Wailing guitars and screaming Rock stars have their place in the hearts of many Americans, but they’re certainly not needed to make great Rock music. A quick listen to Hoots & Hellmouth will prove exactly that.
The boys of Hoots make music that may be different from what graces Top 40 radio, but it’s far from unique. They’ve fashioned their tunes after stuff we’ve listened to for decades. Their sound highlights Sean Hoots’ soulful voice and includes a collection of “traditional” instruments.
Just as importantly, though, Hoots and Hellmouth hasn’t earned fans by winning a reality show or making friends with the right people. Instead of taking the less scrupulous route to airplay, the band has opted to earn fans the hard-working American way: By touring extensively across the states. Those fans are loyal, too. In 2010, Hoots made history by landing a spot on Kickstarter’s Hall of Fame when their fans chipped in almost $24,000 to help pay for studio time.
Hoots & Hellmouth thanked their fans by giving them two releases, Face First in the Dirt (a four-song EP) and Salt (a full-length album). Both albums beautifully feature their Folk-y guitar picking, boot-stomping rhythms and simple but meaningful lyrics, which combine to create a warm, homey vibe.
If YouTube is any indication, H&H gigs are well worth their fans’ commitment.
HOOTS & HELLMOUTH perform Wednesday, May 23 at the Ballroom at the Taft Theatre. Buy tickets, check out performance times and get venue details here.
