If you go to Back Wine’s Facebook page, they sum themselves up better than I ever could: “We were/are in other bands, now we’re in this one.”
One listen and you’ll know why this powerful trio sells out shows without even really trying. Miranda (Drums/ Vox), Jeff ( Vox/ Guitar) and Jay ( Bass/ Vox) are local favorites with more street cred than their affable personalities and easy dispositions belie. Hip without being hipsters, the group pulls of being a trio with ease. Any musician worth their salt knows that having 3 people on stage leaves little room to miss a chord, skew a note or skitter on a beat, and the musicianship found in Black Wine is second to none. Representing the orphaned children of Dinosaur Jr. (who visit Sebadoh on weekends and holidays), the sound the band creates shows why listening to good music in your formative years is so very important for songwriting.
And while they wear their influences proudly on their sleeves, they are anything but derivative. Black Wine taste like good run-around-the-yard-in-bare-feet-in-the-summer-sun-fun with notes of starry-eyed whimsical alternative 90’s nostalgia and pleasantly sweet distortion layered throughout. Check out their latest release, a 7” entitled “Dark Energy,” issued on Don Giovanni Records. It’s sticky sweet and will stain your lips before going right to your head.
You can come with me to SEE THEM TONIGHT at my favorite venue dedicated to original Alternative/ Rockabilly/ and Punk bands, The Asbury Lanes. And don’t pretend like you’re all fancy and pull a wine glass out of the cupboard. You’re gonna want one of those oversized mugs you usually use for tea when you pour yourself some of this fine Black Wine. Drink up!
XOXO
Ang
