Hairy Patt Band

The 1990's were a bit of a heyday for the Columbus music scene. Various outlets considered it one of the top underground music cities in the USA - if not the world. It was often on those "Next Seattle" lists. At the same time Columbus was embracing the initially belittling and inaccurate moniker of "Cowtown." I mean, I'm pretty sure there are more cows (and less rain) in Seattle than in Columbus. Oh, and let's face it, the next Seattle was the Internet.

One of the bands in the middle of that Cowtown scene - yet maybe also an outlier - was the Hairy Patt Band. A seedy Cincinnati transplant made up of Jason Drenik (acoustic guitar, vocals) and Joe Patt (percussion, vocals), Hairy Patt played a version of folk for the back alley, red light district stoner punk. An acoustic 2-piece amid the largely 4-piece electric guitar, bass and drum driven bands of the day was just part of Hairy Patt's "fuck convention" attitude, charm and curiosity.

Keep in mind, Jason's "acoustic" guitar was amplified and overdriven, mutating simple folk to anything from a twangy buzz to full-on Crazy Horse dissonance and noise. The caveman percussion included gospel hand claps, hoedown stomps, metallic kitchen clankers and whatever Joe felt like banging on. The vocals and lyrics channelled a nasty Tom Waits, a pissed off Arlo Guthrie, and the drunken pervert next to you at the bar. With all that maybe it's not so surprising that many a Hairy Patt live show climaxed multiple times on the verge of pure chaos. This from a single acoustic guitarist and a single drummer?!

While seeing the Hairy Patt Band live hasn't been possible in about 25 years, the duo's last full-length is getting the 'ol remix, reissue bonus track treatment. "The Hairy Patt Band Music" album was originally released on CD in 1997 on Burnt Sienna Records. Unfortunately, the band broke up just a few weeks after its release.

The vinyl-only reissue is backed by Justin Tesa (of Bob City) and GTRR. All tracks have been remixed by "Red Hot" Scotty Waters of Red Hour Recordings. It will also include the bonus track "Split Personality".