Tim Platz: Guitar and Vocals-
Matt Borkenhagen: Pedal Steel, Lap Steel, Dobro, Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals-
Tom Bowmer: Bass-
Patrick Friedman: Drums, Backing Vocals
Influences
Sounds Like
The War Between the Guitars
By Hiya Swanhuyser
Published: January 2, 2008
"Remember when only 50-year-old gray-haired dudes played pedal steel guitar? Those days are over, friends. Youngsters around the country have applied themselves well, resulting in bands like the Civil War. Tim Platz, the lead singer, sounds like David Crosby on a young day. The rest of the band (Matt Borkenhagen, Tom Bowmer, and Patrick Friedman) also drinks deep from the 1970s hippie-country well, but includes folk icon Odetta and the queen of country drama, Neko Case, in its list of influences. Some songs start out like the Paris, Texas soundtrack, and wind up in Devil Makes Three territory, while others just ramble comfortably from the barn to the bar. It's a rough but sincere sound, smoothed out with that sweet, sweet pedal steel." -SF Weekly
The Civil War hails from the Bay Area cities of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. Beginning as an acoustic duo, the group grew into a quartet consisting of vocals, drums, bass, rhythm guitar and a member who alternates between lap steel, pedal steel and electric guitars. Influences include artists like Neil Young, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Jerry Douglas and Neko Case. While working from a basis of rock, the sound blends countrified twang with vocal harmonies that range from sweet to ominous, always maintaining a certain edge. Live shows can cover a spectrum from raucous to family friendly.
Hey Tim! This Andrew, I'm not sure if you remember me, but we met on the bus in SF about two months back. I told you I'd check out your music, and you directed me towards your myspace. Well, I did check it out, but I just didn't comment because I didn't have a myspace then. Cool music! Keep it up, gonna have to say The Chair is my favorite.
Patrick/Tim, Just got home from study group, and friends asked how the BBQ was yesterday. I said, "Great, I played badminton with alt-country rockers" then we reviewed the guts in the abdomen. Good to see you guys yesterday!
Hi Civil War, so today the news van pulled up because there was some horrible story going down, and the newshead with a mic was interviewing students on campus to get reaction about this incident, but it turns out the bad news went down @ MERRITT Jr. College. Not Samuel Merritt College. Talk about a PR nightmare, right? They were seconds from airing live from the wrong campus. Morons!
Anyway, I downloaded the EP/LP whatever-P to my iTunes and it is GOOD. Who sings on that 5th track? It's not Tim? If I can't make it on Friday know I'll be there in spirit. Rock faces.
Remember when we went to see Pinback and I wouldn't tell you who they were or what they sounded like before we went? Well, if we were in Copenhagen I would not tell you anything about this band but take you to their show too.
