Artist description Al's Fast Freight has crossed the line between rock and country, and is gaining acceptance in both formats with their own brand of insurgent country/original Americana songwriting. MAIA records has released "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea", a follow up to their CD "I-90". Al's Fast Freight's versatility has landed them opening slots for a wide array of national performers.

Music Style Americana, Roots Rock, Y'allternative

Musical Influences Dylan, Springsteen, Steve Earle, Neil Young

Similar Artists Steve Earle, Son Volt, Whiskeytown, Graham Parsons

Artist History In the past they have opened for Little Feat, The V-Roys, Jorma Kaukonen, Mary Cutrifellow, Tracy Byrd, Letters to Cleo, The Outlaws, Dave Mason, Simon Townsend, Peter Himmelman, The Why Store, Possum Dixon, Rare Earth, multiple shows with David Allen Coe, The Derailers, Jerry Garcia Band (JGB), Richard Buckner, Blue Mountain, Jack Ingram, The Ranch, Wayne "The Train" Hancock, and Damnation TX.

Group Members Howard Micenmacher (vocals guitar) Dave Smoot (drums/vocals) Brendan Gilberti (guitar/vocals) Mike Henry (bass/vocals) Andy Zabinski (fiddle)Janice Fields (fiddle)

Instruments acoustic guitars, electric guitars, fiddles, mandolins, bass, drums

Albums Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Press Reviews "If Al's Fast Freight lived in your town, you'd go see them every time they played, the house would be packed, and the tip jar stuffed...Those twangy truck boys sure can write some great stuff". Dirty Linen/Nov. 1998 "...a concert that features some of the best acts in the local music scene, such as Al's Fast Freight, which mutates pop and country to create frolicking folk-rock. On its just-released album, "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," the band cranks out nine melodic cryin'-in-your beer rockers that are as good-time sounding as they are literate." The Plain Dealer/John Petkovic/May 1999 "These Ohio musicians play working man's rock with country harmonies, and lyrics that tell of lost love, desperation and saloons of gloom. The music is rock based, but the country is there. Guitarist Howard Micenmacher has one of those distinctive voices that sticks in your head for days. Recommended" The Music Scene by Bob Cianci, Narrowsburg, NY "givit öra at texter av Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zant, Springsteen, amt Steve Earle-lyrik som..." Sound Affects Magazine, Sweden,1998 "The disc has a loose, relaxed feel that is easy to like and it is a worthy follow-up to the well-received Interstate 90 album. Debts to Springsteen and Dylan abound here, and the band has certainly worked hard to develop its own distinctive sound. Their special blend of Americana hits the mark on the quality album that fans will love." Dave Rakich/Cleveland Country Magazine/May 1999 "But if the songs are viewed collectively, it seems as if Al's Fast Freight is destined to follow in the footsteps of Merle Haggard or Waylon Jennings and turn out fearless songwriting that explores America's Rougher side, regardless of current radio trends." Culver Maitland/Cleveland Country Magazine/1997 1999 winner of Scene Magazine's "Best Americana/Country Band" 1999 Runners up of Cleveland Free Times "Best Country Band"

Location Cleveland, Ohio - USA

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