The Big Strong Men from Minneapolis are Philly Williams (keyboards, lead vocals), Ben Greenwald (guitar, lead vocals), Joe Silberschmidt (drums, background vocals) and Jon Camp (bass). Ben and Philly grew up together. They write the songs. Their writing styles are different but related. Their story is the epic bromance of the 21st century. Joe and Jon are a potent rhythm section and a duo of awesome creative force.

The Big Strong Men’s songs straddle the line between partying and resignation, bursting at the seams with ambivalence. It’s rock & roll primed for dancing but built for transcendence. People have said they sound like the Band, Ben Folds Five, the Cure, Herman’s Hermits, the Old 97’s, Phoenix, Steely Dan, They Might Be Giants, and Wilco. It depends on when you’re listening.

The band recorded a little EP called Don’t Go Too Far that was released November 2010. It was a little capsule of vintage rock and roll. Since then they’ve been on the road nearly constantly. Their sound has changed and they have changed. They are gas station experts, Mad Libbers extraordinaire, excellent amateur freestyle rappers, and absolutely obsessed with all of the incredible music going on in this here Middle West of the country. The Big Strong Men are recording a 7” record this fall and will make a full length early 2012.

What has 60 fingers and a bloody banjo? Blisteringly fast, hard foot stomping, unapologetic anti-grass…an amalgam of bluegrass and everything but the kitchen sink that is sure to, put a smile on your face, get you dancing and kick your ass all at the same time.

Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy is a high-energy “Brass ‘n’ Grass” sextet from Wichita, KS. The band, whose sound has been described as “…a stagecoach in overdrive”, has brought their eclectic blend of punk, bluegrass, and dixieland to packed bars, basements, and festivals across the US since their inception in the spring of 2007.

With a lineup of great musicians, the band’s live show is never the same twice. Brothers Jarrod and Zachary Starling provide acoustic guitar and drums/washboard; along with Dallin Bulkley on standup bass to round out the rhythm section. Garrett Briggeman adds to the energy with 5-string banjo, while Josue Estrada’s trumpet provides layers of jazz and Western to the sound. Tyler Grubb holds down double solo duties, playing both mandolin and trombone. This blend of influences and instrumentation ensures a unique and interesting show each night.

CNS plays hundreds of dates a year hitting 47 states and 5 countries. The band has built a dedicated following with their energetic live show and ability to fit on the bill with acts ranging from bluegrass to rockabilly; punk to ska. Breakneck mandolin solos melt into blaring trombone and trumpet lines, while the standup bass and feed-bucket-trap-set churn out driving rhythms that carry the force of a Kansas freight train.

Thoughtful songwriting that explores deeper, more interesting themes is what sets this band apart from the multitudes of acts content with singing about Whiskey and Women. From social satire to labor union songs to Civil War Ballads to existential journeys that explore life, death, despair, and indulgence, CNS’s songs will provoke thought, incite riots, and lure your children into a life of travel and debauchery.

With 2 original LP’s (2010 Self-Titled, 2013 Hatchetations) and 1 split EP ( 2012 Liberty, Solidarity, Responsibility w/ Cletus Got Shot), CNS has built a repertoire of original songs that continue morph with the progression of the band. Another 2017 full-length is on the horizon that will prove to highlight the band’s musical growth, and maturity of writing.

The band’s DIY mentality is shown through their self-recorded albums, self-published music, self-booked tours, and a community of local and regional visual artists that show the band’s distinctly grassroots approach. CNS has been pounding the highways and byways of this great country for 8 years now, bringing their songs and stories to thousands. Always providing a high energy, drink’em down atmosphere to any place they play, CNS has proven a dedication to their live shows with a solid understanding of what entertainment really means.