Wiggle Wagons

an interview by charlottefive reporter - Charlottefive.com

an interview by charlottefive reporter - Charlottefive.com

Following these guys was another band that I had never heard of which eventually blew me away. The Wiggle
Wagons, based out of Charlotte, brought a lot of excitement to their set as well as a love for alcohol and classic
country rock sound. They seem to have adopted the term “Country Shred” and I wholeheartedly agree with the
description. The band performs as a five piece with fast paced percussion, high energy bass, finger cramping
keyboards, and incredible guitar work. This is in addition to Daniel Grigg’s singing who also plays the role of
songwriter. The energy brought by the band as a whole was great and the audience was absolutely into the whole
set. I included an mp3 of one of their tracks from their debut album Loaded Up And Truckin, “Man In Black”. - yousoundlikearobot.com

Following these guys was another band that I had never heard of which eventually blew me away. The Wiggle
Wagons, based out of Charlotte, brought a lot of excitement to their set as well as a love for alcohol and classic
country rock sound. They seem to have adopted the term “Country Shred” and I wholeheartedly agree with the
description. The band performs as a five piece with fast paced percussion, high energy bass, finger cramping
keyboards, and incredible guitar work. This is in addition to Daniel Grigg’s singing who also plays the role of
songwriter. The energy brought by the band as a whole was great and the audience was absolutely into the whole
set. I included an mp3 of one of their tracks from their debut album Loaded Up And Truckin, “Man In Black”. - yousoundlikearobot.com

“With everyone mixing up genres these days, why not try taking a classic country sound of somebody like Johnny Cash and mixing it with the energy of, say, Guns N Roses. That’s what the Wiggle Wagons do best. While you’d think the sound was born in the fields of the Carolinas, the band actually got its start in California. Now based in the Charlotte area, the band members and the music feel right at home” - Jeff Hahne, Creative Loafing Charlotte

“With everyone mixing up genres these days, why not try taking a classic country sound of somebody like Johnny Cash and mixing it with the energy of, say, Guns N Roses. That’s what the Wiggle Wagons do best. While you’d think the sound was born in the fields of the Carolinas, the band actually got its start in California. Now based in the Charlotte area, the band members and the music feel right at home” - Jeff Hahne, Creative Loafing Charlotte

After we all got fed and drinks in our hands, the music began with the Wiggle Wagons who I had heard a lot
about but had never had the pleasure of witnessing. Their country music is equal parts catchy and complicated.
Traditional honky-tonk bass lines led the way for foot stomping drumming and the twang of their guitars,
bringing us into a sweaty daydream of the moment. Although all of their musicians were talented as all, I’ve
gotta give it to their guitar player, Budd. That man was shredding up his instrument unlike any country guitar
player I have seen. His intricate solos captivated me and kept me in focus, watching every finger placement
change in slow motion. This may be a bold statement, but I think he may be the best damn country guitar player
in town. - Jenny Lou Bement, Shutter 16

After we all got fed and drinks in our hands, the music began with the Wiggle Wagons who I had heard a lot
about but had never had the pleasure of witnessing. Their country music is equal parts catchy and complicated.
Traditional honky-tonk bass lines led the way for foot stomping drumming and the twang of their guitars,
bringing us into a sweaty daydream of the moment. Although all of their musicians were talented as all, I’ve
gotta give it to their guitar player, Budd. That man was shredding up his instrument unlike any country guitar
player I have seen. His intricate solos captivated me and kept me in focus, watching every finger placement
change in slow motion. This may be a bold statement, but I think he may be the best damn country guitar player
in town. - Jenny Lou Bement, Shutter 16

To a crowd dwindling to around 20, Wiggle Wagons stepped on stage at Snug Harbor on Nov.
26 with determination that meant we were in for a fantastic set. A set that wouldn't go
unnoticed by those who were there, but would obviously be missed by many.
Although Bud was ridden by the sickness going around, he still held down his guitar skills with
the fervor he normally exerts — a testament to the rumor that he is one of the best guitarists
in the area. He tore up every breakdown and shredded for us as if he was at his best. As far as
musicianship goes, it was one of the best Wiggle Wagons shows in awhile. They were all onpoint.
Chris tore up his drums and even Daniel was sober enough to remain on the ball with
his setlist instead of bantering to the audience about his state of mind. This was something
those that who have seen them before, at least at the Milestone, would not be privy to on a
normal basis. Typically, by the time they go on, everyone is in a drunken, hootin', hollerin'
mood and it becomes contagious to the attention of the band as well. And although the
atmosphere was much calmer than a packed-out Wiggle Wagons show with everyone tipsy,
their country-rock combo still radiated to all in the venue, causing glasses to tip back and feet
to stomp to the beat. - Jenny Lou Bement, Creative Loafing Charlotte

To a crowd dwindling to around 20, Wiggle Wagons stepped on stage at Snug Harbor on Nov.
26 with determination that meant we were in for a fantastic set. A set that wouldn't go
unnoticed by those who were there, but would obviously be missed by many.
Although Bud was ridden by the sickness going around, he still held down his guitar skills with
the fervor he normally exerts — a testament to the rumor that he is one of the best guitarists
in the area. He tore up every breakdown and shredded for us as if he was at his best. As far as
musicianship goes, it was one of the best Wiggle Wagons shows in awhile. They were all onpoint.
Chris tore up his drums and even Daniel was sober enough to remain on the ball with
his setlist instead of bantering to the audience about his state of mind. This was something
those that who have seen them before, at least at the Milestone, would not be privy to on a
normal basis. Typically, by the time they go on, everyone is in a drunken, hootin', hollerin'
mood and it becomes contagious to the attention of the band as well. And although the
atmosphere was much calmer than a packed-out Wiggle Wagons show with everyone tipsy,
their country-rock combo still radiated to all in the venue, causing glasses to tip back and feet
to stomp to the beat. - Jenny Lou Bement, Creative Loafing Charlotte

The Good: The late show at the Muse got started after 10:30 p.m. as The Wiggle Wagons
kicked off its set of rock infused with country. This isn't the kind of country that requires
cowboy hats, but it's not Southern rock either. There's twangy guitar-pickin', gritty lyrics and
some Southern drawl that will get your boots tapping enough to knock the cow shit off 'em.
There'll be no line dancing though... too much edge for that. - Jeff Hahne, Creative Loafing Charlotte

The Good: The late show at the Muse got started after 10:30 p.m. as The Wiggle Wagons
kicked off its set of rock infused with country. This isn't the kind of country that requires
cowboy hats, but it's not Southern rock either. There's twangy guitar-pickin', gritty lyrics and
some Southern drawl that will get your boots tapping enough to knock the cow shit off 'em.
There'll be no line dancing though... too much edge for that. - Jeff Hahne, Creative Loafing Charlotte

WIGGLE WAGONS Ultimately, Wiggle Wagons is about the back-and-forth between vocalist Daniel Grigg’s rockabilly quaver and guitarist Bud Burke’s twang-heavy solos. The quartet rewinds a bit, dialing back from modern Nashville flash to a flannel-and-truckstops ’70s vibe. Yeah, it’s still radio-ready and catchy, but more in that decade’s outlaw mode. Rock and country have always been close cousins (where do you think the “billy” in “rockabilly” came from?) and it’s a welcome marriage between the two. Wait, that came out wrong ... (Corbie Hill)
- Corbie Hill, Creative Loafing Charlotte

WIGGLE WAGONS Ultimately, Wiggle Wagons is about the back-and-forth between vocalist Daniel Grigg’s rockabilly quaver and guitarist Bud Burke’s twang-heavy solos. The quartet rewinds a bit, dialing back from modern Nashville flash to a flannel-and-truckstops ’70s vibe. Yeah, it’s still radio-ready and catchy, but more in that decade’s outlaw mode. Rock and country have always been close cousins (where do you think the “billy” in “rockabilly” came from?) and it’s a welcome marriage between the two. Wait, that came out wrong ... (Corbie Hill)
- Corbie Hill, Creative Loafing Charlotte

To a crowd dwindling to around 20, Wiggle Wagons stepped on stage at Snug Harbor on Nov.
26 with determination that meant we were in for a fantastic set. A set that wouldn't go
unnoticed by those who were there, but would obviously be missed by many.
Although Bud was ridden by the sickness going around, he still held down his guitar skills with
the fervor he normally exerts — a testament to the rumor that he is one of the best guitarists
in the area. He tore up every breakdown and shredded for us as if he was at his best. As far as
musicianship goes, it was one of the best Wiggle Wagons shows in awhile. They were all onpoint.
Chris tore up his drums and even Daniel was sober enough to remain on the ball with
his setlist instead of bantering to the audience about his state of mind. This was something
those that who have seen them before, at least at the Milestone, would not be privy to on a
normal basis. Typically, by the time they go on, everyone is in a drunken, hootin', hollerin'
mood and it becomes contagious to the attention of the band as well. And although the
atmosphere was much calmer than a packed-out Wiggle Wagons show with everyone tipsy,
their country-rock combo still radiated to all in the venue, causing glasses to tip back and feet
to stomp to the beat. - Posted by Jenny Lou Bement on Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Creative Loafing Charlotte

To a crowd dwindling to around 20, Wiggle Wagons stepped on stage at Snug Harbor on Nov.
26 with determination that meant we were in for a fantastic set. A set that wouldn't go
unnoticed by those who were there, but would obviously be missed by many.
Although Bud was ridden by the sickness going around, he still held down his guitar skills with
the fervor he normally exerts — a testament to the rumor that he is one of the best guitarists
in the area. He tore up every breakdown and shredded for us as if he was at his best. As far as
musicianship goes, it was one of the best Wiggle Wagons shows in awhile. They were all onpoint.
Chris tore up his drums and even Daniel was sober enough to remain on the ball with
his setlist instead of bantering to the audience about his state of mind. This was something
those that who have seen them before, at least at the Milestone, would not be privy to on a
normal basis. Typically, by the time they go on, everyone is in a drunken, hootin', hollerin'
mood and it becomes contagious to the attention of the band as well. And although the
atmosphere was much calmer than a packed-out Wiggle Wagons show with everyone tipsy,
their country-rock combo still radiated to all in the venue, causing glasses to tip back and feet
to stomp to the beat. - Posted by Jenny Lou Bement on Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Creative Loafing Charlotte