“Take Your Ticket” is the first single from Old No. 8’s new album Communist Country, a 13-song commentary on the state of the union in 2004. As the Bush administration rallies for another four years of violence, pollution, incarceration and profiteering, millions of truly patriotic Americans will realize their duty. This album will be the soundtrack.
Communist Country, set for release in May 2004, infuses Old No. 8’s country rock roots with a thick, dirty edge, framing the band’s lyrical passion for justice with a wildly original rock and roll sound. On tracks like “All Our Leaders,” “War Profiteer” and “My American Dream,” wailing guitars wrestle with the intensity of the lyrics. On “Say No To Drugs,” the piano walks the line between straight and stoned while the rhythm section crashes down around it. And the quiet and chilling “Somewhere Down The Line” follows a flawed class system to its inevitable end.
Old No. 8 formed in Chicago in 1998. Mixing a country-fried rhythm section with tasty lap steel, scorching guitar and rich four-part harmonies, the five-piece quickly built a large, loyal following of music lovers who long for the days when outlaws ruled country radio and rock and roll ruled America. Energetic, outspoken, sarcastic and oftentimes crude, the band earned a reputation for its electrifying live shows as well as for its refusal to compromise its musical integrity.
On July 4th, 2003, Old No. 8 released Double Barrel, a blazing two-disc live set recorded in Chicago. Mixed with Jay Bennett (Wilco), the album features brand new material, reworked favorites, and, of course, plenty of the brutally intense jamming that Old No. 8 fans love. Earlier in 2003, Old No. 8 contributed a rocking version of “Indiana Road” to The Songs of Fred Eaglesmith, a tribute compilation released by Twangoff Records.

The Band:
Pat Buzby drums
Charlie King lap steel, harmonica, guitar, vocals
Brian Koehler guitar, harmonica, vocals,
Andy Levenberg guitar, bass, vocals
Charlie Pierce bass, piano, organ, vocals

Chicago Venues:
Metro -House of Blues -Wise Fools Pub
Double Door -Schuba’s -Boulevard Café -Martyrs’ -The Abbey Pub The Hideout -old Lounge Ax -The Bottom Lounge -Fitzgerald's Park West -Chicago Cultural Center

Frequent Road Venues:
Florida: Bamboo Room, Tobacco Road (Miami); Jackrabbits (Jacksonville);Bradfordville Blues Club (Tallahassee); Green Parrot (Key West); Will's Pub (Orlando); Skipper’s Smokehouse (Tampa)

Georgia: Smith's Olde Bar, Star Bar (Atlanta); Velvet Elvis (Savannah)

Indiana: Vertigo, Cellar Lounge (Bloomington)

Kansas: Grand Emporium, Davey’s Uptown (KC); Kirby’s Beer Store (Wichita)

Michigan: State Theater, Bell's Brewery (Kalamazoo); Lager House (Detroit)

Minnesota: Tap Room (Duluth); Lee's Liquor Lounge, 7th St. Entry (Minneapolis)

Missouri: Frederick's Music Lounge (St. Louis); Blue Note (Columbia)

New York: Mercury Lounge, Kenny’s Castaways, Knitting Factory (NYC)

North Carolina: Town Pump (Black Mt.); Visulite Theater (Charlotte); Heavy Rebel Fest
(Winston-Salem); The Pourhouse (Raleigh)

Tennessee: Gibson Lounge, Hi Tone (Memphis); The Sutler, 3rd & Lindsley (Nashville)

Texas: Continental Club (Houston); Muddy Waters (Dallas); Trophy’s (Austin)

Virginia: Poe's Pub (Richmond)

Tour Support and Shared Billings:
North Mississippi All-Stars, Wayne "The Train" Hancock, BR-549
Ekoostik Hookah, David Allan Co,e Dickey Betts,
The Drive-By Truckers ,Legendary Shack Shakers ,The Sadies,
Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Southern Culture On The Skids, Robbie Fulks,Indigenou,s Los Straightjacket,s Rosie Flores

Discography:
Sourmash 1998
Dead Man's Hand 2000
Live at Martyrs’ 1999
Double Barrel 2003