A high-energy string band from Wisconsin will play the Yacht Club.
By Lily Goodman
A lot of young people form bands in college, trying to both fulfill a desire to crank out some good music and, often, to become a part of the social and artistic scene that comes with it.
But then graduation comes around, and for most college bands, that means the members go their separate ways and are only being able to reminisce on the good times with the band. This is not the case, however, for Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, a self-proclaimed progressive, high-energy string band from Wisconsin, whose members, some seven years after graduation, aren’t just reminiscing — they’re still living it.
Tonight, they will add another chapter to their narrative, with a 9 p.m. concert at IC Yacht Club, 13 S. Linn St. Formed in 2010 in the college town of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades guitarist/vocalist Adam Greuel said the band members met through various circumstances, but it wasn’t until they were all standing in the living room of a house party with an array of acoustic instruments and some drinks that they realized their musical potential.
“Our chemistry together had always been friendly in nature, but when we all picked up instruments and started jamming, it was clear to us and everyone around that there was some kind of magic in the music we created together,” Greuel said.
Inspired mostly by rivers, valleys, good friends, and good drink, and deeply rooted in bluegrass, old-time, and folk music, the five band members continue to incorporate other inspiration and genres of music that have caught their attention, both collectively and individually, at least up till now. But one thing remains consistent in both their sound from the early days and where they are now: the use of acoustic instruments.
“The simplicity of playing music on acoustic instruments was attractive to us,” said banjoist Russell Pedersen. “No amps or other equipment to lug around — just a bunch of friends playing wood and wire and making music that felt right and real to us.”
It’s a good thing, too, that they don’t have to lug much around with them, because Horseshoes & Hand Grenades has been pretty busy traveling and performing. In addition to kicking off their 2017 tour in Iowa City tonight, the guys have taken third place at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s Band Competition in 2012, shared the stage with some pretty big-name bands, and released their third full-length album, Middle Western, in 2015, with another record expected out later this year.
Of course, they are thankful about their success.
“We’re grateful to be able to have a career in music,” Greuel said. “Anyone who is able to love their job is super lucky,”
As for the future, Pedersen put it simply.
“We’re going to keep being us,” he said. “We want to continue to enjoy each other, and the places, and people we meet along the way. Folks can definitely look forward to a couple records coming out in the near future, and we’ve got some sweet tours planned.”
Most importantly, Greuel said, the band members want to retain maintain the down-to-earth approach to making music and friendship that has gotten them as far as they’ve come.
“We just want to enjoy the ride and make sure people know that we appreciate their support,” he said.
So that’s what the Iowa City community should do; come along for the ride tonight at Yacht Club, because it’s definitely something they won’t want to miss.