Cracklin Moth

Shortly after Johnny Cash died, I went to Schubas to see a band called Cracklin Moth. One of the best kept secrets in the Chicago music scene, Cracklin Moth is a progressive alt-country band loaded with talent. During this particular show, vocalist Matt Ammerman played a song entitled Forever Song in memory of Johnny. The song and the band won me over in an instant and I remember thinking, “How has no one that I know ever heard of these guys?”

The song goes….

Let there be a forever Song
To be sung when I am gone
for you my love deserve this fame
that no one should forget thy name

Cracklin Moth released a superb EP called Redbird in 2004 that has found regular rotation in my play list. Forever Song didn’t end up on the EP, so my fingers are crossed for its appearance on the full-length album. Comparisons have been made to Wilco, M. Ward, The Jayhawks, and I can see similarities (although Cracklin Moth might not like this) to Ryan Adams and the Cardinals on Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights.

Band Members include: Matt Ammerman (vocals & guitar), Rocco Labriola (lead guitar & pedal steel), Shawn Rios (drums), and John Hasbrouck (bass). Ammerman is a talented songwriter with a unique sound and Rocco Labriola plays with a modesty that makes you wonder if he’s really as good as he sounds. A closer look and listen proves that he is.

Some songs to pay attention to on the EP (click to listen):

Badlands
Special
One Little Smile

Found on Matt Ammerman’s GarageBand site:

Forever Song (click to hear a really toned down version, home-recorded by Matt)

If you have $6 to spend, buy the Redbird EP and then check their site to see where they’ll be playing next. I’ll keep waiting for a Cracklin Moth show in the Bay area.