Album Notes

A gang of unapologetic rockers, The American Drag is a kicking live band from the San Francisco Bay Area with songs to match. The band drops classic rock attitude on a modern sound, electrifying audiences with tried and true song craft and fearless performances since forming the group in 2004.

The band's sophomore album “Out of the Sky” is set to release in the summer of 2009. The songs journey through the human spirit’s struggle in Americana— the “American Dream” turned “American Drag.” In a modern-classic landscape of hard-edged roots rock and electronic textures, front man Will Evankovich casts his bittersweet narrations with a timber reminiscent of Chris Robinson (Black Crowes).

In addition to Will’s long-time band mates, bassist Joseph Shaughnessy and rhythm guitarist/backing vocalist Monroe Grisman, The American Drag is rounded out with piano/keyboardist Eric Levy from the critically acclaimed jam band Garaj Mahal, drummer John Mader who recently played on the “B3” tour backing Jeff Berlin, Stu Hamm and Billy Sheehan, and lead guitarist James DePrato who has toured (and appeared on the David Letterman Show) with Chuck Prophet and has also performed with Pat Monahan (lead singer for Train).

While recording “Out of the Sky” Will was recruited by veteran rocker/producer Jack Blades (Night ranger/Damn Yankees) as a multi instrumentalist/vocalist/sideman with Shaw-Blades, also featuring Tommy Shaw (Styx/Damn Yankees). After a national tour of the “Influences” record, AD was invited to open some shows for Styx gaining many new die-hard fans along the way with their explosive live show.

The members of The American Drag have been developing loyal fans working in various combinations over several years: making albums, playing clubs and theatres, climbing in and out of vans across the US and in Europe. Now with the band firmly established in the San Francisco Bay Area scene, AD is now preparing to put their new music on national and international stages with their next album.

It’s music with substance:

And today, Marin's great musical tradition continues with a dynamic local band called American Drag... I suggest you catch their live show now, because they're about to rocket through the stratosphere. Rodger Cambria/ Spin (writing for The News Marin)

These boys rock steady, in a way that's been forgotten by most of today's so-called alt-rock bands. R.V. Scheide/ North Bay Bohemian

Background in prog, power pop, and grunge translates to big melodic riffs that turn on a dime, and when they bring it out to the edge of the cliff, it’s clear: These guys can fucking play.
Richard B. Simon / Relix Magazine

2007 North Bay Bohemian readers poll award recipients for “Best Local Rock Band”