The Knotty Pines

MEET THE KNOTTY PINES

The term "super group" gets thrown around a lot these days. It seems as though any time two or more people who used to play in other bands join forces and play together, they are instantly a Super Group. So, forgive us when we say The Knotty Pines are a real Western Swing Super Group. Featuring members of some of the West Coast's greatest Country, Western, Swing and Roots acts such as Ray Condo, Big Sandy and the Fly Rite Boys, Neko Case and Spirit of the West (to name just a few). Together they make some beautiful, high and lonesome music.

Finding such hyperbole hard to believe? Well, the proof is in the players, and that’s what The Knotty Pines have going for them: Let's start with three of the most sought after string benders in Vancouver, all of which front their own successful bands.

Hitting the ground running we start with Stephen Nikleva (guitar), one of the big brains behind The Knotty Pines, and a man with a guitar sound as big as all outdoors. For the past twenty years, has performed with a wide variety of artists and bands. He has toured North America, Europe and Japan with Sarah Mclachlan, Mae Moore, Veda Hille, Ray Condo and Sandy Scofield. These tenures have included TV appearances on Dennis Miller Show and Good Morning America as well as performances at The Lincoln Center and The Orpheum with the VSO.

Second of the big three is Mr. Jimmy Roy, a steel guitar player of wide renown and stellar abilities. Since the late 70's, Jimmy Roy has been a jewel in Vancouver's Roots music Crown, playing guitar and steel guitar with many a Rockabilly, Hillbilly and Western Swing band. Ever in demand, he has spent the last five years lending his considerable talents to LA's Big Sandy and The Fly-Rite Boys. Before that, for seven years, he was responsible for helping put the swing into Ray Condo's Ricochets. And even before that, he honed his chops with such legendary acts as The Yo Dells, The Five Star Hillbilly Boys, The Stingin' Hornets, The Dots, The Rockin Fools and Rocky Craig.

Finally, the "baby" of the band, a prodigy known far and wide as Paul Pigat (guitar, vocals), but perhaps better recognized as the lead man and guitar slinger for the wildly popular Hot Rod Rockabilly practitioners Cousin Harley. Due to his youth, Paul got a later start at music than his compadres in The Knotty Pines, even still, he has put in his time and paid up his dues for well into
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the next century. Since moving from Toronto to Western Canada in 1994, he has geetared it up in such acts as Carolyn Mark, Neko Case, Michael Kaeshammer and Mae Moore. His bands have opened for such great musicians as Taj Mahal, Joshua Redman, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Ottmar Liber, Big Sandy and his Fly Rite Boys and Aaron Neville.

Along with Stephen Nikleva, responsibility for the formation of The Knotty Pines can also be attributed to the matriarch of Vancouver's Roots scene, Linda McRae (bass, vocals). Where would we be without her? The answer doesn't bear thinking about. The fact is, she is here and we're all the better for it. For more than twenty years now, Linda has been a treat to the eyes and ears, from her early punk days through her stints in such bands as Terminal City, Bolero Lava, Herald Nix, and most famously, Spirit of the West. Needless to say, her music contribution to West Coast music has been indispensable. When not lending her considerable talents to The Knotty Pines, a music lover can find her fronting her own accomplished band.

Filling out the rhythm section is everybody's favourite sideman, Ed Goodine (drums). Ed has long been a fixture of any band that had a beat worth crossing a busy street for. In his time Ed has spanked the cans for a myriad of great acts, including Rang Tango, Murray McLaughlin, Rodney DeCroo, Wyckham Porteous and Long John Baldry.

This is what the real meaning of Super Group should encompass but when all is said and done, the words Super Group are essentially meaningless. What really matters is, is the actual music they make any good? The Knotty Pines, kudos and pedigrees and raw talent aside, make great music, Western Swing music. Music that will make you dance and laugh and cry and drink and ultimately tell all your friends about how you saw something truly special. And that, after all, is what it's really all about.

For more information including photos and song samples, please visit our website at www.myspace.com/knottypines