"Imaginary Man" and "Shake and Howl" available for purchase online- here's where!
Jun 27, 2008 Posted By: Josh Hoyer
Go to either www.cdbaby.com or to www.myspace.com/sonof76 to purchase both albums by Son of '76 and The Watchmen. Otherwise- come to a show and buy a soon to be favorite in your collection! Read More
BJ Huchtemann review of
Jun 27, 2008 Posted By: Josh Hoyer
From Omaha Blues Socitey, Blues Notes by BJ Huchtemann: SON OF 76 CD RELEASE PARTY AT THE ZOO ON MARCH 8 Down the road in Lincoln, Josh Hoyer's band Son of 76 & The Watchmen celebrate the release of their new CD, IMAGINARY MAN, on March 8 at Lincoln's Zoo Bar. The more I've heard from Hoyer over the last year the more impressed I've been. Hoyer's band is steeped in traditional, early-to-mid-century R&B. Their old-school roots combined with Hoyer's fine songwriting and soulful vocals set their sound apart from other local bands. The music is more melody and vocal driven, with ballads and song-stories in the traditions of Dr. John and Tom Waits, and a sense of soul that is reminiscent of Dr. John and early Ray Charles...to name a few of the influences that contribute to this band's vibe. If you're a guitar-fan, The Watchmen feature the versatile guitar riffs of Werner Althaus, but overall, Hoyer's sound has so much to offer beyond the typical blues-guitar based offerings. The Watchmen are Werner Althaus, Justin G. Jones, Brian Morrow, Nick Semrad and Luke Sticka. The disc was produced in the (think old-school, an-a-log, baby) studios of Charlie (Mezcal Brothers) Johnson. Charlie co-produced the disc with Hoyer and the results are as good as many a national recording. Hoyer and the band are rightly excited about the new disc. You might be familiar with Hoyer from some of his previous bands including Electric Soul Method and the Magnificent 7. His newest, Son of 76 & The Watchmen has become one of my new favorites among local musicians. Check out preview tracks at myspace.com/sonof76. If you miss the CD release party, the music will be available from the band's myspace and soon at Homer's. Read More
"Baby" Jason Davis reviews "Imaginary Man"
Jun 27, 2008 Posted By: Josh Hoyer
This record is without a doubt my favorite disc that I own. This is the first record to break me from the Hacienda brothers. I honestly haven't listened to them but maybe a couple of times since you gave me this. Their records (And Gaffney's) are the first ones to really shake me since... I don't know. Beste? Sean always sends me what he's up to. I am truly a lucky scum-bum (Or sum-bitch... depending on which version of 'Smokey & the Bandit' you're watching... I chose the edited for TV version) to get such gifts. Anyhow, the watchmen and yourself have treated my mind to a new place musically and artistically. Y'all are FRESH! I put this disc on and listen to it. there is no jumping to my favorite song. I do not wish to skip a single moment. Except sometimes, 'House of dust'. That is one powerful song my friend. So much so that sometimes, I simply cannot take the sadness it wells up in me. Is that song about your true love losing her life? I am amazed at your gift for capturing emotion and storytelling. I'm amazed at just about every aspect of this record. The production is breathtaking. Kudos to Charlie and Tim. With this record alone, they each display such growth and talent for production. Such a record is a stellar achievement for those 'studioers' in between the music and the ears. Fitting that it is. Nothing else would be fit for the music presented. A brilliant balance of thought, expression, and taste. Economically released. The energy fucks me up. Every single member of this band is now at the top of my "can't fucking wait to see what they do next" list. The way you sing is sweet soulful magic. I've seen lots of horn players do that trick where they put two horns in thier mouth at the same time and play them. You, my friend, were born with the second horn wedged into your vocal chords. One horn mimics the other, and both are effortlessly articulate. Never EVER verbose. I wish I could sing and scream like you do. At the end of 'Imaginary man' when you yell, it makes me want to shout and jump on something and start kicking ass. Who's ass? The chosen few. I know violence doesn't do any good, but those few might learn something from a little ass whooping. That song, (Chosen few) I want to steal. I am trying to understand the scales you use and how. It's like sometimes, y'all are playing a Minor but Werner is using a Major scale. Sickening. How does that work so well? This is what I'm talking about. So many new ideas presented within a sweet-ass bunch of songs. I've been waiting to see if I like this record more than your first (Tall order), but frankly I haven't found much time to get back to the first one. That's ok. I know it's waiting patiently for me. Back to this one, the drums hit me like something one of my friends might hand me for an example of 'the old shit'. You know what I mean? So many musicians struggle with identity and end up just emulating somethign else. While the older guys simply play the fuckin' way they gonna. And Justin simply lays down the fuckin' groove. Like he's fuckin' gonna. And Morrow... shit. I've been a fan of that mother fucker since the day I met him. I used to get torn when watching him play bass, besause I know how good he is on sax (and piano, Arranging, fluglehorn, pedal steel, jews harp, colecovision, etc...). Such a strapping young man to already have figured so much about how to moove someone's ass, even when they think they may not want to dance. Massive pocket of warm groove. The guitars on this record floor me. The only thing I love more than a guitar player ripping my face off with killer taste and tone, is two of them doing it in tandem. Luke and Werner make an easy pair to listen to. All bases covered. With clarity and powerful non-pretentious girth. Very complimentary, not only to each other, but the entire ensemble. I'm a bit jealous of the maturity displayed here. I first met Werner at a jam at Duggan's. I cannot explain how happy I am to see him surface here. What a vocabulary. Calmy placed where it needs to be. It's like Luke gets my skin to bubble and peel, then Werner plays a nice melody of notes, stopping to hit the one note at the end that completely and consicley rips my face off. It's ok. I don't need my face no how. Finally, Nicholas. Sweet Nicholas. Watching and listening to him play is like watching a blind man paint THE most amazing painting you will ever see. How does he do it? I love the (sadly) incredibly rare times when I get to watch a musician simply lay their hands on their instrument and merge with the music. No effort. No calculation. No "now I'm gonna stick that one cool trick here and really show 'em". Simply sound at the speed of thought. Maybe just a few moments quicker. Forget vocabulary. Forget schooling and technique. I am now convinced that Nicholas Semrad is half man/half cyborg. His father helped found the R&R hall of fame, but I think that was just a front so no one would know the diabolicle work he was really doing. Allowing mastermind scientists to gently scrape out half of Nick's brain and replace it with a computer way beyond the scope of Windows Vista (Fuck windows). With this blindingly fast computer he is not only capable of knowing every note (all 12 of them) but how to use them in any configuration at any time, while maximizing the 'devastation factor' for any musicians who are listening and trying to keep up. Especially frustrating for us guitar players ("I can do that".....). Watching Nick is nothing short of what I think it must have been like to watch Thelonious. Bird. He has the gift of the giants. Thank god he's using it for good. I get so excited when I listen to this album. The order of songs. The dynamics. Tone. Fucking TONE. No fluff. No ego fucking it up. No overstated verbose jerk sessions. Simple brilliance. I do not mean to push for a big head or any shit like that.. I'm just doing my best to articulate what y'all have made me feel from this record. That's the beauty of it all. You are one of the most passionate and peaceful souls I've ever met. I don't worry about you ever getting caught up in the dissillusionment of 'rock star'. It is wonderful to be a spectator of this group. Weather y'all go huge, or just crank them out from Lancaster county, PLEASE... just keep cranking. I am bewildered by the flavors and dialects used in your music. It is a huge part of my life now, as it regularly gives me relief and a wonderful soundtrack to the ups and downs of life on this ball, with this human condition. Thank you for sharing your time, skills, and energy. At 6'4" and 240-ish... I may not be your biggest fan, But goddam... nobody loves you more than I. 'sep maybe your folks. ...and they could be jivin'! Peace and love JD Read More
Son of 76 and The Watchmen named best R&B/Soul of 2008 by Omaha Entertainment Awards
Jan 19, 2009 Posted By: Josh Hoyer
"Contemporary, vibey R&B-noir that wails, rocks, croons, shakes and howls. Funky, danceable music with fine original songs by soulful singer Joshua Hoyer galvanized by an accomplished ensemble of musicians." - from the OEA program. Thanks to everyone who supported us in 2008! Here's to an even better 2009. Cheers! Josh Read More
Join the Son of '76 E-mail List!!!
Apr 7, 2009 Posted By: Josh Hoyer
In order to better inform fnas of band happenings, we have started an e-mail list. Please send an e-mail to sonof76band@yahoo.com if you would like to be in the know for all things Son of '76. Thanks! Josh Read More
Son of '76 and The Watchmen nominated for Best Soul and Best Blues of 2009
Oct 28, 2009 Posted By: Josh Hoyer
The OEA's take place in January. We humbly accept the nomination amongst a cast of great bands. Cheers Omaha, and thanks to the fans! Read More
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