About

the ‘Mericans are an Experimental Americana Roots Rock band from Rhode Island
led by former Purple Ivy Shadows singer/guitarist Chris Daltry who has been called a
“visionary founding father of the rootsy rockers” by the Providence Phoenix.

Ridin’ the Rails with the ‘Mericans is the latest ‘Mericans release.
it was recorded aboard Amtrak in sleeper cars while singer/guitarist
Chris Daltry of the ‘Mericans was on a cross-country train trip.
it’s an album of train songs and it can be downloaded
and/or streamed for free here

A Tribute to Providence contains 20 cover songs by
20 different Providence (and nearby) bands / songwriters from 1987-2013
and was recorded as a thank you to the Providence music scene for being so supportive
of Daltry for the past 20 years he’s lived in Providence, beginning in the fall of 1993.

The group has released 5 full length records : ‘Merican Recordings (2006)
Where All Dead Leaves Go (2007), So Late It Hurts (2011), and A Tribute to Providence (2013),
and Ridin’ the Rails with the ‘Mericans (2015) which all have been met with critical
praise : “Where All Dead Leaves Go is one magical listen and one of the year’s best discs”
with the band’s “southern-fried roots shine across warm with tremolo hooks, and
harmonies akin to retro gems from bands like Galaxie 500”
and “It’s quiet music you want to crank”

the ‘Mericans were named “Best Act” in the 2009 Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll
and in June of 2011 released their 3rd full-length album So Late It Hurts on their own label
‘Merican Recordings on Vinyl LP Records + CDs + Digital Downloads

the group has also the honor of being voted “Best Roots Act” in the
2008 Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll by their fans and their 2007 album
Where All Dead Leaves Go was named as a Top Local Album release by the Phoenix and
the ‘Mericans were also asked to contribute music to the soundtrack for the
2008 film You Must Be This Tall : The Story of Rocky Point which is about the
long-defunct Rhode Island amusement park Rocky Point. you can
stream the entire movie on youtube by clicking here! 

fans and critics have compared the sound of the ‘Mericans to groups like The Feelies,
Creedence Clearwater Revival, Television, Wilco, the Jayhawks, the Byrds, Pernice Brothers,
Son Volt, the Rolling Stones and THE ‘MERICANS have performed live with with many
diverse acts including Frank Black of the Pixies, Mark Olson of The Jayhawks, Lightning Bolt,
Anders Parker of Varnaline, Death Vessel, Ida, The Figgs, Jennifer O’Connor, Mascott, Sleepyhead,
New Radiant Storm King, Poem Rocket, KaiserCartel, Audrey Ryan, Deer Tick, Rich Gilbert
of Frank Black and The Catholics,  the Blackstone Valley Sinners, and many more.

the ‘Mericans have also appeared at several large festivals including
Terrastock 6, Providence IndieArts Fest, Foo Fest, Liberty Fest and the
Somerville Rock & Roll Yard Sale, which the Phoenix describes
as speaking “volumes to the band’s accessible sound.” 

in 2009 the ‘Mericans contributed a track for a benefit tribute album called
Ciao My Shining Star which paid tribute to the great band Miracle Legion & their singer
Mark Mulcahy. it was a benefit to help Mulcahy deal with the sudden and unexpected loss
of his wife Melissa. Ciao My Shining Star features artists such as Michael Stipe of R.E.M.,
Thom Yorke of Radiohead and J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., Juliana Hatfield, Josh Rouse, Elf Power,
Syd Straw, Ted Leo, AC Newman of the New Pornographers, Frank Black of the Pixies,
Elvis Perkins, Ween, Mercury Rev, Hayden and many other artists.

download Ciao My Shining Star  by clicking here and / or order it online here.

the ‘Mericans have also appeared on other compilations, including a Wishing Tree Records
Amos House Benefit compilation along with Wilco, Elf Power, Wheat, the Aluminum Group, Azure Ray,
Archer Prewitt, Her Space Holiday, Califone, Super Furry Animals and others; and Another benefit
record the ‘mericans have appeared on is a D.C. comp called “Wellspring: A Benefit for Bread for the City”
which featured Bettie Serveert, Barbara Manning and The GoLuckys, Cinerama, Saturnine & others.

HONORS & AWARDS

2007 PROVIDENCE PHOENIX TOP LOCAL ALBUM LIST

the Providence Phoenix chose the band’s 2007 album “Where All Dead Leaves Go”
as one of the year’s top local releases, saying “Chris Daltry and the band fuse their material
with elements of intrigue in every nook of their stellar acoustic sound, the mark of true
craftsmen. Like all great discs, Leaves leaves us wanting for more”

2008 PROVIDENCE PHOENIX BEST MUSIC POLL WINNERS

the group was nominated for & won the “Best Roots Act” category

THE ‘MERICANS

http://www.facebook.com/pages/the-mericans/69788226292

contact CHRIS DALTRY at : chrisdaltry (at) gmail (dot) com