Churchwood is an avant-blues quintet from Austin, Texas known for its poetry-driven lyrics,[1] high-energy performances,[2] and eccentric approach[3] to making blues-based rock and roll.[4] The lineup consists of Bill Anderson (guitar), Joe Doerr (vocals, harmonica), Adam Kahan (bass), Billysteve Korpi (guitar), and Eric Bohlke (drums).[5]

Churchwood
Churchwood at the Carousel Lounge Austin, Texas (2019)
Background information
Origin	Austin, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock, blues rock, experimental rock, post-punk
Years active	2007-present
Labels	Saustex Records
Members	Bill Anderson Joe Doerr Adam Kahan Billsteve Korpi Eric Bohlke
Website	www.saustexmedia.com/CHURCHWOOD.html

Musical and lyrical style and influence

Churchwood's musical influences are wide-ranging.[6] The band's self-proclaimed "dystopic blues"[7] style belies its reverence for the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, and other blues masters; however, many critics suggest that musical risk-takers like Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, Tom Waits, and Nick Cave are of equal importance to Churchwood's sound.[8] Much like his published poetry,[9] Doerr's lyrics reflect an interest in French Symbolism, Literary Modernism, Surrealism, and Beat Poetry. His themes are largely existentialist in scope: absurdity, anxiety, alienation, passion, individuality, and authenticity are his primary concerns.[10]

History

Churchwood formed in 2007 in Austin, Texas and signed with Saustex Records in 2010. Churchwood has released five records on the Saustex label: the eponymous LP Churchwood (2011), an EP Just the Two of Us (2012), the band's sophomore LP Churchwood 2 (2013), 3: Trickgnosis (2014),[11] and most recently Hex City (2016).[12]

In 2016, original drummer Julien Peterson left the band to pursue other interests; he was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Eric Bohlke of Austin's Khali Haat in the spring of 2017.

In 2011, Churchwood placed "Rimbaud Diddley"[13] on Season 4, Episode 4 ("Una Venta") of AMC's "Sons of Anarchy."[14]

Discography

• Churchwood—Churchwood (Saustex, 2011)
• Churchwood—Just the Two of Us (Saustex, 2012)
• Churchwood—Sample This: Saustex 2012 Sampler (Saustex, 2012)
• Churchwood—2 (Saustex, 2013)
• Churchwood—The Saustex Variations (Saustex, 2014)
• Churchwood—3: Trickgnosis (Saustex 2014)
• Churchwood—Hex City (Saustex 2016)
• Churchwood—Plenty Wrong To Go Awry (Saustex 2020)

References

External links

• Churchwood at All Music
• Churchwood at Saustex Media
• Churchwood at Reverb Nation
• Churchwood "I Have a Devil in Me"
• Churchwood "Duende (Live at The Hole in the Wall)"