Review by Tony Arata
Junkyard Angel
When: Sat., Oct. 24
Used, abused, and rhinestone-infused … that’s how the guitar-strumming Brothers Marshall (Stewart and Jim) refer to the music, style, and soul of their Peach State twang-rock band Junkyard Angel. With strong ties to UGA, the Marshalls regularly traverse the corridor in East Georgia between the Savannah lowcountry to the Athens foothills and back. Stewart (pictured) is best known in both towns as one of the two frontmen in the roots-rock veteran act Stewart & Winfield (alongside Winfield Smith). Other members include lead guitarist and banjo player Scotty Rahn, drummer Joe Ippolito, and bassist Scott Tanner. The sextet recently released a full-length studio album titled Medicine Jar on the Cedar Hammock Records label. The melodic, slow-drawl collection of tunes draws from The Eagles, Steve Earle, The Jayhawks, and Uncle Tupelo — with a very healthy dose of vintage outlaw country and Willie Nelson. They bring their peachy music to Sullivan’s Island this Saturday. — T. Ballard Lesemann
Savannah Morning News
Emily Goldman | Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Junkyard Angel, a local group fronted by Stewart Marshall, of the southern rock band Stewart and Winfield, will play at Grayson Stadium before the Sand Gnats vs. Hickory Crawdads game Saturday.
When Junkyard Angel got together more than five years ago, they were more focused on the party than the music. Now, after the release of their first album, making original lowcountry music is their only goal. Junkyard Angel will play a tailgate-style show in front of Grayson Stadium prior to Saturday's Sand Gnats vs. Hickory Crawdads baseball game. Loosely a mix of Steve Earle and The Rolling Stones, Junkyard Angel's front man Stewart Marshall calls its music "used, abused and rhinestone-infused." Marshall, known for his work in Southern rock band Stewart and Winfield, described Junkyard Angel's first album "Medicine Jar" as old-school country. "If you listen to it you can hear elements of bluegrass in there and a lot of pedal steel," Marshall said. Scotty Rahn, lead guitar and vocalist, penned the majority of the songs on the album including "Ludowici Speedtrap." Most of the members of Junkyard Angel have spent more than 20 years performing music in pubs and clubs in the Southeast. When Junkyard Angel started off playing gigs at local venues like O'Connell's Irish Pub - now a Paula Deen gift store on Congress Street - the band was only a side project. With the average age of the band members pushing 40, Junkyard Angel's music is coming of age. "I listened, the other day, to some old tapes from O'Connell's. You could hear more drinking in the background than music," Marshall said, noting how the band has evolved. "It's really a matter of taking a stronger look at the song, rather than just getting up there and beating the instruments."
But a band who stole their name can't take themselves too seriously. The name Junkyard Angel was taken from another local musician, Marshall said. While playing together at Sandfly's Driftaway Cafe, Marshall and musician Jeff Beasley tossed around ideas for band names. Marshall recalls Beasley saying: "I've got a perfect name, but you can't use it." Beasley tossed out Junkyard Angel, gleaned from Bob Dylan's "From A Buick 6" song. The name fit the group's sound so well, Marshall couldn't resist claiming it. "Our music has ethereal sibling harmonies over a honky-tonk salvage yard full of grand ole Southern American music," Marshall said. "We had to take it, the time was right."
Athens Banner-Herald | 6/25/2009
11th Hour, Statesboro, GA Critic's Picks- Junkyard Angel, March 27 @ French Quarter Cafe "As the name suggests, these guys are about that particular attitude in southern rock and country, that Johnny Cash, Woodie Guthrie "wrong side of the tracks" growling and sound. With these guys, it isn't just about losing the dog and the horse, but here the horse ate the dog, got run over by the tractor, and then the tractor got it's gears jammed with a guitar. Imagine Hank Williams with painful hemmorroids and it sounds about the same." March 2009
Savannah Connect - Junkyard Angel: This gritty, “Cosmic American” roots-rock sextet has a fairly distinguished Savannah/Athens pedigree — featuring members of Stewart & Winfield, The Park Bench Trio and more. They trade in the best kind of wine-soaked No Depression clichés, and those who appreciate the woozy, pedal steel-glazed ennui of vintage Steve Earle, Jayhawks or Gram Parsons records will find this group’s well-chosen covers and bittersweet pastiches of classic rock and roadhouse country hit the spot. Listen & Learn: myspace.com/1junkyardangel. 21+ only w/ID. Fri., 11 pm, Locos (downtown) + Sat., 10 pm, Fiddler’s (River St.). August 6, 2008
Savannah Connect - Junkyard Angel: With members drawn from notable groups on both the Savannah and Athens alt.country scenes, this gritty, "Cosmic American" roots-rock sextet has a fairly distinguished pedigree. Lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist Stewart Marshall made a name for himself in the late '90s as one of the leaders of the nationally touring "Y'allternative" band Stewart & Winfield, and other members have done stints in The Park Bench Trio, Remy Zero and other established acts. Their sound is a slow-cooked goulash of wine-soaked No Depression clichés (which in this context is a positive rather than a negative). Those who appreciate the woozy, beleaguered, pedal steel-glazed ennui of vintage Steve Earle, Jayhawks or Gram Parsons records will find Junkyard Angel's well-chosen covers and bittersweet pastiches of classic rock and roadhouse country a fine complement to a cold beer and a momentary twinge of regret for a lost love. Listen & Learn: myspace.com/1junkyardangel. 21+ only w/ID. Sat., 11 pm, Locos (downtown). April 22, 2008
Savannah Connect - Junkyard Angel: This group seems to play rather infrequently, which probably has something to do with the fact that their members are split between Savannah and Athens. With a handle straight off of Highway 61 Revisited, and a loose and caterwauling way with Cosmic American covers like Neil Young’s “Cowgirl In The Sand”, Townes Van Zandt’s “Waitin’ Around To Die”, and Uncle Tupelo’s “Give Me Back The Key To My Heart”, it’s no wonder the rip-snortin’ combo anchored by Stewart & Winfield’s Stewart Marshall and his younger brother Jim (of Backwoods) describes their setlist as “Used, abused, rhinestone-infused tunes.”
Much like their obvious touchstones Dylan, The Dead and The Stones, theirs is the province of the joyously sorrowful. Also along for the ride: guitarist Scotty Rahn, ace Bloodkin bassist David Nickle and —at times— pedal steel guitarist A.J. Adams. This gig finds them jamming unexpectedly at one of the area’s best kept secrets, a laid-back marina restaurant with a great view of the water. Sat., 3 pm, Bonna Bella Yacht Club (2470 Livingston Ave.). December 19, 2007
Savannah Connect - Junkyard Angel: Free show by a regional group (whose members hail from Savannah and Athens) plays reverent interpretations of soulful classic rock-style tunes based around country and blues. Their vibe is a mixture of Rolling Stones posturing and The Drive-By Truckers’ studied red clay grit. Featuring members of Stewart & Winfield. Sat., 1 pm, Bonna Bella Yacht Club. May 9, 2007
NOVEMBER 1, 2006
Connect Recommends
BY JIM REED
2nd Annual Rock The Dock Fest w/Bobby Lee Rodgers, Junkyard Angel
Despite the fact that the frontman and songwriter of The Codetalkers lives in Savannah, it’s extremely rare that either Bobby Lee Rodgers or his band play a local gig. In the past few years, the only chance folks in this area have had to catch their critically-acclaimed take on jazz and jam-influenced pop and rock has been courtesy of the Savannah Music Festival, which booked the group a few times back when they were augmented by the legendary avant-fusion guitarist Col. Bruce Hampton (of the Aquarium Rescue Unit). Meanwhile, guitarist and banjoist Rodgers —who’s gigged with the likes of Grammy-nominated blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin and Widespread Panic and The Dead guitarist Jimmy Herring — graced the stages of Bonnaroo, Vegoose and other large, eclectic music fests.
Now, the former Berklee College of Music professor plays a rare duo show (backed by Codetalkers drummer/percussionist Tyler Greenwell) to benefit this church’s Youth Group Outreach Program. Also on the bill is Junkyard Angel, a great roots-rock combo made up of both Savannah and Athens-based players, featuring the well-known singer/songwriter Stewart Marshall (of Stewart & Winfield fame). Tickets are $10 and refreshments will be available. Audience members are encouraged to bring chairs to this outdoor show. Sun., 5 pm, St. Thomas Episcopal Church (Isle of Hope) - ALL-AGES.
Article from AthensMusic.net October 22, 2005 @ Gus Garcia's - Junkyard Angel is the newest honky tonk project featuring Stewart Marshall (Stewart and Winfield) on vocals and guitar, his brother Jim Marshall (Backwoods) on guitar and vocals, David Nickel on bass, Rick Williams on drums and vocals, Scotty Rahn on lead guitar and vocals. Maybe Carlton Owens on the drums? Maybe AJ Adams on the...who knows what? What can't he play? It is a lot of old school country and rock that is drawing on the likes of Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, The Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers.