Or, the Whale April 17, 2008

With seven crewmen cleverly working the banjo, keyboards, lap steel guitar, bass, drums, three guitars and four-part vocal harmonies, San Francisco-based or, the whale is creating both sights and sounds to light the way for the disenchanted souls of todays placid alt-country/folk scene. By fusing the heart-wrenching reality of country music and the down-home, made-for-you-and-me honesty of folk with a tenacious, raspy rock sound, or, the whale is firing off a sound so undeniably infectious that feet, when in their presence, have been known to skip the middle man and start movin on their own. The Black Diamond Heavies are a trio based out of East Nashville, Tennessee. The music sounds like three gorillas on crack. Most of the material is original music, although covers are sometimes thrown in as tribute to gods, generals, heroes, and vampires such as John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Lou Reed and Tom Waits. The Heavies are a streamlined tour-ready outfit , and cannot be stopped. Don't even try .