We are THE GRAIN HOPPERS
© 2022
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The Grain Hoppers have concocted an irreverent cocktail of REM, Neil Young, and the Replacements in their folk rocking-est moments with a splash of Daniel Johnston.
Overflowing with emotional energy, they welcome you into their sometimes serious, sometimes humorous pop-garage-rock world where battles are waged with anxiety, deals are made with the Devil’s son, Mountain Dew addiction warps your mind, and white guys aren’t allowed to play the Delta Blues.
Don’t just take a sip- knock it back! That pleasant sensation will hit you before you know it.
"DRIVING EVIL SPIRITS CRAZY" LP
Release date: June 2022
the VIDEOS
I can't hear you. I can't hear you.
Here comes that sinking feeling again...
What if the Devil had a son who wasn’t
exactly the brightest flame in the hellfire?
Our hopes and dreams are with you.
We are THE GRAIN HOPPERS
Wallace’s latest music pop-up is the Grain Hoppers.
His new batch of tunes didn’t quite fit the template for any of his other groups- nowhere near the post-punk somber jangle of the Silent Boys, missing the punk angst and sarcasm of the Shattered Hopes, and too smooth for the rough and tumble indie rock Steam Train Hearts.
Realizing that these songs needed a sturdy backbone, the first thing Wallace did was reel in the veteran, power-packed rhythm section of Blee Child (Steam Train Hearts) and Michael Click (the Silent Boys).
New tunes require new tones, so Wallace began searching for a lead guitarist with a background including indie rock, punk, and country but excluding jam bands. When told of these requirements, drummer-about-town Blee blurted, “Grant”.
Grant Oliver fit the “versatility” bill, having played in an indie rock group, a country ensemble, and an “X” cover band. Furthermore, he could spin a web of melody and deftly shift gears from chaotic to angelic. With Grant in the mix, the “perfect storm” for brewing ear bending music for pop addicts was now in place.
We are the Grain Hoppers …….. because that’s the best ride when hopping freight trains.
"We can easily recommend anything/everything Dietz and his associates release. Refreshingly honest and resilient, his albums (the Silent Boys) could make people of all ages fall in love with music all over again." "While listening to Dietz's music we get the distinct feeling that these guys are making music first and foremost because that is what they enjoy doing. They don't seem the least bit interested in jumping on bandwagons or trying to ape current artists and that is, perhaps, why (Dietz) music comes across sounding so refreshingly genuine and real."
~ LMNOP / BABY SUE
"Fish gotta swim, singer-writers gotta… hop trains fulla’ grain, adding addictive Americana accents to the superb standout “That Sinking Feeling” (it produces the opposite effect), with lead licks out of old Buckaroos or Wynn Stewart platters! Plus there’s jollies in “I Promise to Be Good Santa” and the rather curious “Daniel Johnston Says (The Mountain Dew Song).” You dew you!"
~Jack Rabid / BIG TAKEOVER MAGAZINE
"Such a great blend of folksy, blues-fueled, garage rock sounds. Production and musicianship are top-notch and the songwriting is exceptional as well. 'Rise Above' was my personal favorite out of the bunch, but 'The Mountain Dew Song' was just so damn melodic and catchy... that's another winner for sure! Some killer guitar licks sprinkled in throughout the record, too! Very impressive effort here..."
~Jon DeLange / TINDERBOX MUSIC
"Some really strong songs, and one of the things really shining out is the honesty of this music. No bullshit, not trying to be trendy or fit into any niche genre, just real music with feeling. Man that guitar solo on the Mountain Dew song is a stunner! Clarence White vibes. Definitely going to be right up there with one of my favorites of the year."
~Richard Farnell (bassist) / THE SUNCHARMS
