Stiff Whisker and the Driftwood Kids

Though you might run into any of the five members of Stiff Whisker and the Driftwood Kids in Ellsworth area businesses, gardens, and construction sites during the daytime, when the sun goes down, the instruments come out of their cases and this eclectic band of twenty-somethings comes together as musicians.

Ross and Matt formed the nucleus of the band back in the winter of '05 after one of those fabled chance meetings at a get-together. But a drummer and a guitarist/vocalist do not a band make - not even if the vocals remind you of days spent listening to Pearl Jam and the drumbeat brings a little bit of Africa to the Western World. Nick came along about year after and added his substantial skill with the electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. The band landed repeat gigs at Parker's in Ellsworth. There they met Suz and Gibb who often rocked open mic' nights with soulful vocals flavored with just a hint of Joplin and folk acoustic guitar accompaniment. Thus was born Stiff Whisker and the Driftwood Kids.

Calling Stiff Whisker and the Driftwood Kids an "acoustic rock" band is like calling full-grown Rottweiler "Mr. Tinkles," the name just doesn't fit. Powerhouse vocals from both Ross and Suz, and the unique tribal flair of Matt's Djembe (a tribal drum with origins in West Africa,) the folk rock that is their staple is turned into "tribal acoustic folk funk." It's a genre they made up to fit their style and fit it does.

The most striking thing about the band is its sheer virtuosity. Last time at Parker's, they belted out Springsteen, Tupac Shakur, and Gnarls Barkley before pulling the rug out from under everyone and with an incredible rendition of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" that sounded like it was fresh out of the electric chair - in a good way! The band members also write original tunes like "A Little Less Bitter," and my personal favorite "The Right Thing," six of which will be on their upcoming debut CD, available for purchase soon on their MySpace page and at area businesses.

In addition to regular plays on the 102.5 The Peak's radio show "The Tavern," and winning the station's Unplugged contest (earning Ross and Matt the privilege of opening for Foreigner and Bryan Adams at the Augusta Civics Center last July,) the band is a regular at Ellsworth area hot spots such as Calypso and Parker's and will headline the Acadia Music Festival at Smuggler's Den Campground in Southwest Harbor on September 6^th. They also recently had the honor to be the last to play at one of their favorite venues, The Lazy Moose in Southwest Harbor, on August 15^th before it closed its doors for good.

For details about all of their live shows, their upcoming CD release, tee-shirts and other goodies, or to inquire about private shows, contact Stiff Whisker and the Driftwood Kids through their MySpace page (www.myspace.com/stiffwhiskerandthedriftwoodkids).