The Pine Hill Haints: A Band Review

"Two, Three, Haints" is what you will hear at the start of almost every Pine HIll Haints song. Coming out of the "back wood" hills of Tennessee, The Pine Hill Haints have come a long way since their shallow beginnings. The band has reached a high popularity level not only in the regions of which they're from, but the nation and the world.

Anyone who is familiar with the Haints knows all too well their extraordinary unique style of music the group brings forth. The man behind the band, Jamie Barrier has been involved with music since he could walk. Now at approaching 30, he has become rather good at what he does.

The Haints are truly a rare kind of band. The members met through the chaotic world of skateboarding and in order to stay low key, they played acoustically in a graveyard. Their instruments alone are a sight, but when they come together and their music is created, it is an event to remember.

The band usually has one guitar, a snare drum, a wash board, and a bowed saw. Without a doubt, their most famous instrument however is the bucket, which has been played by a number of people over the years. The bucket, or washtub bass, is simply an actual metal bucket turned upside with a rope through the center, which is then tied to a broom stick that stands up. It is similar to a stand up bass and is played the same way. They actually created such an instrument due to the fact they could not afford a real stand up bass. Never the less, it has become a Haint's trademark and a crowd favorite.

They may appear to be almost like a bluegrass band, but do not be fooled. The Haints play covers from all kinds of music, along with their own stuff. They normally select music according to the crowd they are performing for. When playing for older, less wound up crowds, (normally at art galleries or restaurants) they play softer music and cover classics like Johnny Cash and Elvis, while putting their own little twists on them of course.

However, when they play at the wilder punk shows, The Haints take on an entirely different concept. At these, they have been known to play some extreme and fast shows, at least compared to performances at art galleries. They have covered bands at these shows such as The Misfits, Bad Brains, and even Black Sabbath.