FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact: Jack Sprat … jacksprat[at]thirstyrecords[dot]com
THIRSTY RECORDS ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF WITHERIN’ JOHNSON’S “AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON”
AUGUST 6, 2013 (BROOKLYN, NY) – Thirsty Records is proud to announce the release of the debut album from WITHERIN’ JOHNSON, “AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON”.
ABOUT THE MAN
Clarence Monroe Johnson (June 19, 1910 – December 31, 1999), known as “Witherin’ Johnson”, was a cosmic American blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, and occasional pianist from Port Arthur, Texas. Authorities claim he simply vanished on the eve of the new millennium.
The Gulf Coast’s poet-in-residence for nearly 50 years, Johnson is notable for his refusal to ever record in the modern album format. He made his mark with a slew of hit-and-run singles on assorted minor independent labels. This dogged commitment to the margins allowed him to produce works of uncompromising intensity by ignoring all influences from the outside world. To date no collection of his music has been made commercially available.
It’s difficult to gauge the cultural impact of singles like “Can’t Live With ‘Em, Can’t Live Near ‘Em”, “All Downhill From Here”, “Silky Way Blues”, and “Lord, She’s Got To Go”, but there’s no question of the deep impression these works made on the band who now carry on in his name.
ABOUT THE BAND
WITHERIN’ JOHNSON is an American alternative rock band from Texas who takes its name from the obscure bluesman. The band was formed during an existential liquor store run by J. Fred Resin (Vocals, Guitar) and Lowball Jack (Guitar). Their first song was written there on the spot in the discount aisle. They recruited childhood friends Nathan “Bedroom” Forrest (Bass), and Rusty Girders (Drums) to lay down the foundations for their debut on Thirsty Records, “AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON”.
The record kicks off with a tribute to their mentor by calling out a modern update of his “Pale Imitation” blues. Having set a heavy mood they cut right into a screed of blistering jams about the loss of blood, money, jobs, friends, women, and self-control. “AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON” is a lean, mean, rock ‘n’ roll testament to partings-of-the-ways of all descriptions.
The old man gave them hard lessons – a downwardly mobile way of seeing things as much as the liberal bending of strings. He gave them everything they needed to know in the form of his oft-repeated philosophical challenges to the almost-but-not-quite-ness of everything:
“Be Alive. Speak Spanish. No Checks.”
“Be wrong enough to get it right.”
“The end ain’t comin’ quick enough. Let me touch a dollar.”
AVAILABLE NOW AT:
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