The Waybacks

{{Short description|American band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = The Waybacks | image = Waybacks.jpg | caption = | image_size =  | alias = | origin = San Francisco Bay Area | instrument = | genre = Progressive bluegrass, rock | occupation = | years_active = 1998-present | label = Compass Records, Fiddling Cricket | associated_acts = | website = {{URL|www.waybacks.com}} | current_members = James Nash Warren Hood Joe Kyle Jr. Chuck Hamilton | past_members = Wayne "Chojo" Jacques Stevie Coyle Glenn Houston Chris Kee Peter Tucker }} '''The Waybacks''' are an American four-piece band based in the San Francisco Bay area of California. Their style has been alternately described as Americana, Progressive bluegrass, rock-n-roll, folk, and acoustic mayhem.<ref>{{cite news|last=Yonke|first=David|date=2004-05-28|title='Acoustic mayhem' works for Waybacks|url=https://www.toledoblade.com/a-e/music-theater-dance/2004/05/28/Acoustic-mayhem-works-for-Waybacks/stories/200405280024|work=The Toledo Blade|access-date=2021-02-22}}</ref> They described themselves as a "power trio with a fiddler" in an interview with NPR.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Blum|first=Jim|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89658121|title=The Waybacks: Power Trio and a Fiddler|date=2008-04-15|work=NPR|language=en-US|access-date=2021-03-12}}</ref>

The group's most notable performances to date have included sets at large festivals such as MerleFest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Burtch|first=Anson|title=Americana Lives At Merlefest|work=Jambase|date=2006-04-30|url=http://www.jambase.com/Articles/8498/AMERICANA-LIVES-AT-MERLEFEST|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724124154/http://www.jambase.com/Articles/8498/AMERICANA-LIVES-AT-MERLEFEST|archive-date=24 July 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Payne|first=Bob|title=Chattanooga's Live Music Scene - Riverbend Day 2 Review, Day 3 Preview|work=The Chattanoogan|date=2010-06-13|url=https://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_177759.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616074656/https://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_177759.asp|archive-date=16 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.<ref name="HSB 2006">{{Cite web|title=Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2006 (Sunday)|website=strictlybluegrass.com|url=https://www.strictlybluegrass.com/2006/editorial/Sunday.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202065744/https://www.strictlybluegrass.com/2006/editorial/Sunday.shtml|archive-date=2 December 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> They have also headlined the Great American Music Hall and Yoshi's in their home city of San Francisco. They have a tradition of covering entire classic rock albums such as Led Zeppelin's ''II'', the Rolling Stones' ''Sticky Fingers'', and the Beatles' ''Abbey Road'' at the Hillside Album Hour at Merlefest.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wood|first=Jesse|date=2017-04-17|title=Three Cryptic Clues Released So Far for The Wayback’s 10th Hillside Album Hour at MerleFest|work=High Country Press|language=en-US|access-date=2021-03-12|url=https://www.hcpress.com/front-page/three-cryptic-clues-released-far-waybacks-10th-hillside-album-hour-merlefest.html}}</ref> They have performed with a wide array of artists, including Bob Weir,<ref name="Free Times 2008">{{Cite news|title=The Waybacks|work=Free Times|date=2008-07-16|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/archives/the-waybacks-nathan-angelo-allison-weiss/article_10386a0e-5275-54f7-a45c-e93388d76f3e.html}}</ref> Emmylou Harris,<ref name="George Graham Loaded Review">{{Cite web|title=The Graham Weekly Album Review #1519: The Waybacks: Loaded, by George Graham|website=georgegraham.com|url=http://georgegraham.com/reviews/wayback2.html|access-date=2021-03-12}}</ref> Elvis Costello,<ref>{{cite news |last=Gilmor|first=Susan|date=2013-04-26|title=Air of mystery surround Hillside Album Hour|url=https://journalnow.com/news/local/air-of-mystery-surrounds-hillside-album-hour/article_b172a940-aecd-11e2-8fb3-001a4bcf6878.html|work=Winston-Salem Journal|access-date=2021-03-12}}</ref> Joan Osborne, Susan Tedeschi, Sam Bush, John Cowan,<ref name="Free Times 2008" /> Gillian Welch,<ref name="HSB 2006" /> and David Rawlings.<ref name="HSB 2006" />

The band's second album, ''Burger After Church'', was described by David Royko of the Chicago Tribune as the "near-ideal balance of irreverence, chops, discipline, and originality".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Royko|first=David|title=Best Compact Discs of the Year: Bluegrass/Newgrass|work=Chicago Tribune|date=2002-12-15|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-12-15/news/0212150405_1_nickel-creek-alison-krauss-lonesome-river-band|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612024634/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-12-15/news/0212150405_1_nickel-creek-alison-krauss-lonesome-river-band|archive-date=12 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band began recording for Compass Records in 2006, releasing ''From The Pasture To The Future'', produced by Lloyd Maines. Their 2008 Compass release ''Loaded'', produced by Byron House,<ref name="George Graham Loaded Review" /> made it to number 4 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums list,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bluegrass Albums - The Week of April 19, 2008|website=billboard.com|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/bluegrass-albums/2008-04-19|access-date=2021-03-12}}</ref> and featured a guest appearance by Sam Bush on mandolin.<ref name="George Graham Loaded Review" />

== History ==

=== 1998: Formation === The band got its start at Irish pub The Plough And The Stars in San Francisco, where Stevie Coyle (vocals, fingerpicked guitar), Wayne "Chojo" Jacques (vocals, fiddle, mandolin) and Glenn (Pomianek) Houston (flatpicked guitar), began performing as an acoustic trio. The band soon became a five-piece with the addition of Peter Tucker (drums) and Chris Kee (vocals, bass).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Parrish|first=Michael|title=Houston Jones: Rebellious Children or Triumphant Lions|work=Dirty Linen|date=January 2010|url=http://www.houstonjones.com/DL_Article_HoustonJones_lowres.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306094907/http://www.houstonjones.com/DL_Article_HoustonJones_lowres.pdf|archive-date=6 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 1999–2000: Rise to national attention === Songwriter, lead guitarist and singer James Nash replaced Glenn Houston in June 1999, before the recording of the Waybacks' first album ''Devolver''.<ref name="Wickstrom AllMusic Review">{{Cite web|title=Devolver - AllMusic Review by Ann Wickstrom|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/devolver-mw0000007571|access-date=2021-01-28|website=allmusic.com}}</ref> With the addition of Nash's songwriting and distinctive guitar improvisations,<ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Jude Gold|title=Chops: Hot Guitarist Alert! James Nash|magazine=Guitar Player|date=December 2003|volume=37|issue=12|url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/archive/1203/1203_Chops.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031207085859/http://www.guitarplayer.com/archive/1203/1203_Chops.htm|archive-date=2003-12-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> and without professional management or an agency (booking and promotion spearheaded internally by Coyle), the Waybacks quickly moved from playing small local pubs and coffeehouses to headlining concert halls and roots/folk/bluegrass festivals throughout North America and abroad.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Folk Explosion: The Waybacks strike a chord with fans of old-timey music|url=https://www.sfweekly.com/music/folk-explosion/|access-date=2021-12-06|website=sfweekly.com}}</ref> James Nash remains the most consistent of the band's members, and he is featured on all of the Waybacks' studio and live recordings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Waybacks: Discography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-waybacks-mn0000491085/discography|access-date=2021-03-12|website=allmusic.com}}</ref>

The band released their first album ''Devolver'' in May 2000. Critics praised the “absolutely top drawer musicianship,” noting the dual leads of Nash and Jacques, and the “driving finger-style guitar” of Stevie Coyle.<ref name="Wickstrom AllMusic Review" />

Performances during the Coyle/Jacques/Nash/Kee/Tucker period included the Strawberry and Wintergrass music festivals,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Strawberry Music Festival CDR's|url=http://www.shootyourradio.8m.net/custom.html|access-date=2021-03-12|website=shootyourradio.8m.net}}</ref> and showcases at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville, TN, and Folk Alliance in Vancouver, BC, and Kerrville, TX. The band began to build a national audience as tracks from its first album were added to playlists on KPFK Los Angeles, WNUR Chicago, WICN Boston, KFAI Minneapolis, WYEP Pittsburgh, and WYMS Milwaukee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top Albums and Songs of December 2000|website=folkradio.org|url=http://www.folkradio.org/airplay/dec00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050426091523/http://www.folkradio.org/airplay/dec00.html|archive-date=26 April 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2001–Present === thumb|left|James Nash at MerleFest in 2010. Bassist Joe Kyle, Jr., and drummer Chuck Hamilton replaced Chris Kee and Peter Tucker in early 2001, as the Waybacks transitioned into a full-time touring project. This five-piece (Coyle/Jacques/Nash/Kyle/Hamilton) is featured on the band's second studio album ''Burger After Church'', released in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Burger After Church: Review|url=http://www.rambles.net/waybacks_burger02.html|access-date=2021-12-06|website=rambles.net}}</ref> In 2003, the band hired manager Michael Nash (Tritone Management) and agent Mary Brabec (now of Billions Corporation),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Billions: The People|website=billions.com|url=http://billions.com/about|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330023142/http://billions.com/about|archive-date=30 March 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> both of whom still represent the Waybacks. Songwriter, fiddler and singer Warren Hood replaced Chojo Jacques in September 2004 during the recording of the band's third studio album, ''From The Pasture to the Future''. Stevie Coyle left the band in September 2007, leaving the quartet lineup that continues to this day: Nash, Hood, Kyle, Hamilton.

The band's performances have included venues such as the Kennedy Center,<ref>{{cite news|date=2001-07-27|title=Pop Rock Folk Jazz Etc.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2001/07/27/poprockfolkjazzetcpatty-rees/1fd4e3e4-1894-4525-96b0-018ae2a0c8ad/|work=Washington Post|access-date=2021-03-12}}</ref> Ryman Auditorium, Old Town School of Music,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Waybacks CD Release|website=oldtownschool.org|url=http://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2008/6/20_waybacks.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106160913/http://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2008/6/20_waybacks.html|archive-date=6 January 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Warfield, The Fillmore, and the Bumbershoot,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Monday Lineup|website=bumbershoot.org|url=http://bumbershoot.org/lineup/monday|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050809235541/http://bumbershoot.org/lineup/monday|archive-date=9 August 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> Wakarusa,<ref>{{Cite web|title=2007 Artist Lineup|website=wakarusa.com|url=http://wakarusa.com/2012/lineup.asp?a=320&y=2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328094920/http://wakarusa.com/2012/lineup.asp?a=320&y=2007|archive-date=28 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Edmonton Folk festivals. In their peak touring seasons between 2000–2009, the Waybacks averaged between 100-200 shows/year.

The Waybacks continue performing sporadically, and in July 2011 the band released a live album covering The Allman Brothers' "Eat A Peach" in its entirety with Joan Osborne on lead vocals.<ref>{{cite news|date=2015-04-16|title=Joan Osborne returns for Hillside Album Hour|url=https://www.wataugademocrat.com/mountaintimes/entertainment/joan-osborne-returns-for-hillside-album-hour/article_693ee260-d22f-11e4-a9b2-f7f6a176765c.html|work=The Watauga Democrat|access-date=2021-03-13}}</ref> In April 2012, the band hosted the 5th Annual Merlefest Album Hour, performing Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced" with guest vocalists Sarah Dugas, Susan Tedeschi, Jim Lauderdale, and John Cowan.<ref>{{cite news|last=Oliver|first=Kevin|date=2012-04-28|title=MerleFest Day 3: And the Hillside Album is...|url=https://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/concertreview.asp?xid=669|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=2021-03-13}}</ref> In the years that followed, the Album Hour became a "mainstay" at Merlefest, running 12 years in a row as of 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.journalnow.com/entertainment/music/the-waybacks-to-bring-spirit-of-invention-surprise-to-the/article_898feb6e-e967-5d45-9548-93e0fbabe440.html|title=The Waybacks to bring spirit of invention, surprise to The Ramkat|last=Correspondent|first=Eddie Huffman Special|website=Winston-Salem Journal|language=en|access-date=2019-08-16}}</ref> featuring the music of Tom Petty, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Bob Dylan, The Band, Bruce Springsteen. The event has become a "fan favorite," notable for "exploring... lyrical themes by juxtaposing music from other artists and time periods".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nodepression.com/exclusive-james-nash-and-the-waybacks-hillside-album-hour-at-merlefest-2015/|title=Exclusive: James Nash and The Waybacks Hillside Album Hour at MerleFest 2015|date=2015-04-24|website=No Depression|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-16}}</ref> In 2017, "Rolling Stone" magazine dubbed the annual event "one of the most anticipated performances of the festival," and described the band's adaptation of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" as "an inventive tribute studded with sounds that spanned the psychedelic era".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country-lists/merlefest-2017-11-best-things-we-saw-at-the-roots-music-festival-110911/|title=MerleFest 2017: 11 Best Things We Saw at the Roots Music Festival|last=Streissguth|first=Michael|last2=Stone|first2=Rolling|date=2017-05-01|website=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-16}}</ref>

In August, 2019, the Waybacks began performing a song by the North African band Tinariwen, who were receiving death threats for their overlapping tour of the American Southeast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://journalnow.com/z-no-digital/local-musicians-stand-up-to-hate-record-songs-of-tinariwen/article_0e37216a-f24d-5915-ac67-de1ea6bff6b9.html|title=Local musicians stand up to hate, record songs of Tinariwen|last=O'Donnell|first=Lisa|date=2019-09-10|website=Winston-Salem Journal|language=en-US|access-date=2021-03-06}}</ref>

== Discography == * ''Devolver'' (2000) * ''Burger After Church'' (2002) * ''Way Live'' (2003) * ''From the Pasture to the Future'' (2006) * ''Loaded'' (2008) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2008: Led Zeppelin II'' (2009) * ''Merlefest Watson Stage w/Special Guests'' (2009) * ''Secret Stage Mixes Vol. 1 - 3'' (2009) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2010: Abbey Road'' (2011) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2011: Eat A Peach'' (2012) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2012: Hendrix on the Hillside'' (2013) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2013: After The Flood'' (2014) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2014: Deja View'' (2015) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2015: Back in the USA'' (2016) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2016: Birdsongs'' (2017) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2017: With A Lotta Help From Our Friends'' (2018) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2018: Full On The Hill'' (2019) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2019: Stairway To Hillside'' (2020) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2021: Halfway To Heaven'' (2022) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2022: One Way or Another'' (2023) * ''Hillside Album Hour 2023: Getting In Tune'' (2024)

== References == {{reflist|30em}}

== External links == *[https://archive.org/search.php?query=collection%3ATheWaybacks&sort=-date Live music recordings (Archive.org)] *{{Official website|www.waybacks.com}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waybacks, The}} Category:American bluegrass music groups Category:Musical groups from the San Francisco Bay Area