Music Box: Futurebirds blowing up!

By Aaron Davis (for Jackson Hole Weekly, JHWeekly.com)Jackson Hole, Wyo. - I had forgotten what country-grunge might sound like until I pushed play on the Futurebirds’ debut release, Hampton’s Lullaby.Definitely Southern-fried via its Athens, Georgia home, Futurebirds skirts across weathered Americana lines with acoustic and electric instrumentation—magnified by pedal steel and ragged four-part harmonies a la The Band. Think about Drive-by Truckers hangin’ out with My Morning Jacket with occasional Wilco diversions.Whatever you want to call it, “good” should suffice.And others are paying attention, too. The young sextet has already enjoyed a great deal of buzz, which led to a recent opening slot for Drive-By Truckers. And get this: before and after a stop in Jackson, the band will be performing at Austin City Limits Festival as well as an opening slot for Widespread Panic at an amphitheater show in Georgia.“Everything is going great. We are a little dysfunctional, but we’re excited about it all,” said guitarist-banjoist-drummer Carter King about the recent exposure. “We weren’t really aiming for any particular sound, but everyone in the band writes so it just took shape.”On Matt Carr’s blog, Everybody Taste, he describes the band as “on the edge of a knife between harmony and utter chaos, celebrating every moment as if it’s their last.” I like this description because it reminds me of seeing The Avett Brothers in its early days—hungry for it all, raw, and caution launched into the wind. The youthful vibe is undeniably present and waiting to be consumed by all.Having spent some time in Athens, there’s definitely a sense of place in the band’s rootsy approach. The group features a conglomerate of singing and songwriting Southerners: King, Brannen Miles (bass, guitar), Daniel Womack (guitar, banjo), Dennis Love (pedal steel, guitar), Payton Bradford (drums, banjo, guitar), and Thomas Johnson (guitar, banjo, mandolin, keys).“Athens has a little bit of everything … rednecks to hippies to townies to punk guys to metal guys, so there’s a big mish-mash,” King said. “It can be a real sleepy and lazy town especially in the summer.”In addition to a full-length album, Futurebirds has released two EPs. The latest, Via Flamina, features two unexpected covers: Stevie Nick’s “Wild Heart” from 1983 and Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Games” from 1989. Honestly, I didn’t even realize they were covers because the tunes sounded so similar to the band’s original material. A good thing, I think.Thomas Hardy, of Dead Confederate—another Athens alt-country/grunge band with a good following—will open the show. Seems Hardy has found a softer side on his latest demo, with simple accompaniment behind acoustic guitars and vocals. It’s unclear whether he will perform solo, or with a band.This is a solid “sleeper” show. It may not have the hype of some of the summer concerts, but here’s a chance to catch a band that’s quickly on the rise and may soon pass up the small club scene.Take in some good tunes before hunkering down for the off-season. For a chance to win free tickets, you can “like” 307 Live at Facebook/307LIVE.Futurebirds and Hardy Morris play at 10 p.m., Tuesday, at Town Square Tavern. Presented by 307 Live. Tickets are $10, available at Town Square Tavern Liquor Store, or at the door. 733-3886.