Biography
Emerging in the opening months of 1998, the dark blues duo Soledad Brothers took shape when guitarist/vocalist Johnny Wirick, also known as Johnny Walker, invited drummer Ben Smith, also known as Ben Swank, to perform at a show. Their recordings have appeared on Detroit's Italy Records as well as on Estrus, the label based in Bellingham, Washington. The pair's collaboration reaches back to the Toledo, Ohio blues ensemble Henry and June, active from 1994 to 1996. Following the dissolution of that group, Wirick teamed with drummer Doug Walker in the two-piece blues project Johnny Walker. Early in 1998, shortly before one of the band's performances, Walker departed, prompting Wirick to recruit Smith as a temporary replacement; Smith accepted. What began as a single engagement evolved into an ongoing partnership under the Soledad Brothers name.
Following several appearances in the Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan regions, Dave Buick, proprietor of Italy Records, contacted the duo about recording a single. Their debut 7" appeared in late 1998. At roughly the same moment, the national independent label Estrus started handling distribution for portions of Italy's catalog. After hearing the Soledad Brothers, Estrus offered the group a contract in early 1999. Under this arrangement the band cut its second single, issued late that year and produced by Jack White of the Detroit band White Stripes. White had followed the Soledad Brothers since their inaugural performance and had shared label affiliation with them at Italy Records. He further contributed to the two-year recording process that yielded the group's self-titled debut. During this period the duo opened for legendary MC5 manager John Sinclair at Cleveland, Ohio's Pat's, situated in the historic Flats district. Impressed by the performance, Sinclair asked the Soledad Brothers to serve as his backing ensemble for that portion of the evening. The resulting friendship led Sinclair to compose the liner notes for the band's 2000 debut album.
Their sophomore release, 2002's Steal Your Soul and Dare Your Spirit to Move, introduced additional instrumentation such as a second guitar and welcomed multi-instrumentalist Oliver Henry into the lineup. Along with numerous other Detroit acts, the Soledad Brothers unexpectedly profited from the sudden international breakthrough of the White Stripes, which directed fresh interest toward the city's blues-rooted rock community. In 2003 the group issued its first major-label album, Voice of Treason.
Following several appearances in the Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan regions, Dave Buick, proprietor of Italy Records, contacted the duo about recording a single. Their debut 7" appeared in late 1998. At roughly the same moment, the national independent label Estrus started handling distribution for portions of Italy's catalog. After hearing the Soledad Brothers, Estrus offered the group a contract in early 1999. Under this arrangement the band cut its second single, issued late that year and produced by Jack White of the Detroit band White Stripes. White had followed the Soledad Brothers since their inaugural performance and had shared label affiliation with them at Italy Records. He further contributed to the two-year recording process that yielded the group's self-titled debut. During this period the duo opened for legendary MC5 manager John Sinclair at Cleveland, Ohio's Pat's, situated in the historic Flats district. Impressed by the performance, Sinclair asked the Soledad Brothers to serve as his backing ensemble for that portion of the evening. The resulting friendship led Sinclair to compose the liner notes for the band's 2000 debut album.
Their sophomore release, 2002's Steal Your Soul and Dare Your Spirit to Move, introduced additional instrumentation such as a second guitar and welcomed multi-instrumentalist Oliver Henry into the lineup. Along with numerous other Detroit acts, the Soledad Brothers unexpectedly profited from the sudden international breakthrough of the White Stripes, which directed fresh interest toward the city's blues-rooted rock community. In 2003 the group issued its first major-label album, Voice of Treason.
Albums
Live