The Countdown Quartet

North Carolina's Countdown Quartet coalesced as an indie supergroup that pulls together current and former members from the Tonebenders, Squirrel Nut Zippers, and lower-profile acts such as Six String Drag, Knockdown Society, and Ultra Fox. Trombonist Dave Wright and bassist Steve Grothmann, both of the Tonebenders, launched the project after that ensemble disbanded. The quartet delivers upbeat soul-funk that alternates between instrumental and vocal material while sometimes carrying a distinct New Orleans R&B flavor. Their self-titled debut appeared in 1999 and was succeeded in early 2001 by Party With!