SPIN.com Artist Of The Day

Dead Confederate

December 10, 2007

Dead Confederate / Photo by Skylar Reeves

Who? Hailing from a combination of Georgian cities (Atlanta, Augusta, Athens), John Watkins (keys), Jason Scarboro (drums), Brantley Senn (bass), Hardy Morris (guitar/vocals), and Walker Howle (guitar) create the guitar-driven retro rock of Dead Confederate. Having already shared stages with the likes of the Black Lips, Deerhunter, Yeasayer, and Dinosaur, Jr., DC’s self-titled EP care of the Artist’s Organization (TAO) arrived last month; a studio full-length is expected in 2008.

What’s the Deal? Though the band is pinned as producing the same kind of indie rock aesthetic à la My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses, Dead Confederate dabbles in darker shades than their compared predecessors. From the raspy, unrestrained shrieks of “The Rat” and the psychedelic guitar wail on the vivid “Tortured Artist Saint” to the intimate acoustic layers of “Memorial Day Night,” Dead Conferdate echo the Drive-By Truckers’ bittersweet southern rock angst with the smoke-heavy swagger of the Black Angels. Although southern Civil War soldiers may remain six feet under, Dead Confederate’s sincere versatility drives home that rock’n’roll is damn well alive and kicking.

Fun Fact: During his freshman year of high school, vocalist/guitarist Hardy Morris sat at the same lunch table as guitarist Walker Howle — that equals a total of 180 lunches. Howle, however, insists that he doesn’t remember his future bandmate even existing. Morris tells SPIN.com, “I thought we were friends.” SAMANTHA PROMISLOFF

~ by Andrew on December 17, 2007.