic sound. After recording Overcome, Robbie left for Spain and his bride-to-be, but soon Sam Rockwell, a charming, freewheeling rock’n’roller from Minneapolis was shaking things up with a heavier beat, adding depth via a rock edge to the band’s Americana core.

Starting by reworking traditional favorites in many genres—particularly bluegrass—and by fine-tuning original songs Jon and Danny had been crafting, the creative energy caught fire and soon Jon, Danny, JB, and Walt were all composing and rearranging. These communal practices comprise the band’s foundation, and the practice is made visible when they play live. They are engaging from every angle. Five separate energies—rather than melting into one—spin gracefully in each other’s orbits, building a cumulative power. (read less)

PRESS QUOTES:

“Listening is like running down a mountain on a switchback trail, the sound of surprise generating its own momentum. There's a punk glee inside the bluegrass craft--and a punk vehemence inside the bluegrass smile.” --Greil Marcus

“For a band of Brooklynites, the Jones Street Boys kick up a pretty good hillbilly stomp on Overcome (Smith Street). They play their catchy originals with virtuosic mandolin jams and honky-tonk piano fillers, and top them with off-kilter, good-ti... (read more)