Founded by Chandler Travis, Steve Shook, and Rikki Bates in 1980, the Incredible Casuals were something of a New England legend until they disbanded in 2013. Their first full-length album, “That’s That”, was released on England’s Demon label in 1986 and on Rounder in the U.S. the following year, and was followed by five more “official” full-length releases, along with a score of homemade efforts and a 2007 “Best Of” collection, and toured extensively in the U.S., Europe, and in Japan, where many of their albums have been re-released.
After about ten years of turning down requests to regroup, Travis, Bates, and longtime Casual Steve “Woo Woo” Wood got back together in the summer of 2023, and enjoyed reviving their repertoire so much that they decided it might be something that somehow really still needs doing, and voila, the Invincible Casuals were (re-)born, much to the delight of a surprisingly large flock of fans who never gave up (including a goodly throng of “Casualties” who never missed a Sunday of their thirty-plus year run at the Wellfleet Beachcomber, their home bar on Cape Cod.)
“The Casuals make a vintage guitar-driven noise laced with cool Brit-pop hooks and harmonies not unlike NRBQ but with a hint of Replacements-style corrosion…”– David Fricke, Rolling Stone
This ravishing record is a stark reminder of rock’s basic power and simple pleasures. Boy, do we need it now!”– David Hiltbrand, People
The music of Sidewalk Driver is high energy, highly-infectious, hook-driven, Rock with a capital ‘R.’ The sound is modern but the heart of the band seems to be more in line with 1970s rock culture… the Bowies and the Belushis of the world. Lead singer Tad McKitterick’s voice has power and clarity, is expressive without falling off the pitch and is forceful without losing subtle moments. Guitarists Kate Murdoch and Jared Egan seamlessly weave crunchy rhythms with soaring solos while bassist Jonn Smith and drummer A.J. Locke hold down the bottom end. The songs always come with some odd bent but not one that repels; rather, they welcome you to join in the celebration like a carnival barker hyping a freak show.
Sidewalk Driver has provided direct support for an eclectic blend of national acts—including Bon Jovi, The B-52s, Spacehog, Twenty One Pilots, Andrew W.K., and Electric Six—winning over a wide variety of audiences with each performance by injecting humor and fun into their high-octane rock show.
