The Highballers

Rank #2 Washington, DC Americana / Alt Country / Rock

About

Members: Kendall Jackson/guitar-vocals; Victoria Patchen/vocals; Sean Lally/lead guitar; Drake Sorey/drums; and Mike Barrientos/bass

Sounds Like: The Sadies, Old 97's, Southern Culture on the Skids, X (the band), The Derailers

Label: Woodshed Records

Bio: Known for the marble facades, majestic domes and white mansions comprising its landmarks, Washington, DC is nonetheless a gritty, hardscrabble city built on a hot marshland and swamped in confrontational politics.

Like their home turf, the Highballers are as sharp dressed as any modern country a... See Full Bio

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Press

"Think that good, classic country music can’t originate from inside the Beltway? Well listen to The Highballers’ Soft Music and Hard Liquor and prove yourself wrong."

— Trigger Man, Saving Country Music

“In this sea of straight-laced politicos that is Washington D.C., there are those who row madly and melodically against the current. They aren’t afraid to turn up the volume and rock-country-style. They dare to let their suits shine and their guitars sparkle. ”

— Nida Masiulis, D.C. Music Download

“This is exactly the band you hope to stumble upon in some dive bar along the highways in the south. Except these guys are actually based in the nation’s capital.”

— Michael Doherty, Michael Doherty's Music Log

“The most captivating part of the Highballers’ sonic texture is Victoria Patchen, who adds harmony and backup vocals behind frontman Kendall Jackson’s twangy croon.”

— Catherine P. Lewis, The Washington Post

“The Highballers debut album Soft Music and Hard Liquor’s anachronistic-on-purpose sound is a healing salve for those who perceive corporate country to be anathema to the genre’s best respected and most organic roots.”

— Marcus Dowling, OnTap Magazine

“This is Americana rock music with great balladry with gutsy heart-worn-on-sleeve songs that do not head anywhere near pretension like many other post-Springsteen bands to remain nameless. There is a touch of Smithereens, John Doe, Sadies, and many other bands in the history of rock'n'roll here. ”

— David Hintz, DC ROCK LIVE

“The Highballers, are sitting on a brand spankin' new album of original songs that pretty much reflect that lifestyle. Soft Music and Hard Liquor is a collection of classic honky tonk, rippin' guitar, and subtle harmonies that work as much today as in the past”

— Todd Godbout, MyJoog.com

“Songs about hard-drinking, crime, sex, heartache and the seamier side of life comprise the core of The Highballers’ music. The band’s sweet savory harmonies meld flawlessly with the twang of Fender telecasters. The Highballers’ brand of country can’t be pigeon-holed into one type of sound; their music is rough and tumble and at the same time can be evocative and haunting. The musicians deliver gnarly blues as well as blazin’ get-out-of-town honky-tonk.”

— Lizzy Sherman, Peel Post

"(Victoria), You’ve been described as the “perfect fit” for The Highballers. In addition to having an incredible voice and “despite your perfectly coiffed appearance,” your band-mates say your sharp wit coupled with your ability to keep up with all the rough-edged guys in the group makes you ideal for the ensemble. When you and Kendall Jackson perform together you’ve been described as reminiscent of such classic duos as Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, and Exene Cervenka and John Doe."

— Lizzy Sherman, Peel Post

"But they all bring their influences together in a rousing set of honkytonk rock'n'roll. They call it country, but that does not really describe it...They exude a fun attitude as well and it is hard to enjoy this and not get pulled into the rhythm of it all. The crowd was enjoying the night, as many wanted one last night of their long weekend. The Highballers delivered the goods."

— David Hintz, DC Rock Live

"They said they had a low-down sound and that came out as gnarly blues rock--thick and deep with piercing lead guitar runs and dual male/female vocals...The second song moved into a psychobilly terrain which was not as fast as say a Gun Club, but had a nice Sadies feel to it...Fans of the really assertive roots bands like the Knitters or the Sadies will eat this music up. "

— David Hintz, DC ROCK LIVE

“All show a love for country music as well as for elements of punk, garage rock, rockabilly and other influences which they have blended into something that feels right for them and with enough twang to make it appeal to country music fans the world over. It's not the 50/60s retro fitted sound that some bands use. Rather it's a template that's been tried and tested right back to the early eighties and with numerous bands who took their lead from Rank 'n' File and Jason and The Scorchers, but one that is still valid. ”

— Lonesome Highway, Lonesomehighway.com

“The Washington-based Highballers -- (Kendall) Jackson, Victoria Patchen on vocals, Sean Lally on guitar, Michael Barrientos on bass and Drake Sorey on drums -- do their own version of country, which Jackson describes as "dirty country" -- the type he listened to growing up in New Orleans.”

— Katie Crowe, Frederick News-Post

"If Jackson writes great songs, the Highballers are the perfect band to play them...But it's also true that the Highballers are an exceptionally strong band. They are doing so well because they are all so good... The Highballers are a great band on the brink of wider success...Now is the time to see them live."

— Sean Carman, The Huffington Post

“Then I saw The Frampton Brothers, another Pittsburgh act, and was really wowed by the energy and creativity of the Midwest music scene (Oddly enough, Sean Lally, Highballers guitarist extraordinaire, was a Frampton Brother). Other than getting lost every time I drive through the city (so many bridges!), ”

— Hugh Twyman, hughshowsredux

“The east coast classic rock’n’rollers The Highballers are one of the first groups to release a record in 2013. Their new record “Soft Music and Hard Liquor” (release date January 12, 2013) reflects the roots of rock music. They rolled into the studio, filed into the sound room, set the 2-inch tape rolling, and let it rip. The album sounds like... them. A roots rock group with a simple, proven roots rock album strategy.”

— Thomas Vilms, Musiceum

“The Highballers embrace old-school country in their debut album. Lead singer Kendall Jackson's bourbon-smooth vocals and witty lyrics place The Highballers in good company with many of country's greats.”

— Rachel Cholst, Adobe and Teardrops

“Off their latest EP, Under Covers (released Jan ’12), this track combines everything that is serene and dark about country music. The pace is calm throughout, the riffs non-intrusive, so you get that classic country feel that you can swing on a hammock to. Yet, the lyrics themselves at times were both haunting and evocative, going into the depths and heartbreak of infidelity. There’s ying and yang in this song, which is admirable, and mirrors a similar sound to tracks by Lou Reed.”

— Clay Conger, D.C. Music Download

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Status

Fri,May 24, Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland - http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/the-highballerslawton-brothersmole-people/Event?oid=3559979

Songs

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Juneen

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Doing Time in Penns…

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A Cowgirl Who Under…

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Live to Let You Down

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The Price You Pay

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Videos

I Didn't Mean To Get Drunk Last Night - The Highballers

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Shows

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Fri
May 24

Beachland Ballroom
Cleveland, OH, US | 8:00pm
Beachland Ballroom
Cleveland, OH, US
Fri May 24 8:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

The Beachland Ballroom presents The Highballers (Kendall Jackson ex-Dirty Bottom Boys), The Lawton Brothers, and The Mole People Fri, May 24 | 9 PM (8 PM door). All proceeds to benefit Ohio Citizen Action, Ohio's largest environmental organization $10 Suggested Donation Tavern | All Ages 15711 Waterloo Rd Cleveland, OH 44110 (216) 383-1124
Sat
May 25

31st Street Pub
Pittsburgh, PA, US | 9:30pm
31st Street Pub
Pittsburgh, PA, US
Sat May 25 9:30pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
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Ex-Frampton Brother lead guitarist Link Sean Lally brings his high-power country roots rock band The Highballers back to the 31st St. Pub. On tour with their new album, The Highballers hit PIttsburgh with UK indie rockers Bessemer and Tex Railer's Doomtown. Tex Railer's Doomtown have hit ust about everywhere in the U.S. with their heavy-honky tonkin' sound that combines outlaw country, surf, roots, and good ol' rock n' roll.
Fri
May 31

The Bier Baron Tavern
Washington, DC, US | 9:00pm
The Bier Baron Tavern
Washington, DC, US
Fri May 31 9:00pm
Details

The Saddletones, Rock Boppin' Country Honky Tonk Rockabilly from New Jersey, and The Highballers (Alt Country, Americana, Roots Rock from Washington, DC) roll into The BIER BARON on MAY 31, 2013. The Bier Baron (formerly Brickskeller) is in Dupont near Embassy Row in Washington, DC. (202) 293-1885
Sat
Jun 1

Cary Street Cafe
Richmond, VA, US | 9:00pm
Cary Street Cafe
Richmond, VA, US
Sat Jun 01 9:00pm
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High-powered Country Roots Rock from The Highballers (from Washington, DC) along with Southern Gothic alt country/honky tonk from Richmond with The Vendors at Cary St. Cafe, Saturday, June 1, 2013.
Fri
Jun 7

The Black Cat Lounge
Fayetteville, NC, US | 8:00pm
The Black Cat Lounge
Fayetteville, NC, US
Fri Jun 07 8:00pm
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- Tickets
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LADIES 18+ are ALWAYS FREE!!! Men 18-20 are $20 Men 21 and up pay the standard cover charge for the night! DD"S Get Complimentary sodas or water all night!

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Synaptic Machines
Fun Vid in the back of a track in DC! Great harmonies! Greetz from another musical universe
LOST CITY BAND
Superb music TH !!! Great vocals and stellar instrumentation !!! Diggin' your songs, "Juneen" cool tune !! Peace, LCB/jeffrey
Al Gattone " ON...
" Blistered " & Streets Of Baltimore " A easy listen for me! Well done! Al Gattone " On Purrpose "
Pace Ride
Fabulous tracks!!!!Pure delight!!!!
Spirits Of Another Day
Sweet ! Peace from Sunny Detroit City <3
Arty Hill
Nice !