Great American Taxi Delivers Ride To ‘Honky Tonk Heaven’

Former Leftover Salmon front man heads up neo-Americana act

Humboldt Sentinel
11/8/08
By Sentinel Staff

Great American Taxi continues to break through the barriers of traditional music and forge a musical path that is distinctly their own, and they’re bringing their show, fare box and all, to the Red Fox Tavern next week.

With Leftover Salmon's former front man Vince Herman steering the ride, Great American Taxi reaches beyond the realms of traditional Americana, Roots, Funk, Rock, and full flavored Country and has instead melded these into a sound aptly dubbed, "Americana without Borders."

Great American Taxi was originally formed when Vince Herman scrambled to put together a group of musicians for a post-Katrina benefit. What transpired was the creation of a seven-piece band that gelled so quickly it was impossible to give up. A few years later (and a couple members lighter), Great American Taxi has traveled across the country countless times picking up many fans for the ride, become a staple to the festival scene, and released a critically acclaimed debut album (Streets of Gold). It appears, to the joy of their fans, that Taxi is here to stay.

While Great American Taxi has chosen to make their mark the old fashioned way, taking to the road and gaining fans one by one, their debut album, Streets of Gold, hit the shelves with a great response from fans and critics alike. From the warm heart-felt lyrics of the title track, to the festival feel of "Ride," down to the politically and environmentally charged "Appalachian Soul," this album truly shows the range and appeal of Great American Taxi. While relying on their talent in improvisation, it is truly their songwriting and the structure of their songs that makes them unique to the scene.

On lead guitar, vocals, and various other instruments, Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon) drives this ride bringing along his now famous festival attitude for passengers to enjoy. Keyboardist, Chad Staehly (John McKay Band) brings literate, melodic tunes in the vintage country rock tradition. With additional vocals and a powerful big-room feel provided by drummer Jake Coffin and bassist Edwin Hurwitz, Great American Taxi has found a recipe that keeps fans traveling from city to city to see what they might come up with next. To keep the ride fresh, Taxi has a rotation of lead guitar players getting on and off the ride in different cities, among them are Jefferson Hamer (Single Malt Band), Barry Sless (Phil & Friends, Moonalice), and Jim Lewin - but you never know who might get on in your city! It is the blending of each band member's style and experiences as well as a dedication to playing great new music that makes Great American Taxi a force to be reckoned with.

No other ensemble on the scene today floats so effortlessly along the roots-rock spectrum with such ground breaking original style or genuine love of music and the stage. Through it all, they keep the audience dancing - and laughing - along.

"Vince Herman and company proceeded to take us all to honky-tonk heaven, stopping off in spacey, cool limbo and hard-rocking "hell-yes" along the nway," said Sarah Hagerman in a review for Jambase.

The Taxi’s next stop is the Red Fox Tavern, where they’ll be pulling over for one stop only in Humboldt County this coming Wednesday, Nov. 12. Tickets are $15 and only for those 21 and over, with the show starting at 10:30 p.m. This is a Passion Presents production in association with the Red Fox Tavern, located at 415 Fifth St. in Eureka.