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ABOUT: Philpot sprouted from a flower shop in Dugger, Indiana (pop. 955), a town without a stoplight. In this blink-and-you'll-miss-it rural setting a couple of hours southwest of Indianapolis, Philpot front man Kentz Ward toils by day among the blossoms and, by night, is joined by his five band mates, who grow their, by turns, rocking, bluesy, and emotive music inside the musical laboratory of the shop.
Hard rocking but melodic, Philpot is anchored by Caleb Smith and Josh Kennedy’s deeply layered wall of guitars, AJ Boone's ambient keyboards, and the propulsive rhythm section of Arthur Ready and Tyler Evans. Kentz Ward’s growling vocals -- and brooding, pugilistic (yet hopeful) -- lyrics complete the tapestry.
Philpot first shook up the music scene in late 2004, with a head turning 3 AM set in front of celebs at a ritzy New York City night club owned by the members of Velvet Revolver and Fuel. The show created a buzz in the New York City media. Equal parts eagerness, confidence, naïveté -- and balls -- compelled the band to drive uninvited to Manhattan that night in the pouring rain and demand the owners give them the stage
A great New York story, especially for rocker wannabes from the boroughs, but Philpot (then teens) had come 800 miles from rural Indiana; a place checkered with farms and abandoned coal mines.
Since forming in 2000 on the way home from a concert, Philpot has recorded three albums. The latest, Hate Writes Better Than Love, (Toucan Cove /Universal Records) speaks well to Philpot’s musical evolution. HWBTL is a distinct amalgamation of the band’s roots, influences and unbridled talent, one that unleashes itself full throttle in their epic four hours shows in Indiana.
The story behind the new record fits this homespun American story like a glove. In 2006, a Los Angeles A&R executive from Toucan Cove journeyed the southeastern Indiana back roads to a Philpot show at the Ooodle Inn in Switz City, a gin mill/roadhouse worthy of a Tarantino film. Barely detectable on a GPS, the motto at the Oodle is “Walk In, Waddle Out.” Philpot stumbled out that night with a record deal.
This band has balls, and the musical prowess to back that up. Together they have penned nearly 200 songs in the flower shop. 2007 has seen them perform with Snoop Dogg, Kings of Leon, The Sick Puppies, Days of the New, and Seven Mary Three. Television appearances include CBS News. NBC News, Fox TV, and PBS. Their music is featured on The Speed Channel (Fox/NASCAR). NFL.com, The N (MTV Networks), and ESPN.
Hate Writes Better Than Love, was produced by Bill Klatt (Days of the New, QOTSA, Sneaker Pimps) with Philpot singer Kentz Ward. In late 2007, with typical DIY/Indiana bravado, the band sent an MP3 of “Girls Don’t Know” to the UK, and BBC Bristol threw it on the air immediately.
On its My Space page, Philpot has accumulated more than half a million plays. There the band asks its fans “Are You Ready For The Revolution”. Are you? Listen.
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PRESS:
“Mighty catchy, nicely twangy.”
BBC Bristol Uncovered
"Bizarre punk-blues-raga rock. A band this great in a location that obscure would usually toil in sad obscurity. But this band deserves a shot, especially since the Brian Jonestown massacre dropped the ball."
JR Taylor, New York Press
“Full-bore, no-frills, gut-punch rock, full of snarling guitars and singer Kentz Ward's raspy, classic rock howl.” All Music Guide
"I have jock ear. I feel like I did when I encountered Freddy Mercury or The Beatles." Joey Reynolds, WOR Radio
"These kids play kick ass rock and roll with a technical virtuosity that is nothing short of astounding. Kentz Ward is the most charismatic front man since Axl Rose and Kurt Cobain." Zink Magazine
“Tight chops, fresh and memorable melodies and choruses, never guilty of rehashing their predecessors.”
Illinois Entertainer
“…riffs that check everything from Guns N' Roses to Led Zeppelin in Stooges-styled distortion…Philpot ensures rock isn't dead.” Aversion.com
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The band's story: In their own words...
April 22nd of 2000 Kentz, Josh and A.J ( kentz's cousin) decided to start a band. Josh was Kentz's younger brother Brock's best friend so Josh and Kentz knew each other very well and their friendship had grown from that. A.J who at the time was living in ILLINOIS came down mostly on weekends to be with the band. Josh had taken guitar lessons since he was around 7 years old and A.J had began playing piano at a very young age also. Kentz would write the lyrics.Josh and A.J the music. The band practiced for a few months added a drummer and a bass player (who were both later dissmissed) recorded 2 songs in N-ville TN and played their first guig in their home town of Dugger IN. Philpot was the name thought to call the band after an orange shirt Kentz's grandmother had snagged from a democratic convention around the Hammond area. The orange shirt read Philpot in bold blue letters. After about a year or two of playing together the bass player got sacked and the drummer as well. The bass player was replaced by Tyler Evans who lived close to the band in a town called Linton. Kentz's brother Brock heard of Tyler's bass skills and told him Philpot was looking for a bassist. Tyler came to one practice and was immediately added to the band. A few months later the band decided to add another guitarist. Caleb Smith was in a rival band from Linton(although Caleb him self was from Dugger) called Partisan. Caleb had always been good friends with Josh Kentz and A.J. so they decided to step the bands sound up a notch and ask him to join. Caleb gladly agreed and began practicing and writing with the band. Philpot now had a great rhythm section but was in desperate need of a good drummer. Kentz began asking around at a party one night in Sullivan if anyone knew of any drummers in the area that would be interested in joining a band. The parties voice erupted with one name " Arthur Ready , Arthur Ready". The band got Arthur's telephone number ,gave him a call, and arranged a practice. Everyone in the band was very impressed with Arthur's playing and wanted him to join. Arthur, being in three other bands at the time was a little hesitant to swear his loyalty but eventually became full time with Philpot and quit the other bands. Philpot has now become a team of great friends. They have recorded an 8 song album in N-ville TN, opened up for Travis Meeks of Days Of The New, and traveled to New York many times to play their music.
Kentz Ward 21 • Caleb Smith 19 • Josh Kennedy 19 • Arthur Ready 21 • Tyler Evans 20 • A.J Boone 19 | |
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