San Diego Reader

Chris Thile: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Mandolin, Vocals | Chris Eldridge: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric) | Paul Kowert: Bass guitar | Noam Pikelny: Banjo | Gabe Witcher: Fiddle

Genre: Rock

RIYL: Nickel Creek

Upcoming Local Shows

Discography

Synoposis

Influences: Radiohead, Nickel Creek

Background:

The Punch Brothers featuring Nickel Creek’s Chris Thile have been referred to as a “string-band version of Radiohead.” They released their album Antifogmatic in June, 2010. The record debuted at number one on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.

Antifogmatic is named after a type of 19th century alcoholic drink that was meant as a cure for the effects of fog and other inclement weather. Of choosing the title, Thile says “Antifogmatic is an old term for a bracing beverage, generally rum or whiskey, that a person would have before going out to work in rough weather to stave off any ill effects. This batch of tunes could be used in much the same way, and includes some characters who would probably benefit mightily, if temporarily, from a good antifogmatic.”

The band also includes Chris Eldridge (guitar), Paul Kowert (bass), Noam Pikelny (banjo), and Gabe Witcher (fiddle). They headlined the International Bluegrass Music Museum’s ROMP Bluegrass Roots and Branches Festival, held June 23 to 25, 2011, at Yellow Creek Park, just outside Owensboro, Kentucky.

Banjo player Pikelny released a solo album in October 2011, Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail, featuring guest player Chris Thile (Nickel Creek, Punch Bros) on mandolin.