Ever since we had The Whipsaws out to our showcase last year, I’ve become a huge fan of the band’s work. This Anchorage, Alaska band is amazing and their album held on the Top 10 of MilesOfMusic.com best selling albums for most of last year. We made attempts to have the band come back out again this year to our annual show in Austin but that’s when we learned that front man, Evan Phillips, was unavailable due to medical issues. I wasn’t sure what that meant at the time but read a few band newsletters over the past few months which kept referring to his medical issues. I happened onto Evan’s Myspace page tonight which had a little more detail around the issue. Medical issues and musicians never mixed due to most musicians having no access to medical insurance combined with the fact that when you aren’t touring, you aren’t making money.

A benefit album is in the works to help Evan’s mounting bills along with a PayPal account which has been established to help out. The album will feature songs from Tim Easton, Leeroy Stagger, Marty Jones, Two Cow Garage, Cory Branan, Spiff Chambers, Matt Hopper, Wrinkle Neck Mules, Shurman, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Mike D. Damron, and Tamara Nil. This will be one hell of a collection of music but until then I’d ask that you donate a few bucks to help offset the bills if you can afford to.

From all of us here on AmericanaRoots.com, we wish Evan a speedy recovery so that he can get back to the music. The Whipsaw’s 60 Watt Avenue was one of my favorite albums of last year, so as a fan I am excited to see what is in store for the band’s future cd’s.

Thanks,
Gregg Geil

Quote on the Benefit Album (found on http://www.TheWhipsaws.com)

Many of you now know, Evan has been battling a climbing injury he sustained seven years ago which has caused him a great deal of pain. With recent trips to meet with surgeons and specialist in Philadelphia and Nashville, Evan finally has what seems to be an accurate diagnosis and will hopefully be having surgery sometime in soon.

As is the case for many professional musicians, Evan does not have health insurance. Many folks have already been very supportive, making donations to help him with the cost of his surgery, which will be around $10,000. Also, many of The Whipsaws & Evan’s musician friends have come together to record and release a “Benefit” album with songs written by Evan! This album will be released sometime in April, and some of the artists featured include:

Tim Easton, Leeroy Stagger, Marty Jones, Two Cow Garage, Cory Branan, Spiff Chambers, Matt Hopper, Wrinkle Neck Mules, Shurman, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Mike D. Damron, and Tamara Nile

There is also an Anchorage “Benefit Show” in the work for Evan in April, featuring Alaskan musicians…so stay tuned for details! In the meantime, if anyone feels inclined to make a donation directly to Evan..you can do so by clicking on the link below.

Quote from Evan on his Myspace page:
Hey friends…it’s been a while so i wanted to give a heads up on what is happening in my ‘hip’ world.
So I returned home from Philadelphia and Nashville on February 2. I had to go get some x-rays, and then track down and collect all my records and previous imaging tests (ct scans, MRI, etc) from 2003-2005 concerning this injury. All of this was then mailed to Dr. Byrd (hip surgeon) in Nashville. They told me that it will take them 10-12 weeks to “review my case”. I know, it seems a bit long, considering i’ve just spent 7 years living with what could basically be described as a disability. Whatever…anyway, i’m trying to pull some strings to make this happen quicker. I’ll keep you all in the loop.

I’ve got some good news though:
1. My pain is way more under control than it was over the last few months. i’ve been getting out and doing social things which has been nice.

2. A non-profit musicians assistance foundation in the U.S. is going to help pay some of my surgery costs. This takes a huge load of anxiety off my shoulders.

3. i’ve got about $700 in a pay pal account that people have donated for the surgery.

4. My friends around the country are recording a benefit cd of my songs to help me raise money. Some artists included: Tim Easton, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Matt Hopper, Leeroy Stagger, Tamara Nile, Shurman, Wrinkle Neck Mules, Two Cow Garage, Mike Damron, Cory Branan, Spiff Chambers, and Marty Jones.

Hopefully this will be out in April…

Anyway, right now i’m just really having to be patient. i’m starting to play guitar and write music more which is pretty inspiring. i’m thinking about the possibility of even playing an intimate acoustic show in the next month or so…we’ll see.

Anyway, take care and thanks for being there and being supportive. It has helped me…ALOT!

Take Care,
evan

The band, which formed in 2002, has just released their second CD, Sixty Watt Avenue on ShutEye Records.  The new disc was mixed by John Agnello, a renowned engineer/producer who has worked with Son Volt and The Hold Steady.  The band’s debut CD, 10 Day Bender (2006) is an energetic, but fairly raw collection.  Some of my favorite tracks on this disc were actually rock instrumentals.  With the limited musical talent of many bands hearing an instrumental is a rarity these days, but I really enjoyed them.  The new CD is definitely a more mature record with the band showing growth musically and lyrically and a better overall sound, perhaps the influence of John Agnello. The band can sound like Uncle Tupelo on one tune and Rush or even Neil Young at his electric loudest on another.  The influence of Neil Young is evident by the inclusion of their cover of his tune “The Loner” on the disc as well as the dedication of the CD to Neil Young and Crazy Horse.  The required Americana CD song with a woman’s name as the title is “Jessi Jane” on this disc. This song gives us an insight as to a possible ulterior motive for the band to perform at SXSW, singing

        Oh Jessi Jane why have you gone

        You’ve gone away down to Austin for so long

        you broke my heart dear, and you blew my mind oh Jessi Jane…
Jessi Jane, consider yourself warned!  "Stick Around" is another standout, more of a country tune with pedal steel and piano thrown in.
The band has been touring constantly for 5 years, so if you are able to catch them in Austin (or elsewhere) you will see a young but seasoned performing band.  They are planning to tour extensively in the lower 48 and Europe in 2008 to promote the new CD.  Their website is www.thewhipsaws.com.