Welcome
Frankenpine is a Brooklyn-based string band with roots reaching from the subway platforms of the city up the Hudson Valley to the crooked mountains of the Adirondacks. The banjo and fiddle in its ranks give it a touch of bluegrass, but the band’s original music draws on a wide range of influences—everything from blues to gypsy jazz to rock to old-time. Its lyrics are similarly eclectic, exploring themes of loss and ambition; telling the stories of outlaws and the outspoken. The result is a set of songs with propulsive rhythms and searing solos, tight arrangements and soaring vocal harmonies
The band formed as a trio in 2007 and has since grown to include Kim and Matthew Chase, Liz Bisbee, Ned P. Rauch, Andy Mullen and Colin DeHond. They play acoustic and resonator guitars, mandolin, bass, fiddle, harmonica, banjo, accordion, percussion and whatever else is within reach. The band has appeared on WNYC, WKCR (Columbia University’s radio station) and North Country Public Radio and performs regularly around New York City. Frankenpine is in the midst of a year-long residency at the Lakeside Lounge, in the East Village, playing there the first Thursday of every month.
"Brooklyn-based band named for a cell tower posing as a conifer, lives up to its name: Modern waves radiate from the form of piney old bluegrass and country."
Peter Crowley, Adirondack Daily Enterprise
"With Frankenpine, the music takes centerstage over anyone’s ego which is an awfully nice thing to see. What they play is the future of bluegrass, not the past."Lucid Culture
A "Frankenpine" is a cellphone tower disguised as pine tree. The name for the band came from a painting by Pete Seward called "Frankenpine." We've posted a gallery of Pete's "Stealth Towers" here. Matthew designs all of the Frankenpine posters using Pete's artwork.
