The Skinny: Emerging Washington, DC folk-rock collective The Deadmen, debuted their latest 7″ “Crystal” recently with The Four Oh Five. Already championed for their commitment to substance in songwriting, “Crystal” and the release’s B-Side “Sunday Afternoons” will further remind us that popular music can indeed have a soul. You can also download it digitally on iTunes, Amazon and most of your other favorite download sites.
The Deadmen consists of Josh Read (guitar/vocals), Justin Jones (guitar/vocals), Justin Hoben (guitar/vocals), John Hutchins (bass) and Mike Smirnoff (drums). Although the three primary songwriters (Read, Jones and Hoben) all cut their teeth on the same DC stages, they come from vastly different origins. While Jones was raised in rural Virginia and Hoben drifted from New England, Read hails from South Africa. This unique mix of backgrounds is reflected in their differing writing styles. And yet, the three compliment each other to stunning affect; painting an American landscape of clattering thunder, gentle rains and shards of light.
