Vandoliers at the Raccoon Motel -- June 20.
Thursday, June 20, 6 p.m.
Raccoon Motel, 315 East Second Street, Davenport IA
Touring in support of their fourth full-length recording, a self0titled release that The Musical Divide called "the kind of tight, fun album that's easy to enjoy" as well as "their best album yet," the alternative-country and cowpunk musicians of Vandoliers headline a June 20 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, with 2022's Vandoliers also inspiring Holler Country to deem the group "a band of remarkable agility."
Vandoliers was formed in 2015 by Joshua Fleming, following the dissolution of his Fort Worth-based punk trio The Phuss, and an eye infection that left him nearly blind for eight weeks. During his recovery period, Fleming discovered The Marty Stuart Show and the similarities between punk and country, and wrote the material that would go on to become the Vandoliers' debut album, 2016's Ameri-Kinda, during a fit of inspiration one weekend. With help from The O's producer John Pedigo Fleming put together a Dallas/Fort Worth supergroup featuring members of well-known local folk and metal groups Whiskey Folk Ramblers, Vinyl, Revolution Nine, and Armadillo Creek, and rounding out the pair's Ameri-Kinda demos.
The following year, Vandoliers signed to State Fair Records, and in October of 2016, the label re-released the album. Its follow-up, The Native, was recorded in the same studio where Willie Nelson made Red Headed Stranger, and released in May of 2017. The album is noted for ushering in a cowpunk resurgence, leading to Vandoliers shows and tours with the likes of Reverend Horton Heat and Old 97's. 2019 saw the band release its third album, Forever, via Bloodshot Records, its first for the label, and the recording was supported by extensive touring, including co-headlining dates with Cory Branan and an opening slot with Lucero.
Following 2020's pandemic-slowed year -- which saw the sale of Bloodshot Records, and the band's subsequent departure from the label -- Vandoliers re-grouped to record its fourth LP. A self-titled recording, Vandoliers was also self-released under the band's own newly-formed label Amerikinda Records. In the months leading up to its release, the band toured with Flogging Molly, including during their annual St. Patrick's Day celebration in Los Angeles, and beyond lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist Fleming, the outfit currently consists of: Cory "Round Up" Graves (backing vocals, keys, trumpet, bass, harmonica), Dustin Fleming (electric guitar, pedal steel); Trey Alfaro (drums, percussion); Travis "McFiddlesticks" Curry (fiddle); and Mark Moncrieff (bass).
Vandoliers performs their Davenport engagement on June 20 with an additional set by Eli Howard & the Greater Good, admission to the 6 p.m. concert is $22.49, and tickets are available by visiting TheRaccoonMotel.com.
