The DEFiBULATORs have emerged as one of the most engaging live acts from the thriving roots scene in Brooklyn, NY – melding bluegrass, rockabilly, honky-tonk, and punk into their own eclectic sound.
“Roots-heavy, post-punk music that reinvents the conventions of country music with a CBGB’s-meets-Grand Ole Opry feel.”
-Crawdaddy
Erin Bru – Vocals, Triangle
Bug Jennings - Vocals, Banjo, Rhythm Guitar
Roadblock - Telecaster
Metalbelly - Washboards, Harmonica, Percussion
Smitty The Giant Fiddler - take a guess
Freddy Epps – Upright Bass
Mike Riddleberger - Drums
Download the Defibulators Media Kit
.jpg "The Defibulators - Ambulance")
Likened to watching “Hee-Haw on mescaline”, The DEFiBULATORs wield an arsenal of guitars, banjos, fiddles, and junkyard percussion, with relentless energy and virtuosity. The DEFiBULATORs jump-start new life into vintage country music and deliver a unique sound that’s anything but old timey. Razor sharp harmonies by Bug Jennings and Erin Bru, along with dark and surreal lyrics, illuminate songs that are gritty and witty; spinning tales of deception, debauchery, depleted bank accounts, fanaticism, vintage firearms, biological anomalies, airline intoxication, and animal ennui.
Though the band formed in NYC, its members hail from all corners of the country. Singer/banjoist Bug Jennings and washboard/harmonica player Metalbelly were both raised in Ft. Worth TX, only to be accidentally reaquainted years later in Greenwich Village’s Washington Square Park. Meanwhile, singer Erin Bru drifted over from Los Angeles, Smitty the Giant Fiddler was being dairy fed in Wisconsin, and a trio of east coasters would eventually round out the group. Lead guitarist and Hoboken native, Roadblock initially met Jennings while working at a Manhattan bbq joint, finding a shared obsession of classic country music music. Fellow Garden state-er Mike Riddleberger was later recruited to play drums, along with Philadelphia bassist, Freddy Epps. The band cut it’s teeth on classic bluegrass and rockabilly tunes, learning hundreds of standards and obscurities, gigging relentlessly in NYC, while peripherally writing the original songs that would eventually comprise Corn Money.
Produced by John Hill (SANTIGOLD, DEVO) and Terrence Bernardo (TAXI TAXI), mixed by D. James Goodwin (MURDER BY DEATH, CAMPHOR), and mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, The DEFiBULATORs’ debut full-length album, Corn Money is making waves in the world of alternative country. Heavily praised upon it’s release, Corn Money was citied as “a fantastic, fantastical debut” (Melophobe) and “a brash, bold, trend-setting accomplishment” (Honest Tune) See More Press. Corn Money is available now for download on itunes, amazon, napster, emusic, and other digital music sites. Hard copies of the album can be ordered exclusively through this website’s online store or at live shows.
They have placed their songs in feature and short films, television, and online productions. Most recently placing two tunes in the independent feature film, THE DRY LAND, currently in theaters. They also composed original music for, SKIPTRACERS, ROADTRIP NATION, NFL FLMS, among other projects. The DEFiBULATOR’s self-published their very own 24-page Coloring Book, tour in a 1977 Dodge ambulance, and proudly serve as the house band for THE REJECTION SHOW at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in NYC.
The band enjoys authentic BBQ, afternoon badminton, and bourbon on a bearskin rug.
Likened to watching “Hee-Haw on mescaline”, The DEFiBULATORs wield an arsenal of guitars, banjos, fiddles, and junkyard percussion, with relentless energy and virtuosity. The DEFiBULATORs jump-start new life into vintage country music and deliver a unique sound that’s anything but old timey. Razor sharp harmonies by Bug and Bru, along with dark and surreal lyrics, illuminate songs that are gritty and witty; spinning tales of deception, debauchery, depleted bank accounts, fanaticism, vintage firearms, biological anomalies, airline intoxication, and animal ennui.
Though the band formed in NYC, its members hail from all corners of the country. Singer/banjoist Bug Jennings and washboard/harmonica player Metalbelly were both raised in Ft. Worth TX, and reunited accidentally years later in Greenwich Village’s Washington Square Park. Meanwhile, singer Erin Bru drifted over from Los Angeles, Smitty the Giant Fiddler was being dairy fed in Wisconsin, and a trio of east coasters would eventually round out the group. Lead guitarist and Hoboken native, Roadblock (aka. Chris Hartway) initially met Jennings while working at a Manhattan bbq joint, finding a common obsession over classic country music music. Fellow Garden state-er Mike Riddleberger was later recruited to play drums, along with Philadelphia bassist, Freddy Epps. The band cut it’s teeth on classic bluegrass and rockabilly tunes, learning hundreds of standards and obscurities, gigging relentlessly in NYC, while peripherally writing the original songs that would eventually comprise Corn Money.
Produced by John Hill (SANTIGOLD, DEVO) and Terrence Bernardo (TAXI TAXI), mixed by D. James Goodwin (MURDER BY DEATH, CAMPHOR), and mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, The DEFiBULATORs’ debut full-length album, Corn Money is available now for download on itunes, amazon, napster, emusic, and other digital music sites. Hard copies of the album can be ordered exclusively through this website’s online store or at live shows. Heavily praised upon it’s release, Corn Money was citied as “a fantastic, fantastical debut”(Melophobe) to”a brash, bold , trend-setting accomplishment” (Honest Tune) See More Press.
They have placed their songs in feature and short films, television, and online productions. Most recently placing two tunes in the independent feature film, THE DRY LAND, currently in theaters. They also composed original music for, SKIPTRACERS, ROADTRIP NATION, NFL FLMS, among other projects. The DEFiBULATOR’s self-published their very own 24-page Coloring Book, tour in a 1977 Dodge ambulance, and proudly serve as the house band for THE REJECTION SHOW at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in NYC.
The band enjoys authentic BBQ, afternoon badminton, and bourbon on a bearskin rug.
