John Train

With songs that reflect a twangy, melancholy, country stride encased within a folksy, bluegrass rhythm, John Train, a Philadelphia quintet, holds to its integrity and doesn’t have to be loud and brassy to become heard. Choosing its moniker in the renowned Phil Ochs’ pseudonym in the ’60s and ’70s, the music group began developing in 1995 when Jon Houlon (songwriter and vocalist) fulfilled Mike Brenner (dobro and electric guitar), who was simply playing for Low Street and Marah. The duo began playing gigs around Philadelphia and produced their initial cassette tape, All your Tales, early in 1996. While starting for Burn off Witch Burn off, the duo fulfilled Steve Demarest (bass) and Costs Fergusson (mandolin) who had been playing for the Witch. The four became a member of skills and, while playing gigs, also documented the group’s second cassette with Joseph Payne, world-renowned traditional organist, who was simply the daddy of a pal. In 1997, Jay Ansill (fiddle), previously with Flying Seafood, became a member of the group. After regularly playing gigs in the Philadelphia region, John Train documented it’s first recording, Angels Turned Thieves, with all tracks compiled by Houlon. The Record Cellar label released the recording in-may 1999. The recording included thought-provoking favorites such as for example “Atmosphere of Gettysburg” (which produces a feeling of peaceful desperation) and “Trains Rollin’ By.” For documenting this recording the quintet known as on Freyda Epstein (viola), Tag Schreiber (percussion, drums), and Rosie McNamara (violin, history vocals) to become listed on them. Long-time friend, Peter Humphreys, do the mastering. Through the summer season of 1999, John Teach performed at Appel Plantation Folk Fest. Record Cellar released John Train’s sophomore recording, APPEARS LIKE Up, in Oct 2001. The name echoes through the past due Richard Farina’s publication Been Down SUCH A LONG TIME It APPEARS LIKE Up if you ask me. Once again reflecting Houlon’s lyrical and specialized songwriting ability, tracks like “Misery Enjoys Business” and “Do You COME ACROSS Your Bitterness Truthfully?” draw out John Train’s solid and practical method of music. Tag Tucker (acoustic guitar) became a member of John Train because of this saving, and Peter Humphreys once again did the understanding.