PW Long

After PW Long disbanded his group of backwoods hillbilly punkers Mule, he grabbed the Jesus Lizard's drummer, recruited a new bassist, and Reelfoot was formed. Their first release, entitled We Didn't See You on Sunday, stripped down Mule's sense of whiskey-soaked country into a more acoustic realm. Often thrown into the same arena as Jon Spencer for his gruff shrieking, crunchy chords, and love of American music, PW Long eschews the blues route in favor of one draped in country and R&B, and he's not afraid to use the bass, either. Long's lyrics of deserting dogs, suicide, schizophrenia, heartbreak, and of course drinking, are some of the most washed-up, strident vocals since Leadbelly got out of Shaw State Prison. On the newest Push Me Again, he employs a fuller, laid-back sound that shows Preston W.'s kinship with the great soul-shouters.