Mike and the Moonpies

In early 2009, with a number of crowd favorites from the EP, “Lyin’” under his belt, Mike Harmeier set out to record a full-length album that sounded like Nashville but could be created at home in Austin. Recorded and released by the band, “The Real Country,” offers up 10 songs that demand your attention as the Moonpies show you what it means to get back to the basics of real country music. The record is all original material, co-written in part by fellow musicians John Williams and Leo Rondeau. Mike’s vocals and guitar, together with his gifted band- Preston Rhone (bass), Kyle Ponder (drums), Catlin Rutherford (lead guitar) and Zachary Moulton (pedal steel) – present an authentic sound that is enhanced by contributions from other talented artists, such as Michael Kingcaid (What Made Milwaukee Famous), Jenn Miori (Jenny and the Cornponies), and Matt Bricker (Polyphonic Spree), lending a variety to the songs that make you want to stick around to hear what comes next. Harmeier’s vocals range from smooth drawl to tough twang, and backed by the solid talents of the Moonpies, the classic songwriting delivers on the promise made by the album’s title. Mike and the Moonpies prove that they know a thing or two about old country as they slide easily from one style to the next within the genre. Opening with the jangly, Spanish sound of “Barrio” and followed by the superbly danceable “El Camino,” “The Real Country” proceeds through songs of lovin’ & leavin’ and hard livin’ & honky tonks that will make you believe in real country music again. The album finishes strong with the title track and leaves no doubt about Harmeier’s talent as a songwriter and musician. With the first line, his vocals reach out and grab you, and the hard-driving rhythm and melodies offered up by the Moonpies will keep you moving until the last note. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.