Country Punkin’- Drag the River’s John Snodgrass

While it’s possible to have too much of a good thing, it can never be too cheap. Drag the River posted a “name your own price” promotion to download their catalogue at whatever price you desire.  “Those records were in the black, so why not?” says front man John Snodgrass. “They are all at set prices now. Anywhere from $1 to $8. Depending on how much they cost to record.” Old dogs can learn new tricks. In this digital age of failing record labels, Drag the River took a page from the Radiohead and Trent Reznor playbook and went straight to the fans.

The band is made up of long time punk rockers, so that immediate connection with fans is just part of who they are. It’s part of their musical heritage. Snodgrass has been the man behind the mike with Armchair Martian and Chad Price has fronted the Southern California band All for close to 20 years. Coming from the long touring days of punk rock, selling 7” and CD’s to fans, the lack of a physical product is a bit odd to Snodgrass. “It seemed weird at first but I feel fine with it. An LP is worth more though with sentiment and actual value. So now they are even more priceless.” With that said, bands who are able to take these steps toward holding the reins of their own digital distribution find themselves with a new autonomy and relevance.

Snodgrass is feelin' it

Lately, the band has been trying to get together to write yet another record, which they have not done for some time. “(We) finally have everyone’s schedule in a place where we can track for 4 days straight. Then see what we have and do more. It’ll either be the start of a record or not.” Never at a loss for material, the ever-writing and recording band has demos on their website from previous sessions.

It’s been mentioned before, but there is a strange connection with punk rock and country music. Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss of Throw Rag and Circle Jerks have been doing it for a few years now, but Drag the River picked up the acoustic guitars and started writing drinking songs and tales of heartbreak long before. Do old punks make better country music? “I think some of them do and some don’t. I guess the ones who always made good music still do. I never considered myself as playing real punk music or real country music, to be honest. It’s all just music.” Fair enough. The members of Drag the River have always made good music, punk or otherwise, and show no signs of stopping.

Drag the River is playing Thursday, 2/9 at Luigi’s Fun Garden with Kepi Ghoulie, Vic Ruggiero

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