On March 23rd 2010, Ten Foot Polecats first full length CD "I Get Blamed For Everything I Do" was released on Hillgrass Bluebilly Records out of Austin, Texas. Known as a record label that is at the forefront of the raw & primal roots revolution movement, Hillgrass Bluebilly, and Ten Foot Polecats seem like a perfect match as they have forgone the current sterile music market and are now delivering the new sound of the old ways and putting the hunger back into the listening experience that has been missing from today’s popular music. Hillgrass Bluebilly promotes the rebirth of passion, conviction & instrumentation, an equality of sound and skill that isn't trying to sell you anything, and just bringing truth in music as it goes back to its roots. Have been involved with such artists as Scott H. Biram, Bob Log III, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Left Lane Cruiser, Possessed by Paul James, William Elliott Whitmore, Soda, Tom VandenAvond, C.W. Stoneking, Boomswagglers, and now Ten Foot Polecats. This past year Hillgrass Bluebilly’s double tribute compilation CD “Hiram and Huddie” was nominated for an Independent Music Award as it showcased some of today’s finest primal and raw roots revolution rebels as they paid tribute to the great Hank Williams & Leadbelly. Their artists have also been involved in film, television & radio. Such outlets have included Slowboat Films “The Folksinger”, song appearances in the movie, “The Waitress”, on television series such as “My Name is Earl” & “The Bounty Hunter”, as well as live appearances on various television shows.
CD and Band Press Quotes:
TFPC bring new life to three-piece blues. This ain't no toothless panama hat blues. Ten Foot Polecats bring the vibe, the groove, the mystery, and the balls that blues music must have to carry on to the coming generations. Another fine and powerful recording by one of the best blues bands out there.
- Rick Saunders, Reel Deep Blues
The Ten Foot Polecats are the logical heirs to the Fat Possum legacy, a trio of white boys from Boston, trapped in the body of a couple hundred years of Mississippi groove and holler. It's easily one of our best records of the year.
- Brian K. Reese, Big Rock Candy Mountain
There ain’t a lotta scrappy-ass electric juke-joint blues comin’ outta Allston (Massachusetts), but this dirty trio’s first full-length album makes it seems that the Charles River is a direct tributary of the Mississippi as The Ten Foot Polecats add muscle, blood, and heart to a genre in need of all three.
- Ted Drozdowski, Boston Phoenix
Though the Ten Foot Polecats are not a North Mississippi Hill Country act, their ties to the music and paths are undeniable. They have embraced their lo-fi blues punk roots to offer up their first full length release on the Hillgrass Bluebilly Records “I Get Blamed for Everything I Do”. By offering up an updated version of the North Mississippi Hill Country music The Ten Foot Polecats have garnered support within the Deep Blues, Psycho-Billy and Traditional Blues circuits. Having been signed to the Hillgrass Bluebilly Records label, The Ten Foot Polecats will have the support of a label that has embraced acts representing the roots of American Music. With record label support, networking and a string of blazing live shows, expect more great releases from this trio.
– Georgetown Fats, Boston Blues Society & The Boston Blues, Brews, and BBQ Blog
The magic behind the success of Ten Foot Polecats is that they create a lot of music with only three players, and they know how to construct tunes that have a lot going on within a simple framework. Giving a blues fan a lot to sink his teeth into is a winning idea. Ten Foot Polecats are going to be around for a long time. After taking the Boston blues scene by storm, the trio have toured successfully around the country. One listen to “I Get Blamed For Everything I Do” and you’ll know there is no stopping these boys. – Bill Copeland, Bill Copeland Music Press
Chilson’s finger picking-style, like that of the delta-masters, is full and rhythmically spot on. He is doing things with the guitar that not many electric bluesmen are pulling off these days….and things that punk players have never pulled off. They’re debut album is loud and fun, but also steeped in tradition. It is recommended for any fan that doesn’t mind their blues a little bit raunchy
– J.Blake, American Blues News
“I Get Blamed For Everything I Do" was a pleasant surprise - a surprise in that we didn't know what to expect. Its just not hard-drivin' blues where the songs are indistinguishable. There's plenty of diversity between tracks. 2010 is also an important year for the band. Not only are they releasing the CD, but they just signed with Hillgrass Bluebilly Records, an Austin based outfit that is known for finding hidden talent.
– Todd Godbout, My Joog
This Boston based trio is a hard working, hard driving bundle of Blues, influenced by the North Mississippi Hill Country Sound. They play a warp speed version of Tommy Johnson's “Big Road Blues”, but really shine on some of their own tunes, like “Tears on My Windshield”, “Squeeze” and “So Good to Me”. Guitarist Jim Chilson's manic 5 string guitar and gravel growls from Jay Scheffler set the Ten Foot Polecats apart from everyone else in town.
– Greg Sarni, Blues Trust News & “True Blues” WBRS 100.1FM Waltham/Boston
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