Under 21 with Guardian

The incredible harmonies and distinctive arrangements of The Jayhawks set
them apart from the rest of the Minneapolis music scene that emerged in the
1980s. Over the course of almost 4 decades, 11 albums, countless memorable live shows and enough personal drama to fill a couple of Behind the Musicepisodes, this beloved band soared to heights few ever achieve while winning the hearts and minds of numerous critics, fans and peers in the process.

After releasing 2 Indie albums in the 80s, The Jayhawks had become a driving force and inspiration behind the growing Americana movement in the early 1990s. Combining the talents of singer - songwriters Gary Louris and Mark Olson, The Jayhawks released their major label debut, the acclaimed Hollywood Town Hall (1992) on the Def American label.

This was followed by Tomorrow the Green Grass (1995), which produced the alternative radio hit single “Blue.” When Olson left to pursue a solo career, Louris singularly took over the songwriting role in The Jayhawks creating the band’s enduring sound on some of their best selling and well-received albums including Sound of Lies (1997), Smile (2000) and Rainy Day Music (2003).

Louris continues to write and tour with the longtime core group of Marc Perlman, Karen Grotberg, and Tim O’Reagan. While the touring line-up has changed over the years and Olson briefly reappeared in 2010 to record and tour, this classic lineup maintains a commitment to excellence and forward motion in their shows and in their recordings. Paging Mr. Proust (2016), was produced in Portland with Peter Buck and Tucker Martine and found the band moving in several new exciting directions. The band's 10th studio album, Back Roads And Abandoned Motels, was released in the summer of 2018, featuring Jayhawks versions of songs Gary Louris had previously
written with other artists plus 2 new compositions.

In July 2020 The Jayhawks released their latest album,XOXO, that features songwriting and lead vocal contributions from all 4 core members. The Jayhawks have made music in 4 different decades and are as vital now as they were in 1985. They definitely have earned their reputation as a true American treasure.

https://www.jayhawksofficial.com/

Honeywagen has no past written about them -- not really ... But ... since forming in the Kansas City area in 2000, they've been playing American rock 'n' roll with a unique brand of high-powered pop. The quartet of Mike Penner (voices, guitars), Scott Christensen (guitars and vocals), Bill Ryan (bass and vocals) and Matt Swigert (drums) are taking steps to "gain some measure of achievement." They've recorded a couple of CD's distributed by Kool Kat Musik and have wreaked "powerpopdemonium" all over the Midwest in places like Wichita, Omaha, and Chicago. The songs "So Sad" and "Life Goes On" have received some radio play in the States and overseas in Spain and Germany. Honeywagen has had some fine shows at places they are and aren't known. Christensen is a "wickedly great" guitar player from a time-warped 60's/70's universe, slinging a Custom shop Telecaster, Gretsch Tennessean, or Jerry Jones Neptune Shorthorn through a Vox AC15 TBX and mind blowing vintage effect pedals. Ryan slings a vintage Fender Bass as if the instrument was easy to play that good, and Penner sings and plays with an energy reminiscent of a rabid dog howling at the moon (in a good way of course). Behind them all, Matt Swigert keeps the beat with authoritative aplomb. Penner, Christensen, Ryan and Swigert all grew up in the Midwest with British Invasion, American Rock, New Wave and Punk influences. Inspired a lot by English rock, they picked up instruments and formed a band. Through it all, Honeywagen weathers on like always, rockin' every night they get the chance

http://www.honeywagen.com/