Artist description Meriwether's sound moves seamlessly betweencharged punk-pop anthems, rootsy, gritty rock-and-roll, and strung-out, moody ballads. Will Johnson's powerful vocals sit tense and beautiful atop his own spare, potent guitar work; Chris Sparks holds the moments together with his gutsy, precision drumming; and Steve Froberg provides the low-end gristle in punchy, percussive bass lines. Lead guitar supplies the necessary tension through texture and attack.

Music Style Rock/Pop/

Musical Influences Grant Lee Buffalo, REM, Bruce Sprigsteen, Chris Whitley, Counting Crows

Similar Artists REM, Grant Lee Buffalo, Counting Crows

Artist History Since the mid 90's, Will Johnson, Meriwether'sco-founder and songwriter, has been cultivating a loyal following in the San Francisco Bay Area by performing solo at some of it's more reputable venues. As an opening act at The Fillmore, Great American Music Hall, Slim's, Transmission Theater, and the Last Day Saloon; and as a headliner at The Sweetwater, Hotel Utah, Inn of the Beginning, and the Edinburgh Castle.

Group Members Will JohnsonChris SparksSteve Froberg

Instruments Guitar, Drums, Bass

Albums Self-Titled

Press Reviews San Francisco Bay Guardian 10/28/99 - BAY AREA TRIO Meriwether walk the rickety barnyard fence between college rockand emotive y'allternative country. The warm, resonant electro-fuzz and twangy slideguitar in "Endless White Houses" perfectly showcase singer-guitarist-songwriterWill Johnson's gorgeously plaintive, strong yet poetically raspy voice, which cantremolo and twist on a dime. "Nowhere" starts out slow and purty, with a plucky,out-of-tune barroom piano, and builds to a passionate crescendo after Johnsonmatter-of-factly sings, "Where do we go when we die / Do we climb these hoursthrough a hole in the night sky / And just hang around playing cards / And wait to beborn?" Though Meriwether's "marketable demographic" could include emo-frat actslike Better than Ezra and the Dave Matthews Band, their lyrical sophistication hintsmore at the good old folkie days of Neil Young and Dan Fogelberg. Info: (415)643-6604. (Summer Burkes)

Location San Francisco, CA - USA

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