Inside scoop:

A gang of unapologetic rockers, American Drag is a kicking live band from the San Francisco Bay Area with songs to match. The band drops classic rock attitude on a modern sound, electrifying audiences with tried and true song craft and fearless performances since forming the group in 2004.

The band's self-titled debut (2005) tracks the human spirit’s struggle in Americana— the “American Dream” turned “American Drag.” In a modern-classic landscape of hard-edged roots rock and electronic textures, front man Will Evankovich casts his bittersweet narrations with a timber reminiscent of Chris Robinson (Black Crowes). Lead guitarist Jason Thwaites walks on the fragile edge of lyricism and anti-technical dissonance while bassist Joseph Shaughnessy locks in the bottom end foundation to compliment the melody of the music to which Monroe Grisman’s subtle harmony vocals are set against his crunchy rhythm guitar.

2006 saw American Drag incorporate their newest members: nationally renowned trench-cutting drummer Alan Hertz and extraordinary piano/keyboardist Eric Levy both of whom come from the critically acclaimed jam band Garaj Mahal. Bassist Joe Shaughnessy explains, “Will and I had toured with Hertz before. He just kills it. And Levy’s a super deep player. It’s a great hang and it just clicked right from the get-go. During our first show together the audience started singing so loud that Will just stopped and let them take over. That was a really good sign to us!”

2007 has the band with it’s newest members, in the studio recording 15 brand new tracks for their 2nd album now tentatively titled “Out of the sky”.  In between the sessions Alan has completed tours in Europe and South America with fusion rock guitar hero Scott Henderson’s blues band, while Will has recently been recruited to perform in a trio with rock veterans Jack Blades (Night ranger/Damn Yankees) and Tommy Shaw (Styx/Damn Yankees) on their national acoustic “Influences” tour backing them on guitar, mandolin, bass and vocals.

American Drag’s members have all performed together in various combinations over several years: making records, playing clubs and theatres, climbing in and out of vans across the US and in Europe. American Drag continues to gain new fans via online, radio and with their explosive live show.

Now with the band firmly established on the local SF scene, AD will embark to launch their new music on national and international stages with their next album.

It’s music with substance: 

And today, Marin's great musical tradition continues with a dynamic local band called American Drag... I suggest you catch their live show now, because they're about to rocket through the stratosphere. Rodger Cambria/ Spin (writing for The News Marin)

These boys rock steady, in a way that's been forgotten by most of today's so-called alt-rock bands. R.V. Scheide/ North Bay Bohemian

Background in prog, power pop, and grunge translates to big melodic riffs that turn on a dime, and   when they bring it out to the edge of the cliff, it’s clear: These guys can fucking play. 

Richard B. Simon / Relix Magazine

2007 North Bay Bohemian readers poll award recipients for “Best Local Rock Band”

Websites: www.AmericanDrag.net   OR   www.MySpace.com/AmericanDrag

Contact: info@americandrag.net