Individually and alphabetically, the Yayhoos are:
Eric Ambel. Founding member of the Del-Lords and Joan Jett’s Blackhearts, lead guitarist of Steve Earle’s Dukes (2000/2005), sometime solo artist and leader of the esteemed Roscoe’s Gang and Roscoe Trio, co-proprietor of East Village nightspot the Lakeside Lounge, and producer of albums by a variety of acts including Nils Lofgren, the Bottle Rockets and the Blood Oranges. Eric released his latest solo record “Lakeside” in 2016
Terry Anderson. Solo recording artist, leader of the Olympic Ass-Kickin’ Team, onetime drummer/singer/tunesmith with legendary North Carolina combos the Fabulous Knobs, the Woodpeckers and the Woods. Also a notable tunesmith whose songbook includes material recorded by Etta James, Jo Dee Messina and Dan Baird (see below). The latest from Terry Anderson’s Olympic Ass-Kicking Team titled “Jimmy’s Arcade” comes out in May of 2017
Dan Baird. Former lead singer/guitarist of the Georgia Satellites and unlikely gap-toothed MTV icon, thanks to the Satellites hits “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” and “Battleship Chains.” Also a beloved and acclaimed solo artist, and sometime producer/sideman for the likes of Will Hoge, Chris Knight and the Dusters. Dan has his own new band named Homemade Sin with Warner E. Hodges and former Satellite Mauro Magellan. Home Made Sin’s latest titled “Roller Coaster” was released in March of 2017 and Dan’s latest solo record titled “Solow” was released in 2016
Keith Christopher: Original Georgia Satellites member, bassist to the stars (including Billy Joe Shaver, Tony Joe White, Aaron Lee Tasjan and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, as well as many artists with two names, including Paul Westerberg and Todd Snider), and consistent source of inspiration.
While the four Yayhoos continue to maintain their individual careers, the potency of their collective chemistry is evident throughout their 2006 release Put the Hammer Down. The material ranges from the delirious raunch of “Where’s Your Boyfriend At,” and “Everything/Anything,” to the boozy introspection of “All Dressed Up” and “Never Give An Inch,” to the brutal pop of “Hurtin’ Thing” and the bittersweet balladry of “Between You and Me.” Keith Christopher steps up to the mic to deliver a rare lead vocal on the heart-tugging “Over the Top,” which he co-wrote with Tony Colton (of ’70s U.K. cult heroes Heads, Hands and Feet) and which was previously recorded by Ray Charles. The Yayhoos’ knack for inspired choices in cover material is represented here by a timely revival of the O’Jays’ ’70s soul classic “Love Train” and an exuberant reading of “Roam,” by noted Southern rockers the B-52’s.
Put the Hammer Down was recorded and mixed at Ambel’s Williamsburg, Brooklyn studio Cowboy Technical Services Recording Rig. It’s the fourth release on Lakeside Lounge Records, the plucky D.I.Y. imprint launched by Ambel in 2003.
The Yayhoos originally grew out of an informal 1993 songwriting get-together, which inspired the longtime compadres to channel their musical and personal rapport into a more concrete direction. In 1996, they got together and wrote and recorded a batch of songs in Anderson’s dad’s barn. By the time Bloodshot Records released them as Fear Not the Obvious in 2001, the album had become something of an underground legend in roots-rock circles. Bob Dylan recited the lyrics to “Bottle And A Bible” before playing it on his Theme Time Radio Hour and Ambel’s song “Baby I Love You” was featured as the closing credits song in the 2006 James Gunn film SLiTHER. The album also made a lot of friends with their cover of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”
In addition to playing Yayhoos shows and gigs in support of Dan, Terry and Eric’s solo records, the Yayhoos have also contributed tracks to several compilation discs. Those include “California” on the East Side Digital label sampler East Side Story, “Oh! Chicago” on the Bloodshot Records anniversary set Down to the Promised Land, and a version of the country standard “Highway Junkie” to Rig Rock Deluxe: A Musical Salute to the American Truck Driver. The latter track also cropped up on the big screen, in the Sandra Bullock vehicle Miss Congeniality 2. The Yayhoos also backed up Baird on a version of “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound” for the tribute album The Songs of Hank Williams Jr. (A Bocephus Celebration) and supported Ambel on “Judas Kiss” on his solo release Knucklehead. The Yayhoos were also the band backing Johnny Copeland on Tumblin’ Dice. The last session of his life and one and only recording made with his daughter Shamekia Copeland. Derek Trucks guested on lead guitar for this this recording that appeared on “All Bluesed Up”. A House of Blues cd tribute to the Rolling Stones.
