The Shore Road Tavern Ranks As One of Philly's Top Music Venues

Mike Fiedler of the Shore Road Tavern is always at the ready

Every now and then in life you get to meet a new life long friend that just literally walks into your life. I can certify this, as that is exactly how Mike Fiedler and I became friends. It all started at Muddy Roots a few years back when a dude on an Indian rolls up asking if we have tools he can borrow. He surely did find the right booth at Muddy Roots and next thing ya know, his pal Iggy and I were tearing into the controls on the bike and working up a fix. From that day forward, it was an instant bond. 

Mike and Cathy are the proud owners of the Shore Road Tavern and what an honor it is to see their fine establishment featured on Philly.com as a renowned local music venue. The hard work and long hours they pour into the venue is not lost on anyone. This type of dedication allows ol' Mike to know anyone and everyone, while also having the respect of every band that passes through their stone entryway. So damn proud for them to get a big feature such as this and hopefully it will further cement the Shore Road Tavern as a tour stop in North East Philly.

Jay Berndt Is Known To Move Mountains With Sound Waves

Day 3 at The Power Station NE: Starting to track vocals

Leave it up to Jay Berndt to show so much humanity in the photos from his latest recording session. He is in gear heaven and couldn't be more proud about the direction things are going in. With the full album sound that he and the band are culling together, to the overall vibe of the recordings, here is a man that knows who is he and where he stands. This is what you call a true musician's musician. Congrats hombre, as I know how much time and effort you put into all the work. Can't wait to hear the final masters with fresh ears.

Rusty Knuckles 2014 Album Releases

Rusty Knuckles Music 2014 lineup

If you are going to kick the door in, be prepared with backup. Folks, we have that in absolute spades with the amount of talent and dedicated rabble rousers within the ranks dropping new albums this year. Not only are there new projects being finished up by Rory Kelly, Flat Tires, Hellbound Glory, Husky Burnette, Jay Berndt and the Green Lady Killers, but have a read below on the killer bands that are putting out albums with us.

Its a damn honor to work with such a hard working and talented group of misfits.

Rusty Knuckles Music 2014 Releases
(not in any particular order for release date)

• Crank County Daredevils / Buzzoven - Split 7" Record
• Husky Burnette - Acoustic EP
• Flat Tires - new full length being recorded with Joe Queer
• Rory Kelly - new full length
• Hellbound Glory - new EP 
• Jay Berndt & The Orpans - new full length featuring horn section from E-Street Band
• The Green Lady Killers - new full length
• Peewee Moore - new full length
• Buzzoven - catalog re-releases
• Bloodwitch - new full length
• The Go Devils - new full length
• Dripping Slits - Catalog Re-Release, new full length
• K. Lloyd - Buzzoven frontman's new solo full length featuring Jimmy Bower of Down and Brian Patton of Eyehategod and Soilent Green

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Buzzoven

The fire and the fury that is Buzzoven has found a new home at Rusty Knuckles Music

Buzzov*en was a sludge metal band from North Carolina, formed in 1989 by the remaining members of Sewer Puppet by guitarist/vocalist Kirk Fisher (often credited on releases as "Reverend Dirtkicker"). The band was known for being one of the founders of the sludge genre (after Eyehategod), and also for their out-of-control and violent live shows. The band in its early days toured heavily around the United States and built up a cult following leading up to the release of their first full-length, To a Frown, in 1993, which caught the attention of Roadrunner Records, who released the band's second album Sore in 1994. The band was dropped by Roadrunner, and from then on have gone through several periods of being split-up and reformed, with the only constant member having been Kirk Fisher. Dave Collins who now heads sludge legends Weedeater and Ramsey has gone on to join fellow sludgers Sourvein.




Bloodwitch

Bloodwitch is set to release the album "Tell Your God To Ready For Blood"

BLOODWITCH, the Boston/Providence-based band featuring current members of SEEMLESS and former members of KILGORE. According to the band's official bio, "BLOODWITCH was formed in 2007 by SEEMLESS guitarists Pete Cortese and Jeff Fultz. Pete had begun writing songs for their anticipated third album and found that many of the tunes just didn't fit right for SEEMLESS. What had emerged was a combination of influences from the golden age of British heavy metal, the early style of Bay Area thrash metal, the boogie of AC/DC and ZZ TOP, with the dual guitar harmonies of THIN LIZZY. With the quality of songwriting, Cortese was able to enlist ex-KILGORE vocalist Jay Berndt and ex-KILGORE drummer Bill Southerland into the fold. Rounding out the five-piece is producer and keyboard player for Worcester metal band FROZEN, Pete Rutcho on bass guitar."

BLOODWITCH music focuses on Berndt's lyrical interpretation of a war-hungry society and the band's modern delivery of classic metal. Stay tuned for the new album entitled "Tell Your God To Ready for Blood".




The Go Devils

The Go Devils will be releasing a stellar album in mid 2014 with Rusty Knuckles Music

The Go Devils create a unique and original infusion of roots, rockabilly, punk, country, swing, and psychobilly." Heartfelt and profound lyrics and top notch song writing are showcased along side music that is melodic and driving, high energy and catchy as hell." Running strong for 4 years and blazing a trail throughout the southeast, This power trio are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in the developing underground roots music scene, and offer a spectacle of a live show that you would be sorry you missed. Coming to a town near you... If not, ask and ye shall receive!



Peewee Moore

Country music troubadour Peewee Moore joins Rusty Knuckles for 2014

Since July 2007 Peewee Moore has honed a rigid reputation, and following playing over 200 shows a year in more than 100 U.S. Cities carrying the torch of 100% Independent Austin Texas Outlaw Country!

Peewee Moore is a self proclaimed Honkytonk / Outlaw Country Singer / Songwriter in the same vein as Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Johnny Paycheck, and Hank Williams. He has been barnstorming around the country with his trio dubbed "Peewee Moore & The Awful Dreadful Snakes" doing an endless string of one night stands from Austin TX to you name it. If you havent caught a show it's your own fault!

Born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachian rainforest just across the TN border in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, Peewee spent most of his time haunting the streets of Chattanooga TN playing many of his first shows in, and around the "Choo Choo" city. Peewee spent the consecutive years making a name for himself as an accomplished picker, and songwriter throughout the Southeast.

With the gift of raw talent, and showmanship Peewee has been fortunate enough to be able to share the stage with several of his hero's, as well as some of outlaw country, Americana, and rockabilly's most well known, and recieved acts such as Billy Joe Shaver, David Allen Coe, Dwight Yoakam, Steve Earle, Charlie Daniels, Junior Brown, Dale Watson, Wayne Hancock, Cowboy Jack Clement, Shooter Jennings, James McMurtry, Chris Knight, Dicky Betts, Pat Green, Cory Morrow, Todd Snyder, Wanda Jackson, Southern Culture On The Skids, Scott H. Biram, Bobby Bare Jr, and countless others.



Dripping Slits

Illinois's bastard sons, the Dripping Slits will bring their dirty rock n' roll to Rusty Knuckles Music in 2014

Formed somewhere between yesterday's hangover and today's buzz, Dripping Slits is a raucous blend of rock 'n' roll method and madness hailing from Middle-of-Nowhere, Illinois that is sure to arouse your senses with an overdose of venomous guitar riffs, thundering percussion, and plenty of gutteral groove and grit.

Jay Berndt and The Orphans Team Up With Narragansett Beer

Jay Berndt & The Orphans will play the 123rd Anniversary Birthday Party of Narragansett Beer on December 27th 2013

So you reside in the north east and need a great show to get out to on December 27th? Well hell, get out to see Jay Berndt & The Orphans at Narragansett's 123rd Anniversary Birthday Party. Yep, 123 years of great beer brewing in Rhode Island.

Do yourself a favor and check out some great albums with Jay Berndt

Jay Berndt & The Orphans will play the 123rd Anniversary Birthday Party of Narragansett Beer on December 27th 2013

Get The Limited Edition Vinyl Record - North Vs. South

Alright folks, one of the long wait times is finally over and now the J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters and Jay Berndt & The Orphans split 7" records have arrived! We have begun to process all the orders and will shipping starting tomorrow. Get your copies now as there are only 100 copies of the vinyl in Red and they have already been moving fast. Each record also comes with a digital download card so you throw those songs onto your playlist for the next road trip!

Order your copies now

J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters and Jay Berndt & The Orphans split 7" records

J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters and Jay Berndt & The Orphans split 7" records

J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters and Jay Berndt & The Orphans split 7" records

Original art by Scott Bramble of Mercury Tattoo in Doylestown, PA

J.B. Beverley Records New Track For Upcoming Split 7" Record

Detail of Robert Norman's fiddle from Carolina Still

Adam Jones from Carolina Still laying down some bass lines while prepping for recording

J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters new track, "I Don't Mind The Pain" is all finished up

Buck Thrailkill laying some notes for the new track

J.B. Beverley caught in the moment while in the recording studio laying down a new track

Microphones are just really cool to check out for the engineering and design details

J.B. Beverley finishing up the last elements to his new track for the split 7" record

Buck Thrailkill and J.B. Beverley of Rebel Roots Studio

J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters Working On New Split 7" Record

Damn its cool to see and hear a new track in the works. This is especially true when it is going to be for one bad ass split 7" vinyl record from Jay Berndt & The Orphans paired up with J.B. Beverley & the Wayward Drifters. More photos and video will be rolling in shortly.

J.B. Beverley, Buck Thrailkill and Robert from Carolina Still, working on the scratch track

Dialing in the tempo changes

Getting the song fully fleshed out before recording

Robert from Carolina Still laying some sweet tunes

Awesome Split 7" Record with Jay Berndt and J.B. Beverley In The Works

Well, we might as well let the cat out of the bag about another one of the great releases that is coming out through Rusty Knuckles Music this summer. Read the below post from Jay Berndt's email blast:

"We're also working on a split 7" with our friends JB Beverley (The Bad Habits, The Murder Junkies) & Buck Thrailkill on Rusty Knuckles Records sometime in July 2013. We're teaming up again with my old friend, tattoo artist and "Sad Bastard Songs" cover artist, Scott Bramble of Mercury Tattoo. Since JB is from Virginia & we're from Rhode Island, and Scott does amazing Civil War paintings... We have some awesome cover art on deck for this. Here's some work in progress shots."

Is the south rising again or is a battlefield about to happen

Ulysses S. Grant being drawn up by Scott Bramble

Brand New Jay Berndt Tshirts

Jay Berndt is really on the move in 2013. With a lot of new music being finished up and a whole new band that is currently playing with, the time is ripe for ol Jay to start being noticed by more fans far and wide. Upcoming in a few months will be a brand new 7" inch vinyl split that he is doing with J.B. Beverley and Buck Thrailkill. We know that it will be sonically bad ass, so now just wait until ya see the art as its gonna be killer. More posts will be coming up on this one shortly.

Jay Berndt & The Orphans new tshirt

Jay Berndt & The Orphans new tshirt

Jay Berndt & The Orphans Are Deep Into Recording

So you think all has been quiet on the front lines with Jay Berndt? Well, ya couldn't be more wrong. Not only does Jay have a great band that he is working with but they are deep into recording sessions for their next full length and a special new 7" coming out in mid summer. Check out the write up below from Jay Berndt's latest email blast.

"At long last... We're recording a follow-up to 2009's Sad Bastard Songs!! We have 12 songs we'll be recording for a full-length album release on Rusty Knuckles Records. And we have resurrected an old Revival Preachers song for release on a split 7" with JB Beverley (also on RK Records). We're looking to release the 7" sometime in June 2013 and the currently unnamed full-length album in July 2013. Release shows to follow...

One of biggest surprises is special guest Curt Ramm who is the leader of The E-Street Horn Section. Curt and saxophone master Bill Holloman will be tracking horn parts to three of our songs before Curt heads back out on a world tour with the Boss!! No shit man... I wouldn't make this up!! Needless to say... We're pretty damn excited!!

We're on Day Three of the sessions and have been having a great time. The tracks are sounding killer! We're also taking some Instagram photos as we go. We'll be taking some real studio photos as the sessions progress. We'll also be shooting and posting videos from the sessions as well. So stay tuned!!" 

Pick up your copies of Jay Berndt's albums now

Orphans Recording - Day 5: Ara tracking bass.

Orphans Recording - Day 5: Smilin' Dibbs engineering

Orphans Recording - Day 5: Lopes tracking drums

Orphans Recording - Day 5: Jay Berndt tracking guitar.

2013 Releases from Rusty Knuckles Music and Then Some...

Screen shot from brand new Green Lady Killers video that is in the works

Damn do we have some great projects coming up for this year. We can't let all of them out of the bag just yet, as the final touches are being maneuvered on quite a few. Here is quick list of what is on the horizon for spring and summer from Rusty Knuckles Music:

1. Brand new album from the Carolina Still with video series filmed by Shane DeRuise
2. New video and album from the Green Lady Killers
3. Split 7" with the Flat Tires and History Repeated, featuring John Stabb of Government Issue
4. New mixed, remastered and repackaged album from Kara Clark
5. New song and video from Rory Kelly, filmed by Shane DeRuise
6. New video about to be released from Reno Divorce, shot in California
7. Re-release of Crank County Daredevils "Livin' In The Red"
8. Jay Berndt & The Orphans split 7" with J.B. Beverley and Buck Thrailkill
9. Antiseen & Grim Pickins and the Bastard Congregation Split 7"
10. Billy Don Burns documentary film project 
11. Hellbound Glory on tour with Kid Rock and Buckcherry
12. Four more awesomely great new projects we cannot spill the beans on just yet, but will definitely be wetting panties world wide.
  
This is just a taste of the music projects on the horizon. There is far more in the works with a lot of special guests popping in this year along with our new event series that we are partnering up with quite a few folks on.

Wrench N' Roll is our new event series put on with the Veterans MC, Friction, Shooting Star Tattoo and The Drunk Horse Saloon in Fayetteville, NC on March 1st 2013

Billy Don Burns Is Up For Song Of The Year On Saving Country Music

It has been one hell of a great year in the music department for Rusty Knuckles. Not only have we been working with the best damn bands, but we also get to promote music from a cadre of individuals that refuse to be categorized or put in a corner. As a group, we kick some damn ass and will only continue to further instill this trend into the future. 

Huge shout out to the one and only Billy Don Burns for his track "Stranger", which is on the list for best song on Saving Country Music. We should also let the cat out of the bag on another front. Billy Don Burns also made the cut, for the final round of voting, to be Grammy Nominated for 2013. Although we didn't make the top five list, which then goes out to the public, we were noticed by the larger powers that be and that is an honor itself. Muchos gracias to Aaron Rodgers for all of his efforts.

Support Real Country Music and buy albums from artists such as Billy Don Burns, Jay Berndt, Hellbound Glory, Carolina Still, Kara Clark, Husky Burnette, Fifth On The Floor, Stevie Tombstone, J.B. Beverley and many more.

Read all that is Saving Country Music

Billy Don Burns, Nights When I'm Sober... Portrait Of A Honky Tonk Singer

"Every year this list stirs a little controversy because people misunderstand that these are not supposed to be the songs you “like” the best, but instead is supposed to be compositions in a given year that have the most impact.

They’re songs that make you change the way you see the world, or change the way you see yourself. This year, I may put out a list of “singles” that would better represent the lighter side of the music. But the Song of the Year is reserved for those few compositions that have the ability to change lives and to change the world.

Some of the songs that find themselves on the outside looking in, but are still excellent and worth your ear include virtually any track on both Chris Knight’s Little Victories album and Corb Lund’s Cabin Fever. The problem with putting out an album where every song is great is trying to pick the best one. If it wasn’t for Tom Morello’s guitar solo, Shooter Jennings’ “The Long Road Ahead” would have made it, and the only reason why Shooter’s”Daddy’s Hands” didn’t is because of this year’s strength of the competition.

A couple of other oddball considerations that almost made it were T. Junior’s “Man in Gray” and Sara Watkins’ song of epic sadness, “When It Pleases You”.

Normally I’d gab a little bit about each song, but this year the songs are so strong and remarkably each has an excellent video. So except for a few quick notes, I think I will sit back and let the music speak for itself. Vote for your favorite(s) below, and comment feedback will be taken into consideration for the winner."

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Tom VandenAvond – Wreck of a Fine Man – from Wreck of a Fine Man

About Hank Williams and James Hand. If you’re interested, you can read the story behind “Wreck of a Fine Man”.

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McDougall – The Travels of Fredrick Tolls (Part 2) – from A Few Towns More

Epic.

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Justin Townes Earle – Unfortunately, Anna – from Nothing’s Gonna Change…

On my mid year list I included “It Won’t Be The Last Time” from Nothing’s Gonna Change too. The competition is so stiff, it didn’t seem fair to include two songs from the same artist. But if I had, it would have been from Justin Townes Earle.

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Ray Wylie Hubbard – New Years Eve at the Gates of Hell – Grifter’s Hymnal

There were a few other songs from Grifter’s Hymnal that could have made the cut, but they didn’t call a record executive a “son of a bitch” or quote Martin Luther King.

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Billy Don Burns – Stranger -from Nights When I’m Sober

A really powerful one.

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Turnpike Troubadours – Good Lord, Lorrie – from Goodbye Normal Street

In my mid year list, I picked “Gone, Gone, Gone” as the standout with “Good Lord, Lorrie” as a runner up. Over time, “Good Lord, Lorrie” has proved to be a timeless song. It’s the “Me & Bobby McGee” of 2012. An excellent use of story.

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Sturgill Simpson – Life Ain’t Fair & The World Is Mean

I’ve gone back and forth over the years if I should include songs not released on albums as candidates. This song is just too strong to leave off. I would be lying if I didn’t say this is one of the front runners. (read full review)

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Eric Strickland – Drinking Whiskey – from Honky Tonk Till I Die

This song may even be better live.

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Kacey Musgraves – Merry Go ‘Round

I admit this song is not perfect. The reason it made the list is because for a song with such a subversive message, it has been performing amazingly well on radio. It is touching a nerve with people from Americana to the mainstream. It is a song about awakening, and it may just awaken some folks to the fact that there’s a whole other world of music out there waiting for them. (read full review)

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Olds Sleeper – Bigsky/Flatland – from New Year’s Poem

Last, but certainly not least.

Don't Forget Your Roots - 25% Off Sale

Don't Forget Your Roots

What could be better than hanging with friends and family on one of America's oldest holidays. We know that with great music and killer products ready to ship for Christmas, our store has just what you need. To obtain great savings, all you have to do is enter the correct answer, within the promo code section of the store shopping cart and the savings are all yours!

25% OFF The Entire Store, With The Correct Answer

What year was the first Thanksgiving?

Sale runs 11.22.12 to 11.26.12, just click on the links above to enter our store

Want 25% off some great music and related items, answer the question above in the promo code box

Jay Berndt & The Orphans Rockin' Out In Providence

One day, we will be able to envision the notion of Jay Berndt getting onto stages far and wide. As of now, he is content to play on home turf and has left touring for other pursuits. Knowing that he has a whole new project cookin' over top of a good flame, good things are about to erupt in the north east. 

Need more info on Jay Berndt?

Jay Berndt & The Orphans - photo © Kate Kelley 2012

Jay Berndt & The Orphans - photo © Kate Kelley 2012, rockin' at Neighbor Days in Providence, RI

Jay Berndt & The Orphans - photo © Kate Kelley 2012