Artist: ERIC SARDINAS
Album: STICKS AND STONES (CD)

Year: 2011
Media type: CD

Slide guitarist and singer-songwriter Eric Sardinas has a reputation for packing intensity into his live performances. Since the late-90s’ Sardinas has taken the stage thousands of times across the globe, with audiences growing exponentially each passing year. His six albums have displayed a distinct style that musically pushes the boundaries of rock and blues, and the world has taken notice.

Now Sardinas has put his onstage lighting in a bottle for the new album Sticks And Stones, an 11-song powerhouse of his trademark slide guitar that is a vehicle to drive his inspiration from the roadhouse in to mainstream music. Sardinas’ unique mixture weaves his heavy blues and rock threads in to a flamethrower to the listener and takes them on a ride encompassing the past, present and future of what music is meant to be.

More fans have heard that voice with each tour Sardinas and his band Big Motor have made, and with each of the previous six albums he’s recorded. Those discs include 2003’s live-in-the-studio Black Pearls, which was produced by Jimi Hendrix’s engineer Eddie Kramer, and 2009’s Eric Sardinas and Big Motor, helmed by Matt Gruber. For Sticks And Stones, the trio approached the studio with a no holds barred approach. Whether acoustic and electric, they stayed true to their live sound, recording with no rules. Levell Price (bass) and Chris Frazier (drums), join Sardinas in delivering a kaleidoscope that melds all the shades and hues of the band’s intensity. “As always, every note is meaningful and has something to say from each player,” says Sardinas.

The common thread in all the tunes on Sticks And Stones is the essence of affairs of the heart – passions, hopes and dreams are all inspirational in a positive and negative way to Sardinas. He shares, “I like writing about universal themes. The trick is to find my own unique way of expressing myself within those themes. Every breathing moment if you walk with yours eyes open, there is song there.”

A Florida-born Sardinas picked up a guitar at age six. He was inspired by the energy of roots music from his mom’s soul, Motown, gospel, and early rock n’ roll collection. From his elder brother, classic rock was always being played. Sardinas reflects, ”Music was always heard in the house. I woke up to, and fell asleep to it. Still do”. In his teens, he submersed himself in the Blues. “That was it for me,” he says.

“In blending my influences, I found my own sound. I feel very fulfilled being able to make this music my life for more than 20 years now. And my goal
is to keep growing and improving, and to respect this music and stick by it the way its has supported and inspired me.”

TRACKLIST:

01. Cherry Wine
02. Road To Ruin
03. Full Tilt Mama
04. County Line
05. Through The Thorns
06. Burnin’ Sugar
07. Ratchet Blues
08. Behind The 8
09. Goodness
10. Make It Shine
11. Too Many Ghosts