New Country Rehab at Wilmington Arms January 2012

Take Canada’s hottest fiddle player, add an intrepid guitarist with Rage Against The Machine and Radiohead in his roots cellar, season with a percussionist who grooves on sawblades as readily as he does cookie sheets, stir vigorously with one of the most versatile double bass players in the country and you’ve conjured up the tasty and eclectic brew that is NEW COUNTRY REHAB. Driven by John Showman, James Robertson, Roman Tome’ and Ben Whiteley, the band’s unique sound at once channels time-out-of-mind Hank Sr. as it deftly flirts with the edge of indie-rock. Add Showman’s keenly observed, street smart tales of love and loss, and the effect is as compelling as it is resonant.

Their debut, self-titled album was released in Canada in January 2011. Recorded by Roots and Indie – Rock producer Chris Stringer (Obijou and Timber – Timbre), NEW COUNTRY REHAB highlights the group’s original compositions and broad musical palette.

Following a summer of touring as a favourite act at key music festivals across Canada, the band’s performance at the AMA’s in Nashville in October garnered a great deal of new attention for them in the Americana community. In January 2012, New Country Rehab will make its debut appearance in the UK at Celtic Connections in Glasgow and perform at The Wilmington Arms in London as part of a European tour. Early UK press signposts a group on the rise in Europe, consistent with the current buzz being generated in North America.