The group, known for dual citizenship in L.A. and New Orleans,
featured Vicki Peterson (Bangles), Susan Cowsill (The Cowsills),
Peter Holsapple (The dB’s) and others.
Born in Los Angeles in the early 1990s via a residency of jam sessions at a Hollywood dive club called in Raji’s, then relocating to New Orleans, the Continental Drifters lasted about a decade, ending when Hurricane Katrina demolished their homes and the band members scattered.
Key members included Vicki Peterson (Bangles), Susan Cowsill (The Cowsills), Peter Holsapple (The dB’s, R.E.M.), and many others — including the only member who has been with them from the beginning, Mark Walton (Giant Sand, The Dream Syndicate). However, there were also several singer/songwriters (Carlo Nuccio, Gary Eaton, Ray Ganucheau) who shine as brightly as their slightly more famous bandmates. That’s the magic that we’ve captured on Disc One of this set with the band’s earliest recordings — many previously unissued, others that only appeared briefly on a German-only album.
On July 17, 2015, Omnivore Recordingswill issue the 2-CD Continental Drifters compilation Drifted: In The Beginning & Beyond.
The best possible comparison is that the Continental Drifters had a similar vibe to the classic roots combo Delaney & Bonnie & Friends — more of a “collective” than a band — in which there were several distinctly original lead singers, blistering sidemen instrumentalists and an inspiring blend of both original and seminal cover songs with a Southern-fried, blue-eyed soul approach that couldn’t be beat.
Disc Two, an incredible treat for the band’s hardcore fans as well as fans of classic roots music in general, was culled from live sets, tribute albums (Gram Parsons, The Hollies) and the rare 2001 European only EP Listen, Listen, their valentine to Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson, as well as other unheard treasures.
According to Peter Holsapple, “I believe that this was a band who were the very illustration of a shattering live experience, the embodiment of a force majeure, a family-style drinking society of impavid proportions, and purveyors of some of sweetest harmony songs of its decade. Having Omnivore work its magic on a Drifters’ record is a testimony to the sonic worth of that record; I’m really happy that fans will be able to experience the music in this way, after all this time. Sounded great then, sounds great now!”
Susan Cowsill comments, “I love that we are an old enough band that people consider things we’ve done in the even further past as some kind of importance. We didn’t see that coming way back in the early days! How cool is it to be 2015 and have a Continental Drifters release. I’ve often thought that our band is, was and always will be timeless. Glad others think so too! Can’t wait for the release, wonder if I can get the band to autograph it?”
Vicki Peterson adds, “Playing in the Continental Drifters rescued my musical soul. This collection captures the early moments when I first fell in mad love with the band.”
Drifted: In The Beginning & Beyond(re)-introduces the Continental Drifters, explores their influence and magnitude, and fills in the gaps of their expansive career. Informative notes from Scott Schinder help tell the story with interviews from band members. It is a trip well worth taking.
