Second Pickin' Picnic set for Bradenton Riverwalk

  One the most popular events thus far on Bradenton's Riverwalk was the "Pickin' Picnic" back in May.
   It was so popular, in fact, that Realize Bradenton already has another edition in the works. It's set for 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.
   Live music is the main attraction -- this month's event features five bands, including nationally known, Bradenton-based Have Gun, Will Travel -- but there's also food from Suncoast Food Trucks, and 2nd Street Bistro will be operating the Pavilion's concessions stand. You're also welcome to bring your own food along with your blankets and lawn chairs.
   Here's the music lineup:

4-5 pm: Faceless Bandits. A fun-loving band comprised of three “old-school punk rockers” who put a spin on bluegrass with rockabilly and punk undertones. 5:15-6:15 pm: Geri X. This Bulgarian-born singer-songwriter’s music show is influenced by several genres including folk, psychedelic rock, Americana and post-rock. She has garnered a sizable fan base and critical acclaim in the Tampa Bay music scene. 6:30-7:30 pm: Waking Giants. This group of long-time friends and collaborators is genre jumping and draws from an amalgam of styles (rock, blues, funk, world beat and electronic) to create a one of a kind, infectious sound. Skillfully crafted songs supporting powerful, sultry and soulful vocals provided by Kat and DeLaran. 7:45-8:45 pm: Muphin Chuckrs. This crown favorite formed in 1999 and have remained a Central Florida staple for 14 years. With roots that begin in new school punk, the band has constantly written and reinvented their sound, touching on reggae, jazz, rock and metal along the way. Their diversified repertoire have allowed them to share stages with the likes of John Popper, Marcy Playground, Nappy Roots, and Toots and the Maytals. 9-10 pm: Have Gun, Will Travel. This award-winning band has a natural instinct for combining folk, pop, rock and classic country influences to create a sound all its own. “Their music has a great energy to it, with infectious, sing-along choruses and refrains,” remarked NPR’s Robin Hilton. American Songwriter called HGWT’s music “organic, infectious Americana pop. Their music has a refreshing immediacy to it.” - See more at: http://www.downtownmattersblog.com/?p=1041#sthash.TQKzfcW7.gJU0cHxl.dpuf

   4-5 p.m.: Faceless Bandits.  Bluegrass with rockabilly and punk undertones.

Have Gun. Will Travel

    5:15-6:15 p.m.: Geri X. This Bulgarian-born singer-songwriter  influenced by  folk, psychedelic rock, Americana and post-rock. 

   6:30-7:30 p.m.: Waking Giants. A blend of  rock, blues, funk, world beat and electronic) 

   7:45-8:45 p.m.: Muphin Chuckrs. Punk with touches of reggae, jazz, rock and metal.

   9-10 p.m.: Have Gun, Will Travel. Americana rockers with a national following who just released their fourth album.

   Admission is free. For information, go to www.realizebradenton.com.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2013/05/23/4536591/bradenton-bands-play-pickin-pinic.html#storylink=cpy

Have Gun, Will Travel plans four shows near Bradenton

   Bradenton's biggest and best roots-rock band, Have Gun, Will Travel, has four dates planned in the area over the next few weeks, including a free show right here in town on the Riverwalk.

Have Gun, Will Travel

   Have Gun has just released its fourth studio album, "Fiction, Fact or Folktale?" on This Is American Music.
   Here's the show schedule:
   -- 10 p.m. Oct. 18: New World Brewery, 1313 E. Eighth 8th Ave., Tampa (Ybor City). 10 p.m. Call 813-248-4969. $10 advance, $13 day of show.
   -- 9 p.m. Oct. 19: Pickin’ Picnic at Bradenton Riverwalk. 9 p.m. Free.
   -- 3:30 p.m. Oct. 20: Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Coachman Park, Clearwater. $10/$35 in advance, $20/$40 day of show.   -- 8 p.m. Nov. 1: MacDinton's at Jannus Live, 16 Second St. N., St. Petersburg. 8 p.m. Free. Call 727- 565-0550.

Metal gods GWAR to rock Tampa's Ritz

GWAR

   Oderus Urungus, Balsac the Jaws of Death, Jizmak Da Gusha, Beefcake the Mighty and Pustulus Maximus are coming to Tampa.
   They are GWAR, the Antarctica-based gods of satirical heavy metal. They'll be at the Ritz Theatre in Ybor City Nov. 5.
  This is band you really ought to see at least once in your life.
   Besides, this could be your chance to sample Impaled Ale, the beer created for the band by Tampa's Cigar City Brewing, which also made a beer inspired by Bradenton's Have Gun, Will Travel.
   Whitechapel, Iron Reagan and A Band of Orcs open. Tickets for go on sale Aug 2. They're $20 in advance, $23 day of show. You can buy them here:  www.daddykooltickets.com/osconcert-GA/product_info.php?products_id=1147

 

 
    

Have Gun celebrates single release in Bradenton

Have Gun, Will Travel

   A few weeks back, a Tampa brewer unveiled High Road Ale, a tribute to nationally acclaimed Bradenton band Have Gun, Will Travel and named after one of the songs from their upcoming album. 
   The album, "Mergers & Acquisitions," won't be out until September, but Have Gun, Will Travel is releasing a seven-inch single of "High Road." The band will celebrate with fans at a release party at Ace's Live starting at 9 p.m. June 21.
   Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Ace;s live is at 4343 Palma Sola Blvd. Bradenton. Call 941-795-3886 or visit www.aceslivemusic.com.
   By the way, some details about this event posted earlier on this blog, based on information from the Ace's Live website, were incorrect.

GWAR and Tampa brewer introduce Impaled Ale

   So, a few weeks back Cigar City Brewing in Tampa rolled out its first band-themed craft beer. It was called High Road Ale and it was inspired by the music of Bradenton's Have Gun Will Travel.

GWAR

   Now Cigar City will be expanding from Americana into metal with Impaled Ale, a new brew that will debut at the annual GWAR-B-Q music festival in Richmond, Va. on Aug. 17.
   GWAR, as you may know, is a satirical metal band. They're known for elaborate costumes and extreme stage shows.
   According to www.americancraftbeer.com, Impaled Ale is the second GWAR-themed beer. Three years ago, a couple of home brewers in the Tampa Bay area created Death Piggy Ale as an homage to the band.
   Almost all the Impaled Ale will be canned and kegged to be sold at GWAR-B-Q, so if you really want to try it you may have to travel to Richmond.
  
   
  
   

Bradenton's Damon Fowler, Have Gun Will Travel to headline WMNF's Little Manatee River Jam

Damon Fowler at Blues Revue open house in Bradenton's Village of the Arts. Photo by Wade Tatangelo.

Read more here: http://heraldbuzzworthy.blogspot.com/2011/08/damon-fowler-sugar-shack-mondays.html#storylink=cpy

The Bradenton area's two greatest live music exports are joining forces to headline WMNF's 3rd annual Little Manatee River Jam.

The Tampa-based community radio station fund-raising concert is Nov. 17 at the Canoe Outpost in southern Hillsborough County features Bradenton Beach resident and international blues star Damon Fowler as well as the Bradenton natives of Have Gun Will Travel performing their equally acclaimed Americana originals. 

From WMNF:

The festival’s beginnings go back to early 2010, when the owners of the Canoe Outpost attended a friend’s wedding reception where Talk To Mark were providing the entertainment. A brief discussion with the band during a set break led to the subject of WMNF and the idea of a live music event on the Outpost’s beautiful 5-acre property. With a little coordination between the band, the station and the site owners, the concept quickly began to take shape. Brandon native Damon Fowler — whose roots in the area made him the natural choice — was tapped to headline the show, and a festival was born.

Complete schedule:

Christy Massey: 1-1:30

Ed Carter 1:40-2:20

Sarah Mac Band 2:30-3:30

Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets 3:50-4:50

Talk To Mark 5:10-6:10

Have Gun Will Travel 6:30-7:30

Damon Fowler 8- 10 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 the day of the event.

To order tickets online visit www.wmnf.org or call the station at 813-238-8001.

For camping reservations, call the Canoe Outpost at 813-634-2228 or visit www.Canoeoutpost.com.

WEEKEND: The Hold Steady, Have Gun Will Travel, to rock Guavaween music fest in Ybor City

City of Tampa officials have smartly shifted Ybor City's annual Guavaween bash from a debauched parade to a first-rate music festival dubbed The Many Shades of Ybor.

The Saturday event features The Hold Steady, one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands to emerge in the past decade, performing at The Ritz from 10:50 p.m. to 12:20 a.m.

And don't miss Bradenton-based Americana band Have Gun Will Travel, which will be at Crowbar from 9:45 to 11 p.m.

The music festival includes more than 20 bands representing national, regional and local talent in seven venues throughout Ybor.

Read more.

For much more to do in the Bradenton area and beyond check out Weekend.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/#storylink=cpy

Bradenton band HGWT summer tour continues with more dates across Southeast

Bradenton-based Americana act Have Gun Will Travel has just announced more dates for its summer tour that started in June.

In March, the nationally acclaimed band played the new Gasparilla Music Festival in downtown Tampa.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/03/08/3924606/grammy-award-winningrebirth-brass.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

HGWT is touring in support of its latest full-length, the highly recommended "Mergers & Acquisitions," which can be purchased here.

8/31 - Atlanta, GA @ Smith's Olde Bar
9/01 - Birmingham, AL @ The Nick
9/02 - Greenville, SC @ Radio Room
9/04 - Nashville, TN @ The End
9/06 - Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre (FREE Rooftop Show)
9/07 - Knoxville, TN @ The Well
9/08 - Nashville, TN @ National Underground
9/10 - Asheville, NC @ Jack of the Wood
9/11 - Winston-Salem, NC @ The Garage
9/12 - Charleston, SC @ Tin Roof
9/13 - Raleigh, NC @ Slim's Downtown
9/14 - Wilmington, NC @ The Whiskey
9/15 - Gainesville, FL @ High Dive (formerly Double Down Live)
9/16 - Jacksonville, FL @ Burro Bar

—Publicity photo, from left: Matt Burke, J.P. Beaubien, Daniel Burke, Scott Anderson.

Read more here: http://heraldbuzzworthy.blogspot.com/2011/08/have-gun-will-travel-band.html#storylink=cpy

WEEKEND: Chris Tucker, Have Gun Will Travel, Wiggles, WMNF Fest and more

• Chris Tucker at The Mahaffey in St. Petersburg 

• WMNF Americana Fest at Skipper's Smokehouse 

• Tampa Identity electronic dance music festival at Ask Gary Amphitheatre in Tampa 

• The Wiggles perform after Ray-Orioles game at Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg 

• Actress Robin Givens stages her play 'Joy in the Morning' in Bradenton with Manatee Players 

• Bradenton bands rock to raise money for Manatee Players 

•  Bradenton band Have Gun Will Travel with Matt Woods at Aces Live in Bradenton 

Check it out in Weekend.

 

—Publicity photo of Rebekah Pulley, who will be performing at WMNF's Americana Fest.

Bradenton band HGWT's summer tour launches in Ybor City; get new album on vinyl with pint glass, koozie

Tampa Bay's top purveyor of Americana awesomeness, Have Gun, Will Travel, announced today a summer tour that kicks off June 29 at New World Brewery in Ybor City.
 

The nationally acclaimed Bradenton band  also issued an email alerting fans that the vinyl version of its most recent full-length release, the highly recommended "Mergers & Acquisitions" (read my review) is finally available.

Visit Shop Radio Cast to order the limited edition, deluxe set and receive a CD, LP, pint glass, koozie and button.

HGWT summer Tour:

6/23 - Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Theatre w/ The Black Lillies. FREE SHOW!
6/29 – Ybor City, FL - Tour Kick-off @ New World Brewery w/ The Rosewoods, The Sh-Booms, and Macrame Owls.
7/04 – Charlotte, NC - U.S. National Whitewater Center River Jam w/ Moreland & Arbuckle and These United States
7/05 – Raleigh, NC @ The Pour House Music Hall w/ Thomas Wynn & The Believers and Stella Lively
7/06 – Atlanta, GA - Georgia Aquarium Live Music Series
7/07 – Statesboro, GA - Details TBA w/ Lingo
7/12 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club w/ Damion Suomi and the Minor Prophets
7/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Smith’s Olde Bar w/ The Whiskey Gentry and Waller– TWANG ON!
7/14 – Knoxville, TN @ The Well w/ Matt Woods and Dixieghost
7/19 – Greenville, SC @ The Radio Room
7/20 – Asheville, NC @ Jack of the Wood - 5:00pm Free Happy Hour Show
7/20 – Asheville/Lake Lure, NC @ Lake Lure Resort HGWT (9-11pm) w/ The Whiskey Gentry (7-9pm)
7/21 - Asheville/Lake Lure, NC @ Lake Lure Resort w/ The Whiskey Gentry and Black Iron Gathering, All Day
7/28 – St Pete, FL - Antiwarpt Music Festival

Tune in next Thursday, June 28, to Tampa Bay's WMNF 88.5 fm to hear HGWT perform live on the air during "It's the Music! The Thursday Nooner." Check out www.wmnf.org to listen live. Fans are invited to "get in touch if you live in the Tampa Bay area and would like to come to the studio and watch us play on the air."

www.hgwtmusic.com
www.facebook.com/hgwtmusic

—Photo of Have Gun, Will Travel is a screen capture from the video below. From left: Daniel Burke, J.P. Beaubien, Matt Burke, and Scott Anderson.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2011/10/20/3579923/record-review-have-gun-will-travel.html#storylink=cpy

WATCH: HGWT video for 'Dream No More"

Bradenton's Have Gun, Will Travel, which recently returned from a month-long national tour, have  begun writing and recording songs that will eventually become the band's next album, according to a statement issued by the Americana group.

For now, check out this sweet video for the equally tasty new track "Dream No More," off the HGWT album "Mergers and Acquisitions" (read my record review).




Director/Editor: Richard Walker. Director of Photographer: David Coone. Actress: Erica Glynn. Lighting/Color Correction: Alex Benjamin.

—Photo of Have Gun, Will Travel is a screen capture from the video. From left: Daniel Burke, J.P. Beaubien, Matt Burke, and Scott Anderson.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2011/10/20/3579923/record-review-have-gun-will-travel.html#storylink=cpy

Upcoming  HGWT shows:

4/13 - St Pete, FL @ Hideaway Cafe (Matt solo)
4/20 - Hillbilly Hellfest @ Aces Lounge, Bradenton, FL
4/28 - Stringbreak Festival, Sertoma Ranch, Brooksville, FL
5/04 - Ybor City, FL @ Crowbar w/ Geri X and The Deep Dark Woods
5/12 - WMNF's 31st Annual Tropical Heatwave, Ybor City


www.hgwtmusic.com
www.facebook.com/hgwtmusic

Gasparilla Music Festival lineup features Bradenton's Have Gun, Will Travel

Nationally-acclaimed Bradenton band Have Gun, Will Travel will play the new Gasparilla Music Festival scheduled to take place from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on March 10 at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa.

"Record review: Have Gun, Will Travel: ‘Mergers & Acquisitions’"

The local folk-rock luminaries will be joined by John McCauley's alt-country, indie rock band Deer Tick, celebrated New Orleans party-starters The Rebirth Brass Band, blues man Alvin Youngblood Hart, Miami-based sacred steel standouts The Lee Boys and soul singer-songwriter Kaleigh Baker.

Tickets cost $15 in advance. Click here to purchase.

Statement from organizers:

The Gasparilla Music Festival will celebrate the best of Tampa Bay's diverse music scene, highlighting local emerging acts and nationally recognized headliners. Set on two stages among our new parks, museums and river walk, we're transforming our downtown into a unique concert venue to host the best music event in the region.

The festival is the vision of a group of Tampa residents passionate about continuing the cultural development of the bay area: This is the concert Tampa has been demanding and you can help us deliver it.

Click for more info

Pre-order Bradenton band Have Gun Will Travel's new album 'Mergers & Acquisitions'

Bradenton alt-country aces Have Gun Will Travel has its third album (and first for Suburban Home Records), “Mergers & Acquisitions” ready for release.

The CD will be in stores Nov.1.

The pre-order starts Friday (Sept. 23) at the Suburban Home store at Shopradiocast. The album will be available on LP, CD, digitally, and as a deluxe set.

When you pre-order the album through Shopradiocast, you will get an automatic download of the album. The CD and LP will come with a free HGWT beer coozie (while supplies last). The deluxe set will contain vinyl, CD, beer coozie, pint glass and Button. Only 100 deluxe sets will be sold. The vinyl will be pressed on two colors (333 on white, 667 on blue) and will come with a download coupon.

The band recorded much of “Mergers & Acquisitions” at their downtown Bradenton practice space. Other parts of the album were recorded with Andy Feldman in Tampa who co-produced the album with HGWT. Scott Anderson (of HGWT) mixed the album. Acclaimed Pinellas Park-based musician/producer Steve Connelly mastered the record.

The artwork  was done by Janell Francois with photography by Kelley Jackson. Devon Stuart of the Takers makes a guest appearance on the song, “Thirteen Miles to Empty.”


Track Listing:
1. Dream No More
2. To The Victor Go The Spoils
3. Time Machine
4. Freightliner
5. Disappearing Kind
6. 13 Miles to Memphis
7. By The Flicker Of The Flame
8. Keep It In Your Heart
9. Katharine, Don’t Fall Off The Wagon
10. Song Of Seven Sisters
11. Crooked Chords
12. Streets Of New England

Read my interview with HGWT singer/songwriter/guitarist Matt Burke, conducted during recording of new album: "Bradenton band’s ‘Blessing’ on national Chevy ad."


www.hgwtmusic.com
www.facebook.com/hgwtmusic
www.suburbanhomerecords.com

Bradenton band Have Gun, Will Travel announces nat'l tour, release date for new album

Have Gun, Will Travel from left, Scott Anderson, Matt Burke, Danny Burke and J.P. Beaubien.

This just in from Matt Burke (interviewed here), leader of Bradenton-based alt-country luminaries Have Gun, Will Travel:

Well, it's official. Our upcoming full-length album "Mergers & Acquisitions" will be released in CD, vinyl and digital formats on Suburban Home Records. The official release date is November 1st, but we'll be doing some regional record release shows in October. And just between you and me, we'll probably have some copies with us on our upcoming US tour with Micah Schnabel (of Two Cow Garage).

Here are the dates...

9/09 - Denver, CO @ Three Kings (Suburban Home Records Anniversary)
9/10 - Denver, CO @ Three Kings (Suburban Home Records Anniversary)
9/12 - Colorado Springs, CO @ The Triple Nickel
9/13 - TBA
9/14 - St Louis, MO @ The Old Rock House
9/15 - Normal, IL @ Firehouse Pizza & Pub
9/16 - Flint, MI @ Woobie's Bar
9/17 - Cincinnati, OH @ MOTR Pub
9/18 - Columbus, OH - Venue TBA
9/20 - Buffalo, NY @ DBGB
9/21 - TBA
9/22 - Kingston, NY @ The Basement
9/23 - Boston, MA @ PA's Lounge
9/24 - Providence, RI
9/25 - New York, NY
9/26 - Brooklyn, NY - Venue TBA
9/27 - Richmond, VA - Venue TBA
9/28 - Raleigh, NC @ Slim's
9/29 - Athens, GA @ Little Kings
9/30 - Kennesaw, GA @ Sidelines

TBA or "Venue TBA" indicates that the date is currently unconfirmed. If you can help out with any of these dates please get in touch.

CD Release Shows...

10/20 - Gainesville, FL @ Double Down Live with SNAKEHEALERS and HYMN FOR HER
10/21 - Tampa, FL @ Skipper's Smokehouse with SNAKEHEALERS and HYMN FOR HER
10/22 - Bradenton, FL @ Ace's Lounge with SNAKEHEALERS and HYMN FOR HER

Bradenton band Have Gun, Will Travel reveal name of new record; release date, sign deal with Denver-based label

L to R: Matt Burke, J.P. Beaubien, Daniel Burke, Scott Anderson - PUBLICITY PHOTO

Bradenton alt-country ensemble Have Gun, Will Travel has officially joined Denver-based Suburban Home Records. The label will release the band's new album "Mergers & Acquisitions." The official record release party will be Oct. 21 at Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa and presented by community radio station WMNF (88.5).

HGWT recorded most of “Mergers & Acquisitions” at their practice space in downtown Bradenton. Other parts of the album were recorded with Andy Feldman who co-produced the album with HGWT. Scott Anderson (lead guitarist of HGWT) mixed it. Steve Connelly mastered the record. The artwork for the album will be done by Janell Francois with photography by Kelley Jackson. Devon Stuart of the Takers makes a guest appearance on the on the song “Thirteen Miles to Empty,” which HGWT has been playing in concert recently.

Burke and I discussed the song and the new album in May: 

“It’s a more upbeat, country rock type of song about the obstacles of being in a band on the road, but from a lighthearted perspective,” Burke said of  "Thirteen Miles to Empty."

“I used to be a little self-conscious about adding any kind of humor into my songs -- maybe I took my writing a little too seriously. But the more music I branch out and listen to and soak in, I’m inspired to try new things with my writing.”

Burke cited Loudon Wainwright III and John Prine as singer/songwriters who excel at being funny and poignant.

“Time Machine,” a moving song about battling homesickness while driving from show to show, will also likely be performed at Party on the Plaza (event took place May 21).

It’s the lead track on the recently released Bay Area Arts & Music (BAAMO) compilation “Tales of Highways & Low Roads,” the most-played album on WMNF last week.

Another version of “Time Machine,” along with “13 Miles to Empty” and a re-recorded version of “Freightliner” (from the first EP) will appear on Have Gun’s untitled, upcoming release planned for late summer/early fall.

Whereas “Postcards from the Friendly City” largely focuses on life in Bradenton, the new material takes listeners on a cross-country journey. Have Gun has toured as far as Colorado recently and the experiences are reflected in Burke’s richly detailed writing.

“It’s not that I’m trying to make any sort of cohesive story, but knowing there’s a theme in place helps direct the writing for the remainder of the songs once I see a common thread,” Burke said.

Continue reading "Bradenton band’s ‘Blessing’ on national Chevy ad."

Read the complete publicity release: Suburban Home signs Have Gun Will Travel, will release “Mergers & Acquisitions.”

Have Gun, Will Travel official website. 

WATCH: Bradenton band Have Gun, Will Travel featured in 'Big Lebowski' documentary

Danny Burke (left) of HGWT with Jeff Dowd (center) from the documentary "The Dude"

This is cool news, man.

Nationally-acclaimed Bradenton band Have Gun, Will Travel makes an appearance in this USA Network short film "The Dude" about Jeff Dowd.

He's the Coen Brothers' inspiration for the central character in their totally awesome 1998 film "The Big Lebowski."

At around 13 minutes in, HGWT can be seen performing Bob Dylan's "The Man In Me" at the recent Lebowski Fest in Tampa.

PHOTOS/VIDEO: Party on the Plaza headliner Have Gun, Will Travel

An estimated crowd of 500-plus attended the killer bash Party on the Plaza — read my story about the event — in downtown Bradenton on Saturday. I had a blast, especially watching headliner Have Gun, Will Travel perform. Here are the Burke brothers — Matt (acoustic guitar) and Danny (bass) celebrating with a shot.

Read my lengthy interview with Matt Burke for this past Thursday's Weekend cover story "Bradenton band’s ‘Blessing’ on national Chevy ad." 

Matt Burke losing himself in the music — or maybe he spotted a UFO.

Read Burke's first ever interview about Have Gun, Will Travel, which I did with him for the Herald in 2006.

L to R: Scott Anderson, Matt Burke, JP Beaubien, Andy Brey, Danny Burke.

Party on Plaza organizer/musician Ben Bakker joins have Gun for their hit "Blessing and a Curse"

Raina Breslauer watching her fiancee Matt Burke perform.

Click for more photos from Party on the Plaza.

ARCHIVES 2006: Have Gun, Will Travel's Matt Burke gives first ever interview about his new solo, acoustic project

BRADENTON, 5/10/06--Matt Burke.--Photo by Tiffany Tompkins-Condie.

To celebrate nationally acclaimed,  Americana ensemble Have Gun, Will Travel's fifth anniversary, here's the first interview Matt Burke, best known then as an indie rocker, did about the Bradenton band the Manatee County native started as a solo, acoustic project. After playing me a rough demo of his self-titled debut disc (now out of print) in the parking lot of the Old Main Pub in Bradenton, I immediately told Burke to push forward with the project and have been writing about his band for the Herald — and numerous other publications — ever since. 

The story below ran five years ago, same days as the Have Gun, Will Travel CD release party at old Fogartyville Cafe in downtown Bradenton. Here's my Have Gun, Will Travel story "Bradenton band's 'Blessing' on national Chevy ad," another in-depth, in-person interview I did with Burke for today's Weekend cover. It's to advance the May 21 Party on the Plaza event in downtown Bradenton that Have Gun will be headlining.

May 26, 2006
From heavy metal to Hank Williams
Matt Burke will make his Bradenton debut of his new solo musical endeavor tonight at Fogartyville Cafe and unveil his "Have Gun, Will Travel" CD.

Chase Theory is the best and most respected rock band performing original music in the area. The group's first single "Pharaohs and Kings" found its way onto the hipster favorite "Emo Diaries 3" compilation (Deep Elm). And the trio's latest release, "Scrapbook," is on the national independent label Tribunal Records.

The Bradenton-based band continues to gig regularly and record new material; however, its singer/guitarist and primary songwriter Matt Burke has embarked on a separate alt. country project he calls Have Gun, Will Travel.

Burke will make his Bradenton debut of the new solo musical endeavor tonight at Fogartyville Cafe and unveil the "Have Gun, Will Travel" CD. The seven-song disc is a thoughtful, cliche-free collection of meditations on life featuring Burke's warm vocal delivery and instrumentation that includes supple acoustic guitar strumming augmented by full-moon harmonica and back-porch banjo.
Burke and I met last week at the Tip Top Tavern.

Here are excerpts from a lengthy interview.


How old were you when you started writing songs?

I don't know that you would even call them songs, but the little numbers that we were doing, I was probably 13 or 14. It was always with (my 27-year-old brother and Chase Theory bassist) Danny (Burke) in whatever project I was in.


What kind of student were you at Bayshore High School (where you graduated from in 1993)?

JP (Beaubien) and I were in the same grade and we were pretty much stoners. We would wear our Metallica shirts to school and (stuff) like that for the first couple years. And then the last couple years of high school we got back into punk rock. We definitely weren't the popular kids in school (laugh) that's for sure. We skipped a lot of school --- especially our senior year --- and were already playing music together.

Burke by Tompkins-Condie (2006)

What was the point when you started having success with The Chase Theory?

Well, the first record that we did that made us think we had any chance of getting anywhere was getting a song on that "Emo Diaries" (Deep Elm records) compilation . . . I just sent in a cassette tape that we had done with three songs on it and they liked "Pharaohs and Kings." 

When that came out we kind of, at least locally, everybody was patting us on the back for being the only band from around here who got on a national compilation.


When did you first get exposed to country or Americana music?

It was kind of always in the background. I've always been a Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson fan, stuff like that. Anything on the radio I have always been turned off by --- nothing on any of the country stations interested me . . . I think the one record that really sparked an interest was "Trace" by (alt. country pioneer) Son Volt . . . Just getting into that led me deeper. To Gram Parsons and Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie and all of his stuff. It was kind of a backwards journey I started to take once I slowly got into it.


How did the material for "Have Gun, Will Travel" originate?

At home I had always written stuff on acoustic guitar that never really translated into Chase Theory material. So, I had that whole my side of my writing songs that I never really had any outlet for.
But it was when I got a (multi-track digital) recorder that I really started getting into the instrumentation.  I decided that I was going to do something with it and it wasn't just going to be a hobby --- I really wanted to have a go at it and see what I could do. I knew I wanted to go down the avenue of that country-influenced stuff and I knew that it had a lot to do with the instrumentation.

It's all acoustic guitar based --- that's the foundation --- but the instrumentation on top of it has a lot to do with the vibe of the music. I never played harmonica or banjo or anything like that so I went out and bought a couple harmonicas in different keys and a little beginners harmonica book.

With the banjo, I knew I wanted it on a lot of the songs but I never had played one. I got one and just started messing around with it. I'm not playing it traditionally in the bluegrass style --- I'm picking it with a guitar pick. The songs on the CD are recorded that way. I'm still practicing. I'm still learning. It's an ongoing journey.


Were you apprehensive about putting out personal songs like "Paperback?" Here you are, unadorned by screaming guitars at the forefront for the first time on record.

I wouldn't say apprehensive. I was conscience of that, and that it is a big, big difference. I mean, the biggest difference between the two types of music is the raw, nakedness of your words. You don't have that volume to hide behind. Whatever you say is going to be taken at face value. It's right out there in somebody's face.


How nervous were you about performing solo for the first time as Have Gun, Will Travel?

The first show I did was the In the Raw show (at the State Theatre in St. Petersburg) and I just started pounding drinks as soon as I got to the club (laugh). Ultimately, that's what got me through that first show.


What songs on "Have Gun, Will Travel" mean the most to you?

There's a lot behind all of them. For instance, the song "Freightliner" is about my lifelong love/hate relationship with Bradenton. As a Bradenton native I've always had an off-and-on relationship with the town. So that song means a lot to me. So does "Paperback." It represents a time where there was a lot going on. (My girlfriend) Raina (Breslauer) and I were --- there was a lot of stuff happening in our lives . . . That song is pretty heavy for me.

Burke by Tompkins-Condie (2006)

Speaking of your love/hate relationship with Bradenton, it appears, at least, that you're very proud of the city. The Chase Theory's latest CD "Scrapbook" features photographs on the jacket and sleeve that you took of landmarks such as the the Bradenton water tower. What effect does living here have on your song writing?

There's always this subconscious desire to break out of town. And I feel like I have that going on but then I am very deeply rooted here. All my family lives here and we go back a couple of generations. It's weird. 

It's kind of contradictory in a lot of ways. You want to get out but you're afraid to at the same time --- afraid to leave a place where your roots are so deep.


You've played a couple shows as Have Gun, Will Travel but you're having your CD release party and making your Bradenton debut at Fogartyville Cafe in the heart of your hometown (today). How important is this show to you?

It's very important. I want to present this project as seriously as anything else I have been involved. I don't want it to be pigeonholed as a side-project . . . This show is the most important so far of the Have Gun shows. It's the first time I'm playing in my hometown and I'm introducing the CD to people as a real deal.


I saved the toughest question for last. What kind of feedback are you getting on that new beard?

(Laugh.) Everyone tells me they like it. Everyone except Raina. 

• Purchase tickets to Party on the Plaza. 
  

• Have Gun, Will Travel website. 

Bradenton's Have Gun, Will Travel and many more to play BAAMO bash Saturday

BAAMO's latest album “Tales of Highways & Low Roads” is a superb, judiciously chosen overview of the excellent, diverse music emerging from Southwest Florida.

The disc opens with Bradenton alt-country ensembles Have Gun, Will Travel’s stirring new song “Time Machine.”

It also includes choice, original cuts by other Tampa Bay area artists with national acclaim such as Ronny Elliott, Rebekah Pulley, Will Quinlan and The Human Condition as well as a wicked  cover of "White Line Fever" by the Mojo Gurus.

Fourteen of the 20 artists (including HGWT) on the album will be performing Saturday in Ybor City at the cozy, always well-stocked venue New World Brewery.

Details: 5 p.m. April 30, New World Brewery, 1313 E. Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $10 donation includes copy of the CD or download card. Information: (813) 248-4969 or http://baamo.org

Bradenton's HGWT to play SXSW pre-party in Austin, Tex.

Bradenton alt-country ensemble Have Gun, Will Travel has again been chosen by The Bay Area Arts and Music Organization (BAAMO) to represent Tampa Bay at the 8th Annual Florida Bandango in Austin, Tex., on March 16, 2011.

Florida Bandango is an unofficial showcase held on the first afternoon of the world-famous South-By-Southwest Music Conference (SXSW).

The Bandango acts will perform for gas money at:

BAAMO's Sixth Annual "One for the Road" show: 

7 p.m. Feb. 26 Dave's Aqua Lounge, 10820 Gandy Boulevard, St. Petersburg,

$10 suggested donation.

HGWT will be joined at Dave's by Ronny Elliott, Rebekah Pulley & the Reluctant Prophets, Poetry 'N Lotion, The Beauvilles, and The Human Condition.

HGWT recently released its first music video for the song "Salad Days" (see below) featured on the band's most recent full-length release, "Postcards from the Friendly City," which was the third-most played album on WMNF 88.5 FM in 2010.

The release of "Postcards from the Friendly City" helped HGWT secure national distribution through Denver-based indie label Suburban Home Records. The album recently debuted at 72 on the CMJ Radio Top 200 and moved to 56 within three weeks on the chart.

HGWT will be appearing at Tinderbox Music's Anniversary Party on March 17 (location TBA) during the SXSW Music Conference.

Photo: L to R: HGWT's Scott Anderson, JP Beaubien, Matt Burke, Daniel Burke at Ace's in Bradenton Dec. 18, 2010. Photo by Wade Tatangelo.