ZACHARY J. MECHLEM: The Haight Gang

Zachary J. Mechlem

The Haight Gang

© 2000 Mogetchie (634479020902)

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The soundtrack to a Wild West tale told through music that combines Indian, Arabic, and Spanish influences with Country and Rock.

tracks

1 The Plains
2 Dakota
3 Black Hills Gold
4 Moses in Deadwood
5 The Pinebox Saloon
6 Maggie Frye
7 Vigilante's Prayer
8 Rough Rock & Pinon
9 No Man's Mesa
10 Bull's Eye Saloon
11 Dirty Spur
12 The Bullet
13 Showdown
14 Death in the Desert
15 End of the Trail
16 Trouble Comin'

notes

On July 5th of 1873 a vicious gang of outlaws known as “The Riflemen” raided and destroyed the H8 cattle ranch near Devil’s Lake, Dakota Territory. The Riflemen stormed the ranch killing the owner, Jack Haight and his wife, Elizabeth. The gang then shot and killed five
ranch hands before burning everything to the ground. The Riflemen retreated back onto the open plains leaving behind them a scene of merciless carnage. Unknowingly, they also left behind three survivors: Jack Haight’s two sons, Henry and Gage, and an Indian ranch hand named Moses.
Henry, Gage, and Moses were left to bury the dead in the midst of uncertainty and despair. The Haight boys then parted ways with Moses, and left Devil’s Lake to take revenge against the outlaws who destroyed their home and their family. Unfortunately the brothers had no information to go on and they ended up searching the northern plains, in vain, for the next three years.
By the summer of 1876, the Haight boys had given up trying to find the Riflemen. Instead, they found themselves in the Black Hills of Dakota during the height of the gold rush. There the Haight boys were reunited with their friend Moses in the outlaw mining-town of Deadwood. Moses had come to town bringing news concerning the Riflemen and their whereabouts. While surviving as a hunter and fur trapper in Montana Territory, he had learned a great deal about the Riflemen and had even crossed paths with the gang’s head honcho, Billy Harper, at a saloon in Mill Iron.
Moses and the Haight boys vowed to track the outlaws down, at whatever cost, to seek justice for the deceased. The three cowboys made their way to the Pinebox Saloon where they sought the help of a God fearing, female gunslinger named Maggie Frye, whose knowledge of the Riflemen would prove to be worth more than the gold she was paid to join the hunt.
Henry, Gage, Moses, and Maggie saddled up for a rugged journey that took them from the raucous Black Hills of Dakota down to the forsaken plains of the southwest. The dogged four, who were destined to become known as “The Haight Gang”, trailed the Riflemen all the way to New Mexico Territory where a bloody showdown stirred the dusty streets of a border town
called Dirty Spur…


Zachary J. Mechlem is co-founder of World Fusion trio, Mohenjo Daro and frontman for Alt-Country band, Mack West.

"The Haight Gang is a unique "East meets West" combo mixing elements of roots Rock music with Indian and Arabic sounds. Mechlem shows a great talent for making music that is vivid and wildly visceral, creating appropriate moods for each "scene." The tracks with vocals will remind some of Nick Cave's work, and that kind of "Western Gothic" aesthetic is consistent throughout the record."
-Mike Breen, City Beat Magazine

"Listening to The Haight Gang, a concept album by Mechlem, would make anyone want to get out the old cowboy hat and toy gun to play "cowboys and Indians" with the neighborhood kids. But it might also make listeners want to get up and dance. The album is a soundtrack to a Western and has a rough and tumble Johnny Cash feel to it, but is spiced up with Indian, Arabic and Spanish influences."
-Sue Bal, The News Record

"Mechlem picks the banjo-mandolin with a swift deftness that brings images of a Django Reinhardt documentary immediately to mind."
-Jana Marx, Et Cetera

*Voted "Best Songwriter", Best of Cincinnati 2003*

*Winner of the 2002 Shure Music Roots Songwriting Contest*
"Shure received many outstanding entries for the 2002 Musical Roots Contest. After difficult judging and listening to over 1600 entries, Shure awarded the Grand Prize to Zachary J. Mechlem for his original song, "Dakota."
"Mechlem produced the recordings and performed on most of the instruments. He additionally managed all engineering tasks as well, using an eight-track analog cassette recorder producing tape which was then mixed down directly to a CD burner.
Outside of the project studio, Mechlem masterfully performs guitar, doumbek, and banjo-mandolin with Mohenjo Daro, a world fusion trio."
-Gregory A. DeTogne, Shure Inc.

reviews

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  • Country & Eastern
    author: Wendy Collings

    Desert music - sounds for wide open spaces, blazing sun, sweat in the saddle, red earth, bare rock and bleached bones ... cattle, camel or kangaroo bones? ... deserts without borders, east and west; cowboys, bedouins and nomads at the campfire.

  • This is the most fabulous CD ever written!
    author: Shelly

    I'm a Zachary addict. I will forever be a fan. All of my Belly Dancing students love his CD's. Thank you Zachary. You're a rythm God.

  • Mechlem's music is creative and ingenious. He says what needs to be said.
    author: Connie Clemons

    The music on this Cd is unique and moving. Mechlem uses the instrumentation to portray deep emotions of sorrow and driving determination. The timbres speak volumes. His voice portrays a resignation to the situation of the story line, gruesome though it may be. There is more inside this composer, and I can't wait to hear what's next!

  • Incredible Music
    author: Chuck Thunderbird

    Buy this CD!!!

  • author: maggie frye

    great cd i want to hear maggie frye

  • This makes my entire being happy
    author: Alexis

    i first heard this cd at a local coffee shop while playing a raucous game of california speed with a friend. for those of you who don't know, the game is very much like a old west gunfight, and when the first sounds of track one, "the plains," came on, my friend and i just looked at each other and grinned. it was perfect music, and it gave me the energy to finally win some games. i went home and immediately ordered it, and have made all of my friends listen to it since i got it. i go through it at least once a day, and i don't stop smiling the whole time it is playing. don't ask questions, just buy the cd. right now.

  • author: CD Baby

    A soundtrack to a rediscovered old west legend. The Haight Gang is a wild western tale of murder and revenge put to music that combines Arabic, Flamenco, and Indian influences with roots rock.

  • AWESOME!!
    author: Biotos

    I absolutely adore this CD. For the first week I had it I listened to nothing else. The Indian and Middle Eastern influences give the music an interesting twist that makes a great album. I look forward to the next one.

  • Extremely refreshing music
    author: Greg

    The other reviews sum it up fairly well. It's definitely not your typical "western music" (as you can hear from the web) and I am quite pleased with the music. For me the ownly bummer part is the distribution. While the "pouch" it comes in is quite unique and innovative and may be a positive things for some, it's not very practical for me. Can't store it with other CDs w/o digging around for a jewel-box. However, the cd insert that comes in the pouch is also just too small to act as a liner in a jewel box. (Not a big deal, just not what I would prefer) In summary, the music is great and if you like what you hear on the web then you won't be disappointed!

  • Western that isn't country, with a uniqueness all it's own.
    author: Brian Boyko

    The Haight Gang is shocking at first, it's western-inspired melodies similar to what you might find in an Ennio Morricone collection - if it wasn't for the sitar. Yes, these aren't normal stylings, and it comes across as a western for the trippy, twisting and turning with each unexpected note.

  • got it on a whim, and man am i impressed
    author: Lanie Unger

    this cd offers a rich sound, very meditative to me, the vocalist's sound surprises and delights.... Thumbs up you guys! Got the link from Dave Stringer, and I am very satisfied :)

  • Good Music that is delightfully different
    author: Robert Lee Johnson - The Guitar Man

    This music is what the internet is about in music. Some really great music that is delightfully different. You will love this very good and imaginative music.

  • Amazing soundtrack CD
    author: Kendall Helmstetter Gelner

    This is one of the best soundtrack CD's I own - it's just a shame there really is no movie or play to go with it! As others have noted it blends a lot of musical styles really well. I love the mix of ambient and lyrical songs, each song supports the others in the way of all good soundtracks. It also comes in a cool pouch, an inventive bonus I had not anticipated.

  • Eastern musical influences fused with rock and country elements.
    author: Mark Roemer

    The Haight Gang is designed as a soundtrack to a Western, in which four characters head out with revenge as their objective. The story is told beautifully using few lyrics. Mechlem is a master at combining musical styles to form new ones. Prominent and obvious musical styles explored on this CD include: rock, Indian, Arabic, Flamenco, and country. The songs are so intelligently arranged, and flow so well together, that the end of the story comes too soon leaving you wanting the next installment. A truly unique CD, light a stick of incense, push play, kick back by the campfire and enjoy!

  • This is Truly Original and Surreal
    author: Jordan

    I have yet to come across compositions as unique and original as this. I applaud you Zachery, for your musical vision and imagination. You have reached sonic speed with this one. Congradulations and bring on more. Jordan

  • This c.d was a complete surprise to me. I LOVE IT !!!!!!
    author: Thomas J Howard

    I found this disc through cdbaby.com and I was thoroughly knocked down by it. The haunting melodies of this disc conjure up the Wild West with all it's bloodshed, big skies, Cowboys, raucusness, and wide open prairies. To me, the display of the writing virtuosity that Mr. Mechlem displays by his music makes me glad I am part of the human race where art can be understood as a palpable need for living life. I will be watching and listening for more material from this man. But for now I will enjoy the Haight Gang. Thank you Mr. Mechlem Thomas J Howard

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