The Villebillies
Encyclopedia
Villebillies [VILL-BILL-EEZ] is an American
band from Louisville, Kentucky
.
The band released their self-titled debut record on September 26, 2006 through Universal Motown Records
. Villebillies have toured extensively across the U.S. as a headlining act and as an opener for many notable acts.
By the time of their first live performance on February 16, 2002 the lineup had grown to include vocalists Derek Monyhan, Dyllan O'Daniel, and David Mouser.
Villebillies performed as a five man vocal act until late 2004 when the group officially merged with Demaree's other band, Plan Of Man. The group began showcasing for major labels and in August 2005 Universal Motown Records
signed the ten man band.
The band hired producer Toby Wright
to record their debut album. Disagreements between the band and producer caused delays and late in the process the band hired Bob Ezrin
to produce the final track on the album.
Villebillies major label debut was released on September 26, 2006. The band toured in support of the record, headlining large clubs through the south and Midwest and opening for a variety of major acts ranging from hip hop stars like Nelly
to country music icons like Hank Williams Jr.
In January 2007 after several months of on and off touring David Mouser decided to leave the group. His departure was sudden and unexpected but the band quickly recovered, performing shows with the remaining vocalists filling in on Mouser's parts.
In May they headed out on their first nationwide tour in support of Skratch 'N Sniff, a nationally syndicated radio program based in San Diego, California. The bill included four other acts, (həd) p.e., Authority Zero
, Mower
, and Danny Diablo
, all affiliated with the indie label Suburban Noize. The tour visited over thirty cities across the U.S. and received heavy radio promotion.
At the end of the Scratch N Sniff tour the band experienced a series of setbacks that started with the record labels decision not to renew their contract and the subsequent departure of the band's management. The situation was further complicated when Dyllan O'Daniel and William Young left the group to pursue other interests.
As rumors of a breakup began to circulate, the band responded by booking shows, posting a new song “Stranger” to the internet, and announcing their intention to release a new album sometime in 2008.
The band looked to put a positive spin on their situation. In a December 2007 interview vocalist Derek “Child” Monyhan stated "We're better than ever now, because we're smaller, tighter and smarter.". In the same article vocalist Demi Demaree hinted that the band was taking a more “rocked out” approach. A second new single “One Shot” was released to the internet in February 2008 as an example of the bands new direction. Seven months later the band released their second album, "From the Belly of the Beast".
Within weeks of the release of "From the Belly of the Beast" the group produced a music video for the first single, "Stranger". Three more singles, "No Seeds", "One Shot", and "Flask and a Gun" were given the video treatment. All of the videos were co-directed by Shaun Wilson and band members, Demi Demaree and Dustin Tucker. The collaboration marked the launch of Melted Clock Studios, a film production company that, in addition to creating music videos for the Villebillies, produces works for other artists, as well as comedy skits, and promotional videos.
In early 2010 the group went through an other change in lineup. The band contemplated a reunion of the complete original lineup. Dylan O'Daniel and David Mouser both expressed a desire to re-join the group. At the same time, however, Derek Monyhan was considering leaving the Villebillies to focus on his family and pursue his own creative direction. By spring of that year Monyhan had left and O'Daniel re-joined the band.
After the lineup change the Villebillies began writing music for a new album. The first new song "Talk To Me" was leaked to the internet as a live acoustic performance filmed back stage at the Hullabalou Music Festival. The studio version of the song and accompanying music video were released in late fall of 2010. Around the same time the Villebillies made available to the internet a collection of early unreleased material under the album title "Early Times". After nearly a year-long absence, Monyhan rejoined the band in early 2011. The Villebillies are expected to release their fourth full-length studio album "Appetite for Dysfunction" in the spring of 2011.
The main instrumental lineup consists of drums, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric bass guitar, and an instant replay machine. Additional instruments that have been featured in Villebillies music include keyboard, banjo, harmonica, brass horn sections, and classical string sections.
, the band's hometown and largest urban
center in Kentucky
, and Hillbilly
in reference to Kentucky's rural
mountain culture. The name references the cross genre nature of the band's music.
Readers Choice Awards in various categories as "Best Hip Hop Artist/Band" and "Best Local Rock Band". The group has also received local radio play on both rock and hip hop stations.
Villebillies have been involved in various local charitable organizations and events such as Kentucky Harvest as well as hosting many benefit concerts for individuals in need.
Villebillies songs have been used as background music for television programs such as MTV
's Next, and ESPN
's broadcast of a University of Louisville
football game in 2006.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
band from Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
.
The band released their self-titled debut record on September 26, 2006 through Universal Motown Records
Universal Motown Records
Universal Motown Records was a record label that operated as a division of Universal Motown Republic Group. It was the contemporary incarnation of the legendary Motown Records label, and the "urban" half of UMRG, although there was some rock artists on the label as well.Changes were made at...
. Villebillies have toured extensively across the U.S. as a headlining act and as an opener for many notable acts.
History
The band was formed in early 2001 through a collaboration between Demi Demaree, lead singer of the Louisville rock band Plan Of Man, and the hip hop production team of Dustin Tucker and William Young. The first demo recordings featured instrumental contributions from Demaree's Plan Of Man bandmates, Adam Goff, Ron Ping, Justin Reid, and Tim Bernauer.By the time of their first live performance on February 16, 2002 the lineup had grown to include vocalists Derek Monyhan, Dyllan O'Daniel, and David Mouser.
Villebillies performed as a five man vocal act until late 2004 when the group officially merged with Demaree's other band, Plan Of Man. The group began showcasing for major labels and in August 2005 Universal Motown Records
Universal Motown Records
Universal Motown Records was a record label that operated as a division of Universal Motown Republic Group. It was the contemporary incarnation of the legendary Motown Records label, and the "urban" half of UMRG, although there was some rock artists on the label as well.Changes were made at...
signed the ten man band.
The band hired producer Toby Wright
Toby Wright
Toby Wright is a record producer and mixing engineer who has worked with artists such as Alice in Chains, Metallica, Sevendust and Korn. He is currently in Nashville, Tennessee working on Kara Clark's latest Ep.-Producer:...
to record their debut album. Disagreements between the band and producer caused delays and late in the process the band hired Bob Ezrin
Bob Ezrin
Robert Alan "Bob" Ezrin is a Canadian music producer and keyboardist, known for his work with artists including Alice Cooper, Kiss and Pink Floyd. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2004.-Biography:...
to produce the final track on the album.
Villebillies major label debut was released on September 26, 2006. The band toured in support of the record, headlining large clubs through the south and Midwest and opening for a variety of major acts ranging from hip hop stars like Nelly
Nelly
Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album...
to country music icons like Hank Williams Jr.
In January 2007 after several months of on and off touring David Mouser decided to leave the group. His departure was sudden and unexpected but the band quickly recovered, performing shows with the remaining vocalists filling in on Mouser's parts.
In May they headed out on their first nationwide tour in support of Skratch 'N Sniff, a nationally syndicated radio program based in San Diego, California. The bill included four other acts, (həd) p.e., Authority Zero
Authority Zero
Authority Zero is a punk rock band from Mesa, Arizona. The band's style is rooted in reggae and skate punk, with Bad Religion, Pennywise, and Sublime cited as influences. The band also draws from Spanish/Portuguese influences.-History:...
, Mower
Mower (band)
Mower is a Hardcore/Punk jazz band from San Diego, California formed in the early '90s. The band released their debut album Mower in 2003 on Suburban Noize Records. The band's alter ego Slower is a softer version of the band with more of a softer Jazz/Lounge punk sound.-Biography:Mower is a punk...
, and Danny Diablo
Danny Diablo
Danny Diablo a.k.a. Lord Ezec is an underground recording artist focusing mainly in the worlds of hardcore punk and hip hop. He has fronted the hardcore bands Crown of Thornz and Skarhead and is known for his heavily tattooed image and his Queens-bred thug lifestyle.-Early life:Dan Singer was born...
, all affiliated with the indie label Suburban Noize. The tour visited over thirty cities across the U.S. and received heavy radio promotion.
At the end of the Scratch N Sniff tour the band experienced a series of setbacks that started with the record labels decision not to renew their contract and the subsequent departure of the band's management. The situation was further complicated when Dyllan O'Daniel and William Young left the group to pursue other interests.
As rumors of a breakup began to circulate, the band responded by booking shows, posting a new song “Stranger” to the internet, and announcing their intention to release a new album sometime in 2008.
The band looked to put a positive spin on their situation. In a December 2007 interview vocalist Derek “Child” Monyhan stated "We're better than ever now, because we're smaller, tighter and smarter.". In the same article vocalist Demi Demaree hinted that the band was taking a more “rocked out” approach. A second new single “One Shot” was released to the internet in February 2008 as an example of the bands new direction. Seven months later the band released their second album, "From the Belly of the Beast".
Within weeks of the release of "From the Belly of the Beast" the group produced a music video for the first single, "Stranger". Three more singles, "No Seeds", "One Shot", and "Flask and a Gun" were given the video treatment. All of the videos were co-directed by Shaun Wilson and band members, Demi Demaree and Dustin Tucker. The collaboration marked the launch of Melted Clock Studios, a film production company that, in addition to creating music videos for the Villebillies, produces works for other artists, as well as comedy skits, and promotional videos.
In early 2010 the group went through an other change in lineup. The band contemplated a reunion of the complete original lineup. Dylan O'Daniel and David Mouser both expressed a desire to re-join the group. At the same time, however, Derek Monyhan was considering leaving the Villebillies to focus on his family and pursue his own creative direction. By spring of that year Monyhan had left and O'Daniel re-joined the band.
After the lineup change the Villebillies began writing music for a new album. The first new song "Talk To Me" was leaked to the internet as a live acoustic performance filmed back stage at the Hullabalou Music Festival. The studio version of the song and accompanying music video were released in late fall of 2010. Around the same time the Villebillies made available to the internet a collection of early unreleased material under the album title "Early Times". After nearly a year-long absence, Monyhan rejoined the band in early 2011. The Villebillies are expected to release their fourth full-length studio album "Appetite for Dysfunction" in the spring of 2011.
Musical style
Villebillies' musical style is characterized by a mix of traditional live instruments and hip hop style beats and samples with layered rap verses and melodic hooks sung in a more rock and roll style. The band's music features elements of folk, country, blues, jazz, and classical styles.The main instrumental lineup consists of drums, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric bass guitar, and an instant replay machine. Additional instruments that have been featured in Villebillies music include keyboard, banjo, harmonica, brass horn sections, and classical string sections.
The name
The word "Villebillies" [Vill-bill-eez] came from a lyric written by vocalist Derek "Child" Monyhan shortly after joining the group. It is a combination of the words LouisvilleLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, the band's hometown and largest urban
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
center in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, and Hillbilly
Hillbilly
Hillbilly is a term referring to certain people who dwell in rural, mountainous areas of the United States, primarily Appalachia but also the Ozarks. Owing to its strongly stereotypical connotations, the term is frequently considered derogatory, and so is usually offensive to those Americans of...
in reference to Kentucky's rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
mountain culture. The name references the cross genre nature of the band's music.
Local impact
The Villebillies have received and been nominated for several LEOLouisville Eccentric Observer
The Louisville Eccentric Observer is a free weekly newspaper , distributed every Wednesday in over 800 locations throughout the Louisville, Kentucky area, including areas of southern Indiana...
Readers Choice Awards in various categories as "Best Hip Hop Artist/Band" and "Best Local Rock Band". The group has also received local radio play on both rock and hip hop stations.
Villebillies have been involved in various local charitable organizations and events such as Kentucky Harvest as well as hosting many benefit concerts for individuals in need.
National impact
Villebillies found more success in the national scene as a live act than a recording artist. Store sales of their debut album have been low by major label standards and the band has been given very little mainstream radio play outside of their hometown. However, the nationally syndicated Scratch N Sniff Radio has been a strong outlet for the band and CD sales at live concerts have steadily increased from show to show.Villebillies songs have been used as background music for television programs such as MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Next, and ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's broadcast of a University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
football game in 2006.
Albums
| Release Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| September 26, 2006 | Villebillies Villebillies (album) Villebillies is the self-titled debut album of Villebillies. Released on September 26, 2006 on Universal Records, the album did not peak.- Track listing :# Intro# Whiskey# Burnin Down The House# Grass Roots# Mr. Brown Bag# Rolling Stone... |
Universal Motown |
| September 30, 2008 | From the Belly of the Beast | Hack Music |
| November 12, 2010 | Early Times | Island Earth music |
Awards and nominations
- 2010 LEOLouisville Eccentric ObserverThe Louisville Eccentric Observer is a free weekly newspaper , distributed every Wednesday in over 800 locations throughout the Louisville, Kentucky area, including areas of southern Indiana...
Readers Choice Award- Winner - Best Hip Hop Artist/Band
- 2009 LEO Readers Choice Award
- Nominated - Best Hip Hop Artist/Band
- 2008 LEO Readers Choice Award
- Nominated - Best Hip Hop Artist/band
- 2007 LEO Readers Choice Award
- Winner - Best Hip Hop Artist/Band
- 2006 LEO Readers Choice Award
- Winner - Best Original Band
- Nominated - Best Hip Hop Artist/Band
- Nominated - Best Local Rock Band
- 2005 LEO Readers Choice Award
- Winner - Best Hip Hop Artist/Band
- Nominated - Best New Local Band
- Nominated - Best Original Band
- Nominated - Best Country Western Band
- Nominated - Best Local Web Site