Press Kit
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Press
“Let’s cut to the chase and toss critical self-restraint out the door: The Minneapolis-based Buck-Fifty Boys have uncorked the first great rock ‘n’ roll record of the year.
Singer/guitarist/chief songwriter Seth Hogan is a storyteller operating on a higher plane than most of us, with his tales playing like dusty mystery/romance vignettes that sound as if they’re delivered by the demons of Gram Parsons, Keith Richards and John Prine.”
“Two of the record’s strongest songs - ‘’Carmen Miranda’’ and ‘’Set Me Down’’ - were penned by singer/guitarist/fiddler Eric Christopher.
Both he and Hogan can sing, both can write, and when they do it together, they sound like gin-soaked soul mates. Which is why it’s no exaggeration to suggest the Hogan-Christopher team is a budding duo on the lines of Pirner-Murphy or Olson-Louris.
Nor is it hype to call ‘’The Buck-Fifty Boys’’ exactly what it is: A sophisticated, spirited, sloppy, stunning debut.”
“Its those risky, dense images, Hogan’s steely, full-of-character of voice, and of course, the gorgeous, warm guitars flowing everywhere that make this CD more intriguing than your run-of-the-roots rockout”
“He insinuates, rails and whispers, as though knowing more than he’ll reveal. He writes from private mysteries, rather than anything a listener might recognize after waking and leaving dreams behind.”
“This is the kind of music that makes everyone feel like they are in old Hollywood movies.
Keep your ears peeled for songs like ‘Esmerelda’. The guitar here is superb, gripping, alluring.
Hollywood Movie Star is a Marlboro man-loses-beautiful-woman story with the sweetness of the 60s, and the sadness of low, low, low down country music.
I can honestly say these guys have scrubbed golden every rusted string of my heart.”
Bio
The Buck-Fifty Boys
The Buck-Fifty Boys were born on a street corner in Minneapolis. They had been playing on the street one summer afternoon, and it was getting late. They paused and counted the money in the guitar case. The total was a dollar-fifty. 'We're The Buck-Fifty Boys.' Shortly after, they went into the studio and recorded a demo EP titled Seth Hogan and The Buck-Fifty Boys. That EP laid the foundation for a touring and recording band that included:
Seth Hogan: Vocals, Guitars, Accordion
Eric Christopher: Vocals, Guitars, Violin
David Van Eeckhout: Bass
Ram Zimmerman: Drums
Early Years
The Buck-Fifty Boys were active in the late 1990s, releasing that one demo and one full-length record, followed by two U.S. club tours. While touring, the band was invited to play legendary music venue The Bottom Line in New York’s West Village and has shared stages with Gillian Welch, Dale Watson, Wayne ‘The Train’ Hancock, Alejandro Escovedo, The Old 97’s, The Honeydogs, and many musical friends from the late 90s Twin Cities music scene.
A Band Apart
When The Buck-Fifty Boys disbanded after two U.S. tours, they had a full album of material that was written and performed on the road, but had never been recorded.
Seth moved first to California and later to New York, studying art at the Art Student’s League of New York while working nights as an accordionist at a Kosher steakhouse in Manhattan.
Eric immersed himself deeper in American music, continued to write, and became a professional bluegrass musician.
David became a farmer.
Ram moved to Austin, Texas and continued to work and perform as a drummer.
A Band Together
Years later, the band members found themselves back in the heartland. Gathered around the fire, they poked the coals and the embers were still warm. They went into the studio and recorded five new tracks, which are being released as singles in 2025.