The Chicken Chokers

Hailing from the Boston region, the Chicken Chokers merged their string-band roots with reggae, punk, and rap. Fiddler Chad Crumm joined multi-instrumentalists Paul Strother, Taylor Smith, and Jim Reidy to issue two Rounder albums, Shoot Your Radio in 1987 and Old Time Music in 1990. Crumm’s relocation to New York City prompted the group’s breakup. The remaining members launched Primitive Characters, a fiddle outfit rooted more firmly in tradition. Adding fiddler Sandy Stark, they released The Leavin’s in 1997. PC disbanded as well, its fixed song forms unable to accommodate the inventive impulses of Strother, Smith, and Reidy. Those three then formed Twang with bassist Robbie Phillips, whose debut album Second Slam surfaced in 2000.