Whiskerman
Formed in Oakland, California in the beginning of the new millennium, Whiskerman quickly became a favorite amongst Bay Area audiences with their unique blend of folk-rock coupled with mysterious and profound lyricism and evocative instrumentation. Most shows would end with singer-songwriter Graham Patzner singing at the top of his lungs and sawing away at his fiddle like some crazed madman preaching a mysterious old time religion. In 2011 they released their self-titled debut Whiskerman, the culmination of years of songwriting and woodshedding.
Over time the band’s sound became more and more eclectic, taking on a wide range of influences and highlighting the unique talents of each band member. Shows began to feature increasingly widescreen instrumentation: Patzner’s vocal delivery began to draw more and more from classic soul and gospel singers; drummer Nick Cobbett started playing like Levon Helm; bassist Will Lawrence put some some funk into the low end; and guitarist Charles Lloyd, who joined up after the self-titled debut, added so much to the band with his melodic and soulful guitar playing—some shows even featured Lloyd on sitar, an instrument he’s spent years of his life studying in passionate earnest. Their releases began to reflect this eclectic shift—2014’s Bad News EP featured soul influenced pop songs with horn lines and funky vibes, while 2015’s Nomad featured orchestral pop with delicately layered string sections and darkly cerebral rock n’ roll tunes with electronic flourishes.
Fast forward to 2026 - American Hell is the new album by Whiskerman, a sprawling double LP set to be released in two parts beginning with American Hell Pt. I on January 23rd 2026. Following up 2023’s Champions (Deluxe Edition), the new album is both a return to form and a statement of purpose for the band, their first collection of new music since 2020’s Kingdom Illusion. Across nearly a dozen tracks the band explores the malaise that’s settled over the United States in recent years, redefining for themselves what it means to be an American in these changing times.
