Click here to see the photos.

Hoots And Hellmouth played the Abbey Bar inside of the Appalachian Brewing Company on 05-14-2010 in Harrisburg, PA as part of ABC’s Anniversary bash.  Previous years brought in the likes of Mike Doughty and Cracker but this year ABC had a special double-headliner bill of Hoots And Hellmouth and The Bridge.  Four hours of fun organic music mixed with $3 craft brew beers made this a successful night for ABC.

Hoots And Hellmouth are a Philadelphia based roots/bluegrass/folk group that is hard to define.  They have had regional success with the help of WXPN playing many of their songs over the years including “What Good Are Plowshares If We Use Them Like Swords?”, “Want on Nothing”, and most recently “You and All of Us”. The band promotes organic farming and supporting local businesses.  The organic beliefs have spilled into their music as well.  They are hard workers, always reward the local area with plentiful and energetic shows, and also help support other regional acts.

Hoots And Hellmouth area:
Sean Hoots – guitar, vocals
Andrew “Hellmouth” Gray – guitar, vocals
Rob Berliner – mandolin, vocals
John Branigan – bass  (They had a different bass player every time I have seen them though)

I have seen H&HM several times now and they never fail to get an audience started or get people moving.  Not only were they in the opening slot of the show but they also had to compete with the TVs in the back of the bar which had Game 7 of the Stanley Cup semi finals in which their hometown team, Philadelphia Flyers, won their 4th consecutive win to overtake the series 4-3. Why bring this up?  Not only is Harrisburg area full of Flyers fans but this was one of the biggest games of the season and Hoots & Hellmouth were able to steal the crowd’s attention and captivate them all at once.

Their new album, “The Holy Open Secret”, picks up right where the self-titled album left off but a little more refined.  I still love the classic staples and I am also glad they played my favorite from their first album, “The Good I Know You know”.  I had to request that song the last few times I saw them so it was great to see it on the setlist.

I am grateful that ABC has done so well over the years and provides their patrons with great music week after week.  From the inner plannings of the people behind www.greenbelts.com of these shows to the hops, barley and malts that are lovingly brewed on site, you know that Appalachian Brewing Company care about their business and their customers.

The show was recorded and posted so you can download or stream the show here.  Thanks to the tapers who get these shows out for everyone to hear!

The setlist for the night was as follows:
Dishpan hands
Forks and Knives
Antebellum Tree
You and All of Us
The Family Band
Watch Your Mouth
Rattle These Bones
Asleep on the Couch
Abattoir Altar Boy and Girl
Root of the Industry
If You Want It I Don’t Mind
Home For Supper
West of Where the Sun Goes Down
Three Penny Charm
The Good I Know You Know
This Hand is a Mighty Hand
What Good Are Plowshares If We Use Them Like Swords?
Roll, Brandywine, Roll
Encore Break
Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie