Joliet's own Righteous Hillbillies are scheduled to take the stage at 5:40 p.m. Saturday at Hopstring Fest, the annual celebration of craft beer and Americana music.
Hopstring Fest is from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 24, at Silver Cross Field, the city's ballpark at 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive in downtown Joliet. Tickets are $20 each and available at the door or Chicago Street Pub, 75 N. Chicago St. Visit http://www.hopstringfest.com/ for a full schedule.
The firepower of The Righteous Hillbillies blows out windows, conquers territories, foreign and domestic, and in the aftermath of the destruction, creates a new breed of rock ‘n’ roll fans. Their latest album, "Trece Diablos," proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that The Righteous Hillbillies are one of the toughest, purest and rawest purveyors of Southern Rock.
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Formed in 2006-2007, after an overwhelming response of enthusiasm from rock fans and fellow musicians to an improvisational, guest musical festival performance by longtime friends Brent James, who serves as the band’s lead singer, and Kev Wright – the lead guitarist– the Hillbillies have picked up steam and made heads turn. Popular Chicago radio host Richard Milne of WXRT said before playing a dirty, swampy cut (“Hoodoo Voodoo”) from "Trece Diablos," “Every time I listen to these guys I hear, just enough of the Drive by Truckers in what they do, and could I pay a band a higher compliment than that? I can’t, actually!”
The Righteous Hillbillies self-titled debut album, released in 2008, earned them accolades far and wide from DJs and critics. It also set them ablaze on the live circuit, performing for rowdy crowds in a variety of venues. The live promotion culminated in a gig opening for legend Charlie Daniels. David Masciotra, author of "Working On a Dream: The Progressive Political Vision of Bruce Springsteen" and columnist with PopMatters, wrote of the show, “The Righteous Hillbillies reminded the audience that rock and roll is currently missing a few crucial elements, namely fun and danceability. The night clearly belonged to the Righteous Hillbillies.”
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The Righteous Hillbillies received three standing ovations opening for Daniels, and have become a live favorite at festivals, clubs, and bars throughout the Chicagoland area. In an era and a region where it is difficult to find high energy, high powered rock with that most important and most mysterious of ingredients – soul – The Righteous Hillbillies plug the audience into a high voltage dosage every second they stand on stage. The individual members of The Righteous Hillbillies are all talented players with strong musical personalities. They unite to present a unique brand of rock ‘n’ roll that simultaneously satisfies and challenges the audience.
Brent James (vocals & rythyhm guitar), Kev Wright (vocals & lead guitar), Johnny Gadeikis (bass guitar) and Barret Harvey (drums and percussion), are four talented, unique, and powerful individuals coalesce to create The Righteous Hillbillies. The Righteous Hillbillies are an axe shredding, ace dealing, foot stompin’, Southern rock, high-powered Americana, boogie blues band that plays with talent and passion. They have built a strong, supportive, and loyal following throughout their hometown of Joliet, Illinois and into the Chicago area. The Righteous Hillbillies baptize their work in the blood of Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, ZZ Top, and the Black Crowes while still managing to create an original and independent style. With their dynamic and fiery new album, Trece Diablos, The Righteous Hillbillies are prepared to raise the stakes from entertainment to that old time rock ‘n’ roll religion. If it doesn’t get you dancing, moving, and singing, you might as well sign your “do not resuscitate” order at the nearest opportunity. Visit RighteousHillbillies.com to learn more.
