The thing about Athens rockers Bloodkin is that they (Daniel Hutchens on vocals and Guitar, Eric Carter on guitar and backing vocals, Aaron Phillips on drums and William Tonks on guitar, Dobro and backing vocals) are not blood relatives. Though Hutchens and Carter may as well be: The pair met as 8 year-olds growing up in West Virginia.
The band, with two-and-a-half decades of history and 14 albums to its name, inspired the likes of Widespread Panic. But also very nearly crashed and burned. “There have been personal demons to tame, real tragedy to endure, and a very uphill battle to keep their creative relationship intact,” says the band’s bio. They were named “Band of the Week” by Paste in ‘09, in a story that highlighted some of the band’s low points, but also its phoenix-like rise from the ashes (as accounted for in Bloodkin’s aptly-titled ‘09 album, Baby, They Told Us We Would Rise Again). It’s a story with a happy ending.
Well, not really an ending, because Bloodkin is still rocking. The band’s active Facebook page showcases dynamic posters and photos from recent shows at Charleston Pour House and The Big Tex in Decatur. Watch a video from that St. Patty’s Day show here:
Bloodkin plays Asheville Music Hall on Saturday, March 30 at 10 p.m. $10 in advance or $12 day of show. Xpress will give away a pair of tickets through Facebook on Friday in the noon hour.
Photo by Ian Rawn.
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