Album Notes

THE NEW YORK TIMES SYNDICATE: "Washburn is a stone cold winner."

"It's a cool slice of Americana, with Dylan, Neil Young and contemporary roots-rock overtones." ~ ~ Eric Sorenson (AMPLIFIER, FUFKIN.COM)

THE VILLAGE VOICE: "This New York singer-songwriter by way of Berkeley, California, has a fine band and a nice collection of tunes. Part Tom Petty, part Chris Isaak, he plays a twangy drenched guitar atop lazy-day pop tunes."


JOHN WASHBURN & THE WAYWARD SAINTS live in New York City. They combine smart and catchy rock & roll with timeless country heartbreak to make "...a cool slice of Americana with Dylan, Neil Young and contemporary roots-rock overtones." (Eric Sorenson, Amplifier)

THE WAYWARD SAINTS were initially formed as a ragtag collection of roving players gathered to flesh out the naked songs. Washburn had been performing solo around New York City but over time, began to miss the intuitive creative dynamic that a consistent lineup allows. Therefore, the group have recently been reforming into a coherent unit - - starting with the core of drummer Jeremy Blynn and bass player David Geist- - and are ready to take over the world.

In January 2002. Washburn released a solo 10-song CD "Stumbling Still Warm..." which has received wide critical praise and earned modest but steady sales. The New York Times Syndicate put "Stumbling Still Warm..." on their Top 21 list saying, "Washburn is a stone cold winner...."

In May 2002, Washburn embarked on a whirlwind solo mini-tour of the Midwest, playing eight shows in five days. Since then, THE WAYWARD SAINTS have started touring the East, with plans to break hearts up and down the coast from Portland to Charlotte and beyond. Additionally, solo dates are being negotiated in the UK and West Coast, as Washburn gets ready to establish beachheads in those markets in preparation for a full band invasion. Back home, they have played to packed houses at Mercury Lounge, Arlene Grocery, Luna Lounge, The Living Room, and other NYC venues.

When Washburn left his last band (an alterna-rock outfit) to pursue his own musical vision, he was tired of the "rawk" and wanted to make music that was a little more personal. Like a lot of people who came up inspired by punk, he was getting into older country and rock and roll - Hank and Johnny and Sun Records - because that music felt so real, especially compared to the overly processed, computer manipulated and fabricated sounds then focus-grouped on radio.

Writing the songs alone with an acoustic guitar almost necessitated that they would be somewhat quiet and meditative, and "Stumbling Still Warm..." proudly reflects that. But then on Thursday, April 25th 2002, while onstage at a sold-out show at New York's Mercury Lounge, Washburn reconnected with a slightly more grown up version of his inner "f*ck you" and has been rocking a little more fiercely (if still personally) ever since.