Music made for you
Bunco Kelly's sound is built on the foundations of American music: rhythm & blues, country and rock. They have performed at many of Portland's top venues, receiving raves from musicians and fans alike. Their new CD "How It Came to Be" has appeared on the local charts for several weeks.
Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Erik Gerding, lead guitarist and vocalist Morgan Pintarich, and bassist Harley Cowan make up the core of the band. They are joined on drums and percussion by David Bertman and joined on lap steel and rhythm guitar by Harley's brother Tim. The beautiful voices of Carrie Macca and Jennifer Lynn can be heard on stage bringing harmonies and a touch of (much appreciated) class to the band's music.
MusicfestNW Review
by Willamette Week
09/14/2001
All right, we had to sit through the gawd-blasted "swing revival" -- so when can we be treated to a popular craze for some actual good stuff? Bunco Kelly's reimagining of the slung-back honky-tonk of Johnny Horton, early Willie Nelson and about a thousand truck-stop juke favorites circa '58 desrves wider celebration than it's ever likely to receive. The public, man, just has no taste. But you, friend, I'm sure you buck the dull boundaries of convention. Check 'em. (ZD)
A Tasty Indie Record with a Major-Label Feel
by Doug Davies, Seattle, WA
02/03/2002
After seeing Bunco Kelly at Portland, Oregon's stately Crystal Ballroom, I was skeptical that the band could capture the energy and fun of their live show on CD. I never should have doubted the Bunco boys, because "How It Came to Be" is a great listen from start to finish. Independently recorded on a shoestring budget, the album has a polish and professionalism worthy of a big studio release. I've been spinning this disc at work, and several of my co-workers (many of whom are definitely NOT country music fans) have been won over by it. Particular favorites are "Work is the Curse," (a wry little ditty about the plight of functional alcoholics) and the solid Johnny Cash cover, "Folsom Prison Blues." It is unfair, however, to highlight any one song on an album that has so many tight, catchy tunes. If you pick up "How It Came to Be," you won't need to use the skip button on your CD player.
Old-School With a New Perspective
by Evan Harris, Mountlake Terrace, WA
01/24/2002
At a time when much of the country music world's influence seems to be coming out of LA or New York, it's nice to find a record steeped in the Nashville tradition. How It Came To Be - the first album from Portland, Oregon club fixture, Bunco Kelly - provides the '65-Ford-pickup feel of an old Johnny Cash LP (they actually cover "Folsom Prison Blues" respectably), with the new-car smell of a Dwight Yoakam CD.
One obvious risk involved in creating a traditional country music record is suffering the scrutiny of purists. Lyricist Morgan Pintarich walks this line by creating a contemporary picture of loss, love and hitting rock-bottom thus shunning comparison. These aren't your daddy's wife-left-me, dog-left-me country songs. At the same time, Pintarich, along with collaborator Erik Gerding (with whom he shares vocal duties) give reverence that is rarely seen to a style of music that is too rarely heard. The arrangements are given punch by the steady bass playing of Harley Cowan who seems to know how to drive a band. Songs of particular note are the smokey "Hey Now" and a nice little stomp called "She's A Danger". The trio is joined on the album by David Bertman on drums supplying good kick, Tim Cowan on lap steel supplying flavor, and backup vocalist Carrie Macca supplying everything else. How It Came To Be should offer something to everyone from nostalgia-seeking old-school country fans to nubies who just want a good groove. Check it out.
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