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CONTRABAND COUNTRYBAND - EPK

WHAT DO Y'ALL SOUND LIKE?

"Merle Haggard with Jimi Hendrix sitting in"

"Dwight Yoakam meets the Flaming Lips"

"Creedence, Willie, Waylon and Johnny Paycheck, with a little Iron Butterfly added for spice"

NEWEST RELEASE - STOPGAP SOUVENIERS - 2025

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

Contraband Countryband is a 21st century cosmic honky-tonk band. Beginning as a studio project for leader Jared Nelson's more "singer/songwriterly" material, the band has evolved into a potent live act with a reputation for getting audiences grooving. Playing originals rooted in country and rock tradition, but often with touches from classic hard rock and psychedelia, in addition to a range of classic and obscure covers ranging from Merle, Waylon, and Ely to the Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa, and Ornette Coleman, Contraband Countryband present a heady mix of grooves and dynamics intended to straddle the line between barn dances and underground rock clubs.

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Jared Nelson grew up on Fir Island at the delta of the Skagit River in northwest Washington. As a child, Waylon, Willie, Emmylou, and other country music were mainstays in the Nelson house, but as a teen Jared was more keen on Led Zeppelin, Sonic Youth, and the Velvet Underground. It was as an 18-year working on a salmon fishing boat in SE Alaska that Jared began his true appreciation for country music.  

L to R: Jeff Jackson (Bass), Bowie McLean (Drums), Simon Henneman (Lead Guitar), Jared Nelson (Guitar & Vocals)

After serving as a lead guitarist and songwriter in Seattle rock bands since 2000, Jared Nelson recorded the first Contraband Countryband album, I'm Dressed Like a Bullfighter on the Inside  with friend and future Wah Wah Exit Wound collaborator Dave Webb (Moon Letters, Everything's Oscillating, Spacebag, Girth). Shortly thereafter, Jared formed a live band which has featured a changing line-up of musicians pulled from Seattle's progressive underground music scene. Emphasizing feel above tradition, the combination of Jared's sturdy songs and his band's unique approach results in an exciting update of traditional American music. 

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The current line-up features Simon Henneman (Diminished Men, Authentic Luxury) one of Seattle's busiest and most respected guitarists and composers. Simon has been playing lead with CBCB for 10 years and and produced the 2020 album, ALL NIGHT PARTY.

 

Bassist Jeff Jackson has played with Seattle underground legends Kled for nearly two decades and holds down the low-end with primitive blues-rockers Duwamish Head and occult psychedelic metal band Kitsune.

 

Drummer Scott Adams has performed in Seattle for over three decades in groups on guitar, accordion, and drums, including collaborations with the Monktail Collective and albums under his own project, Birds May Bite.

Looking for and working on the groove (Photo: Karin Nelson)

PRESS PHOTOS

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WHAT ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?

Willie Nelson & Family

Merle Haggard & the Strangers

Waylon Jennings & the Waylors

Jerry Jeff Walker

The Lost Gonzo Band

Doug Sahm

Joe Ely

Jimi Hendrix

Sonic Youth

Paul Westerberg

Frank Zappa

Julian Cope

Neil Young

Flaming Lips

Steve Earle

Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys

Ornette Coleman

Dwight Yoakam

Chance

Hank Thompson

Ray Price

WHERE HAVE YOU PLAYED?

 Seattle  

  • Darrell's Tavern

  • Tim's Tavern'

  • Southgate Roller Rink

  • Flight Path

  • The Skylark Lounge

  • ​The Kraken Bar & Lounge​

  • Blue Moon Tavern

  • Lucky Liquor 

  • Slim's Last Chance 

  • Tractor Tavern 

  • Sunset Tavern 

  • (Old) Funhouse 

  • (Old) Comet Tavern 

  • Jewelbox Theater @ the Rendezbous

  • ReBar

  • Drunky's Two Shoes

Washington/Oregon

  • Montesano Moose Lodge (Montesano)

  • ​Black Dog Cafe (Snoqualmie)

  • Checkerboard (Spokane)

  • Whistlin' Jack's (Naches)

  • Twisp River Alehouse (Twisp)

  • Sessions Lounge (Eugene)

  • Dehn Bar (Salem)

  • No Fun Bar (Portland)

  • Logger's Landing (Quilcene)

  • Whistling Post (Skykomish)

  • Evelyn's Tavern (Clear Lake)

  • Treehouse Cafe (Bainbridge Island)

 

 Festivals and Fundraisers  

  •   Music in the Park (Skykomish, 2019, 2022)

  •    SoPaSuPa (South Park Summer Party, 2022)​​

  •    Rat Patrol & Pistol Packin' Mama's Spring Opener (Georgetown, 2017)

  •    Music is the Best Fest 2 (Seattle, 2017)

  •    Phi Tau Fraternity - Dad's Weekend (Pullman, 2016)

  •    Fruitstock (Vashon Island, 2011 & 2013)

  •    Slow Food Roots Music Festival (Stanwood, 2011)

  •    Youth Development Fund Charity Fundraiser (Seattle, 2011)

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