Album Notes

Against The Odds, DeSoto Rust Revives "American Roots" Sound In Philly Music Scene The members of DeSoto Rust don't resemble your typical cowboys; they don't wear cowboy hats and they don't ride horses, but the new Philadelphia based band is blending the many musical styles and experiences of its four members into a distinctively American sound with an unmistakable "twang". "What we're trying to do," says lead guitarist David Otwell, "is to bring back the kind of sound that lost it's foothold here when American music shifted away from roots-rock music in the late 70's and labels lost interest in promoting it." With the rediscovery of The Man in Black as an icon of hip and with increased interest in artists like Steve Earle, Allison Krauss , Emmylou Harris, and Gillian Welch, along with newer acts like Old Crow Medicine Show and Nickle Creek, the four band members believe there's a growing audience for their sound. "American roots music is making a strong comeback," says Otwell "and we want to be one of the bands making it happen in this area." Yes, the guys concede, they're fighting an uphill battle by playing a type of music that's been off the main stage for so long, but it's music worth fighting for and their growing fan base is proof of that they are indeed winning. "We're getting there." says singer and guitarist Ray Hunter, "We've just released our first CD and we feel really good about it and we hope to be in some of the independent record stores soon." The guys are having fun putting out a feel-good vibe to all who hear them and they aren't looking back. "There's nothing like playing for a crowd that's out to have fun, that's our kind of audience," says Hunter who along with Mike Simmons wrote many of the rockin' countrified tunes on their recent self-titled release. One thing is clear, this "twang" band is having a ball playing around the Delaware Valley and increasingly audiences recognize that a DeSoto Rust show is the place to be. DeSoto Rust: The four members of DeSoto Rust are: Ray Hunter (Vocals, guitar) of Philadelphia, loves writing music and his distinctive melody lines and singing style are a signature of the bands sound. David Otwell (Lead guitar, vocals) brings musical influences from the old time country sounds of his native Mississippi, to punk and rock, resulting in his distinct guitar sound. Dave Reeve (Drums) brings a lot of rock n' roll to the music with his powerful drumming. He has a solid history playing with rock and metal bands in New Jersey. Mike Simmons (Bass, vocals) like the others, has been a musician since he was a teen. He has played in a variety of rock bands both in his Ohio hometown and in Philadelphia. He is also a recording engineer/producer. The four combined their different styles of music to form DeSoto Rust in early 2004.