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Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper with Van Hayride with Van Hayride

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After playing live together since 2008, Sasha Dobson, Norah Jones and Catherine Popper have at last taken their collaboration into the studio. No Fools, No Fun – their debut album – which was released on July 15 by Blue Note Records. The trio, known as Puss n Boots after flirtations with such monikers as Fangbanger, Dixie Fried and Shitstorm, will continue to support the album with a new round of concert dates this Fall.

Led by front man Jack Grace, Van Hayride is an adventure in classic rock gone honky tonk. Grace’s twist on everything from (you guessed it) Van Halen to Black Sabbath to even a little Barry Manilow is nothing short of witty and engaging fun for your ears.

Puss N Boots

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Artist Bio

After playing live together since 2008, Sasha Dobson, Norah Jones and Catherine Popper have at last taken their collaboration into the studio. No Fools, No Fun – their debut album – will be released on July 15 by Blue Note Records. The trio, known as Puss n Boots after flirtations with such monikers as Fangbanger, Dixie Fried and Shitstorm, will continue to support the album with a new round of concert dates this Fall.

Recorded at Studio G in Brooklyn with engineer/mixer Joel Hamilton, No Fools, No Fun includes five original songs – two each from Dobson and Popper and one from Jones – and seven spirited cover tunes, all culled from Puss n Boots’ live repertoire. The 12-song collection takes its name from the lyrics of “Bull Rider,” a Rodney Crowell song made famous by Johnny Cash. “Bull Rider” is one of three album tracks that Puss n Boots recorded live in June of 2013 at The Bell House. Over the years, they have also performed at the Bridge School Benefit, played stadiums with the Beastie Boys on the “Get Out The Vote” tour and joined Wilco onstage at Madison Square Garden, singing background vocals on “Jesus, Etc.,” a song that Puss n Boots interprets on No Fools, No Fun.

“We had talked about recording for a long time. A listen to the live recordings of one of the Bell House shows gave us a kick in the pants,” says Catherine Popper. “The record is a snapshot of what we do, warts and all.”

“‘Down By The River’ is one of my all time favorite Neil Young recordings and I've always had this fantasy of playing it and rocking the guitar solo,” recalls Norah Jones. “I never really thought I'd have the guts to do it, but that's sort of what this band has always been about, trying new things. We always egg each other on, whether it was Sasha playing drums, or Cat singing an original song for the first time on stage.

“We have always thrived on our live performance. We rage onstage,” says Sasha Dobson. “It’s exciting to think the positive energy that’s created from this band could reach beyond a small club in Brooklyn.”

Similar Artists:

Rodney Crowell, Neil Young, Norah Jones, The Little Willies, Dolly Parton, The Pistol Annies

Van Hayride

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Van Hayride was originally conceived in the early 21st century as a countrified David Lee Roth era only, Van Halen tribute band. The band got weirder, playing around the NYC roots music scene, occasionally with Norah Jones sharing the bill. Jack Grace, the consummate front man, strutting his belly with pride in a onesy rock outfit, once enjoyed a peanut fight with Jimmy Fallon at one show, while riding along with his changing cast of NYC's elite sidemen.

David Lee Roth was working as an EMT in NYC and not in Van Halen at the time, he had sent word that he heard good things and was planning to see the band. A few months later, David Lee Roth released the bizarre, "Strummin' With The Devil", country versions of Van Halen songs... coincidence?

David Lee returned to Van Halen sometime after and Van Hayride disbanded as David was back to singing our favorite VH songs.

Van Hayride has reformed to search for good times and to cash in on the public's obsession with classic rock. The band is working on expanding beyond the Van Halen repertoire and venture in to Black Sabbath, Metallica, AC/DC, Barry Manilow or anything else that strikes their fancy (including more original material about classic rock).

Van Hayride can sound Country or just plain strange, amusing is really the focus these days.

Jack Grace's original music can be heard in the Warner Bros, cult classics, "Super Troopers" and "Beerfest". He tours constantly and has shared the stage with Merle Haggard, Doc Watson and when he played with Jerry Lee Lewis, Lewis remarked, "He sounds like that Cash kid, but good"

“NYC someday will brag about its great legends of country music, that’s right we said country, and among those names will be the engaging, hardworking, witty, and schmoozin’ and boozin’ Grace.” — Village Voice.

 

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