When it comes to Whiskey Shivers, the Austin-based bluegrass-folk band whose name was inspired from the band’s rural roots, it’s all about the live performance and inspiring the audience as much as possible. But they love playing music, and that’s more than obvious when you watch their exuberant energy on stage with their lively instruments and the way they douse the genre of bluegrass with punk and celebrate that awesomeness on stage. They don’t want any barriers between the band and their fans, so they play their songs as hard as possible and hope that their raucous, fiddle-rockin’ style of performing will bring everybody in and living for the moment.
Their first two albums, Batholith and Rampa Head showcased the band’s signature sound, and then with their third self-titled album they brought in producer Robert Ellis who they hoped would bring in a new flavor to their dirty country sound. And he did. Now the band’s music is as “trashgrass” as ever–a term that frontman Bobby Fitzgerald came up with to describe the band’s songs and how they refuse to get stuck in that “traditional bluegrass” mold.
To get a real exciting, greasy flavor of Whiskey Shivers and the music that they love making and shaking, listen to songs like “Wookie Boogers” “WTD” and “Graves” from the beginning, middle and latest of their discography. And when you see them live, prepare for a little nutty wildness (and to spill a lot of beer).
Rough Trade
9/22
w/ Billy Strings
9 p.m.
$15