Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition

Jim Mathus balanced his commitments to the Squirrel Nut Zippers by launching separate endeavors, sometimes billed as James Mathus, Jas Mathus, Jimbo "Hambone" Mathus, or simply Jimbo Mathus. These ventures included guest spots on Andrew Bird’s Thrills and Bowl of Fire. In 1997 Mathus joined Zippers bassist Stu Cole, producer Mike Napolitano, and pianist Greg Bell to create the Knockdown Society, which issued Play Songs for Rosetta—a set of Charley Patton numbers whose proceeds supported the bluesman’s daughter Rosetta and her relatives. By late 2001 he shifted direction again on National Antiseptic, paying homage to the electric juke joint swamp rock sound of the Deep South. The equally blues-inflected and wide-ranging Stop and Let the Devil Ride followed in 2003, then Knockdown South appeared two years later. Turning toward the acoustic foundations of Mississippi blues and country, Mathus released Old School Hot Wings in 2006. That same year Artemis Records put out Jimmy the Kid under the Jimbo Mathus name. Retaining the Jimbo billing, he delivered Confederate Buddha in 2011. Blue Light, a six-song solo vinyl EP, surfaced in 2012, and the full-length White Buffalo arrived the next year, credited to Jimbo Mathus & the Tri-State Coalition and featuring guitarist Matt Pierce, bassist Terrence Bishop, keyboardist Eric Carlton, and drummer Ryan Rogers.