The Hackensaw Boys, a seven-piece Virginia group that plays traditional and original old-time inspired bluegrass executed with punk rock, will perform at Maxwell’s on Nov. 12.
For more than three years, the eccentric boys have been touring the East Coast, and recently performed with acts like Cake and as the backup band for Cheap Trick. They are enjoying an underground following much like Dave Mathews during the early part of his career.
Their array of rock music includes almost every genre, creating a full-blown attack on the senses during a live show. We recently caught up with the Boys’ frontman, Mahlon Hackensaw.
EM – Who came up with the name of the band, and does it have a relation to "Hackensack, N.J."?
MH – We all sort of came up with the name. I don’t remember exactly how it stuck, but it was one of those clever jokes [you know, to hack at a banjo and saw at a fiddle] that never should have, but did in fact, stuck. Many people believe that it bears some relation to Hackensack, N.J., but those people are wrong and are only humored when they are paying us.
EM – When did you form the band?
MH – If by "form" you mean, come together as a single-minded cohesive unit: that day has not yet arrived. If by "form" you mean begin making music together, I’d have to say sometime in the fall of 1999.
EM – Who are your influences?
MH – Musically, everybody from Bad Brains to Del McCoury, from Nirvana to Roscoe Holcombe. Generally, everyone from Arthur Rimbaud to Orson Welles, Sidney Tapscott to our grandparents. Most of the time we’re definitely under the influence of someone or something, but we try not to let it pin us down.
EM – Describe the band’s sound.
MH – The flippant response would be something such as: "like an overripe section of avocado left to rot on a paint-blistered front porch in the month of July." Really there’s no way to talk about or write about music. I can’t remember who said it, but he/she said that writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Mostly we just try to deliver good songs without the recourse to artifice. You will definitely hear a banjo, because when one is being played in a room it can’t be avoided.
EM – Why has the group stuck together?
MH – We thought it would be fun and we would make some money along the way. We were only half right. I think everybody in the Hackensaws always thought they’d end up in some sort of band because it’s always been their dream.
EM – What is your favorite time of year?
MH – Leap year, ’cause we get to jump up and down.
EM – What can people expect at the Maxwell’s show?
MH – Nothing short of a musical revelation. There will probably be beer for sale as well.
EM – What kind of feedback did you receive while touring with Cake and Cheap Trick?
MH – Mostly high-pitched painful bursts of feedback because we were very rarely given adequate time for soundcheck. That tour was particularly beneficial because we had the amazing experience of serving as Charlie Louvin’s backing band.
EM – Do you want to be on MTV?
MH – Absolutely. Whatever it takes to pay my rent.
EM – What are your plans for the future?
MH – I intend to finish the beer I’m drinking and then go lay down next to my beautiful girlfriend. Tomorrow I plan to sleep late and then breakfast heartily. As for the band, we’ll just take each day as it comes. We’d like to keep playing and will do whatever it takes and eliminate whoever stands in our way to achieve that goal. The fat is definitely in the fire.
The Hackensaw Boys will perform at Maxwell’s at 1039 Washington St. in Hoboken on Nov. 12 at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7. They will be joined by Idaho Red. For information call (201) 653-1703 or visit www.maxwellsnj.com. q